TAC Savvy Projects for People on the Go

Kamalaht Down Under Mini Album

This INCREDIBLE mini album was designed by Marcie Nowell ... and I just HAD to share! 

Typically, I don't take projects apart that we receive ... however ... since this had 3-ring binding it was easy!  So ... I did.  Just for these photos though!

Page 1 ...

Pages 2 & 3

Pages 4 & 5

Pages 6 & 7

Pages 8 & 9

Pages 10 & 11

Pages 12 & 13

Pages 14 & 15

Page 16

This is the inside of Marcie's mini album ... minus the pages ...

Isn't this INCREDIBLE!  Now let me show you some of the details {CLOSE UP} that really POLISH this mini album!

The first detail is from the back inside cover page shown above.  The 'next stop' embellishment is such a great piece!  Marcie used one of our essential elements as the foundation for this element.

We love the detail found on 'Sydney' on page 2.  Throughout this mini album Marcie uses ribbon, scrappers floss and chipboard elements.  These SIMPLE, elegant touches add a savvy and sophisticated look to the finished piece. 

 

Marcie created interest on page 5 with the placement and extension of the photograph.  We LOVE how she created her own rules and made this mini album work for her!

 

Notice the brown bow at the top of page 5 (above).  Check out what is behind this element on page 6.

Page 7 continues the formula of using SIMPLE, LIKE elements to create a cohesive theme.

 

We love the circle photo inset on page 9 of Maurice and Marcie.  And ... it adds a 3rd element to this 2-page spread which is a designers dream come true.  I also LOVE how Marcie added emphasis to this photograph by matting it on a scrap of lavender Kamalaht.  THEN ... she added even more detail with just a loop of lavender ribbon.  It's so pleasing to the eye and yet such a SIMPLE and savvy detail.

These tags are located under the photo on page 11.  Marcie created a pocket under the photo mat and the tags slide right in!

Another one of my favorite features is the detail Marcie used on page 12 to draw attention of the dolphins in the ocean.  First, she covered an Essential Elements Arrow, inked it, stamped 'dolphins' on a tag she designed, connected this with an eyelet to the arrow, added ribbon and tied the ribbon off with scrappers floss!  So many details in one little package!  Isn't this an EXQUISITE touch!

Okay.  Check this out!  This is page 14.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how the koala bear piece extends out into a tri-fold!  And notice how Marcie utilized the tag on the BOTTOM of the design instead of the TOP or SIDE.  It's the first time I've seen a tag used this way and I LOVE it!

 

Page 16 is one of our FAVORITEs at The Angel Company!  Who doesn't LOVE a 'manly lifeguard' at the Manly Beach!  Seriously though ... that's not what I'm supposed to be pointing out about this layout!  Again, we loved how Marcie used the scrappers floss around the arrow.  It really anchors it to the page.

WOW!  And there are even MORE savvy details on this mini album that I didn't even point out!  Did you notice the subtle stamping details Marcie incorporated into the album?  Throughout the album Marcie has stamped on background pages and even on some of the photographs!  It's the subtlety that makes it so rich and sophisticated.

I LOVE that Marcie penned details in her own handwriting as well as incorporated an alphabet stamp set.  These two details are great compliments.  Did you also notice the use of hardware?  There are  loopy brads on some pages!  And stapling!  So MANY great elements wrapped up in one savvy little album!

I will be honest with you ... I haven't made one of these mini albums yet, however, this album really encourages me to do so!  I am planning on making one and incorporating MANY of the ideas that Marcie uses here ... after all ... why start from scratch?!  I can't wait to use Marcie's ideas in my own creation! 

I hope you enjoy this mini album as much as our TAC Staff has enjoyed it!  And I hope that you can incorporate some of these SIMPLE and SMART ideas in your own project!

If you need to replenish your supplies, have questions with a product, technique or are interested in one of the products I've used here please contact your ANGEL and she'll be happy to assist you!  If you don't have an Angel yet ... click on SHOP NOW on our homepage and find one in your area today!

Marcie's Supply List for this Project:

1. Kamalaht SWIC  V830
2. Flourishes  T2614
3. Simple-bet  T2289
4. 4x4 Binder Album  E116
5. Jumbo Merchandise Tag Punch  D96
6. Mega Merchandise Tag Punch  D82
7. Crop-a-dile  K100
8. Burnt Umber Ink  TT218
9. Nickel Loopy Brads  F931
10. Brown Scrappers Floss F911
11. Essential Elements  A11
12. Nickel Lacing Brads  F916
13. Cha Cha Ribbon  B210
14. Amelia Ribbon  B217
15. Amelia Hardware  B117
16. Pop Dots  D89

Kamalaht Accordion Album

I created this little accordion album to cheer my son on before his next track meet. I knew I was going to be out of town so I wanted to make something for my Boy so he would know I was thinking of him while he was at the meet.   

I needed something that was SAVVY, SIMPLE and easy to complete in an hour or less.  This was the ideal project for me!

To get started a grabbed a piece of 8.5" x 11" Black Cardstock.  I scored it as I've shown on the diagram below.

Next I folded it in half.  I then folded in the left and right corners and used my circle punch to make a slot.

Here's what it looks like at this point.  (Remember it is folded down the middle lengthwise).

And this is a snapshot of my blank accordion album ready to embellish. 

It REALLY is this easy!  After you make your base ... it's all about embellishing.

So, to start embellishing I cut two pieces of Kamalaht papers to 2.5" x 3.5".  I trimmed off the tops diagonally to match each of the corners.  I then adhered each piece under the left and right fold-over flaps I created.  I then used an eyelet to attach each flap to the accordion album base.  Make certain you don't go through the bottom layer.  You may want to open your accordion album up while you do this step.  And then I used wonder tape along the edge of the accordion album to seal the sides.

This close up of the finished piece highlights the details in the step above.  NOTICE that I embossed my stamped sayings onto my pieces.  This added a savvy touch to the look of the finished project.

Next I cut another piece of Kamalaht (2.5" x 3.5") and adhered to the 2nd block ... the one I used the circle punch on.  After I adhered this paper I used the circle punch to punch off the excess.  I then went in and touched up with my black ink and stipple brush.

Next, I cut a red piece of Kamalaht to 2.5" x 3.5".  On all of the pieces I attached I took my stipple brush and black ink and stippled around the edges of my pieces ...

It's a little POLISHING touch that makes a BIG impact!  See the difference!  This is especially a great tip when layering onto black cardstock.

Of course, I sanded the edges of my photograph.   

Next I prepared my pieces to mount to my black accordion album base. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE clear acetate and that's what tops this off.  I layer clear acetate on top, the photo in the middle and the Kamalaht on the bottom. 

I attach the clear acetate to my photograph with eyelets.  And then I adhere the photograph to the Kamalaht.  It's a little touch that makes a BIG impact and really POLISHES your final piece. NOTICE that I only used 3 eyelets to attach my photo.  I LOVE working with odd numbers.  It adds much more interest.

Something else I do to POLISH my finished pieces ... after I staple ...

I take my little hammer and tap the back of the staple down to flatten it.  This also helps to avoid snags and catching little fingers.

Another neat alternative for POLISHING your black accordion base is to emboss on it!  I used an emboss pad, emboss powder and a heat tool with a favorite stamp to get this fabulous and savvy look.  This is the front ...

and this is a snapshot of the back ...

For the front of Boys accordion album I used the 'K' from my Kamalaht stickers and a piece of gray ribbon from Amberley Grace.  I attached this to the front.  Because this is for my Boy ... I want to keep it really clean and simple.  I plan on journaling on several pieces of Kamalaht as well as the Kamalaht die cuts and adding them to this album so I want to keep the overall look very simple ... it fits Kevin's personality better.  (In case someone see's it!).

The next step was to create a BAND for this album.  It's the same band I designed for the Toodle Loo Mini Album.  Very easy to make.  The only difference is ... on this band I cut my paper 2" wide and then scored it down the middle.  I applied adhesive and folded it in half lengthwise before I constructed the band and scored it.  This just gave it more support.

Typically, I would never use the same paper for the band and the initial.  In this case, because it's a book of encouragement for my Boy, I don't mind so much.  He doesn't worry about stuff like that as much as I do.  So the band stays.

Here's a look at the back ...

Doesn't that look GREAT!  It truly does look quite savvy and is quite masculine at the same time.

At the bottom of this tutorial I have included a supply list of the items I used to complete my accordion mini album.  I hope this project inspires you and maybe even encourages you to make one for someone you love today!  Enjoy!    

If you need to replenish your supplies, have questions with a product, technique or are interested in one of the products I've used here please contact your ANGEL and she'll be happy to assist you!  If you don't have an Angel yet ... click on SHOP NOW on our homepage and find one in your area today!

My Supply List for this Project:

1. Mischelle's Supply Kit
2. Kamalaht SWIC  V830
3. Amelia Hardware  B117
4. Artsy Elements  T2622
5. More Abundance  T2775
6. Black Cardstock  V215
7. Bone Folder  F213
8. Noir Ink  TT220
9. Stipple Brush  F112
10. Extra Jumbo Circle Punch  D72