Today I'm sharing a top flip mini album with a Cinch coil closing. I so rarely use my Cinch and have always liked the idea of mini's that stand on a table. I hope you'll like it as well. I've used the Club Graphic 45 Kit Imagine. It included the 12x12" Patterns and Solids, Journaling and Ephemera Cards, a stamp set, and some Keyhole embellishments along with a pad of Color Box ink in Cashmere. I can tell you I really liked the ink.
There are 4 page flips and the front and back of the easel available to place photos. The pages measure 7 3/4" x 8 3/4". I used one inch coils in black for the top closure. If you don't have a Cinch you can always punch your holes and add the individual rings to achieve the same effect. There is an attached bottom hinge which allows the mini to stand freely by itself. You have your choice of whichever pages you'd like to display while it's standing. I had originally planned to have six pages but I realized that when all the pages are on one side it makes the easel too top heavy to stand correctly. If you wanted to eliminate the easel bottom flange you could just stand the book on the front and bottom outside covers.
I intend this to be a gift so I was delighted to see the Dear Friend and For You stickers on the sticker sheet. Most everything has been backed and edged in the Artisan black cardstock available from Country Craft Creations. This is fantastic paper it won't crack when folded, a true necessity when you shaping paper to your needs. I did strengthen the bottom flange/easel portion with several coats (inside and out) of Aleene's Collage Podge, any Mod Podge type solution would be fine. You
DEFINITELY need to do this other wise with the constant folding and unfolding of the easel it's not going to be long before whatever type of paper you use begins to wear.
Only having the Patterns and Solids to work with is interesting. The original kit has some fantastic images and this is really the filler paper but I think with the use of the stickers and the journaling and ephemera pieces it worked out ok. I did haul out a lot of my old punches to add interest here and there and of course I couldn't do a book without some fussy cut images like the one on the right in the above photo.
Using the Journal spots as focal points really captures your eye. Here I used a couple of large magnets so the doors stay shut when not open for viewing. Magnets can be a crafters best friend.
Included in this kit is the set of Key Holes. I used this one as a stopper for the flap of my oversized envelope. Large enough to tuck some pretty good sized photos or some personal journaling you don't want out for everyone's eyes.
My challenge to myself this time was to use some of my staples from my stash that gather dust and not a whole lot more. Like the Cinch machine and the punches. Here I found this fantastic Martha Stewart punch called Flourish Lace. I cut a teeny tiny strip of black and wove it through the openings like you would ribbon, then I cut a second strip in black and added it behind like a shadow. I love this effect.
I'm a big fan of Glossy Accents, I love the look you get with it. Often though I forget that you can get a similar effect by using clear embossing powder like I show here. It dries as soon as the heat gun hits it and if it's not enough you have the option of adding another layer. I've got to try and remember to do this more often. The lady is from the sticker sheet. She was a two-part sticker the frame and the lady. I backed the lady with a small circle of back and put 3 or 4 cardstock spacers behind her so she sits up nicely above the frame. You can always use your littles bits of cardstock or chipboard to pop your elements up. They usually go into the garbage can so it's a real win win. You're not throwing anything away and you're not spending your crafty dollars on foam squares for height.
I have many more things to share with you but I'm going to stop here and let you join me on the video. I did film this as I was making it so shortly during the week I'll be adding a new playlist of tutorials in case you want to try a Cinch Flip Book yourself.
Thanks for joining me and have a super crafty day! Patti
The Video Tutorial Playlist
If not all videos are there check back I will be updating as I get them edited!
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