Mini Album Tutorial (8 x 8)

Edited: The SVG files used were purchased on Etsy 
and they are no longer available from the shop. Search for Disney SVG files and hopefully you'll be able to find them from another shop. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Mini Album 8 x 8 Tutorial

Hello, I’m Lisa Snowdy the designer at Adventures in Paperland. I love to make mini albums and I decided I would make templates that I could use for future 8 x 8 mini's since I enjoy that size for recording family trips. I’m sharing this tutorial as a way to thank those who have greatly influenced or helped me in my crafty endeavors. I am including instructions, tips and the templates to build your pages. Initially I am referring to the left and right pages as flaps (see templates) only to make sure that you realize this this is the page that attaches to the left or right flap of the base page. If adding pages to the top or bottom, like you see in the build-a-page style, those are referred to as the top flap and bottom flap. You can refer to my posts to see how I decorated the pages and for links to You Tube videos with additional info regarding the construction of mini albums. 
If you have questions you can email me here-
(with the subject line Mini Album Page Templates) 

Please give me a few days to respond and remember do not share/copy this free tutorial to use as your own. Please direct others to this blog post. Thank you for respecting my time and me!



 Tutorial


Instructions for Assembling Pages
1.      Using the dimensions given on the attached templates create your own templates.
2.      Score at the ½” mark on the left side of the base page then rotate and score all four sides.
3.      Using a bone folder crease all four lines.
4.      Using a pair of scissors cut out the four corners where score lines intersect.
5.      Using a pair of scissors miter all four corners. (see attached base page template)
6.      Now you have 4 flaps that you can attach pages, etc. to.
7.      Once you decide how many pages you want to add to the base page (i. e. 2, 3 or 4) cut any remaining flaps off.  Note: I use cardstock to create my base pages, from there I cut a piece of designer paper to the same wide of each page or I layer papers 2-3 times depending on the look I want. When layering papers I cut each one 3/16” smaller but whatever works for you is fine.


Helpful Tips
1.      Both sides of each page will be decorated so it is important to always be conscious of the orientation of your pages. If using a pattern paper you need to be aware of which side is up and how your pages will lay when closed - the left flap {page} folds over the right flap {page} and both of those fold on top of the base page.  
2.      To create a pocket simply place your glue/score tape on three sides – as close to the edge as possible – leaving the side where you want your pocket open. You can use a circle punch to notch out the center for easy access, or not to make it a hidden pocket.
3.      When creating flaps for photo mats, etc. decide how you want them to fold and the size of each. If you are adding a long flap (page) as in the build-a-page style albums that keep folding out then you need to add an additional ½” to every side you are attaching something to. Miter the corners of the flap(s) like you did on the base page. (Click to see the flaps I added here. You’ll see more of the build-a-page style pages in Part 4 & 5 of my Disney Mini Album series on my blog).
4.      Plan out your pages in advance (papers, where you want your pockets, additional pages added to flaps) then start with your cardstock base using the templates included. If you choose to use magnets in your album then it’s imperative that you decide where they’ll be used before you add your paper(s).  Note: I included a link to a YT video by Anna Rostad in my post - Disney Mini Album,Part 2 – that is a tutorial for beginners using magnets you may find helpful.
5.      For this album I wanted the size to be 8 x 8 which meant that my pages needed to be less than that. I went with a height of 7 ¾” which insures they fit onto the hinges of my binding system (covered in Part 1 on my blog) but do not overlap the covers. The width of the left flap (page) is 7 ¾” so that when you open your album this page is sitting on top and it covers the other pages in the set. This will totally make sense once you cut your templates out and assemble them.
6.      Glue vs. Double Stick tape - Personally I am not a fan of glue so I use double stick tape. I gleaned this tip from a gal on You Tube, Jen of Eve Designs, and she said she got it from someone who left a comment for her. She apologized for not remembering who it was and as I don’t know either I’ll credit this tip to Jen. Double stick tape tends to grab your paper and when lining your paper up with the flaps you need some extra time to move it into place. Here’s the tip-peel the protective cover off the tape and run a glue stick (any brand will do) over the tape. This allows you the time needed to line your paper up, adhere to the flap and doesn’t affect the integrity of the tape. It totally works and I used it numerous times making this mini. J Thank you whoever you are!

Templates

(click to enlarge any photo)



Page Construction
A step by step photo tutorial for visual learners like me. ;)

In my album I created page sets that include a base page with additional left and right pages.

The base page serves as the central page from which you can add additional pages / pockets (sometimes these are also referred to as flaps). By adding a 1/2" to each side you can add additional pages and build your pages out, up and down. I miter the corners and add double stick tape which you can see on the left and right side.



Attach your pages and don't forget this handy tip which I picked up from Jen of Eve's You Tube video.

Apply a glue stick over the double stick tape, this allows time to position your paper in the correct position and doesn't affect the integrity of the tape. 

You'll have a triple page spread to work with and the pages will fold on top of each other as shown below.

The right page folds on top of the base page and the left page folds on top of the right page. 

Additional flaps can be added to the side pages as I've done in this photo.  

Decide on your width and again add 1/2" to that measurement to create a flap (hinge if you prefer) to attach to the side page. You'll need to score 1/2" from the left or right side (depending on which side joins your page) and fold with a bone folder. Miter the corners and adhere with glue/tape to the page. Your extra page/pocket/flap will open out and fold closed as shown below.


If you want to add additional space to the top / bottom follow the same concept. 

I added accordion style photo mats to the top of the base page.

The flap (or hinge) allows you to attach as many pages etc. that you want. Here I added 3 large photo mats which are double sided. This is the upward view and below is the downward view.


This is the measurement for the accordion style photo mats I used. This is the first photo mat I attached to the top of the base page.

This is the 2nd photo mat which attaches to the 1st and 3rd photo mat. All are the same size and you can see the measurements if you click on the photo.

To the bottom of my base page I added a small flap which folds down and there's a hidden pocket for storing additional stuff like tickets. 


You can continue to add additional things like flip style albums to your pages. All you have to do is cut a 1" strip of cardstock with a paper trimmer and score at 1/2". Attach double stick tape to both sides and add to your flip album (cut to size, score in middle and fold).



If you want your album to remain closed add a magnet closure before you decorate with paper. 


Here's an example of one of my flip style albums where I used a hinge to attach it to the page..




3” Waterfall Template




            Note: if you are using magnets to close your waterfall determine where you want it to close and place your magnet there. Then cover over it with paper to hide. Match up the other magnet with your closure mechanism. 
      
To begin cut your base paper 3” W x 5” L (tall), then cut 6 pieces of paper 3” x 3” for photo mats. Score at 2.5” on one side of your 3" x 3" papers, fold with a bone folder and attach to the base paper starting at the top. You’ll have a 2.5” x 3” photo mat (which was the size I needed) on both sides giving you a total of 12 photo mats. You can easily increase the size based on the dimensions you need. Each photo mat is attached at the score line with the 1/2" folded down and begins directly under the previous one. 

Here's a photo of my completed 3" Waterfall in my album.





6” Waterfall  Template


(used 2 different colors so you can see how they attach)

Score at 4" then fold & attach to the base sheet (6" x 6.5") starting at the top, you’ll add each sheet below the next one creating a waterfall. You'll have a total of 12 photo mats size 4" x 6". You can add a decorative strip of paper of the 1/2" where the mat attaches to the base and I always add a designer paper or another piece of coordinating cardstock to my mats. A corner chomper will add some flair to the corners if you like that look. When you are finished the waterfall should flip up and down easily.  

Here's a photo of my completed 6 " Waterfall in my album.




Thanks for viewing my tutorial, have a great day!

Lisa xx

No comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...