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Friday 1 December 2017

Wood Look Yule Book

Hello all, and welcome to December... proper countdown time!  It's the first of the month, so it's time to begin a new challenge over at Mini Album Makers.  But not only at Mini Album Makers...  This is already my second post of the month because there's also a new challenge at A Vintage Journey which happens to fall today.  I hope you'll have time to visit my Winter Woodland Wonderland and check out all the details. 

But back to the Mini Album Makers.  Your handmade books were glorious all through November, and we're looking forward to this month's creations too.  Before you hop over and check out what my fabulous team-mates have made, here's my inspiration offering for you this month.  It's a Wood Look Yule Book (which is really fun to say out loud!).


This is a simple, rustic mini album, made from those small money envelopes you can get in cheap shops - 250 of them for about £1 usually.







I started by giving my envelopes a rough swipe of gesso.  I didn't want complete coverage, as I wanted some of the envelope markings to show through.









The construction is pretty simple.  You fold the envelope flap in the wrong direction, all the way over to the front side of the envelope, apply glue and just keep going until you have the book pages all in place.









It's easier to watch than to describe.  I used this great little how-to on youtube by the wonderful Ruth of Love to Create... she gets it all done in the first two minutes of the video, and it makes it all very simple and straightforward.














I cut my covers to fit from some heavy greyboard...














...and used some strong canvas ribbon to create the spine. This is just before gluing the greyboard pieces in place, hence all the squiggly glue!














At this point I went in with a second layer of gesso for a whiter background...












... and then started smooshing on some Distress Ink in Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky and Iced Spruce.
















I added some snowflake/starlight stamping, also done in Weathered Wood.














Some of it got a touch of clear-embossing powder so there's a bit of subtle sparkle around.














And I added some of my favourite winter greenery stamps in places... this Tim Holtz fir branch...















... and these wonderful tall trees (though this is the small stamp version, so they're not quite so tall!).















I was happy to keep it all quite rough and soft.















If you're going to be adding lists with paperclips, or gluing in photos or ephemera, or writing over these pages in pen, then this all needs to stay pretty much in the background.












I added the same Distress colours to a sheet of the Ranger woodgrain paper, and used that to cut some cover papers which I stuck on to the greyboard.















Again, just a simple, rustic look.












I cut lots of these adorable tiny deer, using the new Thinlits die from Tim Holtz...

(If you've visited my Winter Woodland Wonderland, you'll know I'm rather fond of them!)













... and started to glue them in various places through the book.















They turn up in different positions as you turn the pages.














The final pair take their place on the cover along with lots of die-cut greenery.















There's also a Muse Token and some frosted berries to zhuzh things up just a little bit.















I wound some twine vertically around the spine and the page creases.  It's for decoration - the book doesn't need it, but I like the rustic finishing touch of it.














I like that you get the twine on the inside as well as the outside - it's only on alternating page spreads, so not everywhere.












Some of those wonderful greenery die-cuts found their way inside too!















And of course there's plenty of white spatter to finish things off... even on the back cover.










So that's my winter mini for you.  I hope you like my Wood Look Yule Book.  My fantastic team-mates are offering up lots more inspiration for you if you hop over to the Mini Album Makers blog.


Our sponsor this month is the fabulous Eileen Hull.  She's offering up one of her amazing dies as the prize, so do come and play along.  Check out just some of her designs here





And don't forget the Winter Wonderland challenge starting at a Vintage Journey too.  Perhaps, as I seem to have done completely accidentally with this mini album here, you could combine the two!

I hope this sneak peek will tempt you to check out my inspiration for that challenge too.






Thanks so much for stopping by.  As you can see, December is about new creations rather than Encores, and I also hope I'll have some time for repaying your generous visits.  Good luck with the Christmas countdown everyone!

Winter giveth the fields, and the trees so old,
Their beards of icicles and snow...
Charles duc d’Orléans, translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

36 comments:

Annie said...

Love your mini album Alison xx Wonderful details and how clever to use those little pockets xx

TFS and huge hugs
Annie xx

sarascloset said...

Oh, YES! I love the tiny deer on your mini album, Alison, and such a clever way to use those tiny coin envelopes! I love this rustic wood look on the covers, and each page is a real winter treasure! Gorgeous album! Hugs!

Monika Gulyas said...

Beautiful mini album, Alison! I love the rustic look and the restrained colours! The deer in the corner of the cover are lovely! xx

Dorthe said...

Your tiny album, is a master piece, of nature a grey snowy day in the wood, Alison.
Beautiful pages , with died greenery and the deer. The cover with wood grain paper, looks gorgeous, and love you added twine to the spine , looks awsome .
Hugs, Dorthe

froebelsternchen said...

This is simply FANTASTIC!

Meggymay said...

Its a gorgeous Mini album Alison, the small deer look great and so does the wonderful textures.
Yvonne xx

Redanne said...

Such a beautiful little wood look yule book Alison, packed full of wonderful detail. The little deer really are adorable and I do love the effect of the Weathered wood stamping, it is so subtle and restful! I really like how you created the 'spine' too, the string is a lovely addition ... Anne xx

Chrissy said...

I adore your little wood look Yule book Alison and yes, you had me saying that out loud..lol.and it is fun to say..all the details with the stamping,leaves and twine and then those adorable reindeer..just wonderful.

luv CHRISSYxx

Astrid Maclean said...

A gorgeous little book, full of fabulous pages! I had quite forgotten about these evelope mini books, so that was a great reminder, it's such a cool and simple technique. The cover with the ribbon spin is gorgeous too!

Helen said...

it's beautiful... I got side-tracked before the end of the post to go and find the deer thinlets.. trying not to add too much else to my order!!

Amanda said...

I love the so called ‘rough’ look, fabulous colour choice for the theme.
Love
Amanda x

Brenda Brown said...

Your little book is a sheer winter delight with a gorgeous rustic feel and wonderful wintry design. Love the part gessoed pages showing snippets of the envelope design showing through and of course those delightful little deer are just charming xxx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Using Gesso onto brown envelopes like Kraft card brings a whole new purpose to Gesso doesn't it!! Love this wintery scene, you've brought the magic of Christmas together in one mini marvel Alison.
Warm Hugs & Wishes Tracey xx

Maggie said...

A gorgeous Album with a very wintry look, love it, you caught me at the beginning when you mentioned ATC’s to which I am hopelessly addicted and I have some envelopes in my stash......you have inspired me to make one filled with ATC’s. Thank you for sharing this delightful project Alison.

Marci said...

This is such a sweet mini album, with soft colors and the deer and greenery. Lovely!

craftytrog said...

A wonderfully festive little book Alison!

Jackie PN said...

Omgosh Alison! I absolutely adore this mini book and hope to make one myself real soon! Thank you so very much for sharing your steps- This is such a beautiful gift to make for someone!
Hugs,Jackie

Nora said...

Lovely creation!!! Greetings, Nora.

Julie S said...

This is delightful! I love the colors and theme of your book. I haven't created a mini album in ages, but yours is just the inspiration I need to get back into it.

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Amazing Alison, it always intrigues me how you can take the humblest of things and work your magic on them :)
Hugs
Donna xx

Kate Yetter said...

So lovely and full of wintry wonderland magic. I love your mini! But I especially love that woodgrain paper. I have never heard of this, probably because I am out of the new product loop. Beautiful Alison!
Kate

Sue said...

This is wonderful Alison, both in the thinking of, and also the creating. I love the Wintery feel the gesso and blue inks give, and your envelope book is definitely something that I want to try. Have a very happy week, Sue xx

Craftyfield said...

I love that combination of subtle colours, and what a beautiful cover! I may even be able to make a similar album with envelopes, the construction sounds easy enough...

Patty O'Malley said...

Love your winter album, Alison! You've captured my favorite season wonderfully!

pearshapedcrafting said...

I haven't made an envelope book for a while so you have given me a push with your FABULOUS Winter album! Love this rustic look! Hugs,Chrisxx

maj. said...

Totally adorable!!!!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

So clever using the bags, and love all the pages! FUN FUN FUN!

Gio said...

Marvellous mini book Alison. Love to see how you build it, you made a masterpiece out of those humble pockets, amazing!

SewPaperPaint said...

What a tiny treasure Alison!!! EEK! I just love this so! I can't get enough of using deer this time of year and you've really set the stage for these incredible creatures. Each page is a delight! I would really enjoy making one of these and have it on my to do wish list. Ha! As if I ever have time for it all?! I'm so happy to have you on our team! Merry Christmas, Autumn

Mrs.B said...

A gorgeous mini album, love the shabby rustic look and those deer are among my favourites too.
Avril xx

Candy C said...

Allright...this mini album is PERFECTION! I so love absolutely everything about it! Love the kraft background with the white wash. That is just beautiful and creates such a lovely "canvas" for your greenery and those precious little die cut deer. Girl, you are on fire this Christmas!

Julia said...

A frozen forest winter album, how perfect is this. The wood effect on the cover is so good. I do wish I had those little deer dies, they are adorable.
Such a lot of care and detail goes into your work Alison, this truly is a treasure. x

Julia Aston said...

You are the queen of the rustic look Alison and this book is no exception! I love that woodgrain cover - your terrific envelope pages and all the beautiful deer! Julia xx

Gloria Stengel said...

This is a beautiful paper bag mini. I love the contrast of the kraft and the white and blue!! And that binding treatment is so wonderful and rustic!

Art By Wanda said...

LOVE this, Alison!!!

Sandy said...

What a great idea - Fantastic Alison and thanks for the tutorial!
Sandy xx