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Posts Tagged ‘journal tutorial’

Whether You Are … I Will Always Love You – Mini Album Tutorial

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Mini Album Page

This is what I call a ‘just because’ mini album.
I didn’t make it for a special occasion.
I didn’t make it to document a specific event or trip or day [although the pictures were all taken at the same time, on a ferry in Alaska].
I just had a crafty date and we decided to make mini albums with mini photos and I happen to really like this goofy set of photos of my husband making faces to protest against me taking pictures of him… The idea for the mini album just presented itself – no matter how my husband is at a certain moment – I always and will always love him.

Individual Layouts & Supply

This is a very minimalistic mini album. The reason is threefold: 1. Because I love minimalism. 2. I didn’t want to use anything chunky on the pages themselves, other than on the cover. 3. We wanted to complete the project in one crafty-date, after a full day of work.

Mini Album Page

This is the cover page. I used a couple of dimensional flowers by Basic Grey from the Sweet Threads collection. The paper is by Lily Bee Design from the Head Over Heels collection (how suitable…). The fabric letter stickers are Thickers by American Crafts.

Mini Album Page

The paper is by Lily Bee Design from the Head Over Heels collection and the photo ‘mat’ is one of my free printables… The black letter stickers (on all the pages) are from various Lily Bee letter stickers sheets. The cool flower stickers are actually a border sticker by Crate Paper [from their Portrait Collection], cut into 2 pieces…

Mini Album Page

Here I also used the same Lily Bee papers and stickers as well as a paper by My Mind’s Eye from the Everyday Flair collection.

Mini Album Page

Super simple page… I simply used my free printables and the same Lily Bee’s paper and stickers.

Mini Album Page

Same here…

Mini Album Page

More of that Lily Bee paper as well as a few stickers from Basic Grey’s Sweet Threads collection. Plus a couple of my free printables to add visual interest.

Mini Album Page

Same. Same, with some old and thin strips of fabric tape and additional paper from Lily Bee’s Memorandum and My Mind’s Eye Everyday Flair collections.

Mini Album Page

Here I used Crate Paper’s Emma’s Shoppe paper as well as a small mat from My Mind’s Eye Everyday Flair and the same Lily Bee’s letter stickers.

Mini Album Page

Some more paper from Lily Bee’s ‘Head Over Heels’, a strip of an old Anna Griffin paper tape and letter stickers by Prima.

Mini Album Page

Same good ol’ Lily Bee’s ‘Head Over Heels’ paper and same good ol’ Lily bee’s letter stickers. Can you see the lame pun?

Mini Album Page

To spice it up I used Lily Bee’s ‘Head Over Heels’ paper and Prima letter stickers. Just to make it a bit different…

Just kidding.

It’s always quick and easy to use the same collection for a project, that way everything is tied together.

The chipboard I used to make the actual album is by Grafix and the size is just perfect. I cut each sheet in two and it corresponds to a half sheet of patterned paper from a 6″ by 6″ pad or an 1/8th of a 12″ by 12″ sheet of patterned paper. It doesn’t get easier than that…

How To Make The Body of the Album

  1. Cut a sheet of cardstock to a 3″ wide strip.
  2. Score the strip, lengthwise, every ½”. I am using Martha Stewart’s scoring board – it makes scoring at specific increments really easy.
  3. Fold the scored strip in an accordion fold (peaks and valleys) and attach each chipboard page to the edge of each fold.
  4. Cut the extra folded cardstock when you have enough pages for your album (I needed 12 pages for mine).
  5. To make the spine sturdier, adhere the back side of the folds together.
  6. Adhere patterned paper to each page.
  7. Adhere a piece of 3″ by 3″ pattern paper at the spine and over the edges of the cover pages – apply adhesive only on the edges, and not where the spine is.

Easy Peasy.

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial | 4 Comments »

How To Make A Hardcover Mini Album With Plain Envelopes

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Hardcover Envelope Book

My husband thinks it’s silly but I think it’s super-duper cute, you’ll be the final judges…

Supply

Step by Step Instructions

Steps

Start by folding each envelope in half and then cutting the edge of the envelope’s flap, in an angle, at the half point.
Steps

This is how your envelope will look like after its flap was cut.
Steps

Next, channel your inner seamstress, stack all the envelopes together and sew the spine at the crease line. You can also pierce 2 holes in the spine and tie it by hand with an embroidery floss, or fasten it with a staple. Sewing is the fastest way to assemble the signature, even for me (you will understand that remark shortly).
Steps

This is how your envelope stack will look like, if you are a terrible seamstress. Just like me. Who had to put it through the machine several times… I assume you may only be better than I am at that, because I am the worst, ever.
Steps

If you have sewing accidents… fix the spine with a layer of strong liquid glue.
Steps

Or just secure the pages with a folded piece of patterned paper that you adhere to both pages’ edges.
Steps

Now let’s move on to the cover, shall we? Given that you use business envelopes, cut 2 pieces of chipboard at 4½” by 5″ each. If you use any other envelope, just cut the cover a bit larger than the size of half an envelope (because they will be folded in half).
Steps

Then Choose your cover fabric. I had this fat quarter collecting dust and just waiting for this project. So I used it. Use any scrap that covers both pieces of chipboard, a spine and then some.
Steps

This is the ratio of fabric/ cover. Just so you will get the hang of it. Cut each edge at a triangle and adhere the flaps to the inner part of the cover with strong liquid glue. You can be messy, it will all be concealed momentarily.
Steps

Now, attach your sewed signature by applying a generous amount of liquid glue and adhering to the inner part of the cover. Do it one side at a time and be careful of unwanted spills that may ruin your envelope pockets. Because we use envelopes to embrace and utilize their pockets, right? right.

Embellish and place top secrets and cherished memories in the pockets.

Done.

[Are you still with me or were you lost due to the length of this unearthly post? Please comment and tell.]


Make Your Own Planner Workshop
Check out Creativity Prompt’s self paced workshop: “Capture Your Dream”. In this workshop you will capture, follow and make your dream come true as well as document your journey in a fabulous mixed media mini album.


Welcome Little One Workshop
Check out Creativity Prompt’s new and unique self paced workshop: “Welcome Little One”. This workshop will provide you with everything you need, and then some, to make a fabulous handmade mini album to record the first moments of a new born baby.

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial | 9 Comments »

Creativity Prompt – Make A Fabric Covered Hardbound Journal

Friday, February 27th, 2009

Fabric Covered Hardbound Journal

This week I want to suggest another quick and easy way for making an hardbound journal. Covering the thick chipboard with fabric adds additional appeal, the coveted and elusive “je ne sais quoi” 🙂 . Yet, it is soooooo easy to do (provided you did not cut your finger in the process).

Unfortunately, I DID cut my finger in the process, therefore my journal isn’t really as beautiful as I would like it to be (see the frayed edges in the corners)… So please ignore the imperfections and see the hidden potential in it… Considering you can see this raw potential read on for the full (video) tutorial.

Tools & Supply –

Tools & Supply

Measurements –

measurements
[Click on the picture for a better view]

  • Fabric – 12″ by 5.5″
  • Patterned cardstock & copier paper – 7 1/2″ by 4 1/2″
  • Chipboard: spine – 1/4″ by 4 5/8″ cover – 2 (3 7/8″ by 4 5/8″)

How To –


[Click twice on the video to get to You Tube and watch in high quality.
While you’re there, feel free to rate and comment 🙂 ]

Step By Step Instructions –

[I hope it is helpful for those of you who cannot watch the video]

  1. Adhere the chipboard pieces to the fabric with a glue-stick.
  2. Start at the middle with the spine. Then attach the cover pieces – one on each side of the spine. Use a brayer to insure a strong bond.
  3. Cut all 4 corners of the fabric in an angle. Leave a 1/8″ gap between the fabric and the chipboard edges.
  4. Adhere the fabric’s flaps with a glue stick. Tuck in the corners, for a nice fold.
  5. Fold the patterned paper (heavy weight) and copier paper stack in half. Crease well with the bone folder.
  6. Straighten up the copier paper stack with a sharp craft knife. To avoid falling finger tips… don’t press hard on your knife, but rather use repeated soft strokes.
  7. Lay your signature (patterned paper + copier paper stack) on a soft mat (I’m using salvaged styrofoam) and staple together. Use your bone folder to flatten the lil’ prongs.
  8. Cover the signature with strong double sided tape. Some added glue stick doesn’t hurt…
  9. Carefully adhere the signature to your chipboard cover.
  10. Voilà! Enjoy!

Enjoy!!!

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

In an effort to make you share more, I want to show you the FABULOUS notebooks the talented Robin Gibson made, following this notebook tutorial. [Click on the picture to go to her Flickr photo page]:

Readers Gallery

Aren’t her notebooks fantastic?

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial, Video Tutorial | 13 Comments »

Creativity Prompt #27 – How To Make A Colorful Mini-Book

Friday, November 28th, 2008

Colorful Mini-Book

For this weeks creativity prompt I have got a cute project with a unique “measurement method“. If you want to learn how to create this whimsical & colorful mini-book – read on:

Supply –

  • Patterned paper
  • 2 chipboard scraps. [use the chipboard that comes with your craft supply or with your writing pads or even cut 2 pieces from a cardboard box]
  • Ribbon (optional)
  • A scrap of fabric for the spine (optional).
  • Glue stick
  • Double sided tape
  • Tape runner

Tools –

  • Paper trimmer
  • Bone folder
  • Ruler
  • Craft knife + Self healing mat
  • Regular office stapler

Step By Step Instructions –

  1. To determine the size of the pages – measure the width of your stapler’s “arm”. [I did promise a unique measurement technique…]
    Unique measurement technique
  2. Next, determine the desired height of your mini-book [everything goes] and cut an even number of patterned papers at your desired height and double the width of your stapler’s “arm”.
    Cutting your patterned paper to measure - preparing the inserts
    My stapler’s “arm” width was 2¼” and I wanted the height of the mini-book to be 5″, so I cut my patterned papers at 5″ by 4½”
  3. Adhere every two pieces of patterned paper together – back to back – to create your inserts. [or use double sided cardstock…]
    Adhering patterned paper together - back-to-back
  4. Score each insert at the midpoint, lengthwise. [It should measure the same as your stapler’s “arm”. Mine is 2¼”.]
    Scoring the inserts
  5. Stack all your inserts together and staple them twice in the middle crease to create your signature. This is when all your measurements are going to make sense…
    Stapling the signature
  6. Next cut your chipboard scraps ¼” taller and wider then each page of your signature. [mine are: 5¼” by 2½”.]
    Cutting the chipboard to size
  7. Now you need to cover your chipboard pieces:

    First cut 2 pieces of patterned paper (or fabric) which are at least 1″ taller and wider than your chipboard pieces. Then, using a glue stick, adhere the chipboard pieces in the middle of the patterned paper pieces.
    Adhering the chipboard to patterned paper

    Next, cut all the corners of your patterned paper and create a triangle whose base is about an 1/8″ away from the chipboard’s corners.
    Cutting the patterned paper's corners for the cover

    First adhere two flaps which are opposite to each other.
    Folding the opposite flaps of the cover

    Next, tuck the corners of the remaining flaps with the tip of your bone folder. This is going to give your cover a more professional look.
    Tucking the corners of the remaining flaps

    Adhere the remaining flaps to the chipboard, and your covers are ready.
    Finishing the cover

  8. Adhere a scrap of fabric [the same height as your book – mine is 2″ by 5″] to the inner side of your covers with a strong double sided tape. This is going to become the spine of your mini-book. This step is optional.
    Attaching a fabric strip to create the spine of the book
  9. Adhere the ribbon to the spine – the thinner the ribbon is, the better. This step is also optional and is going to provide your mini book a built-in bookmark.
    Attaching the ribbon to the spine as a bookmark
  10. Finally, attach the signatures to the cover with a strong double-sided tape and enjoy your colorful mini-book.
    Adhering the signatures to the cover

Enjoy!!!

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own mini-book creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial | Comments Off on Creativity Prompt #27 – How To Make A Colorful Mini-Book

Creativity Prompt #24 – Recycled Stitched-Spine Journal

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Stitched Spine Journal Next time you receive a package, don’t throw the box and the padding material away. Instead, turn them into a gorgeous hardbound journal, you can carry in your pocket.

This tutorial is a recycled version of the extremely popular Hardbound Journal tutorial. You can find another variation here.

Supply –

  • Two 2¾” by 3¾ “ cardboard pieces, cut from the box.
  • 50 pieces of newsprint paper (used for padding packages) measured 5” by 3½ “.
  • 4 scraps of patterned paper. Two measured 3¼” by 4¼” and two measured 2 5/8” by 3 5/8”.
  • Glue stick + double sided tape.
  • Ribbon
  • Embroidery floss

Tools –

Instructions –

  1. Flatten the box and cut 2 pieces, measured 2¾” by 3¾ “.
    Cutting the covers from the box
  2. Adhere the cardboard pieces to the larger scraps of patterned paper (3¼” by 4¼”) with the glue stick. Position the cardboard pieces in the middle of each paper scrap (you can also use fabric scraps which are slightly larger). Cut the corners of the patterned paper flaps and allow an 1/8” gap between the edge of the cardboard to the base of the cut. Fold each flap and adhere it to the cardboard, using a bone folder.
    wrapping the covers

    wrapping the covers

  3. Cut the newsprint paper to size (5” by 3½“) and fold each piece in half (creating 2½” by 3½” pages) – use a bone folder to insure a crisp fold. Stack every 5 pieces into one signature (altogether 10 signatures of 5 pages each).
    Folding the newsprint inserts
  4. Measure the height of the stack of signatures to determine the width of the spine.
    measuring the signatures
  5. Position the two covers apart from each other allowing the gap between them to equal the signatures’ height, as you have measured before. Using a double sided tape, adhere a strip of ribbon to both sides of the covers.
    attaching the ribbon to the covers

    Mark the width of the ribbon on the signatures to figure out where to pierce them afterward.
    marking the signatures for piercing

    Repeat with a second strip of ribbon. The second strip will reinforce the journal and increase its stability.

  6. Secure the embroidery floss to the cover with a piece of tape and start sewing the signatures to the ribbon. Start from the outside of the ribbon, into the signatures and through the ribbon.
    Preparing the stitched spine

    Preparing the stitched spine

    Take a peek at the finished spine –
    The journal's spine

  7. Cover the inside of the journal with the 2 5/8” by 3 5/8” pieces of patterned paper to conceal the embroidery floss and give the journal a finished look. This is the time to trim the ribbon’s ends and cover them, if you don’t wish the ribbon’s ends to show.
    Finishing touches

    Here is how the journal looks without the ribbon’s ends –

    The journal without ribbon

Enjoy!!!

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial | 13 Comments »

Creativity Prompt #8 – Making Your Own Hardbound Journal

Friday, June 27th, 2008

A few weeks ago I mentioned the importance of treasuring ideas in an “inspiration well”. Having a place to go back to when you are feeling uninspired and blocked is important both for your creative process and your well being – it keeps you inspired, optimistic and energized.

Just taking notice of your environment and of all the wonders of the world around you and the beauty of your everyday life can help you feel more inspired and have a more relaxed life. However, writing those details down can help you stay focused and inspired also on gloomy days, when it is very difficult to be aware of all the goodness around you.

Another good reason for writing all the great ideas your mind (and your heart) yields is to perpetuate them on paper (or on your computer). When we have a fabulous idea we are consumed with it and cannot imagine we would ever forget it, but we do. No matter how fantastic and fabulous the idea is, life’s endless flow of information and duties can push away the greatest ideas.

Now, think about a journal that does not only keep your ideas but also helps you to come up with the ideas… That sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? Well, in my case, making my own journal from scratch can do that for me.

This week’s prompt is making your own hardbound journal to inspire and to treasure ideas in it.

Supply –

  • Chipboard
  • Cutting mat + craft knife
  • Blank papers
  • Construction paper
  • Paper piercer
  • Needle + thread
  • Adhesive

Optional tools –

  • Brayer
  • Bone folder

Directions –

Cut two pieces of chipboard, the size of your desired cover and one narrower strip, the length of your desired cover and the width of your desired spine (about ½“ should do for the width).

Cut the patterned paper 2” longer and wider than your cover chipboard pieces (an inch more in each side).

Adhere the patterned paper to each cover – use a brayer to insure the paper sticks well to the chipboard.

Cut the corners of the patterned paper – but not all the way to the chipboard.

Adhere the patterned paper’s rims to the chipboard. (a bone folder can be helpful)

Cut a piece of construction paper to cover the spine, allowing an inch of a rim all over.

Adhere the spine to the center of the construction paper and apply glue only to the parts which are marked with an ‘x’ in the picture below. Allowing a ¼” of unglued paper near both sides of the spine.

Adhere the spine to the cover pieces, as shown below.

For the inserts of your journal cut the blank papers ½” shorter than the length of the spine and 2 times the width of the covers pieces, minus ½”. (That means that if your cover is 6” in length and 5” in width – you need to cut your blank papers at 5½” X 9½”).

Fold the blank papers lengthwise to find the middle mark and pierce it with 3 evenly spaced holes.

Attach all the blank papers together with a needle and a thread. If you have more than 10 inserts, it is better to make it in batches and attach each batch with the thread as well.

Cut a construction paper slightly bigger than the unfolded inserts (If we go back to the example above, it would be 5¾” X 9¾”). Adhere your inserts to the construction paper (I have used doubled-sided tape).

Adhere the covered inserts to the cover pieces, lining them with the outer cover. It is better to first adhere one side and than the next, by applying the glue and closing the cover on it.

Enjoy your new journal and get inspired !!

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial | 15 Comments »