Hello, G45ers!

 We are back with another round of our 3x3 Craft Basket Challenge, this time featuring our Rectangle Tag & Pocket Album, Metal Brads, and Ephemera Cards. Einat Kessler, Magda Cortez, and Pam Bray have risen to the occasion with the three fabulous creations below. First up, Einat shares her Master Detective Mini Album, full of fun interactive elements and creative embellishments like the little glass bottles on the cover. She has also shared a YouTube tutorial for creating interactive elements and to get a better look at the finished project. Next up is Magda with her Winter Wonderland album just bursting with holiday cheer. We love how the brads look on the binding. Remember that you can replace Ephemera Cards with cut-a-parts from various sheets within a collection in a pinch. Finally, Pam is here with her Midnight Masquerade album, just bursting with colors and layers. She has also included directions and a YouTube tutorial. Before we dive in, it is time to announce this week's blog prize winner.

The winner is Margaret Roberts! She said, "This is fantastic! Love the tip about curving cut pieces - would work for other kinds as well. There is really no better paper than G45 for decor and mixed media projects!" Congratulations, Margaret. Please email info@g45papers.com to claim your prize. 

This week’s prize package included Nature Sketchbook, including an 8x8 Paper Pad, 6x6 Patterns and Solids Paper Pad, 2 Chipboard sets, Ephemera Cards, and Die-cut Tag Staples, a $40 value.

Master Detective Mini Album 3x3 Challenge

By Einat Kessler

“Hi dear crafty friends, Einat Kessler here with a new and exciting project! We had a challenge to use these three products in our project: Ivory Rectangle Mini Album, Ephemera Cards and brads. I love challenges like that because it makes me more creative!

Since we’re in October I chose to use the Master Detective collection because it fits the spirit of Halloween which is around the corner. All the skeletons, skulls, and mysteries are perfect for a great interactive mini album.
 

The great thing about this mini album is that it comes with pocket pages and tags so the interactive part is covered. All you need to do is cover all the pages and tags and add photos. But if you’re like me and you’re an interactive enthusiast, these pockets will not be enough! I added many more interactive mechanisms both to the pages and the inserts!

Tip #1: When embellishing the cover don’t add just cut out paper images from the collection. Add more dimension and interest with an object that goes with your theme. For example: I used two little small “evidence” bottles and added little images on them.

The tutorial takes you through the basics of how to construct an interactive mechanism, and when you master the basics it’s only a matter of creating the combinations!

Check out How to Create an Interactive Mini Album by Einat Kessler on Snapguide.

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Master Detective 12x12 Paper Collection
• Master Detective 12x12 Patterns and Solids
• Master Detective 8x8 Paper collection
• Master Detective Chipboard
• Master Detective Tags and Pockets
• Staples: Rectangle Tag and Pocket Album
• Staples: Shabby Chic Metal Clock Keys
• Staples: Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Key Holes
• Staples: Stamped metal Brads

Other Supplies:

• Chain
• Little glass bottles

Here are a few photos of the inside pages:

Tip #2: Try to look at each paper as if it’s a bank of embellishments! Each element on it can be used in different ways. For example, the above photo can be used as a whole, or you can cut out his image only.

On top of the tutorial, I also added a short flip through video so you’ll see all the pages, embellishments ideas and mechanisms.

Master Detective Interactive Album Video Tour

I hope you’ll become a fan of interactive mini albums if you’re not already are!

I had so much fun with this album and I hope you like it as much as I do!

Thanks for stopping by”

~Einat Kessler


 

Winter Wonderland Rectangle Tag & Pocket Album

By Magda Cortez

“Hi All. Today is a 3x3 Craft Challenge! And let me tell you it was so much fun work with the 3 items. Ivory Rectangle Tag Mini Album, Ephemera Cards and Metal Brads.

Also, I love to use unusual materials and I have a gold zipper that was perfect for this project!

The Ephemera cards are so versatile and we can use it as a cards or as embellishments as I did. They come in two different sizes and all are beautiful and match perfect in our projects.

What you can say about the brads. They are beautiful!! I love it!
 

I hope you like the project and see you next time!

XOXO”

~Magda Cortez

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Ivory Rectangle Tag Mini Album
• Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads
• Winter Wonderland Ephemera Cards
• Winter Wonderland 12x12 Paper Pad
• Winter Wonderland 12x12 Patterns & Solids Pad
• Winter Wonderland Chipboards

Midnight Masquerade Album with Tutorial

By Pam Bray
 

“Happy October Graphic 45 Fans!!!! Halloween is right around the corner! What better way to get ready but to create a Graphic 45 Midnight Masquerade Mini Album to put all your favorite Fall/Halloween photos and memorabilia in. I am excited for all of our family's fall outings and annual Halloween party, especially now that I have my album ready.
 

Tips:

1. Epherema Cards can be used as photo mats.

2. Epherema Cards when fussy cut and layered together create a great way to make embellishments for page layouts or card fronts.

3. Epherema Cards can be used for cards, layout journaling, or to add to pockets.

4. Fussy cut two like images from Epherema Cards or from pattern paper; layer together to form embellishments.

5. Using tags, pockets, and chipboard pieces creates quick and easy embellishments for pages and tags.

6. Decorate fronts and backs of each pocket insert and tag to have extra places for photos and memorabilia.

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• Midnight Masquerade 12 x 12 Paper Pad
• Midnight Masquerade 12 x 12 Pattern & Stripes
• Midnight Masquerade Ephemera Cards
• Midnight Masquerade Tags and Pockets
• Midnight Masquerade Decorative Chipboard
• Midnight Masquerade Journaling Chipboard
• Staples Rectangle Tag & Pocket Album – Ivory
• Staples Shabby Chic Metal Clock Keys
• Staples – Metal Door Plates & Knobs
• Staples – Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads

Other Supplies:

• May Arts Ribbon – 6 Colors of Crinkle Ribbon
• Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Chipboard Frame
• Xyron Creative Station with Permanent Adhesive
• Xyron Tape Runner with Permanent Adhesive

Glamour Photos:

Directions - Quick and Easy Pages:

1. Solid Inside Pages – Cut 5 ¼” x 7 ¼” Background Paper. Mats for inside pages are 4 ¼” x 6 ½”.  Adhere mats to background pages. Decorate with Epherema Cards, fussy cut and layered images created from pattern paper with pop dots, chipboard pieces or pockets.

2. Pocket Front Pages -  Cut front of Pocket to measure 2 ¾ x 5 ¼” from paper.  Back of pocket page measures 4 ½” x 5 ¼”. Adhere pieces to pocket pages. Decorate with fussy cut and layered images created from pattern paper with pop dots, chipboard pieces or pocket. Add tags and Epherema Cards to inside of pocket pages.

3. Page Inserts – Page measures 5” x 6”; mats for each insert page measures 4 ½” x 5 ½”; adhere mats to front of each insert page. Decorate with fussy cut images that have been layered together with pop dots, chipboard, tags or pockets.

4. Tags – Cover and decorate each tag with pattern paper; adhere mats or Epherema Cards to each tag. Add ribbon to top."  ~Pam Bray 
    

Midnight Masquerade Album with Tutorial using Ephemera Cards and Brads Video

More Photos:

That does it for this installment of our always inspiring 3x3 challenge. We are so impressed with what Einat, Magda, and Pam have concocted with these fun holiday albums, perfect for Halloween or Christmas. If you have the supplies, feel free to complete the challenge and share the results here or on Facebook in the comments. See you back here with more craft inspiration on Monday. 

Happy Papercrafting!