Brand New "I Start, You Finish" Albums...Lovely as can be!

 

"Start as you mean to go on."

I love this British saying...it's especially appropriate for starting a New Year, don't you think?

We have subscribed to this saying, almost superstitiously so, in my family.  For years, Vern and Ashley would head to the barn and take the horses out for a trail ride...obviously, they intended to spend a good part of the coming year riding.  Now me, unlike many of my friends and family members, would not spend New Year's Day taking down Christmas (the goal for that is to get it all down by Valentine's Day...grin) but would huddle in my studio with my fabrics, papers, stamps, inks, etc...creating whatever came to mind.  It was my hope that starting the year inspired would keep me inspired for the next 12 months!

This year was no different...I pulled out some fabrics and embellishments and got busy.  I didn't even realize until I had the albums all lined up on my sofa that I had a definite theme going on these projects :).

So, what did I create?

What I put together are some really lovely "I Start, You Finish" hand crafted books.  If you've not heard of my "I Start, You Finish" projects, they are books that I have made by hand and decorated, primarily on the cover.  I LOVE doing covers...but tend to dawdle over the interior pages...kind of a procrastinator in that area.  

What I've learned from so many of you is that you love these projects because they give you a jump start and a direction for an album.  You have a basic theme and color scheme and you can add your own lovlies to the interior pages...then finish it all off with pictures and stories.  

Right now, I've got six original projects...each are really one of a kind and won't be made with those exact materials again.  Which means that you really do have a unique project that becomes a joint effort between you and me.

Here's what I have today...and I'll start with Vern and Ashley's favorite...

"SWEET HEART" CANVAS ALBUM 

When I look at this cover, I can't help but think of a fabulous heart cake decorated with layered hearts and finished with frosting and silver dragees.  Yum!

The hand created album is made entirely of natural canvas/duckcloth and is approximately 8 1/2 x 10 1/2.  There are 14 interior pages for all of your wonderful collections.

The cover features a soft chenille background with layers of fabric hearts, finished with hand dyed ribbon and silver plated metal beads.  As a final touch, there are two large mother of pearl "Lucky" buttons and an antique silver brooch.  Each of the beads has been stitched on by hand...and that's a lot of sewing!!!!!

The last page is accented with a crinkled ribbon fringe (made by moi) and finished with a strand of decorative pearls.

This beautiful, sweet, hand created album can be yours for just $87, plus shipping (within the US, AZ sales tax included for AZ residents).  

To order this original album, just click on the buy now button below.

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"THE KEY TO MY HEART"

 A repurposed hardback book forms the structure of this fabulously textured memory album.  On the inside, you will find brand new cardstock pages in ivory, black and a deep, rich red, as well as music paper, tags, a doily, a Bingo card, dictionary paper, a kraft envelops and sewing pattern tissue.  A fabulous base to add your own paper, fabric, ribbons and trims.

You are going to love this cover...textured linen with fabulously layered fabric hearts, vintage lace, crinkled ribbon, a wonderful cast iron crown key and a vintage styled red rose finished off with a vintage foil backed crystal button.  Hand dyed crinkled ribbons finish off the spine in style.   Ohhh, definitely textured and lovely!

Included with this album is a small pack of additional fabric and some coordinating trims which you will have so much fun adding to the pages.  And, by the way, the album is approx. 6 1/4 x 9 1/4.

This "Key to My Heart" album and additional goodies can be yours for just $87 (within the US, blah blah).

Just click on the Buy Now button below for this original piece of art to be part of your collection.

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BLOOMING LINEN ROSES!

This was the first of the albums I created...I loved it when I finished it and still do!  The structure for this album is a heavy chip 3 ring binder (approx. 11 x 10") with chipboard pages inside.  There is some amazing detail on the cover of this album, starting with strips of dictionary fabric and toile all pieced together on canvas and sewn together with zig zag stitching.  

There are three hand created roses made from old French natural (unbleached) linen.  They are arranged together with quilted ticking leaves (made by moi), vintage glass teardrop pearls, old wedding veil tulle, and black leaf trim.  While the colors are neutral, I have to tell you that there is absolutely nothing boring about this cover.  You will be compelled to touch the flowers, the pearls that line the right side of the cover, and the wonderful pewter title plate.  The index plate is backed with a chalkboard panel so that you can add your title in chalk (and spray with a clear sealer to keep permanent).  

Lots more hand made flowers adorn the spine...love the dimension of that (can you picture this one on display????).

The back of this fabulous album is covered with the black dictionary fabric.  You are off to a great start with this one...just dip into your neutrals to finish!  Make this one yours for just $87 plus shipping (within the US...you've got the rest down pat by now :)).  Just click on the Buy Now button below.

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"LOVE BLOOMS"

My family asked me which was my favorite of all of the albums...and my response was definitely non-responsive...the one that I'm working on at the time is my favorite!  Since this was the last of the memory books I created, I guess it's my last favorite one (and not as in least favorite :)).

Black, ivory and red have long been a favorite color combo for me...I use it a lot in creating and in decorating too.  If you love those colors too, you are going to be smitten with this album.  There are some amazing fabrics that make up this cover...flax, toile, quilt calico, dictionary cotton, leaf trim, an old doily and textured linen.  The center flower is made by hand and each leaf is hand cut and applied by hand with a heavy linen thread (also vintage).  A vintage inspired, rhinestone rimmed clock forms the center of the flower.

The wonderful thing about all of these albums is that they are really generic...and though I've given some of them Love or Valentine themed titles, they are not necessarily intended for that.

You're going to love the leaf trim...attached to the cover with glistening glass beads...really lovely!

This book structure is made from natural canvas/duckcloth and is approx. 8 1/4 x 10 1/2 in size.  There are 14 interior fabric pages...and these books hold a lot because of the flexibility of the fabric.  The last page is finished with a crinkle ribbon fringe (made by hand by me) and some vintage French trim.  The back of the memory book is covered with flax and a row of hand cut fabric leaves is stitched on with heavy linen thread.  Perfect!

This wonderful "I Start, You Finish" book can be yours for just $87, plus shipping (within the US...).

Simply click on the Buy Now button below to make it yours.

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"I DREAM OF PARIS"

If you love all things French and you adore a shabby look, you will love this hand made journal.  Made from a repurposed book, this Parisian lovely is filled with brand new cardstock pages, some of which are decorated with various French elements.

The cover and those interior pages which are completed are lusciously layered...you are going to love finishing this one.  To help you, I am also including a glassine envelope with some additional coordinating elements (including a fabulous Eiffel Tower charm)...such fun!

This 6 x 8 1/2 vintage styled, shabby Parisian journal and the goodies can be yours for just $87, plus shipping (within the US...).  Just click on the Buy Now button below and you will be dreaming of Paris, too :)!

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And, last, but not least...

"MEMORIES IN BLACK AND WHITE"!

Well, technically the title would also have to include ivory, linen, pewter, etc., etc. but really, that's way too many words!!!!

I adore this book...the colors and the vintage elements have such strong appeal to me.  The structure for this book is a metal carrying case with a 2 ring binder inside.  It's approximately a 10 1/2" square and about 2" high.  Strips of neutral fabrics adorn the metal cover, which is finished with antique doilies, silk and linen hand crafted flowers, vintage lace leaves, rusty metal ivy vines and three zinc miniature roses.  Amazing textures and dimensions...makes you just want to touch.  The pewter name/title plate is backed with a chalkboard panel so that you can just write in your title.  The handle is finished off with lots of crinkled, hand-dyed ribbon.

I have included some pre-cut and pre-punched watercolor paper inserts for your photos, stories and elements.  Having metal interiors will give you a new element for creating...a magnet board, use of white marker to create a chalkboard look...definitely something to get those creative juices going!

This fabulous shabby black metal album with the finely detailed cover can be yours for just $87, plus shipping (within the US...).  Just click on the Buy Now button below and this original, one of a kind memory album will be on its way to your studio!

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WOW!  THANKS SO MUCH...CAN'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING FLEW OFF THE STUDIO TABLE IN LESS THAN AN HOUR :)!

OK...that's what I have for now!  I'm off to a good start this year...and hopefully, with an order of one or more "I Start, You Finish" albums, you too will "start as you mean to go on"!

By the way, if you meant to order the French Stitched Holiday Book Workshop to Go and got totally distracted by the holidays, don't despair!  I'll keep that up for a few more days...until Saturday, January 12th.  Just go to the post below this one and place your order.

As always, thanks for your orders and your referrals to friends and family.  Wishing you a happy, inspired and creative New Year.

From my studio to yours,

Carol

Comments

[Shane]

Dear Carol
OH No.... I've missed out again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would love to have bought the first one - The Sweet Heart Album.
C'est la vie - maybe next time I'll get there in time - it must be the time difference factor.

Happy New Year to you, Vern and Ashley (I can see why it was their fave)!!
hugs and may all your dreams for 2013 cometrue.
Shane

[Teah B.]

Darn! I need to read my emails faster. Good for you, bad for me.