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When I was first told that I had been given the regular task of writing the cool finds article each month, I scrambled to find what to write. It is a daunting task trying to come up with something to write on a monthly basis, but what more if I’m advising you on cool things that you may want to purchase.
So, I gamely sat down and pondered about what my first Cool Finds article would be. Then, it popped into my head! It’s all about the mini!
Scrap Scene just finished a contest about it, Li’l Davis designer Michelle Hill mostly only teaches classes with it, and most design team calls now require it. It, as you may be wondering, is the mini book. They fall under the category of alterables since it’s not a page and they are so hot right now!
Here are my picks for some mini albums you may want to try!
 7Gypsies: They have a huge assortment of mini books that you can decorate to your hearts content. Mitch Sy of Visual Symphony has some in stock. They come in various sizes and designs and are made of sturdy material. My pick from them is the Gated Split Album because I love the fact that there are 2 parts to decorate on 1 page. Really cool.
 Maya Road: This has got to be one of my favorite companies for mini albums. They have the biggest assortment of them and they come in the coolest shapes. These albums are made from really thick chipboard. My picks are their Binder Books, the Flat Blossom Chipboard Book, the Accordion Book, and the Scallop Ring Book. Oh and they just came out with sheer albums too. These are currently not available here but I’m hoping one of our wonderful suppliers will start bringing them in.
Melissa Frances: This is a Canadian company that I’ve had the pleasure of receiving items from. They focus on paper but also have some albums that are worth noting. Top picks for them are: Open Up Heart Album and the Accordion Album.
 Creative Imaginations: This fabulous company has come up with an amazing selection of alterable under their Bare Elements, or BE line. They have some awesome innovative stuff for you to choose from. My favorite, which is actually my favorite mini album, is their Brook Peek a Boo Book. Reason that I am in love with this is because there are hidden pages that you can slide in and out on the top and sides of the page. Now that just rocks in my book!
 Magistical Memories: This is a relatively new company on the scrapbooking scene but one that is fast growing. Magistical Memories is a company that focuses on chipboard and has many different shapes you can purchase although, what really caught my eye from them is their mini books. My favorites are: the Flippin’ Flower Book and the All Mixed Up Book.
 Basic Grey: Basic Grey has been on the top of many scrapbookers’ must have lists for their paper and embellishments. Well, they’ve decided to join the mini album bandwagon and at the recent CHA in July unveiled a line of chipboard mini albums. This is on my must have list and I’m eagerly awaiting our local suppliers to get this in stock. Oh and I want all of the designs!
Rusty Pickle: One company that is not too readily available here except through a supplier that just stocked the papers and embellishments is Rusty Pickle. This company has some really cool mini albums that I’ve had the opportunity to receive as a RAK. They may be small but they are absolutely a delight to work with. My picks are the Primitive Heart and Primitive Star albums.
 Pageframes Designs: Now this my friends is the Rolls Royce of mini albums! This company is the hottest buzz in the scrapbooking industry for its innovative clear albums. They are absolutely amazing with so many possibilities for any scrapbooker. Top picks are the 6x6 album, the Flower album and the Tag album. Hopefully, these are enough to get you all inspired to work on some mini albums.
Oh and I just found out that the demos at an upcoming EB are gonna be about mini albums. Hope to see some of you making them there!
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