September 29, 2017

Christmas Album Trays

Featured in this year's Somerset Holiday on newsstands October 1, two of my mini albums "build into" silver trays.  These make great hostess and party gifts any time of year, just change the papers accordingly.   There is an additional tip below, not outlined in the publication (ran out of room) - enjoy!




TIP - when mounting albums into trays, it is important to leave enough room for the spine to move and pages to open, so the foam tape strips are placed opposite the spine edge and ONLY two-thirds (or so) over/on the back as shown: 

 

September 23, 2017

St. Tropez Mini Album - CCC Design Team

I love many different types of albums, large and small, but especially using the heavyweight double-sided scrapbook papers, sturdy enough to be pages by themselves and not always glued to a backing piece. In this post, I will share how to instructions for the mini album that fits into the Graphics 45 small book box (part 1) previously posted.  Thus, this little album is made building pocket pages on a accordion folded spine - a different twist I hope you will like.  I suggest reading through the directions first as some photos show more than one step of the process and I include tips and hints along the way.  There will be a complete supply's list at the end of the instructions -  enjoy!


Pages for this album are made using Prima St.Tropez 6x6 paper pad and embellishments.  Some of the larger embellishments used on the cover are trimmed scraps of matching 12" x 12" paper from the Book Box project (part1).



1. Using a St.Tropez 12" x 12" double-faced paper piece (or your favorite) cut at 11 3/4"x 4" for the album cover.




2.  Now pick 14 of your favorite 6"x 6" papers from the matching Prima St.Tropez pad (or cut a matching favorite) and line them up back to back to create 7 "sets" to be used as pocket pages.  Remember the print on the inside of each page set will not show very much, except at the top circle punch. Cut each piece to 4"x 6" - keep them in back-to-back order - and corner round the right side top and bottom only - MUST keep the left "book spine" side square.  Using a 1" circle punch, line up to punch 1/2 of the center top piece of each page set so the tags can be inserted removed.







3.  Cut seven tags 3"x 5 1/4" from CCC Artisan Cardstock "Linen".  TIP - use a commercially bought tag top to place over your cardstock to trim and mark/punch hole with a standard 1/4" punch.  Corner round both bottom edges as shown.

Ink all page pieces, tags, and a sheet of matte (not glossy) reinforcements with Distress Oxide Broken China and a touch of Vintage Photo, just as was done for the book box.


I always ink a sheet of reinforcements in same colors, used on both sides of the top tag holes for any book with tags.  The reinforcements not only give the tag a finished look but keep the ribbons or strings from tearing out the hole with use.

Use a 7" piece of seam binding is looped through each tag top to finish.





4.  Mark with pencil and make your first score on the cover piece at 4 1/8", then every 1/4" for 15 times - the remaining paper (back of book) should measure 4 1/8" to match the front.  Begin to accordion fold these score lines to form seven "peaks and valley's" on which your pocket pages will be mounted - see photo on left.





5.  Cut two medium weight chipboard pieces
4 1/16" x 6 1/16" inch - you are saying to yourself, why add the 1/16" margin - its to be sure the cover is only slightly larger than the pages and allows for small errors in adhering pages later.
Also cut two 4 1/16" x 6 1/16" paper pieces of BoBunny 12x12 - Chiffon Vintage cardstock for inside book "liners", and one 6 1/8" x 3" piece of same paper for the cover spine.










6.  Apply 1/4" Scor Tape to both sides of each accordion fold on the cover piece - as shown - leave the paper backing ON for now.









7.  Apply 1/2" Scor Tape around edges of chipboard pieces, remove backing, add a stream of CCC Glitter Glue to the inside area (between Scor Tape) and position on the INSIDE of the book covers, front and back, smooth down to spread glue and secure - allow a few minutes for glue to set up.





8.  On the inside cover/chipboard, glue a 9" piece of seam binding or ribbon to tie the book closed.  I also use a piece of tape over the ribbon end inside to secure.


9.  Glue on the two BoBunny paper pieces (or a more solid color coordinated match) to cover chipboard on both sides, covering the ribbon ends (not shown).





10.  Use CCC Glitter Glue to secure your page "sets" together ON THE RIGHT AND BOTTOM EDGES ONLY - you must leave the left side open for the cover accordion section, and the top for the tags.  Let these pages set up and dry a bit before inserting onto cover, to be sure they don't separate.

11.  I found it easier to start at the front of the book and work to the back - check the outside cover to be sure your pages are positioned upright.  Begin inserting your page sets - one at a time - onto the album cover folds. IMPORTANT TIP - it is best to remove the Scor Tape backing one side at a time, position one half of the page set onto the tape - smooth down - remove backing from Scor Tape on the back side of same page set and position onto the same accordian fold - it goes allot easier this way and keeps you from having to re-position pages.




12.  When all page sets are in, gently tie the ribbons together as shown, allowing the pages to spread a bit in the back - remember tags will be inserted and you do not want book to be too tight and have difficulty opening up.
Before finishing, ink all of the cover inside and outside edges, plus any touch-ups at this point..



13.  I find it prettier and more interesting to border punch and ink the book spine, because it shows up better on the cover. To affix the outside spine piece, roll the paper over the edge of a table or counter top to shape and bend, then glue into place on the front cover.  TIP - I usually have more of the spine glued to the back of the album so I place it where I want it on the front first to allow room for embellishments - allow to set up and dry a few minutes, then roll to the back. DO NOT DO THIS TOO TIGHTLY, allow plenty of room for the book to open up & pages to turn:

       

14.  Once the spine has completely set, embellish cover and inside pages with scrap paper cutouts (foam backed for cover), matching collection stamps, crystals and puffy stickers.


Supplies available from Country Craft Creations:
Prima St.Tropez 12" x12" and 6" x6" papers collections, matching Crystals, Puffy Stickers and Cling Stamps
BoBunny's Back to Basics - 12" Chiffon Vintage
CCC Artisan Cardstock - Linen color
Seam Binding - CCC Silver Grey (picks up the blue colors)
Medium Weight Chipboard (for covers)
Ranger Distress Oxide Inks - Broken China, Vintage Photo
Scor Tape - 1/4" and 1/2"



Other basic crafting tools & supplies needed - pencil, silicone eraser, paper trimmer, craft knife, scissors, corner rounder, ink applicator & sponges, CCC Glitter Glue, clear stamping platform, 1/4" hole punch, 1" circle punch, border punch's, matte finish reinforcements 1/2" wide foam tape.

September 21, 2017

Hello and "welcome back" to a blog which has been forgotten for several years due to a busy schedule and grand mothering. I hope most of you are still with me and I sincerely welcome those of you who are new!  It is my great pleasure to continue to be working with Anna Griffin on her Design Team and teaching at her Create events in Atlanta.  I will be posting photos and instructions for many projects using her beautiful products available on HSN (Home Shipping Network) and through her blog.  It is also my privilege to be working on the Country Craft Creations Design Team, located in Hooper, Utah, a distributor carrying many beautiful paper lines and accessories!  As I pick through and update this blog with appropriate links and addresses, I ask your patience and most of all your loyalty in coming back, see you soon!