New Beginnings (Mini Bragbook)...

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For Mother's Day, I wanted to create something special for my mother-in-law, Susan. She just adores our little boy, who is her first grandchild. My Stampin' Up demonstrator, Linda Schmitt, showed me this fun idea for what I call a "Mini Bragbook." All you need are three envelopes, glued together flap to front, and a little imagination. For this gift, I decided to use Papertrey Ink's very sweet and elegant stamp set, Birds of a Feather, to create a keepsake that my mother-in-law can either take with her or hang up in her home. The above image is the front of the project. Bean Tip: Use clear Velcro circles as an enclosure.

Above: Inside Flap and first panel. I stamped the sentiment, "Life is a Journey," which I thought was an appropriate introduction to the project. The little bird footprints add a cute detail.

Above: Inside Full Panel. For an elegant look, I stamped with VersaMark and embossed with gold embossing powder.

Below: Inside Full Panel Detail. Each panel has a removable "scrapbook" page. In three panels, we take a tiny look back at how our son has changed from a newborn to an independent little guy running all over the park.

BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Birds of a Feather and Borders & Corners Ovals Stamps; Stampin' Up Kiwi Kiss and Close to Cocoa Classic Dye Ink; VersaMark Clear Ink; SU Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, and Pink Pirouette Cardstock; SU Kiwi Kiss Designer Series Paper; Martha Stewart Doily Lace Border Punch; Paper Shapers Circle and Circle Scallop Punches; SU Ticket Corner Punch
HAPPY BEANS: Clear Velcro Circles; Gold Embossing Powder