Epicurean Altered Paper Bag Mini Book

Our save a recipe campaign continues with a special focus on the 7gypsies collection Epicurean. This collection was created to be the backdrop for all those great food photos we are all taking, photos of the great meals during a wonderful vacation or favorite recipes. It seems every asks where do you want to eat, the question comes up what are you hungry for Italian, Mexican, Greek, American, Chinese (and all the other yummy foods from the Orient) and we might not eat it often, but we love it, French food. Each of these countries and regions represent the foods we love and so the Epicurean Collection represents them as well. While we know there are other amazing foods from around the world, we focused on what the gypsies enjoy the most. Peggy kicks off this week with a perfect little Mini Book that walks us through our favorite foods with a great book that you can store recipes, add photos and put on display in the kitchen, kitchen nook or anywhere. What a great gift for a new couple, who is just starting to ask ‘what are you hungry for?’

Altered Paper Bag Mini Book

Hey everyone it’s Peggy Lee here to share my altered mini album I created for my hubby to gift to him for Father’s Day that is coming up soon. And when I was flipping through 7Gypsies “Epicurean” paper collection. I knew I wanted to create a Altered Paper Bag Mini for him, creating a cool way for him to document his love for food and travel.

My mini started with the Vintage Epicurean Papers that I cut down to fit the black card stock 6 x 6. I had a pile of everyday paper lunch bags that you can pick up at the food store. (Canvas Corp also has many different sizes of Kraft paper bags) I didn’t have any handy so I reached for what I had. I took 6 paper bags, folded them and glued together to form the mini book, inked the edges. I took black card stock to create a cover shell for the mini…this helped make the paper bags sturdy.

For the cover, I used the Spanakopita (the Greek themed paper) Epicurean paper, trimmed down and distress the edges with vintage photo distress ink as well I fussy cut images out of the paper collection to. I cut wide strips of the Natural & Avocado Burlap to cover the spin of the mini album. To create the banner I took the Natural, Avocado & Red Burlap cut triangles (pennant shapes), as well as I cut out the pennant shape out of Naked Scalloped Tag Inserts. Added touches with 7gypsies Color Rubbings Tickets here and there on the pennants, using the Hemp Rope in Natural I sewed the banner pennants to the hemp rope!

I took Canvas Home Basics-Chalk stock tags for the title of the mini… “Food & Road Trips” love the piece of chalk I adhered to tag with Canvas Home Basics mini clothes pins. I fussy cut out the 7Gypsies truck logo that is on the product strips on the papers, I added glossy accents and let dry…cute added touch to the banner!

This Route 66 sign I fussy cut out of the Hoagie Epicurean Paper (featuring American themed food favorites) added shading with vintage photo distress ink. I used Ranger’s Crackle Accents placed all over the front let it dry and see the fabulous cracks you get…which makes this signage look Vintage Grunge!

Speaking of Vintage-I found these 7Gypies Metal Corners in my stash! SCORE! Love the 7Gypsies Charms Kitchen & Mini Cutlery dangling from the Vintage Metals Pins-Antique Brass that I hooked to the burlap binding. Love all the bright colors and grungy feel of this little paper bag mini album!

My hubby has tons of space in this mini with 6 x 6 page inserts and tags. Great place for photos, menus, recipes and journaling of all his food and road trip journey! Below are closer look at the inside pages of the Altered Paper Bag Mini Album-Enjoy!

Lets take a closer look at the inside pages of the Altered Paper Bag Mini Album-Enjoy!

Tags-I created a few pockets using the 7Gypsies Epicurean Tag Inserts-Recipes Cards. Great places to add menus from restaurant’s and places he visits.

I created 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 photo mats with Kraft card stock for snap shots.

I know I take a ton of food photos.

I believe everyone does and if you do this paper collection is for you!

And what mini album wouldn’t be complete with a page to put labels and stickers of the places and products that he tries. Great place for ephemera.

This little gem will make a great home decor piece to sit on the coffee table, I know it will strike up many conversations with family and friends. Isn’t that what paper crafting, memory keeping is all about? Yes, it sure is!

So what are you waiting for, grabbed these fabulous products and create a little gem for your special someone in your life…happy creating, Peggy Lee

Here is a detail list of the Canvas Corp Brands Supplies I used:

Canvas Corp Brand-Burlap-Natural, Red, Avocado,

Canvas Corp Brand-Clothespins-small Navy Blue, Red, Lt. Blue, Yellow

Canvas Corp Brand-Jute-Natural, Red, Lime Green, Yellow

Canvas Home Basics-Chalk stock tags & ties

7Gypsies-Epicurean Paper Collections

7Gypsies-Tag Inserts Naked Scalloped

7Gypsies-Epicurean Tag Inserts-Recipes Cards

7Gypsies-Color Rubbings Tickets

7Gypsies- Vintage Metals-Antiques Brass Pins

7Gypsies-Charms- Kitchen & Mini Cutlery