TAC Savvy Projects for People on the Go

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!

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.

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

 

Then I folded in the sides like this ...

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!

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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

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.

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! 

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

And this from the INSIDE ...

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

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.

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

Tutti Frutti Flip Flop Mini Album

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.

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

 

 

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.

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

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 ...

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.

   

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 ...

 

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. 

   

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

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). 

Then I applied my adhesive ...

And attached the bottom of my album.

I used clips to hold things securely in place while it dried.

And after everything dried ... I had a DARLING little mini album!

You can check out the inside of my Tutti Frutti FLIP FLOP Mini Album located in my Photo Album. 

This VERY unexpected little album really took me outside my box! 

• I haven't 'cut out' photos like I did since probably college. 
• I've never journaled like this before ... the words themselves and the cutting the words out like I did ... it was TOTALLY FUN!  I WILL do it again! 
• Of course, I sanded the edges of my photos!  (I just can't help myself).

Sophie saw the FLIP FLOP album tonight and gave me ONE thumb up.  I would have gotten TWO, however, she didn't like one of the photos I used of her.  I CAN live with that!

I hope you are inspired to try a project like this.  I encourage you to think outside your box and do something you normally wouldn't.  It's SIMPLY FUN!

Our Tutti Frutti Collection SCREAMS happiness and it is a perfect match to all of the great summer gadgets (like these FLIP FLOPS) in the craft stores this year.  This is a great collection to pick up if you have Spring Fever and are itching to try something new!

And remember, 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. French Lilac Palette Ink  TT202
3. Stipple Brush  (Size 4)  F112
4. Scor-Pal  F358
5. Tombow Adhesive  D91
6. Sanding Block  F103
7. Purple Memory Marker (from set 1) F156
8. Quick Dry Tacky Glue
9. FLIP FLOPS - 2 pair
10. Sewing Machine
11. Clips (for holding while glue dries)
12. Scissors

Tutti Frutti 'Flower Power Hat'

The very CREATIVE Candi Dierenfield sent us this FUN, HAND MADE Hat for a contest entry many, many, many months ago ... and still ... every time we see it ... it's still so EXCITING!

Look what you can do with a handful of supplies.  (Candi used our Tutti Frutti Paper Collection, contact paper, thread, ribbon, a flower, glue dots and a sewing machine to make this hat). 

This hat is so DARLING ... I had to SHOW and TELL!  Isn't it WONDERFUL what a girl can do with a little paper!  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!