Mini Albums

Monday, June 16, 2008

Bella Flor 6x6 Mini Album Layout

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I LOVE Bella Flor and this 6x6 mini album sketch is EASY to reproduce QUICKLY!  You're going to love it!

I started this project with my 6x6 Cardstock Stack and then just layered my Bella Flor on top of the 6x6 pages. 

POLISH!  Did you notice that I stippled black ink around all of my cardstock and Bella Flor paper?!  It adds so much more interest and depth to the layout my doing this one simple thing.

All of these pages are designed so that you can design an album FAST and EASY.  On each of the pages I've included the measurements.  At The Angel Company one of our GOALS is to SAVE YOUR TIME by SPENDING OURS.  The hard work is done!  Now you can take these pre-made page sketches and whip out your own Bella Flor mini album in an afternoon.

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I just love this Tri-fold 'Peek-a-Boo' page! 

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Bella Flor works FANTASTIC with our 6x6 Cardstock Stack! 

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This pocket adds a FUN and WHIMSICAL touch to the layout.

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This sketch is a winner no matter which way you turn it!  Have FUN with it and don't forget to turn it LEFT, RIGHT, UPSIDE down and RIGHT-SIDE up!

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I made two of these.  One has scrappers floss on the band and one doesn't.  Again, this is another layout that works any way you turn it!

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Can I tell you how MUCH I LOVE this layout!  My favorite part is the strip at the bottom that I folded wacky and then ran a stitch through on my sewing machine.  This layout also works good any way you turn it!

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Because I want my focal point to be on the photo in the layout above I went very simple with this page.  I figure I'll attach some journaling or possibly more photos.  Another GREAT multi-directional layout.

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Similar to the pocket layout we saw earlier.  However, I made this pocket different because I wanted more dimension.

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I make this pocket by scoring on my Scor-Pal 1/2" from the edge and 1" from the edge.  Then repeat on the other side.  I call this my 'Z-Fold' for lack of a better term.

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I crease the edges with my Bone Folder to get a nice crisp edge on each side.

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I made two corners for this page and plan on inserting a photo and then attaching to the base page.  These corners are my FAVORITE!  Heather Scott taught me how to make these and I've made them like MAD ever since!  Check out the tutorial on my Savvy Projects Blog and start making these yourself!  You'll LOVE them!  Folded Scrap Photo Corner

If you're looking for a SIMPLE, SMART and SOPHISTICATED mini album that you can make in an afternoon this project is for you!  Repeat the layouts with different colors and paper patterns and have fun with it!  And BONUSBella Flor comes with adhesive alphabet stickers and die cut tags!  This will be a FUN project for sure!

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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. My Simple Supply Kit
  2. Bella Flor Soar With It Collection
  3. 6x6 Brights Cardstock Stack  C620
  4. Stipple Brush
  5. Noir Black Ink
  6. Assorted Eyelets and Brads
  7. Scrappers Floss
  8. Scor-Pal

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Bella Flor Mini Album

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This is a Mini Album that I had been chomping-at-the-bit to design for a couple of years.  It's certainly not an original concept so my challenge was to find a way to take a concept and make it mine ... something I loved.  This Bella Flor Mini Album is the result. 

We introduced this project at our Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in January and 100% of those surveyed said they loved this project and would pass it along! (Statics show that people who start our projects finish them and are excited to start their next one!).

From start to finish ... you will have a complete Mini Album in LESS THAN 1 HOUR!  You'll spend most of your time trying to figure out what you want to put in it (photos, quotes, scripture, memorabilia ...).  The Mini Album itself can literally be constructed in minutes!

So let's get started ... the basic supplies you need to make your Mini Album are shown below.  You'll also need adhesive and a 12" Paper Trimmer

The first thing I do to make this Mini Album is trim all of my paper to size

Mini Album Cover ~ this needs to be 4" x 12".

Mini Album Inserts ~ these need to be approximately 3-1/2" x 12".  (I've also made these 3-3/4" x 12", however, I think the first size listed leaves a nicer border around the insert pages).

This SAVVY little project uses a total of 1 SHEET of 12" x 12" paper!  Isn't that FANTASTIC!  Okay ...

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After I cut my paper I set aside the 2 sheets of SOLID BLUE.  I only need my Mini Album Cover right now.  This is super simple ... fold it in HALF (4" x 6") .

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Now, I want to fold in the right hand flap , towards the spine, leaving about 1/2" - 3/4" from the crease in the spine. 

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here's another shot ...

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Now it's time to fold in the left hand flap.  After about a gazillion of these little albums I discovered a little trick.  You see ... we could measure this all out and be exactly precise ... but there really is no need.  This little album ALWAYS turns out FANTASTIC!  So here's what I do now ...

I fold my cover INSIDE OUT and match up the left hand corner with the right and SHAZAM!  It's a SIMPLY PERFECT SOLUTION

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Okay ... so after I do that this is what the inside of my Mini Album cover looks like ...

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The next thing I do is grab my Crop-a-dile and punch a hole through my Mini Album like this ...

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Notice that I'm going through two layers at once.  I use the large hole on the Crop-a-dile and usually punch approximately 1/4" - 1/2" from the spine.

Now I rotate my album 180 degrees and prepare to punch through four layers on the opposite side of the hole I just punched.  This hole I usually punch about 1/2" from the edge of the paper

TIP: If I'm using an extra large eyelet I set the eyelet on my album and kind of 'eye' where I want it to fall.  I have to be careful because I have had some of these larger eyelets hang off of my album cover ... and that's never pretty.

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When I open my Mini Album up ... this is what it looks like on the inside right now ...

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Now it's time to set my hardware.  I'm going to close the flap on my album and set my eyelet through two layers. This is what it looks like from the front after I set my eyelet ...

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And this is what it looks like on the inside after I set my eyelet ...

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Now, I repeat this step on the other side. 

NOTE:  I don't set any eyelets in either of the two holes along the spine.  These remain raw openings.  Here's what my Mini Album looks like (from the back) now ...

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Now it's time to insert my ribbon.  I fold my album INSIDE OUT and make ONE swipe through the center hole like this ...

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Then I string it though the other two holes.  At this point I need to make sure that my ribbon is laying how I want it to and that my strip of ribbon is centered in my album.  Here is what my album looks like from the inside ...

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and this is the view on the outside ...

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My Mini Album cover is DONE so I set it aside and now I need my two strips of BLUE paper

I fold my first strip in half (like we did the cover) ...

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Then I am going to fold the right hand flap all the way in to the spine ...

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I'll repeat this with the left hand flap and I end up with this ...

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Then I fold it like this ...

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Now I want to make my POCKETS so here is how I tape along the back of my inserts ...

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TIP:  I like to put my double stick tape or adhesive right down the center of that seam in the back and across the bottom.  (I've squiggled in MAGENTA where I apply adhesive).  Putting the adhesive down the center gives my finished album even more durability than it already has!

Here is the back of my insert.

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Make sure you NOTE the back from the front and also the TOP of the POCKETS from the BOTTOM!  I can't tell you how many albums I've made with pockets going the wrong way!

NEXT ... I assemble my pages in order ...

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and prepare to staple them into place ...

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I put two staples in my Mini Albums.  I center each one between the RIBBON and the EDGE of the album.

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The most important thing to remember here is that the NICE flat part of the staple goes on the outside of the album.

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And the clamps go on the inside ...

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After that I trimmed up the ends of my RIBBON to POLISH them up ...

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and then tied a pretty bow ...

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Another FUN idea that you can EASILY do to JAZZ up and add POLISH to your Mini Album ...

Before I make ANY folds on my cover ... I sometimes like to take STICKLES and randomly freehand SWIRLS all over it.  The KEY is to use it VERY sparingly!  I hardly let any STICKLES out!

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Check out the SPARKLES ...

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This is one of my FAVORITE projects and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

To get this GORGEOUS Bella Flor Paper Collection contact your Angel today.  If you don't have an Angel contact us and we'd be happy to find one in your area for you!

Enjoy!    

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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!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

What NOT to do!

I had firmly decided that I was NOT going to post this little piece ... however ... my inspiration returned after an evening off and I'm wrapping up my replacement project this week.  So consider this a really BAD teaser for what I think is turning out to be a really GREAT project that is on its way!  So here it is ... the UGLY!

Have you ever had a project go bad?  I mean ... really take a turn somewhere along the way and go HORRIBLY WRONG?!  Well, that's what happened with this mini album.  And oh!  How I've debated sharing this with you ... but ... I feel like I have a duty ... and that duty is to prevent YOU from making this same HORRIBLE mistake!

I warn you ... what you are about to see is NOT pretty!  Not even close!

It all started with good intentions.  You see ... I had these photographs left over from a class I had taken.  We never used them in class!  They were all cut to the size required and ready to drop into my layout.  Well, when we got to the class ... it really had nothing to do with the photos we were required to bring.  So as I was straightening up the other day ... I found these photos.  They were all cut to size and ready to go.  Each photo represented something that made me happy.  PERFECT!  Half my work was done.

So ... I was so tired I thought I'd do something REALLY simple.  Take one page design and use it for every layout.  This is a common technique and the results are always great.  The main thing is to just rotate the layout every now and then for interest.  So, I pulled out my square chipboard and covered it with Lilly Anna Cardstock.  Then added my photos.  Before I embellished too heavily ... I wanted to go ahead and bind my mini album.  I've learned the hard way ... you BIND as soon as you can versus AFTER you've embellished.  So I finished my foundation and punched the bind-it-all holes in my mini album.  And then I bound it.

What you are about to see is what the layout was SUPPOSED to look like after binding ... and what it LOOKED LIKE after I bound it.  Of course ... on the SUPPOSED to look like ... try to NOT visualize the bind-it-all holes punched at the top!

Inside spread #1 SUPPOSED to look like layout ...

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Inside spread #1 ... LOOKED like after binding ...

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Inside spread #2 SUPPOSED to look like layout ...

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Inside spread #2 ... LOOKED like after binding ...

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Inside spread #3 SUPPOSED to look like layout ...

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Inside spread #3 ... LOOKED like after binding ...

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Inside spread #4 SUPPOSED to look like layout ...

I know you MUST be asking ... what makes me happy about this photo?  #40 is MY boy!  There were SIX kids (one is in front) from the blue team trying to take my boy down and he drug them along for a dozen yards or so!  (Okay ... don't really know how far ... but it was FAR!).  This is one proud mama!

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Inside spread #4 ... LOOKED like after binding ... (this wasn't a proud mama) ...

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Inside spread #5 SUPPOSED to look like layout ... (NOTE the pink cardstock background on the left and right pages) ...

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Inside spread #5 ... LOOKED like after binding ... SERIOUSLY!  What happened to my other pink background?!  Did you see it on the previous layout?  That's where it is.

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The only thing I can say in my defense is ... I was trying out a new liquid glue that a manufacturer wants us to start carrying and the fumes were apparently stronger than I had first thought.  That and it was after midnight!

Can I tell you how HAPPY I am that I didn't embellish any farther!  I wanted to add in the 'details' AFTER I had bound the album because it's hard to use the bind-it-all if you have too many layers of embellishments on your pages!

Thank goodness I hadn't adhered the front or back cover layouts yet!

Ok.  So this is what NOT to do.  I am going to make another one of these albums.  At this point ... it's not because I WANT to ... it's because I HAVE too!  Surely, surely ... I'm smarter than a bind-it-all???!  Don't worry ... I'll let you know if I am!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Kamalaht Down Under Mini Album

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

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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 ...

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Pages 2 & 3

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Pages 4 & 5

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Pages 6 & 7

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Pages 8 & 9

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Pages 10 & 11

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Pages 12 & 13

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Pages 14 & 15

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Page 16

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

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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.

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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. 

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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!

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

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

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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.

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

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Kamalaht Accordion Album

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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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 ...

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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.

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Of course, I sanded the edges of my photograph.   

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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. 

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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.

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

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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 ...

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and this is a snapshot of the back ...

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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!).

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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.

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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 ...

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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!    

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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

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Tutti Frutti Mini Memories Pocket Album

This savvy little mini album is simple, smart, sophisticated and FAST!  You are going to LOVE it!  And, best of all, from START to FINISH you can have a COMPLETE album in LESS than 1 HOUR!

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I designed this mini album because I needed something to showcase my Easter photos in.  Of course, I choose one of my FAVORITE paper collections ... TUTTI FRUTTI!  After all, it SCREAMS Spring & Easter.

So, let's get started.

First, I constructed the INSERT pages of my mini album.  I took 2 sheets of my Tutti Frutti paper and cut each to 8 x 9.  Then I scored each sheet using my Scor-Pal. 

On the diagram below the BLACK lines indicate the first set of score marks I made.  The PURPLE line indicates the score I made after I had scored and folded the BLACK score lines, however, you can score all lines at this point if you wish.

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This is what my paper looked like after scoring on the BLACK lines.  (As indicated in the diagram above).

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Then I folded in the sides like this ...

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Did you notice (ABOVE) that I cut each corner diagonally.  Then, with my adhesive, I attached the folds to the BOTTOM half of the paper.  NOTE ... I ONLY attached the FOLDS on the BOTTOM at this point!

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Now my 1/2" folds on BOTTOM are secured to the BOTTOM half of the paper.  Now, I am going to use my adhesive and apply it to the TOP 1/2" folds.  (I'm going to put my adhesive on the colored 1/2" piece of paper and NOT the white).  Then I'll fold the TOP half onto the BOTTOM half of paper.  It will only be attached at the sides.

CONSTRUCTION ALTERATION TIP

Here is an alternate way to construct your INSERT pages.  On one HALF of the page you can trim off the 1/2" on each side and then tape down the 1/2" FLAP to the TOP page.  (I trimmed off the 1/2" AFTER I scored it).  Either way works GREAT!  You decide what you like best.

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This is what may INSERT page looks like now.  Looking at this it APPEARS like the ends each have a spine.  They don't.  It's purely an optical illusion!

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Next, I score my INSERT page down the center and fold it in half.

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Then I punched slots using my circle punch.  To make it easier for myself ... I punch these from 'behind' and use the lines on the punch to line up my paper.  I do this on each pocket to try and keep my mini album consistent and POLISHED.

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After punching out each slot ... I decided to add a little more POLISH.  I took my scissors and trimmed the 'sharp' edges into CURVES ... just to soften the overall look of my mini album.

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Next, I set aside my INSERT pages and began construction on my mini album COVER

For my COVER I used a piece of 4 x 8 Premium White Cardstock and a piece of 4 x 8 Clear Acetate.  I scored each piece in HALF as shown below.

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Next, I punched a hole in my CLEAR ACETATE with my Crop-a-dile.  Notice that I fold the edges together and made ONE punch.  This way I don't have to worry about one side being off center.  Both sides are PERFECTLY even and POLISHED.

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After that I attached two ORANGE eyelets from our Mia's Cottage Collection.

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Then I strung through a piece of ORANGE ribbon, again, from our GORGEOUS Mia's Cottage Collection.

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I set this piece aside for a moment and attached TWO pieces of patterned paper to the WHITE COVER of my mini album.  Both of these pieces are from the TOP sheet that comes in our CLASSIC Soar With It Collections.  I keep all of these little pieces so I found TWO that matched, trimmed and then attached them to my mini album COVER.  They make such a GREAT front and back!

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Next, I assembled all of my mini album COMPONENTS in order and prepared to STAPLE them into place.

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From FRONT to BACK ... this is the order ... Insert Page, Insert Page, WHITE Cover, CLEAR Acetate Cover.

And then I STAPLED my mini album together.

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POLISHING Tips

Typically, I try to center my STAPLE between the edge and the ribbon and then the NEXT STAPLE between the ribbon and the other edge.

Make certain that the FINISHED edge of the STAPLE is on the OUTSIDE of your mini album.

Also ... not all STAPLERS work!  Make sure you have a STAPLER with a LONG neck! 

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After STAPLING my mini album together it looked like this from the OUTSIDE ...

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And this from the INSIDE ...

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Here's a snapshot of the FINISHED construction ...

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To EMBELLISH my mini album I used our PREMIUM White Cardstock.  (My FAVORITE Cardstock!).  I wanted to make INSERT pieces for the POCKETS I had created.  I cut my cardstock 3-1/2 x 3-3/4.  I embellished with RIBBON (the PURPLE in Juliette and Winchester go FABULOUSLY with this collection!), photographs and the cardstock STICKERS in my Tutti Frutti Collection.

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This little mini album is so much FUN to make and it's FAST!  If you don't typically incorporate CLEAR Acetate into your projects ... I encourage you to start!  I know you will be amazed with the POLISH you can ONLY get by incorporating this product.  I promise ... it will take your projects from GREAT to SIMPLY STUNNING before your very eyes! 

I hope you ENJOY making this savvy little mini album as much as I did!

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. Tutti Frutti SWIC  V826
  2. Clear Acetate  F47
  3. Premium White Cardstock  V222
  4. Scor-Pal  F358
  5. Extra Jumbo Circle Punch  D72
  6. Crop-A-Dile  K100
  7. Mia's Cottage Hardware  B118
  8. Mia's Cottage Ribbon  B218
  9. Juliette Ribbon  B221
  10. Winchester Ribbon  B216
  11. Miss Moxie Ribbon  B219
  12. Paper Trimmer
  13. Tombow Adhesive  D91
  14. Sanding Block  F103
  15. Stapler
  16. Scissors

Friday, March 14, 2008

Tutti Frutti Flip Flop Mini Album

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I hope you 'FLIP' over this darling little mini album!  This is so unexpected and FUN ... I just LOVE it! 

I hadn't planned on designing a FLIP FLOP Mini Album until I spotted these felt FLIP FLOPS in our local craft store.  I was walking down the isle admiring all of the home decor that matched our Tutti Frutti Collection and then I saw these!  They were so cute and for $2.67 a pair ... SOLD!  I had to get me some! 

You will see here that I have actually combined two pair of FLIP FLOPS to make my mini album ... but we'll talk more about that later.

This project really is FUN but do plan on more than an hour to complete your own mini album.  This one took me about 2 - 2  1/2 hours from start to finish.  (Including time to round up photos and think of things to say).

This is so EASY to do ... let's get started!

First, I needed to make a pattern so I traced around the FLIP FLOP.  I did this on a scrap piece of cardstock and then cut it out.

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Then I marked on my pattern where I was going to leave the 'scored and folded' edge.

 

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Next, with my Scor-Pal I scored my patterned paper in half and then traced on my FLIP FLOP pattern with a pencil.  NOTE where the 'scored and folded' edge is on the paper.

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Trace your pattern onto your paper and then cut out.  This is what your paper will look like when you open it.

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After I cut out each piece I knew that when I put them 'back to back' you would see my imperfect cutting.  So I stippled purple ink around the back of each FLIP FLOP.  This helps to POLISH the look of the finished album.  I had started out sponging my ink and then for some reason grabbed a stipple brush.  Look at the difference ...

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Ok.  So it's not that big of a deal to the outcome of this project, but, isn't that interesting!  This die-hard sponge girl is buying more stipple brushes!

After I traced and cut out all of my pieces I put them into the order I wanted.  As shown below ... I always matched up the RIGHT side of one pattern to the LEFT side of the next. 

The LEFT side of Pattern A will be attached directly to my FLIP FLOP and not another sheet of paper.  Eventually, the RIGHT side of a pattern will be attached directly to the bottom of my FLIP FLOP and not attached to another sheet of paper.

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Next, I needed to connect each piece.  I used a sewing machine for this step, however, you can easily attach your pieces with adhesive.

Here is a snapshot of 3 pieces attached to each other with adhesive ...

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After I attached my pieces together I embellished them with photos and journaling. 

Then I took a scrap piece of Tutti Frutti and constructed a spine to POLISH the binding of my album.  I folded a piece of Tutti Frutti in half giving me extra strength to support my book.  I attached this to the outside flaps of my album with adhesive

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Next I attached the top of the FLIP FLOP to my album using adhesive.

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Before I attached the bottom FLIP FLOP I had to do a little modifying.  You see ... I actually used 2 pair of FLIP FLOPS to make this album.  For this album I used the 2 LEFT feet.  (Now I can make another album using the 2 RIGHT feet). 

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