Explore Class Playbook

Today is the first day of Shimelle's new class Explore!  One of our first activities was to create a 'play book' for recording our adventure.  I had the idea for a mini album while we were at Hilton Head.  I'd even ordered the extra kraft paper for it from Papertrey Ink.  My intention was to use it for Lenny's visit with his grandson later this summer.  But I can always buy more kraft paper, right?  So here is how I made the book:

1. The front cover is cut out of some scrap chipboard - I think it came with a pack of designer paper.  Dimensions:  6" x 8 3/4".  I rounded the corners with the Corner Chomper and added grommets.
2. For the pages, I folded an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of kraft cardstock so that it is 5 1/2 x 8 1/2".  I sealed up one side and hole punched the long edge in three places to match the cover.  I did NOT use grommets on these pages though you could if you wanted it extra sturdy.  (I do plan to for the grandson's mini albums.)  One edge is left unsealed so I can tuck in photos or extra journaling on tags.

Then it is just decorating.  For my cover, I painted most of the front and then spritzed with Angel's mist.  I glued on all the other stuff.  The bird is cut with the Cricut - I thought a bird was a good symbol for exploring.  I've left the label sticker blank planning to fill that in when the class is done and I know better what I have in this album.  I've had those chipboard letters forever and have no idea who made them.

I've done my first assignment which was to answer a few questions and take a self-portrait.  The portrait was a lot harder than it should have been because I didn't read the directions.  I was up early to take a walk before the heat and I wanted to see what today's prompt was in case I wanted to photograph something at the park. I scanned the prompt saw the self-portrait and thought "great, I'll do this as soon as I get back from my walk."  I got the camera out to be ready but not the tripod or a mirror.  When I got home after stopping at the hardware store along the way, I'd already lost that post-exercise glow (which never lasts long on me because I don't exercise that hard.)  After fiddling with my portrait for awhile on the front porch retrieving a mirror and a tripod part way through, I finally got one that worked. THEN I read the instructions!  Oh well, I took a much easier and cooler shot in the house.

So tomorrow I shall read the prompt all the way through before starting.  That is my lesson for today!

Thanks for visiting!  Also tomorrow there will be a video in my holiday card series. I shot it on Saturday!  So proud of myself for getting it done early.  Hope you'll stop back by.