Anna Griffin Mini Album - Anna Griffin July

 Anna Griffin Mini Album

Last Project for Anna Griffin July

Welcome everyone,

Well I did find another project to add to my blog this month. It is this very pretty mini-album

Anna Griffin is very well known for her scrapbooking papers, as well as her dies and card kits

I do not use 12 x 12 structured albums as I like to make my own and personalise them 

So I thought why not make a simple one to show the beauty of her papers and that they suit a mini album as well as the full page lay-outs that Anna is known for.

To make this you will need:

2 sheets of 8 x 12” card 250-300gsm 

2 sheets of 12 x 12 Anna Griffin papers 

Edging die to fit 5” edge even better if you have a nesting die to go with it  (you can always adjust the sizing of your base to fit a particular die

Example: If your edging die is only 4” across score your base piece at 3 1/2” and 3 3/4” which will leave you a middle section of 4.5” 

With 1 sheet of card along the 12” side score at 3” and 3 1/4” turn 180˚ and do the same on the other side this forms the base 

With the other sheet cut 2 pieces 3 4/12” x 12, score at 1/2” on one side of each piece, then cut 4” off the end of each piece and set aside to add to the inside. This panel will be just under the 3” and will therefore fold nicely into the outside panel of the base and then be folded again to form your mini album 

Use these scored side panels to attach to the base piece.

The pieces you have cut off should be glued to the middle of the outside edge of the base piece on either side to give you another couple of photo mats

Once these are all in place open up your folder and glue the border panel to the top and bottom of your middle section. Most border dies have a scored edge to fix them to the sides of your cards. 

NB If you do not have a border die try using an oval or circle die where the widest part fits your middle section and cut the whole oval or circle folding it in half to attach one half to the back of your album

Inside view of the album

Outside view of the album

Once all your pieces are attached measure your panels and front flaps and cut the papers 1/4” smaller to layer onto the panels make sure your cover the inside of the internal flaps including the one at top and bottom as these form your closures.

I used some contrasting paper to cover the inside of the base panels, to break up the colours. 

You could add a waterfall to the centre piece with four panels you would have 8 photo mats in the centre 2 smaller photographs and journalling on the panels another 12 photographs , and 4 photographs on the inner flaps. 

You could also add a photograph to the fold in flaps with an introduction to the occasion or event  and photographs inside the album.

Ideal mini album for a special family occasion  or event 

That completes the July Anna Griffin projects

I hope you have enjoyed it and would love some comments on what you liked the most.

Back in August with ideas and projects on how to craft for free or very little spending. So check back for a weekly post. Some you will know but hopefully you will pick up one or 2 ideas  for some frugal crafting. Particularly useful during the school holidays. 

Dee 

Anna Griffin - Small Gifts Makes

 Photo Frame & Memory Book

With Anns Griffin Papers

July has been Anna Griffin projects and this my last project ( unless I can think of another), before moving on. 

As Anna’s traditional papers are vintage I thought a Photo Frame decorated with her papers would be a lovely gift for mum or aunt. 

Using grey board for the outer frame I cut 2 pieces 5” x 7” and 1 piece 1/2” x 7”

I then covered them with the crocus paper front and back   By laying the pieces on a sheet of decorative paper  10” high and 12” wide with a board width between the front and middle strip and middle strip and back. Centre the board as much as possible, then run a boning tool around the outside.

Take the middle section and cover with a strip of paper ( you can use the leftover strip) that measure 8” x 3/4”. GLue all over the strip of paper and  place over the end and then down the strip and over the bottom end. Turn over and fold the edges in, It will not quite meet but you will then glue this back onto the main section with the covered side up so you will not see it does not meet and you wont have a bulky edge from overlapping. 

 Lift the front and back panels and add double sided tape and then replace on the paper. 

Fold the paper over the four sides and cut a triangle across the 4  corners then glue the sides down first folded by the top and bottom 

From a second sheet of 12 x 12 cut 2 pieces to line the insides 4 3/4” wide by 6 3/4” high

Glue the pieces to inside front and back. 

Next cut 2 pieces of Black card stock 6 1/4” x 4 1/4” .

Using the strips 1” wide from the 2nd sheet of paper, make 8 photo corners and glue to the back of the card leaving the from clear to slip the photographs in 

Decorate the front of the frame.

I chose to decorate using  piece of white card cut front the die that comes with the easel card die and then line with is silver mirror card cut from the layering die in the set. 

I then fussy cut some of the crocus from the scraps and added to the base of the panel. 

I have left the top open and will probably add MUM or FAMILY or MEMORIES tag to the area, depending on which photograph I wish to display. 

If you have not made photo corners before take a strip of paper 1” wide and lay on your work mat. With wrong side up fold the right side of the paper in so the top edge is running horizontal

Next fold the left side in to meet the new horizontal edge 

Then turn it over and run the scissors along the long section of the triangle using the edge of the paper as a guide

You then have your photo corner. Pop a piece of double sided tape on the back which will hold the corner together.

and once you have slipped it over your photo mat, allow you to glue the whole thing to the page of your project.

Making your own photo corners may seem a little bit of a faff, but it is lovely to have them matching your project papers and it gives a pretty finishing touch.

Happy Crafting 

Dee

 

Stylised Anna Griffin Cards

 Stylised Anna Griffin Cards

Christmas Sleigh & Carousel Cards

Hello Crafters

My next projects are simply Anna Griffin Cards. You either love them or not, and if you love easel cards as much as I do these stylised cards are a must. I make no apologies for adding these cards that require Anna Griffin die sets, there may be other suitable dies that will create a similar look but I find by having a selection of her dies for these type of cards I do not need to add others. Unlike flower, animal or nesting dies where I can use a mixture of makes.

They are not easy to buy in the UK, I have a friend in Canada if I get desperate, but I have managed to get the odd ones from England QVC or Ebay. 

So I now have the basic easel card (the first card shown for this months projects,  and the stylised dies for 

Easel Church Die set

Easel Sleigh Die set

Easel Carousel Die Set

Antique Train Easel Die set

I love them for special occasions as they make a statement and you just need the right base card, as well as mirror card as they all seem to benefit from a layer of shiny card to complete the look. You can then decorate to you choice. Anna Griffin is notoriously feminine in her look, although every now and again a masculine card set will be produced, so the antique train die set is very handy for men, and the sleigh suits any gender or age. 

I have chosen the Santa sleigh and the Carousel to show you 

Firstly the Santa Sleigh

For this you need  the die set

I have then used

2 sheets of red card A4 250 or 300 gsm 

1 sheet of red mirror card 

1 sheet of gold mirror card 

Some scraps of green card 

Cut out the main base case card and then the outline train base card to layer on top

Then cut one layer of base train from the red mirror card

One layer of the filigree train from the gold mirror card

I used the scraps red mirror card to cut the parcels and tree dies that come with the set and they are layered onto the sleigh for added interest

I cut some holly from the green scrap of leaf print card I had  and a greeting using the die that came in the set.

I layered it altogether and placed some small bows on the reindeer neck some pearls for eyes 

And some red pearls to the cluster of holly leaves to finish the card 

I think I could have done a little better with the greeting but overall I do love this card it is cute and very Christmassy. I particularly like this card to use when sending one from our House to Yours, as it is suitable for everyone.

The only downside using this die is you will need to make your envelopes as the size is not readily available in the UK. I used my folio envelope die but you could make it without a die.

You will need a 10” x 12”sheet of paper scored at 1” along the 10” side, Turn and score at 1” top and bottom 

Then cut the top and bottom as shown here

Glue the side flap first followed by the base flap, slightly V the top flap or cut the corners for a tidy finish.

I used a paper from the Sara’s Signature Vintage Christmas pad

The Carousel has been made in the same way

Cut the base Easel card then a top piece to complete the easel. I decided to be a bit more daring than usual and cut the next layer from a patterned paper, for the background piece 

Next I cut the Carousel itself from gold mirror card and another layer of the horses with cream card in case I wanted to colour the mane ( I decided to leave plain in the end). 

I then added some flowers as I thought appropriate, with a matching 3D embellishment on the base to hold the easel card open

These cards are so effective and I enjoy making them. I would definitely add them to my stall if I was doing a craft show. 

Happy Crafting 

Dee

Anna Griffin Gift Bags

 July is Anna Griffin Month

Project 3 The Gift Bag

Hello Crafters and thank you for stopping by.

Whilst checking out the Anna Griffin website a couple of months ago I saw that she sold gift bags. I had not seen them before and we cannot buy them in the UK, so that gave me an idea for the blog

As I make a lot of gift bags why not try to make them in the Anna Griffin style. So here is my version of the Anna Griffin gift bag.

This is a large bag but you can use the same design for the smaller bags by adjusting the sizes to suit.

For this bag you will need:

2 sheets of 12 x 12 papers in the same design for front and back 

1 sheet of 12 x 12 paper in a contrast design for the top panel

2 pieces of string or narrow ribbon for handles  12” long 

Wet glue or very strong double sided tape. I find wet glue best as it allows some wiggle room when lining up your side panels.

Cut 4” off the side of the front and back pieces making them 8” x 12” , Save the pieces cut to make the side panels

Score the front panel at 3” along the bottom edge to form the base. 

Score the back panel at 3” & 4.5” 

The contrast sheet cut 2 pieces 5 x 12”, fold in half lengthwise to form 2 pieces 2.5” x 12, cut 4” off the end  of both piece.

Take the 2 saved pieces and along the long side score at 3” 4.5”, Turn and score at 1/2”, 2” Down to the first score line and at 3.5” 

Fold all the score lines 

To make:

Glue the contrast pieces along the top of the front and back panels placing either side about 1/2” over the top (you could make a feint score line along the top 1/2” to show you where to place the edge so that it is even all the way across)

Glue the 4” piece over the side panels the same way.

Glue the bottom panels together with the outside of the paper showing back and front.

With the side panels cut the 1/2” score line off the bottom 3” section and make a small V cut so it sits inside the base of the bag easily. If your paper is thicker you may wish to score a line from the middle score line down to the outside edge (the inside edge of the side scoreline) at the 3” score line, pinch the scored line together as this will enable your back to fold flat.

Glue the bottom 3” panel to the base of the bag on both sides, it is easier to do this by laying the man section of the bag flat with the inside of the bag up. Leave to dry.

Next, one panel at a time, glue the scored outside panel and lift the front of the bag up, match up the top edges and glue the side of the front panel to the side panel up to the score line.

Do this on all four sides to complete your bag

Next mark the tops of the front and back with a pencil mark about 2” in and 1” down from the top on both sides of the front and back. This will mark the holes for the handle. Then punch out the holes. Add your string or ribbon and tie a knot in the back.

If you wanted to hide the ribbon ends, add the handles before gluing the contrast colours to the main section of the bag and tape down the ends so they are hidden inside. 

And  here is the finished bag folded to store away

I hope you enjoyed this project and back soon with more Anna Griffin gifts 

Dee 

Anna Griffin Extra Special Trinket Box

Project 2  

Trinket Box from Anna Griffin papers and card

This pretty trinket box is made from 2 sheets of 12 x 12 Anna Griffin papers, and one sheet of 12 x 12 card for the lid.

4 pearl decorations and a glass bead for the lid. I also added 4 metal corner to strengthen the lid.

I have made many of these trinket boxes in different sizes this is the largest size. They are made using an origami fold and instructions can be found on YouTube I am adding a link, as video tuitions are much easier to follow when making origami folds. 

https://youtu.be/VcIwXXOYnB4

The video will give you the folds for any size I have used 6” squares, 8” and 12”  for previous makes and this one is 12 x12.

You then measure the opening square and make a lid to fit.

Make your base box as shown in the video with the first page of the 12 x 12 paper

Until you get to the part where you have pushed out the base of the box and the flaps are loose

Leave the base box and start to make the lid.

From a 12 x 12 sheet folded for the trinket box base, the opening is 3” square. Therefore a piece of card 5.5” square. Scored at 1/4”, 3/4”. 1 1/4” on all four sides

Cut the ends to make a box and fold the score lines with the outside edge folded back as this forms the inside liner to the box,

Next cut a piece of matching card 4.5” square and stick on top so the box sits inside the base and the 4.5” square becomes the lid. 

You can line the inside of the lid with a 2.75” square in the same card or contrasting plain colour.

And a 3” piece of card to add a layer to the top 

This is the lid upside down 

I have added metal corners to the top and and glad bead to lift the top off. The glass bead has been added using a hot glue gun.

This trinket box itself is not my own idea, as I said before I found this on YouTube and have adapted it for the sizes I wanted.

However this particular box has my own twist as Anna Griffin papers are one sided and I did not want cream flaps showing, I also wanted it to be a little stronger .

I therefore made a lining for the box by cutting a coordinating piece of paper, from the Anna Griffin stash, down to 11.5” square and folding it in the same origami folds, but with the pattern on the inside.  When you get to the end of the folding and before you push out the bottom of the box, pull out the flaps, which will be the patterned paper, and tuck the main area of the box into the first box, this will give you a patterned lining and flaps that cover the plain flaps of the original base, with a small amount of plain edging.

I inked the edges of the plain flaps to blend in the top flaps and the added some wet glue between the two layers of the box base before gluing each of the flaps together. The flaps were then glued down on the outside with the hot glue gun. I also added a pearl and gilt embellishment to each flap.

You then have a very pretty trinket box that will hold jewellery, cosmetics, hair bands or anything you want to keep handy in a pretty box.

Here I am showing this lined box alongside another box made previously (not lined) using pearlised paper 12 x 12. In this box I keep all my broken jewellery pieces that I collect and use to decorate my projects.

I am so pleased that doing this Anna Griffin month has given me this design idea to improve a project that I loved,  and at the same time allows me carry my “Use Your Stash”  theme. 

Hope you enjoyed this 2nd Anna Griffin project and keep dropping by to see the next item made with her materials. 

Happy Crafting

Dee 

Anna Griffin in July

 Anna Griffin in July

Project 1 - Die Cutting

Thanks for stopping by for my first share of projects made using ideas from Anna Griffin products and designs.

Of all the dies I have purchased from Anna Griffin range this is my most used die. It is a Easel card die that cuts a base card the top layer to add to the easel base, and a pretty inset that matches the outer shape, There are also some flourishes in the set to add to the decorations you use on the card, and a couple of layering greeting bases. 

It is relatively easy to cut (although you do need a machine with an A4 platform, and the first time I made the card I needed to check out a video to see how it went together as the base card is slightly different to standard easel, you can see in the picture it finishes half way up the card and has a tab end that attaches to the top card layer. 

I wanted to make a wedding card and had all the elements in  my Anna Griffin box of goodies I just needed to add some card 

To make the card you will need:

2 piece of A4 cream smooth card

1 piece of gold card A5

An Anna Griffin Wedding Greeting 3D

Anna Griffin 3D Flowers in cream colour 

First I cut a base card from the outer die 

Then cut a single page topper from layering die

Then with the gold card cut the fancy inner layer 

II then cut some fo the flourishes from the dies that come with the set to add to the flowers when I decorate.

I layered the topper card onto the base glueing along the flap end and attaching the flap to the middle of the topper lining up the two pieces 

Then added the gold inner piece and it is ready to decorate 

         

Glue on the back of the gold panel

Then taking a couple of the 3D flowers and some  of the flourish die cuts lay them on the gold topper until you have a layout you are happy with tans glue them in place

On the base card add your greeting

 I also added a flourish under the greeting 

The card will stand tall tucked behind the greeting

Or lay flat for posting 

And will fit an C5 envelope

I love ethe quality of the finished card using these components. Now we need to see if items available in the Uk can make a similar style of card.

Here I have a set of nesting oval dies and a pretty frame die from my stash.

I used the 4th largest die to make the base card. This was done by folding an A4 piece of card in half and then placing the top of the oval over the edge so it did not cut a small area at the top allowing the 2 sides to remain attached. And then cut another single oval the same size for the top The  2 smallest  ovals were used for the base greeting, and the fancy frame cut in silver to go with the blue background card and flowers. 

The top of the base card is folded in half and the single top layer glued on top with the bottom half unattached so it folds. 

NB When I put these  layers together I did not like the amount of aqua blue on show so I cut another oval in white card one size smaller to give just a small edging of colour card. The silver frame was added to the top

Once the base card was put together the decorations used were from 3D Card Works embellishment packs and a printed card Happy Birthday

Here is the card complete

And folded flat ready to post 

Personally I like the soft cream and gold of the Anna Griffin card but the other easel card is very pretty and a good alternative.

I will be making a couple more Cards using Anna Griffin dies throughout the month, as well as  some projects from her designer papers. 

Happy Crafting 

Dee 

 

Coming Up In July

 Something New for July

Designer Series 

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by. 

For July I want to try something new. Looking at a particular designer and sharing projects made from their ideas. The designer I have chosen is Anna Griffin. I love her designs, her dies, papers and card kits, although I do not always find them easy to use, not because there is anything wrong with the products, but because although I love her prints and dies, when it comes to making the cards myself I am in danger of making them too busy and I like a cleaner look to my finished card, so for me it is always about finding the right combination. 

In the Uk it is very difficult to get the new products from Anna’s range as we only have one outlet that i know of, QVC, and there we only get a small selection of products and usually this is long after they have been in circulation in the USA and Canada. 

I check out the kits and die sets on her website every so often and then try to source anything that is a “Must Have” from the UK as import duties and taxes make them too expensive otherwise. 

I appreciate not everyone will have the dies that I might use for a project I am sharing, so what I hope to do is show some projects where I share an item made using Anna Griffin dies and then a similar version using dies similar that you may have in your stash.

Please bear with me for July as this is an experiment.

The ideas seem exciting in my head so lets hope they translate onto the blog.

Back soon with one of my favourite dies from the range. 

Dee

Dee