Happy Spring!

Hello everybody!   I am SOOO happy that spring has arrived!  I have a Cover-Alls mini book project to share with you today that reminds me of warm weather ~  

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Cover-Alls.  Wait, can you guess how much I love the Cover-Alls?  :) They give such an organized and clean look to any mini book.  I chose the white Cover-All that is compatible with 7.5 x 5 " pages.  This is one of my favorite sizes, because I can easily use 4 x 6 pics, and still have room to jazz things up.  My first step was to create my background paper.  I decided to do quick and easy background pages by misting white cardstock.  First I grabbed some maybe colors ~

Then I tested them out.  I settled on the thicker reddish mist and sprayed several sheets of white cardstock in random ways ~

Then I cut my pages for my mini ~

Next I laid out the photos I wanted to use for each page ~

Then I did a test punch page using my pink Bind-It-All.  I always do this for same size pages, as it helps me decide exactly how I want to punch my pages before I use my "real pages".  Not everybody does this and it definitely isn't required, but I got in the habit when I first started using my Bind-It-All years ago, and it is how I still do it today ~

OK, I am happy with my punched page, now time to get busy. 

I play around with my scraps and embellies, getting the look I like ~

Next I pull the plastic sheet out of the back pocket of the Cover-All ~

Time to punch the holes in the plastic (easy peasy with my pink Bind-It-All) ~

Now it is time to punch my pages ~

Now I put the plastic ON TOP of my pile of pages to be punched ~

Then I bind my pages and the plastic insert together, then flip the plastic out ~

Then I tuck my plastic into the back pocket on the Cover-All.  I finish some decor for the front cover  ~

Then I glue everything down, including a wide bright pink ribbon to tie it up nicely.  Voila!  Cover is done!  ~

Here is a peek at the inside pages ~ 

 I used scraps of cardstock and patterned paper, and odds and ends of embellies.  I used my Distrezz-It-All to distress the edges of some of the cardstock  ~

Want to know a little secret?  I stopped punching my pages before I was finished (I think it was to chat with my 4 year old granddaughter on the phone), and when I came back and started punching again I goofed.  No worries!  My page was punched backwards, so it would have been out of order.  I punched the other side and after the book was put together this boo boo (left page extra holes) ~

turned into this design technique (fabric woven through the extra holes on the page) ~ 

So don't worry if you have a little mistake.  You can incorporate it into your design, or add extra cardstock as another border, or make your page a different size, or even just leave it.  Lots of options!  I actually punch extra holes on purpose many times and weave either ribbon or fabric through, so this was not a worry at all. I also don't mind turning my book to view pages, as long as the pages next to each other match up direction wise.  But if you don't mind that they match up, put your photos however you want.  That is one of the beauties of making your own from scratch mini book!  

Have fun creating a mini using the fabulous Cover-Alls and your Bind-It-All!  Have a joyful and creative day ~ Pam

Cover-All Frames

I love finding new uses for all my scrap stuff and I thought the Zutter Cover-Alls would make a great standing frame.  This one I made for my brother-in-law who just got married, but it would also make a great Valentine's Day gift!

To make the frame I covered the Cover-All with patterned paper (for this frame I used the new Echo Park Yours Truly Collection).  The patterned paper I used on the outside is a different pattern than the inside.

Then I embellished the front of the Cover-All with a sticker and added some tulle and a rose ribbon I colored with my Glimmer Mists. 

For the inside I added 2 photos of the happy couple from their wedding day and a few embellishments. 

I love that you can place these on your shelf or mantle for display and they stand up really nicely and they are decorated on the outside and inside.  You can make these frames for anyone for any ocassion and they are super easy to make!  Have fun crafting a few of your own.

Zutter Zister DT Member Fleur Smith

Cover-All Love.....

One of my favorite Zutter products (and believe me....I have MANY favorites!) is the black Cover-All! It is so sleek and simple and it was just perfect for a mini album I wanted to make using only photos, some owires, and a white gel pen.

The black Cover-All is perfect for journaling directly onto the cover!! It's simple and yet very stunning! I love how this little album turned out and can't wait to give it to this adorable family!

I did use a bit of patterned paper and a piece of clear plastic but mostly this album is about the photos and the journaling so keeping it simple was my goal!  This black Cover-All is sized to go with the Pre-Punched Page Protectors, so unfortunately isn't part of the current 50% off sale on original Cover-Alls.  Zutter makes original Cover-Alls in white and craft, however, which would be great canvases for journaling with a dark or colored pen! Check out that sale, by the way, what a deal - Cover-Alls are definitely one of my faves!

Happy creating with Zutter!
Zutter Zister DT Member Shelley Haganman

A Travel Themed Ladies Pocketbook...

I love the Zutter Cover-all Albums, they are so versatile! You can leave them plain, cover them with paper, paint, stain, spray, distress, ink, and alter these covers to suite your personal style and album theme. This particular Zutter 7.5” x 5” White Cover-all is altered to look like a travel themed purse. Just add handles, latch, paper and purse feet and you are ready to go!

Materials:
Zutter 7.5” x 5” White Coverall
Zutter Black 3/4” O’wire
Zutter Acid Free Black Pages
Zutter Rivets
Adhesive – Helmar Acid Free Glue and Helmar Quick-Fix Adhesive Runner
Prima - Flowers, Journal Card & Paper
Ribbons – Making Memories
Ink – ColorBox
Rub-ons – Creative Imaginations
7Gypsies – Flash Card, Gaffer Tape, Journal Handles, Office Envelope and Tissue Paper
Walnut Ink

Designer Instructions:

1. Decoupage Zutter Cover-all with tissue paper using Helmar Acid Free Glue. I put two layers on the Cover-all so you wouldn’t see the white underneath.
2. Cut a piece of coordinating card stock with a decorative edge to create the purse flap. Adhere to the covers to create the illusion of a purse flap.
3. Add purse straps, creating holes through the cover using the Zutter Rivet & Setter.
4. Using the Zutter Setter, punch a hole in the cover for the purse knob and elastic strap.
5. With a paper towel, rub walnut ink on a tag, inside and outside cover-all.
6. Add feet to your purse, punch four holes in the spine of the cover-all using the Zutter Setter and Rivets.
7. On the inside front cover, use the Gaffer tape on the edges.
8. Add Journaling Card, Office Envelope and Flash Cards to the inside front cover.
9. Embellish the tag with flowers, frame charm and rub-ons. Tie on one of the purse handles.
10. Create the album insert using the Zutter Black Pages and the Black O’Wires. Place the album in the Cover-all and it’s ready to add photos of your next vacation!

Tish Treadaway, Zutter Bind-it-all Design Team Member

Deadline for the Summertime Challenge is this Friday! Go to this blog post and link your entry!!

Rock On!

The DT is busy reviewing all the Beyond the Book entries and will be announcing our faves at the end of the week. If you didn’t partake in this creative challenge, we still hope to inspire you to use your Bind-it-All for non-book projects.

I took on the challenge myself this weekend, with this hanging memo board for my teenage daughter. She's always telling me I need to get "cool" - wait...I'm NOT? Well, this paper line is really cool!

This project uses the 10X10 Zutter Clipboard wood and a random piece of metal I had in the garage! I covered both with cardstock, and adhered the metal to the Clipboard Wood. I took these wild-fun “Rock On”* flowers from Prima and glued magnets to the back. And – because for a teenager simply tacking up a note isn’t always enough – I used a piece of scrap cardboard and attached a 3X3” sticky note pad with some Owire. Now she can put little notes up with the magnets, but also tear off a sticky note to take with her! I love how I was able to find some sticky notes in a color to match this line of paper and embellies. I figure when the sticky notes run out, I can just glue on another pad. When she doesn’t want the sticky notes in the way, she can just flip it over so the full magnet board is visible!
And, just because I am young at heart (and because I love this paper...see, I can be cool!), I made myself a Cover-All with the same product line. Hey – I can “Rock On” too! I used the 5X7 patterned paper pad to cover the Cover-All, layered the flowers with the bling, and added my initials. The cardstock in this line is incredibly vibrant, so I hope to journal some of my more “colorful” ideas in this book!

* Prima has debuted the “Rock On” product line at Michaels. Almost everything on these two projects was made with this line, except for some things you can only get at your local scrap store, like the cool lace ribbon and the clear and black Say-it-in-Crystals. Not to mention, Zutter Products are available at your LSS and not at all the chain stores! We are not discriminatory when we support our craft stores!!! We buy everywhere!

Hanging Memo Board Materials used: Zutter 10X10 Clipboard Wood, ¾” black owire, scrap piece of metal; Prima Marketing *Rock On cardstock, flowers, embellishments; other: magnets, ribbon.

Rock-On Cover-All Materials used: Zutter 6X6 Flat Spine Cover-All , ¾” black owire; Prima Marketing *Rock On cardstock, 5X7 patterned paper pad, flowers, embellishments, chipboard letters; other: ribbon.


Have a great week, and check in for news about the Challenge winners and announcements for the next challenge!

Make 'n Take at Scrapbook Royalty Slumber Crop - March 14

Aren't the 3X4 Cover-Alls the cutest? This one will be the make 'n take at Scrapbook Royalty's Slumber Crop coming up March 14-15 in San Marcos, CA. All proceeds from this MnT will benefit the Cancer Coping Center and the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos. If you don't know about Scrapbook Royalty, you should take a minute to check them out. They conduct charitable crops for noble causes, and have raised $$$ for numerous charities. It's an amazing way that scrappers can craft and give back at the same time. If you are so inclined, click on the DONATE button on their website - any amount is appreciated - and thanks!

And, if you can't partake in the MnT, take a look at our latest video. It takes you through the steps of the Cover-All MnT at CHA in January. We had the rivet setting hammers POUNDING at our booth! Leave a comment - and three random winners will get one of the following: a bottle of Zutter rivets, a Teresa Collins stamp, or a set of Zutter Acrylic Covers! We will pick the winners on St. Patrick's Day, March 17!