For today’s Simple Sunday project I thought it would be fun to decorate another pocket photo album. These have been really popular at the craft fairs I’ve attended over the past couple of weeks. Many people commented what great gifts photo albums can make. They are meaningful and not difficult to put together, and not too expensive to mail either. Today’s project is a case in point, pretty paper a stamp set and punch and you’re good to go.

SMILES & LOVE

I began with a pocket photo album purchased at my local Dollarstore. This album is designed to hold 4″ x 6″ photos but had an unappealing cover. So I removed the card inserts from the front and back. Then I measured the pieces and cut some Blueberry Bushel Card the same size.

TIP – Don’t assume the card pieces are exactly the same size, mine were slightly different!

With the card cut I slid one into the last pocket of the album as my back cover. Then I got to work on the front piece.

I chose a design of snowmen having fun from the Let It Snow 12″ x 12″ Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. I cut it to size and then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I attached it to my front cover leaving an even border around the edge.

For my sentiment I looked around a stack of stamp sets for something appropriate but nothing was just right. So in the end I decided to alter a sentiment from the Greatest Part of Christmas (Host) Stamp Set. After mounting the stamp on my acrylic block I placed a piece of sellotape over the top line of words. Next I inked up the stamp with Blueberry Bushel ink then removed the sellotape. Finally I stamped the sentiment onto some Whisper White Card.

PUNCH PRACTICE

With the sentiment ready I then used the Timeless Label Punch to punch it out. But I wasn’t entirely happy. The top line of words seemed a bit crowded and too close to the edge. I wondered if I had another punch that would do the job better…

So I went back to my Whisper White Card, Blueberry Bushel ink and sellotape and stamped the altered sentiment again. This time I punched out the sentiment using the Everyday Label Punch. Despite the fact that the punch body is the same size this punched shape was a smidge wider. That tiny difference was all I needed!

So using liquid glue I added the second punched sentiment to the front of my snowman paper. Then I slid the assembled layers inside the front pocket of the photo album and my project was complete.

PRODUCT LIST

HOST STAMP SET – The Greatest Part of Christmas Stamp Set is a ‘host’ set that can only be purchased using Stampin’ Rewards. These are “dollars” earned as a percentage of your order once it reaches $200 before shipping and taxes. When you are ordering online and begin the checkout process, the system will tell you if you have earned Stampin’ Rewards and prompt you to choose the items you want to buy using these “dollars”. You may choose from any of the Host stamp sets or anything else in the catalogues or Clearance Rack.

HOST CODE GIFT – I know that not all my customers can place an order for $200 before shipping and taxes and that’s why I have set up my host code scheme. Right now, anyone ordering under $200 before shipping and taxes who uses my Host Code when they place their order will be entered into a draw to win the Greatest Part Of Christmas Stamp Set. To be in with a chance to win place your order before November 19th and enter the code GBHZ9CCV.