Finished size of this album is 9 1/2"x 7 1/2"x 1 1/4" with 15 double-sided pages, matching cardstock and chipboard stickers, pockets, photo/journal mats and tags. I strongly recommend reading through instructions first, noting tips & hints, looking at photos, then proceeding. I approach each album individually and some of my instructions may overlap or change from previous projects, you may have preferences as well - feel free to review, express, and use them. A photo of each individual page is provided as a guide and a complete supply list is at the end of instructions - remember it's only paper - have fun!
HEAVY WEIGHT CHIPBOARD
Covers - front and back - two pieces 7 1/2"x 9 1/2"
Spine - one piece 7 1/2"x 1 1/4"
"SOLID COLOR" COVER CARDSTOCK - use colors that coordinate with the printed paper collection, in this case I used a darker color on the outside of the album and a lighter color on the inside, both with the same subtle print. My choice was double-sided, heavy weight cardstock by Authentique "Wood Connection", Hot Cocoa One and Sandy Beach:
Outside Covers (darker color) - front and back - two pieces 8 1/2"x 10"
Outside Spine - one piece 8 1/2"x 2 1/2"
Inside Covers (lighter color) - two pieces 9 1/8"x 7 1/8"
Inside Spine - one piece 7"x 3"
Inside Page Sides - two pieces 7"x 3" (to secure pages into cover)
PRINTED CARDSTOCK - I generally spread out a paper collection and first pull out to cut apart, those pieces printed with cards, journal mats and embellishments. Next, I choose 2 of the same paper I want to use on the cover - I set both aside, one will be cut as the cover background and the second will be cut apart for the fussy cutting layer and embellishments. I will then choose the cover back paper, a darker color that doesn't soil easily laid on a table. Finally, I will line up the rest of the pieces as pages. Please refer to the page-by-page photos as reference to paper sequence OR assemble however you desire. KEEP all "scrap" strips of printed papers for pockets, tag accents or additional embellishments. IMPORTANT - remember to "align" or turn any writing or obvious designs on printed papers to be seen upright and/or read correctly.
Outside Covers - front and back - two pieces 9 1/8"x 7 1/8"
Pages - 4 pieces 12"x 7" - these will be built in side pockets that fold out
Pages - 11 pieces 7"x 9"
"SCRAP" cuts from above leftover page pieces:
Outside Spine - one piece 8 1/2"x 2 1/2"
Inside front and back pockets - two pieces 8"x 3 1/2"
Tag "tops" - four pieces 3 3/4"x 4"
Page Pockets - two pieces 7 1/2"x 3 1/2"
Spine Strips - fourteen (14) - 7"x 1 1/2" (holds pages together)
INKING EDGES - if using inks to accent, do this step before building the album cover, simply to let the ink colors "set" into the printed papers. I have used three colors of Ranger Distress Oxides, Worn Lipstick, Iced Spruce and Vintage Photo. PAGES FIRST, line up the page pieces front to back, on those that will have a side pocket, score one of the sides at 3" and turn either to the front or back, THEN corner round ONLY the outside top and bottom edges - DO NOT corner round the edges next to the spine. Please refer to the page photos below if this is confusing. I also keep the inks handy to use later on the pockets and other embellishments.
COVER CONSTRUCTION - use the photos below to complete this simple 3-piece cover. Place dark cover cardstock face down, place chipboard pieces on top of cardstock - NOTE - larger pieces are flush to inside edge next to spine. Apply 1" ScorTape around edges of covers and 1/2" ScorTape around edges of the spine, peel off backing and flip them over onto the cardstock (left photo below).
Apply 3/8" ScorTape around edges of cover and top & bottom of spine pieces, apply 1/2" ScorTape to side edges of spine piece (right photo below) - smooth down/secure ScorTape with a bone folder.
You are looking at the inside of the album, now line up and place the larger cover pieces next to and on top of the cardstock of the spine piece - IMPORTANT - leave at least a 1/8" gap between the covers and the spine so the album will fold and close when completed (left photo below). To finish the corners, peel off the ScorTape backing, square up the paper and turn over and onto the chipboard (right photo below), use a bone folder to smooth into place. There are many ways to make finish off album corners, please use whichever works for you.
Once all corners have been secured, use a bone folder to GENTLY begin to smooth the cardstock edges around the chipboard covers - I like to start by easing cardstock straight up next to chipboard edge (left photo below), then over, down and onto the ScorTape on the chipboard (right photo below), Use Art Glitter Glue to secure corners (tape has been covered) or other loose edges if needed.
Next we will finish the inside spine by peeling off the tape backing (left photo below) and wrapping the top and bottom cardstock pieces over the edge (right photo below), again using the Art Glitter Glue to secure any papers where tape has been previously covered, as there will otherwise be nothing to hold the wrapped edge in place.
The next step seems to be where one can rip paper and pretty much get disgusted with the process, so lets go through it slowly and then proceed. The inside cardstock paper piece that covers the spine is really one of the most important - TIP - I use Art Glitter Glue instead of ScorTape for this piece because if I place it wrong, I can quickly lift and change. The photo at left below shows the finished piece - NOTE - the 1/8" space we left on each side of the spine has the paper pushed down and into the area to create a space for the album to fold closed. To do that, you need to glue down from side-to-side so you can use your bone folder to GENTLY push and work paper into the spaces. NOTE - there is already ScorTape down in the space and the glue will not affect it so gently smooth it down onto one cover, into one depression, over the chipboard spine and down into the second depression then over onto the chipboard cover - a picture is worth a thousand words:
Once the inside spine cardstock piece is in place, you can flip the cover, align and adhere the printed papers (photo above right) as well as the cream doily to the center front of the album (photo below). NOTE - before gluing on, I sometimes cut a circle or oval out of the back paper piece (to cover back of album) as shown, which gives me a place to sign, date or otherwise note and dedicate as a gift - completely your choice.
RIBBONS - at this stage, I will also add ribbon closures (photo above), two pieces each 1" wide by 12" long, glue on INSIDE front and back covers, set/dry, cover edge with transparent tape to secure. NOTE - for this album, we will NOT be gluing on the inside cover papers as yet, they will be finished when the pages are secured - set it aside and let it rest for now - then take a breath!
PAGE ASSEMBLY - for this album, the process is a fairly easy one, I have used "simple spine strips" to hold pages together so both sides of these beautiful papers can be seen, used and appreciated. The fourteen (14) strips were cut 7"x 1 1/2" to accommodate the use of a border punch on both sides (right photo below), then scored down the middle and folded - NOTE - do NOT apply ScorTape to back of papers before punching, as it gums up the punches - we will glue these in!
Larger pages that have fold out sides, should be glued in place and corner rounded before assembly.
Stack pages front to back in order you prefer, then to assemble, use a bit of glue along the outside edge on the back of a paper strip, line up (at top, bottom and sides) and place against the back edge of a page and smooth down - remember the corner rounded edges are at outside right of pages. NOTE - you only need to cover the back 2/3 of the paper strip width with glue, in fact, it is good to have a little unglued room at the back of the pages to spread out and secured into the cover. When one strip side is "set", gently re-fold along score line if needed, apply glue to 2/3 of the second side, place on NEXT page (make sure the writing or design is correctly upright), smooth in place, allow to set - etc., etc., your pages will stack and come together as a booklet (photos below) - allow to set/dry.
Next, ONE SIDE AT A TIME, peel backing from ScorTape, align, place and smooth onto the covers (photos below), front and back - NOTE the paper piece is slightly larger than exposed chipboard - perfect, this will be covered with the inside paper pieces (photos below).
The album inside covered with larger papers OVER the ends of the punched spine pieces:
POCKETS for inside covers and pages are "wide" border punched at top, scored 1/2" around bottom and sides, corners clipped, turned, INKED, then glued into place (use page photos as a guide).
PHOTO-JOURNAL MATS - Ivory Artisan Cardstock pieces have been frame punched (design goes all the way around and size depends on punch instructions). All of course is your choice, I felt it added whimsy and texture to the album and I have a large stash of punches to use. NOTE - I like to cut apart and use the printed "cards" that come with paper collections - I particularly like the small ones to ink and glue into the corners of pages to hold photo/journal mats - remember - using a multitude of mats can increased the number of photos you include - photo on front, journaling or additional photo on back, with additional photos on the page itself - it also shows off the papers!
Unpunched mats are Ivory, Light Pink and Medium Blue, 5"x 7" and 4"x 6", corner rounded, all are inked then place in pockets and small corner cards as shown in page photos.
EMBELLISHMENTS - use the matching collection stickers and chipboard pieces with seam binding ties, as well as cutting the "stamp" prints with decorative edge scissors (left photo below).
FUSSY CUTTING - is done with small "decoupage" scissors, layers over and duplicates the background design, plus fills in sparce areas, all elevated with 1/4" foam squares (right photo below). NOTE - top part of the rose has been cut out to provide a space for the bird's nest.
BIRD'S NEST - was made using Wood Excelsior, cupped and shaped into a nest then "inserted" down into top of the cut out rose on cover (right photo below) along with 3 small plastic eggs glued into the nest. I let the glued nest dry, added more glue to secure loose tendrils onto the eggs.
TAGS - are pictured after the page photos, printed papers cut and corner rounded inked, tags too are inked, tied with seam binding and inserted inside front and back covers.
PAGE PHOTOS - will take you from the inside front of the album to the inside back, show you placement of pockets, tags, photo/journaling panels and embellishment - enjoy!
SUPPLIES available from Country Craft Creationsations.com:
Graphic 45 Deluxe Collectors Edition of Botanical Tea - includes 24 sheets 12"x 12" double-sided printed papers, matching 12"x 12" cover weight sticker set and chipboard embellishment set
Graphic 45 Tags - 4 of the small ivory ones from the tag album pack
Seam Binding - 1 yard each of Spring Green, Medium Pink and Medium Blue - match paper colors
Authentique "Wood Collection" - 3 pieces each of Hot Cocoa One and Sandy Beach - for cover
CCC Artisan Cardstock - 6 sheets Ivory, 3 sheets each medium blue and pink (Authentique packs)
Heavyweight Chipboard - two pieces
ScorTape - 1/4", 1/2", 3/8", 1"
Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Oxide - Worn Lipstick, Iced Spruce, Vintage Photo
Ranger Ink applicators and sponges
Art Glitter Glue
OTHER SUPPLIES USED
Cream color 3 1/2" doily
Ribbon - double-faced satin 1" wide x 28" (cut in half)
Adhesive backed 1/4" foam squares
Border and Frame punches by Martha Stewart
Wood Excelsior for birds nest
3 small plastic eggs (available in miniature dept. of most craft stores)
Decorative Edge Scissors - small stamp - Fiskars
BASIC SUPPLIES - 12" paper trimmer, score board, ruler, decoupage (fussy cutting) scissors, craft scissors, large corner rounder
This is gorgeous! I love this collection! You are so creative!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I have been asked where I found the binder - it was in big box craft store, but I do not remember which one, it was in my "stash". I would recommend searching the internet for a "chipboard notebook or binder".
ReplyDelete