This is the Pocket Album I showed at convention – 
The front is stamped with Creative Elements and has several Beau Chateau SIde Notes – and a vintage tag with an antique brad – to decorate. Here’s the inside – 
To make the album you need two 6 x 12 pieces of card stock (Pink Pirouette) scored in half for the covers and a 6 x 12 piece of card stock scored at every inch for the accordion middle. The cover is attached on each end of the accordion. Make 5 Petite Pockets (3 in Pink Pirouette and 2 in Marina Mist) and attach them to the exposed accordion folds. I added some inside pockets and some more Side Notes (because I just love them!) 
Inside each pocket I put a note card like the one above. The ribbon to tie it closed is run through the back cover piece only. I used my hobby blade to cut a slit on the folded edge so it could run all the way through. Enjoy! Hugs, Fran
Category: Special Projects
Petite Pocket gift card Holder
The Petite Pocket can hold a gift card! It works best if you don’t seal the sides closed – just fold them in. (note – a gift card will fit if you seal it, but it’s tight!) The closure keeps it safely inside. Here’s one made by die cutting it in Pink Pirouette and then embossing the front with the oval Designer Frame embossing folder. 
The folder doesn’t end up exactly center (because you don’t want to emboss the top flap) so it leaves a wonderful spot for embellishing! I chose a rose. (You can find the video for the rose on Stampin Up’s Youtube area.) Then I used the wide oval punch to punch out some Pink Pirouette DSP for the center of the oval. Add a sentiment – and you have a darling gift card holder! For the closure on the back I punched some small flowers with the Boho Blossom punch!
Enjoy! Hugs, Fran
Petite Pocket Note Card
I didn’t mean to leave you hanging last week! My mom and I made a last minute trip to visit my niece at camp. It was a long trip but very worth getting to see her! So I promise to make it up to you this week. I’ll start with a Petite Pocket Note Card. 
I die cut the Petite Pocket in Rose Red and cut off the side flaps of the pocket. Then I die cut just the front of the pocket with the First Edition DSP – careful that you turn the writing the correct way (don’t ask me how I know this!) On the DSP I sponged the edges and stamped the stem image from Flower Fancy in Always Artichoke. Punch 5 scallop circles and wad them up! “Un-wad” them and stack them on top of each other. Pierce them in the center and insert a Pretty in Pink brad to hold them together. Then start with the top layer and pull each scallop up until you have a carnation. Use crystal Effects or a glue dot to adhere to the front. 
Use one of the circles from the die to create the closure. Insert a brad and use a dimensional to make it hold the bottom shut. Stamp Just for You from Teeny Tiny WIshes on Pink Pirouette DSP and punch out with the 3/4 x 15/16 oval (what a name!) 
Line the inside with Pink Pirouette DSP. Use the Crop a Dile to punch a hole in the upper left corner and tie a piece of Always Artichoke seam bindng through it. Now you can tie it on a package!
An unconventional way to use this wonderful die! I’ll show you more tomorrow! Enjoy – Hugs, Fran
Pretty Matchbox
I love using the Matchbox die! It makes such a pretty presentation for a small gift. For this one I die cut it in Pink Pirouette and stamped the butterfly from Creative Elements in Pink Pirouette Classic ink on the top of the band. Then I used the oval embossing folder and oval punch to make a window. Window sheets make a great way to make a “peek a boo.” 
To make the butterfly, I stamp it three times on Whisper White in Pink Pirourette and cut it out. Use Tombow Multipurpose to adhere two pieces of fishing string between the layers – glue just at the center – and let it dry. Add pearls to the center and on the ends of fishing string. Then I used Stampin Write Markers to make the little tag, punch out with the tag punch and add a little pearl to the flower center. I used Tombow to glue the butterfly and tag to the box.
The sides are covered with Pink Pirouette DSP. Some Whisper White taffeta ribbon (and the Crop a dile!) make the pull. 
Wouldn’t these make cute shower/wedding favors? Here’s a few more variations on this idea – 
This uses Party This Way – 
Enjoy! Hugs, Fran
Beau Chateau Message Board
This is the message board I made from a $1.99 chalkboard! (Don’t you love that!) 
I took the frame apart, painted and crackled it – made everything to go on it and voila! A Message Board! Here’s the details – On the right hand side I stamped the large image from Elements of Style in each corner in Vanilla Craft Ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. 
I stamped Notes using the new Letter It alphabet and adhered it to the board with Dimensionals.
Then I covered a piece of cardboard with batting and the Beau Chateau fabric, woven some vanilla seam binding over it and added the Antique Brads to make the memory board. 
This little note uses the new Designer frame embossing folder and Four Frames to make a 3 x 3 note. The envelope behind it is made with Pink Pirouette DSP. 
This is from the Beau Chateau Side Notes. I added a lace ribbon made with the Victorian lace ribbon, a rhinestone and a flower from Floral Fusion die. It’s held on with a mini library clip. 
This tiny pennant banner is held on by the new mini clothes pins that I covered with Beau Chateau DSP (you can call me crazy here!) The other piece is another Side Note. 
And this is a paper flower made from loops of card stock and topped with a Triple Blossom punch.
The very last thing I did was hand three 3D flowers made again from the Triple Layer Blossom punch (3 flowers per flower!) from Baker’s Twine down the side of the board. 
It’s a lot of stuff on one board!
On another note – Samantha is almost home! They were delayed again in LA and had to spend the night. (sigh) But if all goes well today, she will fly to Dallas and then Louisville and I can go get her! She loved Australia – but the travel has been ghastly. She’s anxious to get home and I’m anxious to have her home!
Enjoy! Hugs, Fran
Something Old Something New
One thing about getting ready for our annual Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking Garage Sale is that I find all sorts of treasures! (And this year I’m digging deep!) So when I pulled out a package of one of my all time favorite DSP – Parisian Breeze – I had to stop and create something. Something old – something new – 
I used the new Perfect Pennant Big Shot die to make this – and even had a Perfect Place to hang it in my office! The die cut alphabet is Timeless Type. The beautiful scallops are a part of the die.
I added some First Edition DSP scalloped circle flowers as an accent – 
How long do you think it will take me to finish cleaning out my “stuff” if I keep stopping to make things?
Saying Goodbye to Fresh Cuts-
Enjoy! Hugs, Fran
Funky Four Using Five
new In Colors! Last year I made a gift set using Funky Four and the then new In Colors so I decided to remake it using the new colors. I love everything about this set except the little golf pencils! I am working on redoing the box so it holds a larger size. Here’s the one I did last year – 
And here’s what this years cards look like – 
As soon as I get the box designed I’ll share it with you!
Supplies
Stamp Sets – Funky Four, On Your Birthday
card stock – Pool Party (envelope), Whisper White
Ink – (from left to right) Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party
Etc – White satin ribbon
Waving Goodbye to Petal Pizzazz (sob!!) – 
Enjoy! Hugs, Fran
Chipboard Friends
I’m doing a “clean out” of some boxes in my closet – and look what I found! A chipboard album that appears to have come from a dollar store (who knows when?) I thought I would dress it up – 
I used some Retired Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and lots of retired ribbon (clean out – remember?) and had fun decorating it! The butterflies are punched with the butterfly punch (2 pieces) and have a layer of cardboard between them to give them more strength. 
The antennae and pearl centers are from the retired pretties kit. 
The flower is the scalloped punch, punched 6 times with a rhinestone brad in the center – which doesn’t show! The stem is the 2-Step Bird Punch and is glued with Crystal Effects directly to the book. 
All the edges were inked in Rich Razzleberry. Now to see what else I can find in these boxes! Enjoy your weekend! Hugs, Fran
Pretty Card Box
I needed a box for some cards so I used the Strength & Hope sample in the Summer Mini for inspiration. The box itself is fairly basic but I did something different on the band to hold it shut – that’s what I want to show you today! 
The Cherry Cobbler piece on the top of the box is adhered straight to the box. The band in the ribbon and the Top Note die. Because I used Hodgepodge Hardware and an antique brad, I wanted the back to be covered. Here’s what I did – 
Then I used Tombow Multipurpose glue to put the stamped Top Note over the ribbon/Top Note band. Now it just slides off and is still pretty on the back – and doesn’t tear up the box either. 
Just an idea for you to try! Enjoy – Hugs, Fran
Prom Mini Album
Last weekend was prom for my youngest. I thought it would be fun to make a mini album of photos for her to have as a keepsake. Using Kim Assaly’s album design I made one for my daughter, my mother, her date’s mother and the photographer! I used the Presto Designer Series Paper which has a nice, very heavy weight and makes an elegant album. (Though it doesn’t photograph well at all.) This is the front of the album.
Some notes – I used Basic Black textured card stock for the Big Shot Scallop Circle #2 die (the largest circle), the band and the scallop edge. The circle for the photo was cut with my circle scissors at just under 3 inches. I actually use Crystal Effects to glue the bow (White satin ribbon) to the band. (Didn’t want it coming off – ever!) I used a Trinkets crown on this one and keys on the others. The band in the floral Presto pattern and the album is the script – wish you could see it! 
This is the inside of the album for my mom. (Mom and I jumped in during the photo session and snagged a few pics with my girl!)
What you can’t see – I added a piece of Presto paper to the inside top flap to cover the Basic Black scallop edge. The center photo is matted with the Big Shot Scallop Square. These made great gifts – and a great keepsake for Samantha. Enjoy! Hugs, Fran