
Well I started this post on Wednesday, but some other matters really needed my attention more - I do apologize, but it is finally posted.
This layout I really like because I have used 15 pictures. What I can't count? You only see 8 - I better explain.
The inspiration for this layout came from the Imagine book and is called "Minuet" p. 46/47.

It's a fairly simple layout but what really makes this layout unique is the Flip Flaps. CTMH brought out this incredible product with the launch of the Summer 2009 Idea Book and until the other night I have not had a chance to use them in my layouts.
I want to explain a bit about Flip Flaps for those of you who have not heard of them before. They are 4x6 in size and you get 15 individual Flaps for $4.95 (plus tax and shipping - very affordable!). You can use as many as you like and get more photos on your layout. What I did with this layout is took all the pictures we had with the kids at Hollywood Studios and the characters and grouped them together. There were so many, that I had to start weeding them out. But then I had an idea that I could make a mini album right on my layout and get more photos in the layout using the Flip Flaps. What you do is place you pictures in the Flaps (back to back) and then remove the adhesive protector from on Flap and attach it to another Flap. You keep repeating the process until you have as many pictures as you want in your layout (I would recommend you don't use more than 4 or 5 as you layout will tend to be bulky). And for those of you wondering what good this is when it sits inside a page protector and you won't see it....You would put the page into the protector and mark on the protector where the Flip Flap album sits. Then using an eyelet setter (Cropodile would work too) punch 2 tiny holes were the end of the album is on the left side. You then use your craft knife and slit between the 2 holes and voila your Flap album can come out side the page protector and become an interactive layout. I think these are great and there are other uses for them too. Make sure to check back next week and I promise I will have another project made with them - it is very inexpensive and would make a really cute Christmas gift for someone).
Now getting to the layout for both layout bases I used a coloured card stock (Star Spangled Blue). The paper pack I used for this layout is Animal Cookies (It is so adorable - bright bold colours and the animal pages are too cute!)
For the left page you need a 4 1/2 x 12" strip (I used the colourful stripe and circle pattern paper) and this goes on the bottom of the page. Next you need a 4x12" strip (mine is the blue and white stripped page) it is placed 1" from the left of the page over the the bottom piece.
Next I cut a 7x2 1/2" piece (Desert Sand Card Stock) and placed it on the left side of the page, 1" from the top. Then I used more of the circle and stripe paper for a photo mat (5x7) this is placed on top of the Desert Sand Card stock you just put down and the blue and white stripped paper. This is where you will attach your Flip Flap Album (if you make one). I attached the album using 3 brads to make sure it was going to stay (I think I put too many photos in). You then attach a photo on the mat (this overlaps the brads attaching the flip flaps and completes your album). There is another accent piece made from the Desert Sand Card Stock that measures 3x2" and it is placed on the bottom circle and strip piece of paper.
I made a journal box for this as well as used my Sizzix to cut my letters for my title.

The right page is very simple as I did not do a Flip Flap Album (but you could do one if you had more photos you wanted to show).
You start with the piece for the bottom of the page. I used Desert Sand Card Stock and it measures 4 1/2 x 12". Next you need a 1 1/2 x 6" circle and stripe paper the is attached at the very top right corner. Then you need a 10x6 piece of the blue and white strip paper and it is placed on the right of the page right under the circle/stripe paper. You need 2 photo mats both 5x5" size and they go on the blue and white striped page and the base Card Stock. I ink distressed all edges but did not really embellish this layout as I didn't want to take away from the album.
If you have any questions or would like to order this wonderful product please do not hesitate to let me know. Also there are only 10 more days of Stampaganza - Do you have all the stamps you want?
Have a great day and thanks for looking!
Kim