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I am very excited to share today’s project with you.  I am an avid "giver", if there is such a thing.  I just love putting special gifts together for people.  I love the opportunity to make someone smile and brighten their day.  I love to make the presentation as special as the gift.  I think that it makes everything so much more personal.

And after all, what is more personal then monogramming???  I decided to compile a wonderful baby gift ensemble that you can turn to again and again.  My friend Cindy chatted with me the other day about this fabulous scrapbook concept she had done for a baby shower gift.  And I just loved it instantly.  In fact, I wish someone had made one for me with each of my babies!

First, to make the actual album.  I stamped the monogram & border.  I found that the circle borders that are compiled in the new set all fit in the circle metal tag rims.  (For a tutorial on how to use these rims along with a few project ideas, see the post I did HERE)  I just LOVE the way that they add a professional and finished look to my projects.  I then simply tied my chosen ribbon around the album cover, and attached the tag with a small jump ring.

Now for the album pages.  Here is the introduction page that will also communicate to you the concept of this gift.  It reads…

"Here is a special scrapbook to preserve memories of your little one’s first year.  Leave the current month’s calendar on the clipboard in a convenient place so it is easy to jot down important milestones & events.  Once the month has passed, you can slide the calendar page into the scrapbook.  Then on the opposing page you can create a collage of photos involving the moments mentioned during the month.  When the year is complete, you will have documented all those special firsts!  May you enjoy all the blessings a baby brings!"

This is an example of one of the calendar pages along with the altered clipboard I created.  I used the monogram letters to spell out the month.  And a few images from Spiral Bouquet were layered down in the corner.

Here is the calendar page along with the "blank" page that opposes it.  Notice that the calendar page has no numbers.  This is so the new parents can use them no matter when the baby ends up arriving.  The "blank" pages to be used for photos, feature the numbers 1-12, one for each month of age.  The numbers were created with stamps that are included with one of the monogram alphabet sets!  Fun, isn’t it!

I decided that little monogrammed onesies would be too cute to pass up as well!  First, I inserted a piece of cardstock inside the shirt.  This prevents the ink from seeping through to the back AND it provides a sturdier stamping surface.

I used Belle Rose Palette Ink, which is permanent, so that the shirts can be washed over and over again, with no fading (This is a proven fact, because I sat on an open Reflection Blue Palette ink pad with my favorite pj pants on one morning, and I have tried EVERYTHING to get it out with no success!  We’ll just use the permanent characteristic of this ink to our ADVANTAGE from now on, shall we!?!?!?)

Here is the finished shirt.  The little "Baby Girl" stamps are from the new Borders & Corners set. Isn’t it adorable!!!  (Many of you have asked if the words in this set will be sold separately for those of you that already have the original Borders & Corners.  We have taken steps to make them available, but they will not be completed until our release next month.)

Last but not least, it’s all about the packaging, right!  I put the album, clipboard, onesies and a card (you can see THIS POST from last month for more details on the card)  into a cute little basket from Wal-Mart.  You could also add scrapbook adhesive, a good-quality archival ink pen for writing on the calendar or even gift certificates for photo developing or printing.  Any new mother would surely be thrilled with such a gift!

So, you’re thinking that you just might want to make some of these yourself?  I’ve got a little surprise for you!  For your stamping pleasure, I have created both the calendar page and the introduction I used in a pdf document.  And I am providing it FREE for you to download and use in your own version of this project!  Enjoy!!!

EDITED TO ADD: There was a small spelling error in the content of the download (what can I say, spelling isn’t my strong suit?!?!?)  A corrected version has been posted below:

Download papertrey_first_year_baby_album_download.pdf

I will have some BIG news later on tonight about a special contest we will be holding at our release party tomorrow night!  I will have all the details later, so be sure to check back!!!

SUPPLIES:

Ink- Belle Rose Palette ink, old olive classic ink SU!

Stamps- Papertrey Ink

Paper- Rose Red cardstock SU!, green from Bazzill, white Stamper’s Select from Papertrey

Other- Ribbon from American Crafts, 6×6 linen album from SU!, mini chipboard clipboard from Pinecone Press, Mainstays basket from Wal-Mart, silver brads from Creative Impressions, scalloped scissors from SU!