Tuesday 13 September 2011

The Paper Bag album

We've a lot of things on this week here at High In The Sky. Mostly appointments of the medical kind - just check ups all round, nothing to fret over. But, wow, they don't half blow a hole in the day. I'm close to blowing into a brown paper bag instead of creating with one.


Or two. Or three. I'm guessing I'm a bit late to the crafting table with paper bag albums. Years ago I asked Uncle Dave to bring me back some lunch sacks from the States. I have a stack - hold on while I measure - 7 inches high. So it's a good job I enjoyed making one, really. I have enough for a few more.


This one came about becasue I was trying to think of a way to showcase all the patterns on both sides of the MME Lost and Found papers Sandra from Gotta Craft sent me. Lots of the sheets had a special "bit" printed in one corner, so I decided that if I made a 6x6 mini album, I would be able to quarter each sheet and make use of the feature pattern. So, I made the front and back covers from half a sheet of paper.



I've been pulling out a few photos of my Grandparents to go inside and thinking about the journaling and if you would like to see more - check out the Gotta Craft shop blog this week. Or have a look today at the sneak peek for this month's kit which goes on sale tonight. I think you'll like it.

32 comments:

WendyB said...

Love the colours and the detail on this Sian, stunning. I look forward to seeing more

JO SOWERBY said...

tutorial please on how to make it xxxxx
jo x

Lynn said...

Lovely colours - might be tempted by those papers!

Mary B said...

Ooo that is really lovely and I think this might inspire me to create with paper again.

Anonymous said...

Oh it looks great! I've never heard of paper bag albums. Guess I must have been totally out of the loop at the time. I'm with Jo can you do a tutorial on them. Good luck with all the appts. I can never understand when your appt is at a set time how come you don't get in there till about an hour later. That's why I always like the first appt of the day or afternoon. :)

Margie said...

This is gorgeous! I have been seriously thinking about doing a paper bag album for my December Daily this year-yours is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I did make a few of these several years ago, but none of them were as wonderful as the one here. I love the way you've punched the edges of the bags.

laurie said...

such a pretty album. it is hard to tell there are plain old lunch bags inside! i chuckled at your description of medical appointments "blowing a whole in the day"! so true.

angelfish said...

It looks gorgeous Sian. I love the way you've punched the edges of the bags. Lace and brown paper, what more could you want?!

Alison said...

I'd appreciate a tutorial too, Sian...it's fab!
Alison xx

Jennifer Shaw said...

Sian this is just stunning! You have used this collection so wonderfully!! I always struggle with mini albums and really need to give it more of a chance. Thanks for your sweet comments on Lady's sweater. I am sure that as you are a knitter you can see the mistakes! hee hee Good thing she is a girl because the ruffle edge is so wrong. I used a larger size of circular needles and didn't realize that I had to cast off in a ribbing manner. I think I have learned to do it right on the first doggie sleeve I have knit up. How on earth is a knitter supposed to pick up 56 stitches in a very tiny area where I can visually see picking up about 30? Is it okay to pick one up and increase so it counts as two? What a learning curve! I have a huge respect for all of you real knitters out there! :) As for the future, I think I should refrain from knitting sweaters for any of my future grandchildren for fear they will get beat up in the schoolyard! ;)

Sandie said...

I so love mini albums. And I smiled to see the paper you used, same as we had for our crop last weekend. Would not have thought to use it for a mini album but you are quite right, there are some lovely details to be used. I have a stash of paper bags too... I love the way you have reinvented the idea with the border cut. It's just perfect for photos of your grandparents. I used the sheet with a photo of my Nan. Look forward to seeing it finished, and hope the appointments went well. I hate interruptions in my day too!

scrappyjacky said...

I just love these papers,Sian....and love how you've used them. They make gorgeous mini albums....and I think I may have to invest in some 12 x 12....as all mine are 6 x 6.
I'm not really a great lover of companies making double sided papers....because so often you end up having to choose between 2 wonderful sides....and I hate smearing glue on beautiful papers!!!

Lou said...

beautiful papers Sian...and i'd love to see it when its finished with your grandparents photos x

Maria Ontiveros said...

I haven't made one of these in a while, but I always love them when I do. What a great use for all the terrific border punches they make now too. Love the color palette you chose.
Rinda

Gem's Crafts said...

Oooh this is lovely Sian, looking forward to seeing it finished :) I tried to make a paperbag album once taking the idea from Scrapbook Inspirations, and mine didn't work at all! Hope the medical appointments and things all go ok :)

alexa said...

Glad you were able to stop hyperventilating enough to take photos of this lovely album. :) I tend not to be aware very much of patterned paper but I've seen MME around these last few months and find their patterns and buttons/brads very attractive - and you've totally converted me! Have you used a border punch on the edge? Has a lovely vintage feel, just right for grandparents .. (And hoping all is well with the appointments.)

Lisa said...

how I need these papers.... pinned this gorgeous album

Ladkyis said...

Such a clever idea and so beautifully done. I too would like a tutorial please.

Nathalie said...

You're not late as paper bag albums are making a big comeback (at least here in the States, I have seen several popping up on blogs and galleries)~ I LOVE how classy yours look though and the colors/papers are fabulous!!! Great work Sian!!!

Amy said...

I've never made a paper bag album but I have certainly used plenty of MME over the years, and, after seeing so much over at Jacky's and here I really have to duck out and buy some - it is lovely ... though, as a converted digi scrapper I am not sure what I will do with it ... but I've just got to have some!

Cheryl said...

We don't have paper bags here, or if we have I have never seen them. I love yours the pages are just fab and I am looking forward to seeing much more x

Sian said...

Cheryl, my bags came from the States; but there was a question about this on UKS recently and someone suggested Homebase or a shop called Home Bargains. Stay tuned though because I'm thinking of doing a tutorial/giveaway thing now.

Alexa, yes it is a Martha Stewart border punch

Miriam said...

This is lovely Sian, love the papers. I got paper bags from Homebase, they are such a good size for this project.

Jo said...

Such a gorgeous book and beautiful papers

Miss Smith said...

This is beautiful - I love how warm the colours are.

Bubbles said...

Gorgeous! But you be careful... those paper bag minis ar addictive little blighters :)

Denise said...

These papers really are gorgeous and I love what you have done with them.Gorgeous warm colours - I can see me using these again x

debs14 said...

I recognise those papers from the crop I went to on Saturday! Aren't they lovely (and glittery!)
Love what you have done with them, I may have to now buy some more ....!

Ginger said...

Sian this is absolutely gorgeous!! Really gorgeous! vintage photos will look so lovely in here :)

Lisa-Jane said...

This is so lovely! These papers are just gorgeous. Can't get enough MME. Heading over to the shop blog to have a look.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

SOOOOO pretty, Sian. I love the way you have used the edge punch on the sides of the bags.

I went through a phase a few years ago where I made a bunch of paper bag mini-books. I should have Carrie bring them over so I can photograph them for my blog.

Recently, while cleaning out craft stuff I came across some blank paper bag books that I'd assembled and never embellished. Thanks for the inspiration!

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