Mini Album for a fun swap!

   Hello and happy Saturday!  Gosh does it ever feel great to be back and posting again!!!  If you missed my welcome back post that semi explains my absence and are even remotely interested then click *here*...otherwise just continue on with reading this post! :)

 {{{I must express my mini disclaimer by typing that I happen to think that Stampin Up! is the best company in all of the world and I am normally very (very, very, very!!)  faithful to them, however my post today uses lots of products and not all of them come from my most very favorite (of all time) company SU!  This does not in any way mean that I am not still 124% in love with them!  Just stepped outside of the box for a little bit, but they are definitely  where my heart lies! *BIG, cheesy grin!!!*}}}

   Ok, with all of that being babbled on about...let's get on to the crafty goodness!  I signed up for a mini album swap over at LoTSB a loooong time ago!  It was a swap to make a mini album for your partner (Hiya Nicole!!)  based on their interests and had a lee-way time of two months!  I had the absolute best time making this album!  Nicole gave me creative license and offered me just a few of her likes.  I basically just ran with it!  The swap had a challenge with it though!   The challenge was to make (yep, you read it right!!) make a box to go with it!   Here is the album I made for Nicole and the matching box:

This is the box I made to house the album.  I used chipboard and packing tape to hinge it all together!  Added lots of handmade flowers, some butterflies and of course some  bling (because no self respecting project is truly done til you add the bling!). Covered the whole thing in a warm, chocolate-y colored paper.

Close-up of the detail on outside of box.

Box open with album (and matching cover!) inside.

Empty box lined with lovely paper!

Some of the inside pages.  Lots of pockets and tags for either photos or journaling.  Also, lots of butterflies!

Another set of pages (sorry about the blurry!)  More tags.  The tags on the right side are in envelopes that hinge outward like an accordion file box folder.

More  pages!  The tag on the left slides out and has a flower cut from a soda can using my SU! Big Shot and die.  The flaps on the right all lift up to offer lots more room for pictures and journaling!

Last set of pages all closed up. The tag tucked behind the heart opens into a booklet for journaling and the tag on the right comes out.

Last page all opened up!  Lots of hidden tags and moving parts in this album.  I really enjoyed making it!  The album that I got in return from Nicole was absolutely gorgeous!! :)

I  plan on making lots more mini albums in the future!  They are a lot of fun and really give you a chance to let your creativity run wild!

I will be back soonest with more to share!  Hope that you have a great day! :)