Sweet Mini Album With Top Dog Dies

Well, I must say that I love my Top Dog Dies, and I love creating projects with them.  I made this mini album using several different Top Dog Dies.  Not each page uses one, but I will be sure to name the dies I used and share links to the products for you as I share the pages of this sweet little mini album I created.  Top Dog Dies are AWESOME, and you will love them all!

This first photo (above) showcases several lovely layers of flowers cut using the My Favorite Things Flower Medley, which you can find at Top Dog Dies.  The base of the mini album is a kraft Zutter album cover ($1.99 at Tuesday Morning), and the inside was bound with my Zutter binding machine (which I LOVE)!  I used October Afternoon pattern papers, some muslin material sewn to that to create the cover, as well as some ribbon.

The flowers are die-cut from old dress patterns using the My Favorite Things Flower Medley.  I can't name all my supplies, or this post will simply get too long; but if there's something you'd like to know about specifically, just let me know and I will get back to you right away.  I usually go into great detail (as many of you know), so I almost feel guilty not listing every single item I've used.  I love to give credit where credit is due, and I love promoting beautiful products.

The inside cover uses, again, October Afternoon patterned papers, a Small Glassine Bag, some ruler washi tape, machine stitching, and a small border cut from the Top Dogs Heart Border Die.  Just look at all those sweet little hearts, and they cut out just beautifully with this high-quality Top Dogs die-cut.  I like creating lots of pockets when I make mini albums so that you have plenty of  storage for extra photos and keepsakes.

This page above is actually the first bound page of the book.  It does not include a Top Dog die, but it does have lots of sweet embellishments from October Afternoon.  All the pages are machine stitched, and I have learned how to stitch when using my Zutter.  You just have to make sure to stitch close enough to the edge so that when you cut the holes, you don't hit the stitching.  I've got it down to a fine art.

This is the second bound page of the book, and this page uses one half of the Madison Doily Die-Cut (my absolute favorite).  It's just about the most wonderful, useful and adorable die-cut in the world, and I think everyone needs this die.....really!  I left a lot of empty space on each page for photos and journaling.   When I'm not giving an album away to someone specific, or using it for myself, I usually sell the at craft boutiques I participate in, and this gives the buyer lots of room to put their cherished photos and memories.

This page (above) and the next photo (below) would be Pages 3 & 4, and they were created using the flat side of the Top Dog A2 Card #3 Die.  As you can see, these pages are much smaller (shorter and wider) than the other pages, so they stick out of the album a bit more - which is super cute!  You will also see that I attached a Maya Road kraft envelope to this page (above) and covered it in October Afternoon patterned paper.  I love using these lovely envelopes to tuck in photos and keepsake memories.  Pockets and journaling spots are what mini albums are all about, right?

 So, this would be the other side of the page cut from the Top Dogs A2 Card #3 Die-Cut.  This sweet die-cut makes creating mini albums SO easy, and there are several different shapes you can purchase.  This is just the straight, simple version.  They're all quite wonderful, in my humble opinion, and I would love to own them all.  You can see all the various shape options of the Top Dogs A2 Card Die-Cuts by clicking this link.  It's mini album heaven!

This brings us to Page 5 which is very simple.  Patterned papers, jute, a wooden heart with a rub-on sentiment (Remember When), a little journaling spot that says "Make Believe", and some scalloped edges.  And again, everything is machine stitched.  I'd also like to share another amazing tool for die-cutting, and that's the Metal Shim.  If you are someone who uses die-cuts a lot, then this is a MUST-HAVE tool.  It assures that you get a clean cut - especially when fussy cutting with dies that are very detailed, such as doily dies.  It's a wonderful product, and you will LOVE owning a Metal Shim.  You can sign up for the Top Dogs emails and newsletter by visiting the Top Dog Website, or their awesome blog.   You will receive all the latest news, special offers, and LOTS of great ideas.

The last bound page of the book does not have a Top Dog Die used on it, but I could have used the Madison Doily Die-Cut again here where I used a vintage paper doily.  You can also see behind this page how the pages I cut from the Top Dogs A2 Card #3 Die stick out just a bit, which I really love.

And finally, the back inside cover of the book which I covered with a piece of kraft paper, a Recollections kraft "I Love You" envelope, lots of machine stitching, inking, October Afternoon stickers and chipboard, some red gingham ribbon, and a hidden journaling card in the pocket.  Lots of great nooks and crannies for hiding notes and precious little trinkets in this mini album; and using Top Dog Dies makes it easy and fun!

I'm sharing this album here:
Just B Creative Crazy - February's Just Because Linky Party

Frosted Designs - "Love Is" Challenge - I used the lovely inspiration colors.  My love story (in a nutshell) is that my sweetie and I met as children, fell in love very young, married at age 19, and now.....28+ years later, we're still madly IN LOVE!  "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be."

Frilly And Funkie Challenge Blog - Bloomin' Marvellous - I hand-made my flowers by cutting them from vintage dress patterns, and then crinkling them up in my hands, inking the edges, and then gluing every single uber-thin layer together until they're big and puffy.   I LOVE this vintage look!

Stampin' For The Weekend Challenge Blog - Flower Power

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I am SO delighted and honored to be part of the Design Team at Top Dog Dies, and I honestly LOVE designing using these fabulous dies.  I appreciate your kind and encouraging comments, too.  Thanks for being part of my journey.

God bless you!
Karen