baby love minibook ♥ by Lauren Bergold

i don't know about you, but when i get a bunch of new supplies, i always want to dive in and use ALL OF THEM at once! when i got this month's pixie dust paperie kit, with its gorgeous soft pastel patterned papers and pretty trimmings, that feeling was stronger than ever. inspired by the sheet of baby-themed websters' pages lullaby lane stickers, i decided to make a little "welcome" gift for my cousin who is expecting twins!


the only item i have added to the generous supplies in the kit is the graduated chipboard album, which was a "dollar spot" find at michael's not long ago; i'm sure you have something similar in your stash...OR ...you could use a bit of "spare" chipboard (like the backing sheet that comes in the kit!) to make your own; or i believe there are blank minibooks available in the pixie dust shoppe as an add-on item.

my favorite thing about the melissa frances and american crafts papers, along with the websters' pages stickers and trims--all of which co-ordinate so beautifully and effortlessly-- is how i was able to mix and match all of the patterns in lots of different ways. i genuinely do not think it would even be possible to go wrong with this kit: pixie-in-chief kirsty has done all of the WORK for us...we can just sit down and play!

here are the inside pages of my book:

my top tip for quickly and easily covering chipboard with patterned paper is this: step away from the edge!!! by which i mean, trace your chipboard shape (in this case the album pages) in pencil, but then cut 1/16th of an inch *INSIDE* the line; this way you will never have to trim overlapping paper with a craft knife! ink the edges of the chipboard if you like (here i've used a creamy brown chalk ink) and distress the paper for a fun shabby chic effect. machine stitching adds texture...and ensures that "page peel" will never be an issue!

i used a couple of cuttlebug dies and some border punches to add interest to the graduated edges of the mini-book's pages; inside i've used the baby-themed stickers to decorate mostly around the perimeter, to leave lots of room for photos of the babies when they arrive. welcome little ones, i hope you will like your book!

A note by Kirsty -
I am learning something new here Lauren, now I know how to treat those chipboard edges, thanks for the tips!
and the lovely mini album!


Be sure to join in the fun for our very first Pixie Challenge on Oct 20th!