So, I am still tickled with how this little album turned out.
Not only does it have the look of spring colors, but it has GREEN for St. Patrick's Day!! A belated happy one to you all!
As I shared yesterday, this little 'Enter Spring' mini album houses a collection of TtV photos that I shot a few days ago. I wanted to create the perfect little album to show them off, but I challenged myself to create the entire book from scratch... no purchased album to start with.
I find myself constantly trying to think of different ways to create a binding for holding my pages together, and I am pretty proud of this method that I came up with.
1. I began by gathering my photos and cutting my solid papers to size. I simply cut 8.5 X 11 pages in half to get 8.5 X 5.5 pages. My photos are 4 X 4 squares. All of the papers that I used for this project are from Stampin' Up.
2. After trimming my patterned paper to match the length of my binding (5.5 in), I began making folds every 1/2 in like an accordion. I counted out the number of pages in my album (9) and folded until I had 9 peaks in my accordion. Once I had 9 peaks, I trimmed the ends leaving 1 in on either end for attaching to my chipboard cover later on.
3. In each of the "valleys'" of my folds, I adhered one sheet of my solid cardstock. Now, I could have stopped here and my pages would be very nicely attached in my album, but...
4. (This pic is switched with #5, sorry!) I was itching to use my sewing machine again, so...
5. (This pic is switched with #4, sorry!) I stitched each of the pages into the folded patterned paper exactly where I had just glued it.
6. Measuring my chipboard (also from Stampin' Up), I cut it to be slightly larger (9 X 5.75) than my pages.
7. A while ago, I had purchased this mesh tape at the dollar store, thinking that it would come in handy at some point, and it sure did for this project. I also found it useful for my Year of Letters project.
8. I cut two strips to go across the accordion fold of my binding. Because the binding was going to be exposed and it was really only being held with paper (and perforated with my sewing machine needle to boot!) I wanted something to reinforce the binding a little more so that the accordion fold would not be able to stretch and eventually rip. This mesh tape turned out to be a viable solution.
9. After trimming my choice of patterned paper for the interior of the cover, I adhered it to the chipboard leaving one end free of glue.
10. Next, I spread glue on the 1 inch strip of paper extending from either side of the accordion fold. Remember, from step 2 above? Carefully, I tucked it between the layer of interior paper and the chipboard cover. Then I smoothed the interior paper down to ensure a solid adhesion.
11. At this point the album really felt like it was coming together nicely. The binding was exposed, but secured with the mesh tape. The cover was protecting the interior pages and hinging easily. A smile was forming on my face.
12. Once I had adhered the patterned paper on the outside of the cover, the album was structurally complete!
13. Excited to have it finished, I stamped out the title with a Stampin' Up stamp set and ink pad. The flowers were trimmed from the patterned paper pack. I often buy the entire paper pack when buying because all of the patterns in the pack are matching and it is a no-brainer when choosing papers to go together for a project.
14. To make my letters and the center of the flowers pop in 3D, I filled them in with Crystal Effects.
15. Once again, Crystal Effects is a Stampin' Up product! Did I mention that I used to be a demonstrator and have a lot of their product in my stash? This product goes on wet from a squeeze bottle applicator and dries hard, glossy and with an embossed look. It was perfect for the cover of my album.
16. All I had left to do was add my photos and share it! After the fact, I sanded the edges of the album, which kinda seals the paper into the chipboard for a smooth, rounded look and feel.
Are you ready to give it a try?
