One day while looking at stuff on the web, I came across the cutest little album using the Heartfelt Creations Album and Tag Accents die. I looked it over and thought.....hmmmmm, I bet I could make this. Well, long story short...I did! Not sure if it is exactly like the one I saw, but it works for me..lol! I have made a few of them and shared them on a Facebook group that I belong to and so many of my online friends have asked for a tutorial. In keeping with the tradition of the groups I belong to, I have to decided to share the tutorial at no charge...I am so blessed by their kind thoughts and want to pass on that blessing to others. So here goes...…
I used the Endless paper collection from Authentique for this album. I love the quality of this paper! It is sturdy and really makes your projects something special! I chose the Denim Blue Artisan Cardstock from Country Craft Creations for the base of my album and what better color to distress the edges with than Faded Jeans by Tim Holtz...lol! Perfect fit if you ask me!
This little album measures 5x7 and has 6 sleeve-style pages that hold 4x6 photos and the tags. It might look complicated but is actually quite quick and easy to make. Let's get started:
Cutting guide:
Medium weight chipboard:
Cut 2@ 5"x7"
Cut 1@ 1 3/4" x 5"
Cardstock:
Cut 2@ 7" x 12"
Cut 1@ 4 7/8" x 12"
Cut 1@ 4 7/8" x 4 1/4"
Cut 1@ 1 1/4" x 4 1/8" - score at 1/2" on each long side (short side should be at the top)
Cut 1@ 1 3/4" x 4 1/8" - score at 1/2" on each long side (short side should be at the top)
Cut 1@ 2 1/4" x 4 1/8" - score at 1/2" on each long side (short side should be at the top)
Cut 6@ 6" x 9" - score at 4 1/4" from left edge and 1/2" from right edge with the 9" side at the top
Cut 2@ 2 1/2" x 8" - score 1 long side at 1/4" and the other 3 sides at 1/2"
You will need 6 pieces approximately 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" to cut the tags from (or you can use the Graphic 45 Regular sized tags).
Patterned Paper:
Cut 4@ 4 7/8" x 6 7/8" (outside and inside covers)
Cut 1@ 1 3/4" x 4 7/8" "(outside spine)
Cut 1@ 1 11/16" x 4 7/8" (inside (spine)
Cut 12@ 4 1/16" x 5 13/16" (pages) This is totally your preference. The pages measure 4 1/4" x 6". Some prefer to cut the mats at 1/8" smaller and some do a 1/4". I like the "in between" size of the border so I cut mine 3/16" smaller for my mats.)
Cut 2@ 1 9/16" 6 13/16" (pockets) Again..your preference for the border
You will also need 6 pieces approximately 4 1/4" by 6 1/4 " of patterned paper and 6 of a solid coordinating color to cut the mats for the tags.
To make the cover:
Glue the two 7x12-inch pieces of cardstock together along one 7" side. Add adhesive to the back of your chipboard pieces. I use a double-sided adhesive sheet but scor-tape also works well for this. Start with the spine and adhere it 1-inch up from the bottom of the cardstock and centered on the joining seam. Lay a strip of 1/4-inch scor-tape along each side of the spine as a spacer (this is optional...you can just wing it if you want to). Lay a 5x7-inch piece of chipboard on each side of the spine, butted up to the scor-tape. I use a ruler to make sure that I am laying them straight along the bottom. When your chipboard is down, trim the ends of the cardstock to leave a 1-inch border all around the chipboard. I use a 1-inch wide metal ruler and a fiskars cutter to do this. Fold the cardstock over the edges of the chipboard and then miter your corners and remove the paper from the scor-tape:
I use Art Glitter Dries Clear Adhesive to glue the cardstock flaps to the chipboard. I run a line of glue next to the chipboard and around the outer edge and then squiggle across the middle. I use my bone folder to push it up along the edge of the chipboard and then fold it over and glue it down. I do the long sides first and then the ends.
To cover the inside, add 1/4-inch scor-tape (or any double-sided tape) around the outer edges of the 4 7/8" x 12" and the 4 7/8" x 4 1/4" pieces of cardstock. This is optional but I do it because it guarantees that when I fold the cover, the edges will not pop up if I didn't get enough glue on them. The I remove the paper from the tape and run a line of the dries clear glue around the inner edge of the scor-tape and squiggle it all around on the paper. I quickly add a line of glue along the edges of the chipboard close to and on the spine as well. Lay the paper down about 1/16" from the outer edge of the left cover and centered top to bottom. Then repeat and lay the smaller piece about 1/16" from the right edge. This should allow for about 1/4" to overlap onto the larger piece. Run the flat edge of your bone folder all around to smooth out the glue underneath the paper so you have a good coverage. Then run the flat side of your bone folder in the creases next to the spine. Be careful not to push too hard and do not use the pointed tip of the bone folder or it may tear the paper. This will give a good crease so you can fold over the covers:
At this point, I add the mats to the cover and the spine, both inside and out, because it is easier to do this when the book is nice and flat. Then I score and burnish the pages and pockets. To assemble the pockets, score the 2 1/2" x 8" as directed in the cutting guide above. Miter the corners. Fold the 1/4" section over and glue down. This reinforces the top edge of the pocket. Burnish the other 3 sides and glue down along the scored sections to the bottom edge of the front and back inside covers. I make sure the outer edge of the pocket is right next to the outer edge of the cover. Then I add the hinges to the spine. Burnish the folds on the 3 hinge pieces. Glue the 1 3/4" piece centered onto the 2 1/4" piece and then glue the 1 1/4" piece centered on the 1 3/4" piece. This creates a "stacked" hinge. Center and glue the hinge to the spine, leaving the 1/2" flaps free to add the pages to:
Tip: When scoring the pages, I score at 4 1/4" from the left edge and then slide to cardstock to the right edge of my scor pal and score 1/2" from the right edge. I have found that by doing it this way, I very seldom have anything to trim off after gluing the page closed. It seems to give that second section a truer size.
I do the same thing when I score the hinges. I score one side at 1/2" and then flip it around and score the other side at 1/2".
Tip: When gluing the hinge pieces together, I lay the bottom edge by the ruler on my cutting mat and match the score lines up to 1/4" marks to make it easier to center the pieces as I add them.
To assemble and attach the pages, burnish the score lines on the 6x9-inch cardstock pieces. Miter the corners on the scored section. Fold the 4 1/4" section over and glue to the 1/2" scored section to create a sleeve. This time I chose to notch my pages using the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board. I found it easiest to glue the page closed and then notch both layers at the same time so they are perfectly lined up. Insert the page into the punch board with the left edge of the page on the 2 1/8" mark on the ruler and punch. The important thing to remember if you notch your pockets is that you need to be cautious when notching your patterned paper mats. I highly advise figuring out your layout before you notch those...especially if your paper is directional. You want to make sure you are notching the correct end of the paper. Adding the notch is optional but if you are using the Graphic 45 Regular Tags, you will definitely want that notch as they are about a 1/2" shorter than the tags I used.
Now we are ready to add the pages to the hinge. I start with the one at the back of the book and work my way forward. Add adhesive to the front side of the hinge and slide the unnotched edge of the page down over it. I lift it just a little so it lays about 1/16" or so above the score line. There is not a lot of bulk to the pages so they lay pretty flat. Then I flip to the back side and lay a thin line of glue right along the bottom of the opening and glue the page closed. This allows a little larger portion of the pocket the page creates to be utilized.
After all of the pages are added, you are ready to add your mats. If you use the same border I used, lay the left edge of your patterned paper just a smidge past the 2 inch mark on the envelope punch board to make your notch.
Now we are all assembled and ready to decorate...yay! First up...tags! I love this Album and Tag Accent Die from Heartfelt Creations. Although I also love the Graphic 45 tags and use them often, sometimes I just want the tag color to match my album. That is when this becomes my "go to" die set. I can cut the tag and the mat which makes it really simple to create a great accent piece! I like to cut a solid color to add to the back for either another photo or a journaling spot. I really like the grommets on the G45 tags so I went searching for an option to create my own. I found some great little eyelets with washers on Amazon. I punched a hole with a 1/4" hole punch and then put the eyelet in with the washer on the back and gently squeezed it closed with my Crop-a-Dile. The neck of the eyelets are a little longer than I would like but I have found that if I squeeze slowly most of the time the backs do not split. And it makes the tags look great!
Authentique always has either a sticker sheet or an element sheet with their collections. I love having those little extras to add to my projects. I used a couple of the banners on the pockets and added two of the black Graphic 45 Matter Pearl Gems to the ends. So much easier to use than brads!
I matted 6 of the cut aparts and stuck 3 in each of the pockets as well. They can be used as photo mats or as journaling tags. I used some of the other little punch out elements as tuck spots on 6 of the pages. It adds a cute little space for an additional photo. I just matted them with the cardstock and glued it just along the bottom at the bottom edge of the page.
The cover is always my favorite spot to decorate and I always save it for last so I don't mess it up while I am working on the rest of the book. I had someone in mind when I started making this album so the cut-apart piece about being barefoot fit perfectly! Then I curled up another of the banners and glued just the ends to add some dimension. I had some Prima flowers that are the perfect shades and some fern leaves that added some color. It just need one more thing and I just got these great little filigree butterflies that made a perfect accent piece!
I also tied a piece of ribbon through the eyelet on the tags just to spruce them up a bit. Now, if you are wondering who I had in mind when I created this album....well, it is these two special guys..
Conor and Cooper are my twin grandsons. They love to be barefoot!! Can't wait to fill this little book up with pictures of these two cuties!!
I hope you will try to make one of these little albums to showcase your own memories. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the tutorial. 'til next time...…
Happy Crafting,
Laurie
Remember to get your mammogram!
