Mini Book Experiment, Take 3

  Pull Out Accordion Album

OK.  You saw the little book with the butterflies and the Halloween book.  Here is the way I made this book to create the bigger size used for the Halloween book.  This is the basic book, not including how to create all of the page pockets, or the bonus "pull out" pages.  Hummm, should we do a Take 4?

You will need two pieces of cardstock, 12" x 12".

Take the first, cut into two 6" strips.  Take one strip, and score at 5 3/4" and at 6 1/4".  This is the cover of the book, with a 1/2" spine.

Take the second strip and cut off 2 1/2", then cut off 1" of  this piece.  Score the 1" piece at 1/2".  This is the binding strip that attaches the pages to the book cover and reinforces the spine of the book.  Take the 9 1/2" piece and score at 5".

Take the second piece of cardstock and cut it in 6" strips.

Take the first strip, score at 4 1/2" and 8 1/2".  This gives you a 4 1/2" section, a 4" section and a 3 1/2" section.

Take the next strip, cut it at 6 1/2".  Take this 6 1/2" piece and score it at 3 1/2".  This will give you a 3 1/2" and a 3" section.  Take the piece that s 5 1/2" and set aside for use making tags or pockets later.

Fold the cover piece along the 1/2" spine.  Fold the binding piece.  Adhere the left side of the binding piece to the spine so that the right piece is "free" and towards the back of the book.

Take the next piece of cardstock with the 5" and 4 1/2" sections, and adhere the 5" piece to the right side of the binding piece.  I did it so the binding piece was behind the 5" piece.  I showed the top view to try and get you a clear picture of what was going on.

 This shows how the next pieces will be adhered together.  Take the cardstock that has the 4 1/2", 4" and 3 1/2" sections, match the 4 1/2" sections and adhere these together.  I only adhered the sides and bottoms, leaving the top open to create a pocket to put more tags.

Match the 3 1/2" sections and repeat.  Your accordion is complete!

This picture shows it all adhered with the tops of the attached pieces open so that you could place tags.

All folded up, this is the inside of the book, front cover open.

This is the front of the accordion opened.

This is the back of the accordion opened.

Now decorate to your hearts content and have fun!!!!!!!!!!

Mini Book Experiment, Take 2

  Pull Out Accordion Album

OK.  I wanted to redo the mini book I just did, but make it bigger.  So, I did.  This one measures 6" x 5 3/4".  It has a spine, once again so that I can use my embellishments as I desire.  I used my Cricut  for this book, using Happy Hauntings and October 31st.  I cut out the tree and the gate, which I heat embossed.  The sign was also cut out and Stickles added to the word "Beware".  The moon and bats were punched.  The papers are a variety, Pink Paisley and Basic Grey. 

Back view.  I cut out the witch and the house on the hill with the Cricut.  I sprayed the house with Smootch Spritz to make it shine a bit.  The closure was a technique I saw on You Tube somewhere, and can't find it now.  If you know where it is, please let me know so I can give credit.  A hole is punched and an eyelet set, in the back cover.  Put the ball and chain through, and through the hole in a bulldog clip and use the clip to attach the front cover, keeping it closed!

First view, open front cover.  Pocket with tags.  The big brown tag comes out and on the other side reveals another pocket with a tag book.  The front right is a small pocket with skeleton keys cut with my Cricut.  The sticker skull is from Reflections, and I added rhinestone eyes.

The front of the accordion opened.

The back of the accordion.  The center with the orange decorative strip is attached at the top and bottom so that it can hold more tags, three in all.

It is hard to see, but the 2nd and 4th pages of the accordion also have tags coming out of the top.  Hummmmm, maybe Take 3 should be a tutorial.....stay tuned.....

Mini Book Experiment, Take 1

 Pull Out Accordion Album

I was inspired by the post I found here on Obstinate Pursuit.  I thought it was an awesome book.  But, since I am liking to make my mini books with embellishments that make my books thicker, I decided to tweak the design just a little.  I came up with this book.

I adjusted the measurements and came up with a spine that would  allow for some expansion of the pages.  The papers are K and Co.  I used some bling from Reflections.  I don't know where the red and brown flowers are from, but the center I made myself using my Cricut.

The closure is the velcro closure I used on my mini cookbooks.  I just put the other piece of velcro on the front cover since I didn't have two ribbons to close this book.

This is the open book.  On the left, I created a pocket, and added tags.  On the right, the accordion part of the book.

The accordion opened.  The square piece with the green ribbon closure is a paper that opens to create an 8"x8" space for more pictures or journaling.  More tags in a pocket in the middle section of the pull out.

This is the back side of the accordion, and the back inside cover. More pockets and tags.  The right paper with the ribbon closure is the technique of the envelope pocket insert that I found on You Tube, but I just used papers instead of envelopes.  No extra pockets, but more extra space.

The whole album measures 4"x5".  It is very cute and very small.  I wonder what would happen if I made it bigger....hummmmmmm.  Take 2 on the way?!

Gate Fold, Accordian Bound Album Video Tutorial

To create this fun album you will need 2=6x6 pieces of chipboard, one cut in half. Adhesive, paper timmer, score device. 2=6x8" pieces of carstock or heavy paper for the binding, both scored every 1" and creased accordian style. Paper to cover your book and enough to make flaps, ribbon and embellishments.

Happy Labor Day!!!

Jackie and I are both having a mini vacation with our families, so we will return to posting next Wednesday.  We both hope that you and your families have a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend!!  Thank you all, our wonderful Followers, for all of your support!!  We can't do this without you!!  See you very soon!

Stay Crafty!

Michelle and Jackie

Envelope Tutorial for a 6" Card!

I made a card using Jackie's Never Ending Card Tutorial for a friend's upcoming wedding. Jackie is SOOOOO talented!!  I was trying to figure out how to make an envelope for a 6"x6" card, and I came up with a way, using an existing envelope, so I suppose it is an "altered envelope" rather than a new one, but it works and here's how I did it.

This is a 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" envelope I bought at the local office supply store.   It is called a "catalog envelope." You really need one that opens at the end and not on the side for this.

I cut 2 1/2" off of the bottom end off to make it 7".  Then I scored a line 1/2" from the bottom (represented by the pencil mark.)

I cut off a very small wedge from each end, and then cut off  the 1/2" end on the "wrong" side of the envelope. Apply adhesive and fold over and TAA DAA!

Now you have a 6 1/2" square envelope that is perfect for a 6" square card with lots of embellishments or papers added to it.  It is a lot easier than trying to make one from cardstock, and it is the perfect weight of paper, since it is already an envelope!  Have fun creating your own envelopes for your beautiful 6" card creations!

OH, by the way, the card was for a friend who is getting married.  I made her a guest book, that post will be following soon.

A Creative Card

For this fun card we stamped the images, cut them out and pieced them together somewhat like a puzzle!  Cardstock= Bazzill, Stamps= Inkadinkado, Ink= Stazon

Meander Book, My Way!

I love these little books, the "Meander Books".  I usually see them in a 3" x 3" size.  But, I thought that I would like one a little different size, so I came up with this one.  It measures 3"wide  x 4" tall, when the covers are added,  it is 3 1/8" x 4 1/4".    I haven't finished decorating and embellishing yet, but will do it soon!

Using this size, it created three "top" pockets and 2 "side" pockets.  I covered some chipboard pieces measuring 3 1/" x 4 1/4", and used these for the covers.  I adhered ribbons between the covers and the first base pages for a closure.  The base paper is cardstock from Martha Stewart, the other papers are from DCWV.  I fell in love with the colors, perfect for a baby boy or a baby girl!  I thought this would make the most adorable brag book for the new Mom or Grandma!!! I made three tall tags for the top pockets, and 4 smaller ones for the side pockets.  These would be awesome for journaling!

 

Score the 12x12 paper vertically at 3", 6", and 9".  Score horizontally at 4" and 8".  Make your slits on the horizontal lines.  Fold, and adhere the base pieces to create the pockets.  Adhering the pockets creates a binding, so no extra work to do that.  There you have it, a beautiful little book. 

Stay Crafty!!

Never Ending Card

I saw this great card on http://www.hgtv.com/   by Carol Duvall.  It was really fun & will be a very creative was to present a gift card!  Hope you enjoy the Video!

So remember your dimensions for this card are 4=3"x6" pieces of cardstock. If you make it bigger, make sure your length is double your width, exp. 4x8, 6x12. 

FINALLY DONE! Mini Recipe Book #3!

Yeah!!  Now I can send these in and wait for the swap books to come back!!  I used a Sizzix die to make the aprons, cutting off the neck and waist ties, substituting them with ribbons.  The stamps are Fiskars.  I have no idea where the button hearts came from!

I used the ties of the apron as the closure of the book.  The ribbons are long enough to wrap around to the back of the book.

"Front" view...I used the oven mitt from the Sizzix die, and also a new one by Sizzix I just got yesterday!  It is called "Loops and Ric Rac" and I used the ric rac design for these pages.

"Back" view.  I sure hope my swap partners like it!

Quick Project from Scraps

I made this some time ago, and thought it would be cool to share.  I wanted to use up some scraps of papers that I had, and because I just can't stand to throw anything away I had a bunch!!!

I cut some 8 1/2 x 11" paper in half.  I made a chipboard cover, covered it with paper, and adhered this apron sticker.  I think it is by Jolee's. I bound it using my Bind It All.

I then randomly used my scraps and adhered them to the blank pages.  I have all sorts of ideas for this...a photo album full of pictures of a grandma cooking with the grandkids...your favorite family recipes...bridal gift filled with recipes from members of the family...the list goes on.  What could  you do with your scraps?

A Creative Wrapper

We jazzed up this extra large Hershey bar by wrapping it up with Cosmo Cricket paper,  created a gift card holder for the Starbucks gift card & there you have it, a cute way to present a special gift!

Mini Recipe Book #2

Here is the second set of recipe books I am doing for my swap on Split Coast Stampers.  This one  used Bo Bunny papers. I punched the flower on the front, and stamped the title with stamps from Fiskars.  I used leaves by 7 Gypsies for the flower, and some ribbon I got in the dollar bin at Michaels.

This is the "front" view.  The tags are topped with a punched pull I made from leftover cardstock.

Now on to recipe book #3!

More Quick & Easy Cards

Thinking Of You!  This easy card was made out of scraps & a few random stamps from our collection.

A new envelope mini album!

I was messing around, and came up with a new idea to use envelopes for another kind, and size, of mini album.  It is bigger than most "mini's" but still is small and adorable. Maybe it could be called a "medium album"?!  It is also the perfect size to use those 8x8 paper pads that I have stacked up wondering what I was going to do with them.  Oh yeah, I also got to use my new Tim Holtz flower die!!

The papers are DCWV's Nana's Kids.  I used the die to make the flowers and another Sizzix die to make the leaves with papers from Martha Stewart.  I ran the flowers pieces through three different embossing folders, and pinched the petals to give a little more dimension.  I bound it with my Bind-It-All, but you could certainly use whatever binding method you like.

There are four pages to this book, each page took 2 envelopes, the standard size business envelopes.  I also made one to "practice" using envelopes from my junk mail.  This could be a great recycle project!  Seal all envelopes.  For each "page" of your album take one envelope and cut it in half, so you have two pieces measuring 4 3/4" long by 4 1/8" wide.  You are going to lay these on their sides, so that they will be 8 1/4" tall, and that is what you need to cut the next envelope to...trim off 1 1/4" and discard this piece.

This just shows the envelopes adhered...the left side is the open ends of the halved envelopes which creates two side pockets, the right side shows about 1/2" of those cut envelopes...this will be the binding side.  The "long" envelope will be adhered to the two halves with the open part up.  This creates one long pocket.

I gathered my papers I wanted and covered the envelopes.  The papers covered the binding edge also, so that it gave it a little strength.  Each piece of paper measured 4 1/2 x 8".  I covered front and back.

I bound the pages.  Now, very important...be sure when binding that you bind the "binding edge and not the open end where you want to put your tags...Please don't ask how I know!!!  The tags measured 4 3/8 x 3 3/4" for the side tags, and 3 3/4 x 8 1/4" for the long tags.  You will end up with three tags per page, and lots of space in between!

 I raided my ribbon scrap jar and found ribbons for the tags.  You could also punch "finger pull" spots, but for this one, I didn't want to take up space on the pages themselves.  The project I made with the junk mail envelopes turned out cute too, just make sure that you have the same size envelopes for your pages!

Thanks for looking! Your comments and thoughts are most welcome and appreciated!  Have a crafty day!

Woven Card

Creating this card sure was fun!  After determining the size of your card you will take for exp. a 3"x4" piece of cardstock & cut 1/4" strips lengthwise.  Make sure you stop about 1/2" from bottom so that all strips are still attatched.  The cut approx another 16 1/4" strips all the way off from another piece of paper & begin weaving through the first piece of paper with the attatched strips.  After you are done weaving, trim up edges to a matching length & snip open all those ends that we left attached.  On this card we stamped a butterfly & heat embossed it!  Have FUN!

A Halloween Recipe Book

I love swaps.  I love Halloween. I love swaps on Split Coast Stampers about Halloween.  This one is for the swap called Mini Cookbook.  I only had to make 4 for the swap, but I made one more because they are just toooooo darn cute, I had to make one for myself!

I used a variety of papers from Doodle Bug and Karen Foster.  The flowers are from Doodle Bug and Bazzill.  The pumpkin brads are Doodlebug also!  I am unsure where the ribbon came from, sorry!
The tutorial for the book came from Scrapbook Crazy.  I altered the construction just a bit to create pockets for tags.

I used punched pieces of cardstock and adhered two of them to the ends of the ribbon, then attached velcro to the cardstock to create the closure of the book.  The ribbon is adhered to the back of the book.  The flower is attached over the ribbon.  I made this stamp "boo food" with my Just Rite stamps.

"Front" view...

"Back" view.  I have 5 recipes in this mini book for a ghoulishly good meal.  The tags were cut from my Cricut cartridge "October 31st".  I left them blank so that the recipient could put pictures of the beastly feast, or notes about the recipes themselves.  Each book has two pockets.

Stay scary my friends!

Summer Camp Autograph Book

My daughter is attending summer camp this year & I wanted her to have a fun way to collect little memories from her friends!
This mini album autograph book was created using a fun tag templete by Making Memories, approx 4x5 1/2.