Hello friends! Amber Mitchell here on the Simple Stories blog today to share with you a bright and happy mini album that I created using the new Fresh Air collection!
I created the base of this album using medium weight chipboard (this gives the album a sturdy, heavyweight feel). For the covers, I used two sheets that measured 3.5 x 5 inches. For the spine, I used a piece of paper that measured 1.5 x 5 inches.
I wrapped these pieces using a floral sheet of patterned paper. For extra fun, I added a smaller sheet of paper around the spine and inner edges of the covers. This step is optional, but I think it adds more character and color to the project, which is always a plus!
I then lined the inside of the album using an orange, patterned paper from the 12 x 12 Collection Kit and moved onto the pages.
My favorite way to bind pages to albums is by using elastic thread. It creates fun, adjustable binding that allows pages to easily be removed and interchanged. It's also a super easy method to use, since all it requires is tying strings of elastic around the spine!
For this album, I opted for 4 strings of elastic.
The first page of the album was made from a pair of tags. I folded these tags down the middle after cutting them from the Tags paper and added them through the first elastic. To these pages, I added a space for journaling, with small hearts from the Foam Stickers used as bullet points. I also added a sentiment sticker.
The second page in this album was made in a similar fashion, except instead of using tags, this time I used 3 x 4 cut-apart cards. I folded down the middle of these cards and added them through the second elastic. To these pages I added a large spot for journaling and a photo of my mom and I that matched the colors of this collection perfectly!
For the third page of this album, I created an envelope using my We R Makers Envelope Punch Board. To add the envelope to the album, I adhered the bottom to the sides AFTER slipping it through the elastic. I used Velcro as a closure for the envelope and embellished the front of the envelope with florals, a butterfly, and a sweet sentiment. On the back of the envelope I added another spot for journaling by using a card from the Journal Bits & Pieces pack.
I created a small journal to use as the last "page" in this album. I love adding journals to projects when I can because they add extra space for both journaling and photos. They're also fun to flip through and make the album more interactive as a whole! I decorated the cover of this journal using a mix of embellishments, including a butterfly, several florals, and a sentiment sticker from the Cardstock Stickers.
To create the storage box for this album, I used a sheet of paper that measured 9.25 x 9.75 inches. On the 9.25-inch side, I scored at 2.25 and 7.5 inches. On the 9.75-inch side, I scored at 3.5 and 5.75 inches.
I folded and creased along all of these score lines.
Along the sides of the template, there are two squares. I used scissors to cut along the lines of each of these squares, to separate them from the longer, rectangular side panels. These squares are the tabs that will be used to adhere the box together.
Start by adhering the back of one tab to the inside of the adjacent side panel. Repeat this step on the other side as well. Next, add adhesive to the inside of the remaining panels. Fold the front of the box up and secure these panels to the others. This will create the shape of the box.
The patterned paper I used to create my box was from the Simple Vintage Spring Garden 12 x 12 Basics Kit. I just loved how perfectly the pink gingham matched the Fresh Air collection!
For a bit of extra flair, I traced a half circle shape on the front side of my box, and then carefully cut it out with scissors. This allows the album to peak through a bit more when stored away and adds more character to the project.
I recommend doing this optional step before adhering the box together.
I just adore how this project turned out! Mini albums with matching storage boxes are always a favorite of mine and I love that this type of project allowed me to feature so many colors and patterns from the beautiful Fresh Air collection!
Thanks for stopping by my post today, I'll see you next time!
SUPPLIES: 12 x 12 Collection Kit, Cardstock Stickers, 6 x 8 Paper Pad, Decorative Brads, Enamel Dots, Chipboard Stickers, Bits & Pieces, Journal Bits & Pieces, Foam Stickers, Page Pieces, SV Spring Garden Basics Kit.
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