Hi crafty friends! Amber Mitchell here on the Simple Stories blog today to share with you this layered mini album I created using the fun and festive Simple Vintage: Rustic Christmas collection!
This collection is so classic! When it comes to Christmas, the reds and greens get me every time; I just love how the two colors complement one another.
This mini album features a layered cover, as well as pages, with a chunky embellished spine and a magnetic strap closure.
To create the covers, I used medium weight chipboard. My bottom cover measures 4.5 x 6 inches, while the top cover measures 2 x 6 inches. I wrapped these chipboard pieces using patterned paper.
To attach my covers together, I created a spine out of a strip of paper. I took a sheet that measured 3.5 x 6 inches and scored on the 3.5-inch side at 1-inch on both ends. I turned these end panels into tabs by trimming the corners at an angle, and then used them to attach the spine itself to both of the covers.
Next, I added the inner lining of my album to hide where the spine was attached and moved on to creating the pages.
What’s great about this style of mini album is that you can opt to use any binding method you like. Hidden hinge, binder rings, or elastic all work great. I decided to use elastic since I planned on creating layered pages.
I tied five elastic threads around the spine of my book and embellished them by stringing both acrylic and handmade paper beads on to them.
To create the pages, I took four sheets of paper that measured 5.5 x 7 inches. I scored these on the 7-inch side at 3 inches to create a folded flap. To make this flap a bit more fun, I used a template to create a scalloped edge.
Once folded, the pages easily slide onto the elastic threads and stay in place, all while creating a layered look!
For my fifth page, I opted to use some cut-aparts from the 12 x 12 Collection Kit. The 4 x 4-inch ones were perfect for this. I cut a pair of two out and folded down the center of them to create a page.
To create the magnetic strap closure, I took a strip of paper and adhered one end of it to the back of my back cover. I then added the magnets: one to the other end of the strap and one on the underside of the top cover. For more texture, I machine-stitched white embroidered tule on top of the strap.
To embellish this album, I used a mix of embellishments from Simple Vintage: Rustic Christmas.
To make the cover pop, I used the large flowers from the Bits and Pieces die cuts pack, along with a “cheer” sentiment and a “Merry Christmas” sentiment.
To create large titles throughout the album, I used phrases from the Foam Stickers pack and I love how these stand out and draw the eye in. They make great statement pieces!
To create photo mats, I used cardstock from the Simple Vintage: Rustic Christmas Basics Pack and trimmed it down to two varying sizes that I added throughout the book. One for larger photos and one for wallet sized photos.
Enamel Dots, Decorative Brads, Cardstock and Chipboard Stickers, along with some stickers from the Sticker Book were the perfect finishing touches to layer up along every page of this mini!
I am obsessed with all of the colors and patterns in this collection and I can’t wait to fill this mini album up with happy memories this holiday season!
Thanks so much for stopping by my post today! I’ll see you next time with another fun project!
1 comment
congratulations, beautiful very original book, I would very much like to do it, Merry Christmas and happy new year.,,,,,