"Love You" Minibook and a Short Tutorial

Here is the final project I created from the "Game On" Front Porch Kit.  It's a minibook, the base of which is made from just one piece of pattern paper. A few folds and two small cuts and you have a darling little book that can hold a surprising amount of photos. Of course, I added lots of scraps and snippets of other papers, buttons, and ribbons to embellish.  

Front cover using alpha stickers and metal foil tape (see instructions later in post)

First and second pages - page on right lifts up to reveal two photo mats as seen below

Using a decorative photo corner punch adds so much to the design

Page three which is actually a pocket revealing a tabbed double-sided photo mat inside - love those polaroid frames which were on a paper included in the kit

Back page is a tiny pocket holding another polaroid frame and a card

Overall view

I thought I would share step-by-step photos of how I made the title block for the front cover.  I first cut a scrap of the cardstock the desired size (any color would do as it will be totally covered, but I happened to have red on my workspace so that's what got used!).  Then I added the alpha stickers that were included in the kit - you can see that the "v" tore as I took it off the sheet but it won't show when we're done.

Next I covered the entire piece with the foil tape with extra to fold over the edges. 

 This is already sticky on the back which makes it super easy to use.  I rubbed over the entire piece with my fingers to reveal the letters.

Then I burnished well with a paper stump, defining the letters even more and smoothing the background.

In this closeup you can see the pattern of the cardstock in the background.

After folding over the edges, I swiped the piece with black Distress Paint (this acrylic paint works well on non-porous surfaces). It collects in the crevices around the letters and makes them pop.

The final step was to wipe off the excess paint, especially on the tops of the letters. 

And voila, the title is ready to be mounted on the front of the minibook.  (Excuse the red "E" - must be a reflection of something as it really isn't red!)

Hope you enjoyed this brief tutorial on how to get extra mileage from ordinary sticker letters. This would be a great way to use up those colors you don't like or use!

If you haven't ordered a "Game On" kit, there are just a few left!  

To get yours, call or stop by the LBH: 

118 W. Olive St.

Keller, TX 76248

817-431-7930

or order online: www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com

Another "Game On" Project

This is the project I created with "Chip" the mini-clipboard included in the Front Porch Kit.  I was hard  to cover the cute kraft-with-white-polka-dot background Chip came with, but I ended up using two of the bright patterned papers.  I'm going to use this as a "Goal List" and, because I used the chalkboard tape for the little banners, I can change goals as needed!  The colorful filmstrip embellishments were perfect for numbering the list. The #4 didn't quite match the color scheme so I "painted" it lightly with red ink.

I used the foil tape included in the kit to cover Chip's clip.  First I embossed it with a harlequin folder to match the argyle paper, then painted it black with Distress Paint (which works really well for covering non-porous surfaces) and sanded it down slightly.  The tape is great for conforming to curves and irregular shapes. "Focus" was cut out of a larger journaling card and popped up on the clip.

This was a fun project! I hope it will help me focus on my goals - #1 and #3 will be easy, #2 and #4 not so much!

"Game On" FPK Layouts

I created a double layout and a single layout for the Front Porch Kit.

"Games Babies Play"

We had recently returned from a trip to Albuquerque to visit with both grandbabies and the Game On theme seemed to fit perfectly with many of the photos I had taken there. I used the chalk tape to title each photo and die cut the corrugated aqua paper for the main title. I also added one of the buttons included in the kit for the end of the title (play), using the word "play" cut from the barcode strip of one of the papers glued on the top of the button.

I loved the viewfinder and slipcase and used it for journaling.

"Mexican Train Marathon"

Our family loves to play Mexican Train Dominoes. When we went to Mexico for Christmas several years ago, it took us all week to finish one game! The domino paper in the kit was perfect for a background for this layout. I painted a portion of it to highlight the photos.

I used the Polaroid frame with the chalkboard paper to document this fun family event.

The corrugated paper arrows were hand cut, the curved one on top highlighting the photo of our actual scorecard from that game. I used the 9 of hearts card to signify the nine of us.

The little transparency worked nicely for the date and the clock piece and black poker chip were perfect embellishments.

The "Game On" Front Porch Kit is now available at:

The Little Blue House
118 W. Olive St.
Keller, TX 76248
817-431-7930

or
online: www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com

Today's the Day!

The "Game Is On"!  You can now view the newest Front Porch Kit at The Little Blue House! Stop by to see the fantastic Design Board showing all the products available in the kit and purchase your own kit.  The LBH also has many inspiration projects on display or you can also view them online at www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com.

Here's the full Design Board showing all the fun items stuffed into this kit! You will not be disappointed.

And some closeups for an even better look.

Lots of great "game on"  papers, black alpha stickers along with a full set of Scrabble tiles, a full pack of ephemera, pretty ribbons, chalk tape and chalk paper, corrugated paper in two colors, a pack of real playing cards, poker chips, buttons, felt, fabric and so much more!

Check out the cute viewfinder below. That just might be my favorite embellishment! And the Design Team created so many different projects with the little clipboard - who knew you could do so much with a clipboard!

Check back this week 

to see more of the projects I created using this kit.

Final Sneak Peek (#3)

This is the last day of sneaks - tomorrow will be the full reveal!

This is a portion of one of the projects that I created with the surface included in the kit. How many products can you see? Can you guess what it is? 

And, just because, here's one more sneak of another project.

Be sure to check back tomorrow to see the entire kit! I can't wait for you to see the fun products and amazing samples the Design Team created!

Sneak Peek #2

Here's another peek at a project using some of the amazing products you will receive in this Front Porch Kit.  My favorites were the ____ and the _____ and the ____. Sorry, I'm sworn to secrecy until the 13th!

Are you visiting the LBH blog daily and posting a comment to be entered into the drawing for a free kit?

Pre-orders are being taken now at LBH as well as online: www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com

Sneak Peek #1

Today's the day for the first sneak peeks of the new Front Porch Kit "Game On."  This kit has lots of fun patterns and textures and embellishments. Can you guess the theme?

Here are two peeks at a portion of one project I created with the kit. On August 13th (Reveal Day) you will be able to see the entire Design Board, all the BluePrint projects and many of the inspiration projects at the LBH.  On that day, the online Inspiration Gallery will also go live, so be sure to check that out for even more ideas using the kit.

Pre-orders are being taken NOW at the LBH or online. Get yours before they are gone! And don't forget to visit the LBH blog today through the 13th and leave comments for a chance to win a free kit!

Today's the Day!

Today we are revealing the Nature's Charm Front Porch Kit! I am so excited for you to see this kit - it's fantastic and just wait til the inspiration gallery goes live so you can see all the amazing projects the design team made with the products in the kit.

Here's the design board for the kit showing everything that's included. Awesome!

There are lots of ribbons, yarns, twine and a wide burlap ribbon; two cotton fabrics; a funky wire mesh; handmade buttons; several tags, pockets and journaling cards; an entire chipboard alphabet with multiples of each letter; moss, leaves, paper-wrapped wire, floral sprigs and, yes, cotton balls; 5 pieces of solid cardstock; 9-10 patterned papers (I can't remember exactly!); and a burlap-wrapped 8" square canvas. Also included in the kit are printed directions (BluePrints) for SIX projects that were made from ONE kit.

You can still order your kit by calling The Little Blue House at 817-431-7930 or stopping by the house starting on Tuesday.  They are $38.95.  Pre-orders will be ready to pick up on Tuesday at the LBH and kits going out-of-town will start shipping then also.

BREAKING NEWS - The new LBH website is now LIVE! Check it out here: www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com
Nature's Charm can now be ordered online!

Be sure to check out the galleries of all the beautiful projects made by the design team members. Gorgeous stuff!

And, lastly, have you been going to the LBH blog and leaving comments? Miss Tracy will be picking a winner from all the comments for a free Nature's Charm kit on Tuesday.

Tomorrow I will start sharing the projects I created with this kit.

Front Porch Kit Sneaks Day 3

Welcome back. Ready for more sneak peeks? This new kit has so many wonderful elements:

Handmade buttons, ribbons and ?

Beautiful papers, fabrics and trims

What will the surface be this time?  You never know with us - we've included a wooden plank, a small clock, and a metal wall pocket in past kits - what have we come up with for this one?

Here are more peeks of some of my projects.

I can't wait for you to see this amazing kit and all the fabulous projects the design team has made! Be sure to visit the other design team members' blogs (listed on my side bar to the right) to see their sneak peeks!  And for a chance to win your own FREE kit, visit The Little Blue House blog and leave a comment.

Call the LBH at 817-431-7930 to pre-order your kit.  Tomorrow is the full reveal - we'll be showing the entire kit! And beginning Tuesday you will able to pick up your kit at the LBH.

Nature's Charm Front Porch Kit Sneak Peek #2

Do you like texture and natural items? If  so, you will LOVE this new Front Porch Kit.  It is packed with gorgeous products and was such fun to create with.

Here's a sneak peek at one of the projects I made. Remember, the full reveal will be on Monday, March 5!

You can pre-order your kit by calling the Little Blue House at 817-431-7930 or coming into the store.   A new website (www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com) is currently under construction and will be live by Monday. At that time, kits can be purchased online as well.  Kits will be available for pickup on Tuesday!

Visit the LBH blog at www.thelittlebluehouseblog.blogspot.com for more information and be sure to leave a comment each day for a chance to win a free kit!

Front Porch Kits Coming Soon!

It's been a few months since The Little Blue House released a Front Porch Kit - the holidays ate up all our free time - but we are now ready to reveal yet another fabulous kit, "Nature's Charm."  I think this one may be my favorite yet and I can't wait to share it with you!

Pre-orders are now being taken (call the LBH at 817-431-7930) - be sure to reserve yours as this is a limited release. We have a new website (www.thelittlebluehouseonline.com) which is now up and running but still in a state of construction - soon you will be able to order online as well as visit a gallery of inspiration projects designed by the amazing design team.

I'm showing a sneak peek of some of the kit contents today and will have more in the next few days.  Monday is the full reveal and kits will be available for shipping or in-store pickup starting Tuesday.  Hmm, what could this be?

Front Porch Kits Live again

Tonight on Ustream, Lolly will be sharing this fabulous project she made with this month's Front Porch Kit (One Sunny Day).  Join in the fun here at 8:30 pm CST and learn how to make those darling flowers! Hope to "see" you there!

Front Porch Kits Featured on Practical Scrappers

Practical Scrappers featured our Front Porch Kit, One Sunny Day, on their Thursday post here.  Check it out and have a chance to win a free kit by becoming a follower of their blog as well as the FPK blog.  I love the projects that they made with the kit - additional inspiration for anyone who has bought the kit and it's always fun to see what others do with the same supplies!

New FPK Blog and Full Reveal

Front Porch Kits now has it's own blog! You can check it out here and become a follower so you don't miss out on any creative fun!

And I just realized in the commotion of this weekend, I forgot to post the full kit reveal. So, drumroll, here it is - One Sunny Day.  The colors and textures are delicious!  Be sure to wander over to either the blog (above) or the website (www.frontporchkits.com) to see the complete listing of the contents and browse the gallery of fantastic projects made by the design team this month.

I'll be back tomorrow to share a few of the projects I created.