Decide to Be Yourself Easel Album: Graphic 45 Portrait of a Lady CHA Project
Hello, G45’ers! I’m excited to be sharing another project that graced the Graphic 45 Booth at CHA/Creativation last month. Portrait of a Lady is such an elegant collection filled with gorgeous colors and patterns. But it’s also loaded with inspirational sentiments like the one that inspired me to make this Decide to Be Yourself Easel Album. Go grab a drink and a snack as there are loads of photos, a video tour and some designer tips that I’d love to share with you today.
The easel album measures 8″ square and comes with 12 kraft pages in a spiral binding. I used the signature image on the cover along with a row of pretty little banner flags, some fussy cut perfume bottles, Petaloo flowers, ribbon, twine and vintage buttons. To age the papers, I spattered them with diluted white acrylic paint.
Are you swooning yet? Oh, how I love these papers!
Highlight small elegant images by framing them. Bring out the design in an ornate frame by tapping raised areas with Tattered Rose Distress Paint. Dig into your stash of vintage lace, trims and vintage style buttons because this collection fairly cries out for such additions!
Here is a side view so you can see the easel that allows the album to stand upright for display.
A Peek Inside
Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself. That’s the quote that inspired this project. Such wisdom! The thought process behind the design was to create an inspirational decor piece that could be changed out as time passes. And you knew there had to be a pocket somewhere, didn’t you?
Here are a few of my favorite interior pages.
Portrait of a Lady Easel Album Video Tour On YouTube
If I sound a little “off” or tired in this video it’s due to a horrible virus that hit me during the Christmas holiday. I was still recovering when this video was made.
Thanks so much for letting me share this album with you today. I hope you are inspired to go and create something beautiful!
Cheerio,
kathy
Supply List
- Portrait of a Lady 12×12 papers
- Portrait of a Lady
- Diana
- Josephine
- Catherine
- Sophia
- Grace
- Isabella
- Elizabeth
- Blanche
- Victoria
- Maria
- Graphic 45 Staples 8×8 Easel Album
- Graphic 45 Staples Regular Black Policy Envelopes
- Graphic 45 Staples ATC Black Policy Envelopes
- Staples Kraft Alphabet Banner Tags
- Cardstock (several sheets each for photo mats) pink, green, kraft, white
- Petaloo Flowers
- White Botanica Blooms x4
- White Hydrangea Blossoms x24
- DIY Ivory Burlap Picks

This is absolutely gorgeous Kathy! You are amazing and I wish I could just be a fly on your wall for one day and watch you design!
WOWZERS!!! Gorgeous!
Hi Kathy, like you I’ve fallen in love with this collection, it’s just so pretty. I love what you’ve done with your album and lots of hints and tips as well. Thank you for the information you’ve given, I can’t wait until this hits the UK. I really will have to buy this one. Hugsx
Beautifully done, Kathy! I love this collection!
Hey Kathy,
Thx for this beautiful mini album That you have created.
Mvg Gina Belgium
Absolutely breathtaking! You continue to amaze me. This paper collection is one of the most beautiful from Graphic 45. Of course I say that with most of their papers, but it takes an artist like you to bring out the beauty and bring them to life. Thank you!
PS: just keep getting well. we love ya.
Hi Kathy, you never cease to amaze and inspire me . a beautiful album. I never know what to do with Graphic 45. so many images. Thanks for the video as well……hugs
Hoping you are back to 100% now! I love this stunning creation! G45 has such amazing collections that make creating so much easier don’t they? I can never resist any of them! Hubby says I am a hoarder and I tend to agree when it comes to my G45 papers! LOL
Thanks for sharing this beauty with me! It is truly spectacular!