Papers used in this album include sixteen 12x12 double-sided heavyweight printed sheets, eight 12x12 color matched solid core heavyweight sheets (CCC Artisan Cardstock in Red), four 12x12 journaling/tag sheets (CCC Artisan Cardstock in Linen) and two 12x12 heavyweight chipboard pieces for covers and spine. A complete supply list is at the end of the instructions.
Cover Paper Cuts: For the album outside front and back, choose a favorite printed paper in the collection (I chose the forest) and trim to 8"x 8" for cover and matching 1 1/4"x 8" for outside spine. For the back, I always choose a darker print I won't use as much. I write on the BACK of these pieces in pencil and set aside BEFORE cutting any other printed papers. NOTE - there are several 12x12 papers printed with cards, sections and panels, at least one piece should be cut accordingly and used as pocket inserts and embellishments.
Papers covering the chipboard are RED Artisan Cardstock Paper - two pieces 9 1/2"x 8 3/4" (front & back), one 9 1/2"x 3 1/4" (outside spine), one 8 1/4"x 2 1/2" (inside spine) and two 8"x 8" for inside front and back. Each of the larger outside pieces give you a 1/2" wrap around the chipboard base.
Pages Paper Cuts: There are 10 pages cut from the 12x12 paper sheets and sized to be finished 8"x 8". Many but not all pages are configured to fold out, up or down to reveal additional space for photos & journaling - this means you would cut a fold out page 12" wide and 8" high - score at 4" on either right or left side to fold into the book. Likewise, you would cut a fold up or down page 8" wide and 12" high, score either top or bottom and fold into the book. NOTE - align and cut these pages (all page photos are shown below) to properly show the print images. TRIM any folds on pages 1/2" on the spine side so they more easily turn in the album (see photo below - corner round.
Save all of the 4" pieces you cut away from the paper sheets to use for pockets, tags, journal cards.
Page Pockets are 6 1/2"x 4", scored 1/4" on three sides, border punched, corner trimmed at bottom, folded toward back to be glued onto page, then inked. Journal/Photo cards are printed paper scraps 4"x 5 1/2" plus Linen artisan cardstock 3 1/2"x 5", all pieces corner rounded & inked. The nine long Spine Pieces are 8"x 1" scored at 1/2" down center and 3/8" ScorTape applied to both sides at the outer edge (not on the fold) as shown below.
Inking the Papers: once I have cut and all of my pages, paper embellishments, journaling/photo mats, I border punch and corner round where desired and ink all with a coordinating shade of Ranger Distress Oxides and sponge applicator, in this case, Fired Brick.
Chipboard Cuts: the album base is two heavyweight chipboard pieces at 8 1/4"x 8 1/4" and one at 8 1/4"x 1 1/2". Always cut to add at least 1/4" all around the finished page size.
Making the cover:
1. Adhere the cover/spine chipboard pieces to red artisan cardstock ( two 8 1/4" x 8 1/4" and one 9 1/2"x 3 1/4" pieces) using 1" Scor Tape around the outside edges on one side, making sure the inside left & right of the larger pieces lines up with the edges as shown. (Tape does not show in this photo but has been applied and flipped over to adhere to cardstock.)
2. Apply 1" ScorTape around the outside of spine chipboard piece and trim off access as shown (or it will show up on the outside of the album).
3. Press cover and back piece onto spine piece LEAVING 1/8" margin on each side - as shown.
4. Apply 1" ScorTape to the other side of the two large chipboard pieces and 3/8" ScorTape around the edges of the center spine chipboard as shown.
5. Around the cover/back cardstock pieces, add 3/8" ScorTape on edges of artisan cardstock, peel off backing and secure corners by turning them down at a right angle onto the chipboard
NOTE - do not add tape to the center spine piece OR bend its edges over top and bottom at this point.
6. Gently begin to bend the artisan cardstock, smoothly over and onto the chipboard cover/back to secure - use a bone folder to rub into place as photo shows.
7. Position and glue your second red artisan cardstock spine piece (8 1/4"x 2 1/2") with Art Glitter Glue - NOTE - this piece only goes to the top and bottom edges of the chipboard spine. Use a bone folder to gently press paper into the 1/8" space between spine and covers, then smooth the flat edges down to the chipboard as shown. This "gully" creates the turn space needed for covers to close. Apply more glue to the top and bottom remaining cardstock n"flaps" and gently bend & shape them over and into the spine area as shown to complete the outside covering.
8. The finished album base should look like this (see below), 1/2 of a large magnet closure with ScorTape is shown here, I actually added a second one closer to the right hand edge before gluing on closure tab. Tab Paper Cuts: red cardstock strip 4 1/2"x 2" and oval 3"x 2 1/4" mat paper 4 1/2"x 1 5/8" on strip and 2"x 2 3/4" on oval, then glue tab in center back of album base - all with Art Glitter Glue. Do not glue pattern paper on front or back of album until the magnets and closure tab are in place and set!
Building the Pages - NOTE - the page shown above has the trimmed 1/2" on the "spine side" so the page will turn easily when spine piece is added. Also, each page has been corner rounded and inked on the OUTSIDE EDGE, even if folded, as shown.
Putting the pages together is done using the spine strips that you added 3/8" ScorTape to on the edge (shown above). Peel backing off a strip - one side at a time - adhere to side of page that will be at the center spine, THEN peel backing off the other side of the same spine strip and add another page. Continue this process until you have secured all pages together - aligning them as you go to keep the front edges straight. The "back" of the pages (by the spine) may not always be perfect, but, this will
be covered up later as shown in photos below. Ink the stack of pages again on the back edge.
Securing Pages into the Album Base:
1. Cut, border punch and ink two scrap strips 4"x 8" as shown below, then glue approx. 1/2" from the edge of the border punch onto the front page of the book and the other on the back page of the book - do NOT glue them together.
2. After the glue sets, they should look like the photo below. Now, turn out the back edges to add 1" ScorTape.
3. Mark the inside cover of the book with a pencil line at 6 1/4" then glue in the border punched sheet holding the pages, up to the red cardstock edge - DO NOT go over the edge or the book will be too tight and hard to close, might even tear - see photo below. To secure until glue has set, use small lightweight chipboard pieces and binder clips to hold in place - NOTE - chipboard pieces keep the binder clips from making indentations on the album covers.
4. Allow the glue to set up. Photo shows binder clips on both sides of covers and give you a good indication of the space needed to turn the pages.
5. Glue the two 8"x 8" red artisan cardstock papers into the inside front and back covers.
6. Photo on right shows what your album should look like from the top down - let it rest and dry.
Stamping and Embellishing the Cover:
This collection has a matching clear stamp and die set - that means, you stamp the image then you cut around it (using a die cutting machine such as Cuttlebug) with the provided dies. TIP - with clear stamps, especially new ones, it is best to use a silicone eraser to "buff" up the stamp, the ink will apply smoothly and not puddle. I used Fired Brick ink on these stamps for the trees on the front cover - simply lay the cover out flat (over the edge of a counter is good) and apply the trees in a random pattern to simulate the forest (see photo) - don't forget to add one or two to the spine to match. I also randomly stamped little red snowflakes (so they would show up against the light background), again, add a few to the side spine.
This collection has a matching clear stamp and die set - that means, you stamp the image then you cut around it (using a die cutting machine such as Cuttlebug) with the provided dies. TIP - with clear stamps, especially new ones, it is best to use a silicone eraser to "buff" up the stamp, the ink will apply smoothly and not puddle. I used Fired Brick ink on these stamps for the trees on the front cover - simply lay the cover out flat (over the edge of a counter is good) and apply the trees in a random pattern to simulate the forest (see photo) - don't forget to add one or two to the spine to match. I also randomly stamped little red snowflakes (so they would show up against the light background), again, add a few to the side spine.
For the 3D animals on the front cover, I used matching collection stickers and applied them to a piece of adhesive backed foam, cut them out then trimmed them in detail, peeled off the backing paper and stuck them in place around the stamped trees (see photo above). I used all animals just because it is a forest scene. Add Stickels glitter glue to the ornaments on trees, including the tab and spine and a bit of Star Dust to center of snowflakes and among the trees to simulate snow - it doesn't show up in photos, but it is beautiful when done!
I made envelopes for the inside front and back of the album using a We R Memories envelope maker, then inked the edges all around. Add small magnet sets for closure and cover the outside magnet with matching collection sticker and glue in place. Insert photo/journal mats, cards or keepsakes.
Here are all the pages in order, front to back in the album. Heavier inking and more embellishments both stamps and stickers can be added to your hearts content. If you have leftovers, make holiday cards or tags for gifts, most of all, have fun with it & enjoy!
SUPPLIES - most available from Country Craft Creations
Photo Play "Winter Meadow: paper collection, sticker sheet, matching clear stamps & dies
CCC Artisan Cardstock - Red, Linen
Heavyweight Chipboard
ScorTape - 3/8" and 1"
CCC Art Glitter Glue
Magnetic disc closures - Large
Adhesive backed foam sheet - white
Ranger Stickles (glitter glue), Christmas Red, Holiday Green, Patina and Star Dust
Ranger Distress Oxide Ink - Fired Brick
Other basic crafting tools & supplies needed - pencil, ruler, bone folder, silicone eraser, block/holder for clear stamps, paper trimmer, score board, scissors, corner rounder, ink applicator + sponges, die cutting machine/plates (Cuttlebug).
This is simply adorable, Kay!!!
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