What’s your thoughts about images of empty chairs? My daughter says they make her think of someone dying. Me? I think of them as inviting me to sit and relax. That was my thought when I made my first project using the Seaside View Stamp Set. I wanted to create a colourful deck scene with a view over the water. Once I was done I thought it would be perfect to decorate a mini pocket photo album. So that’s what I ended up with today.

VIEW FROM A SHIP?

I began with the image of two chairs on a deck from the Seaside View Stamp Set. Using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped the image onto a piece of Whisper White Card. Then I set to work colouring the scene using Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers.

I started with light and dark Granny Apple Green for the small leaved plants. Then I coloured the plant in the pot with light and dark Old Olive. For the rattan chairs and table I used light Daffodil Delight with dark Old Olive for the seat cushion. Next I coloured the throw cushions with light and dark Poppy Parade to add a bright splash of colour.

For the deck I used light Crumb Cake, while the dark one was used on the rugs. Turning to the vase and bowl on the table I chose light and dark Balmy Blue. I also used the dark Balmy Blue for the hull of the yacht. For the fruit in the bowl I went with dark Daffodil Delight and dark Granny Apple Green. That just left the sea, and the area visible through the railings.

At this point I couldn’t decide what should be seen through the railings so I decided to leave it for the moment. The area above however was definitely water so I scribbled on light and dark Pool Party. Then the scene made more sense to me. I thought it could be the scene from the balcony of a cruise ship. That meant that I’d see water through the railings, so I coloured that area to match the rest of the sea. With that done, I set aside the piece while I worked on the rest of the album.

SIMPLE FINISHING TOUCHES

While the sentiments in the Seaside View Stamp Set are nice I chose one from the Well Said Stamp Set instead. Then using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped “My life is better because you’re in it” onto a strip of Whisper White Card. I set this aside while I decided on the colour for my mat layers.

But before I could decide on that I needed to find a suitable background. In the end I found the perfect pattern in the Whale Of A Time 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack.

Now I was ready to start pulling my project together. I took a mini pocket photo album from my stash and removed the boring cover inserts from the front and back pockets. Then I measured the inserts and cut two pieces of Daffodil Delight Card exactly the same size. One of the pieces didn’t need any work, so I simply slid it into the back cover pocket of my mini album.

For the front cover I cut the background DSP 1/8″ smaller than the Daffodil Delight Card, and using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) glued the two pieces together.

Next I mounted the deck scene and sentiment strip onto pieces of Daffodil Delight Card with more liquid glue. Then after attaching the layered pieces to the background I slid the completed cover into the front pocket of the album. Finally my project was complete.

I must say that I love making these mini pocket photo albums. They make great gifts when filled with photos and other memories. What do you think?

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