This mini album is pretty self explainatory, mostly. Just cut up some nice cardboard pieces to overlap, going slightly bigger with every flap (or use an existing one). The Window on the first page adds interest.
I made a pocket for inserting one or two photos (with one facing inwards) using regular, no-fuss plastic overlays from my local book store.
Make sure your holes are evenly spaced and that the binder-rings you've chose goes through the holes with ease.
Cover all the pages with matching papers.
I've kept it rather simple this time, and instead of using a lot of different papers with every page, I just used one and I've also used the same kinds of decoration for all the pages, to keep it looking harmonious.
I also added an envelope that I dressed up in prettier papers (because I didn't want it to get to bulky with embellishments, I decided to "embellish" with papers instead) , and one of the 3d-accents works as a great way of keeping that flap closed. Not to mention it's pretty!... ;)
The only thing you need to keep in mind is to make sure you're getting the papers to line up properly. You'll have to cut them differently depending on which way you intend it to be flipped open. (Believe me, I forget things like that. Luckily - ribbons are a great cover up for holes facing in the wrong direction... *grins*)
Now, what I've done is that I've pre-made this album for someone I don't even know. It's gonna travel down to South Africa and pause at an orphanage, before it'll be assigned to one of the girls there - and follow her when she gets adopted. I have no idea where it'll end up, so I've written texts and titles in English.
Hope both you all, and the future owners, like it!
Here's the shoppinglist:
Chipboard album (you can make your own, or buy one similar to mine
here or
here for instance. Those two can both be trimmed into the "waterfall effect" I have on mine.)
Patterned paper, coordinated. Mine are all from Scrap Within Reach and the beautiful line "Afternoon Tea Collection"
Calendar stamp from American Crafts
White Bazzill (and some green for the leaves)
Wire words "celebrate" from Making Memories
Chipboard fruits/berries etc My house by American Crafts
Flowers from "Teacer's Bouquet" by Imaginisce
Laura Ashley Pop-up stickers
Other items:
Alphas: no-name foam alpha, faux alpha-stickers (just type the word you want and print it. I usually press space between every letter to make sure there's room around the letters) and cut them into squares. To make them pop some more, I drew an outline with a pen.
Buttons, staples, lace and ribbon from my drawers.
Brown ink for the edges. Two brown and one black pen.
Home made pins. (Regular sewing needles with some pearls on them. I always add a drop of glue to the tip to make sure no one gets stung!)
Album rings