Firsts!

Hello there! I'm back to share a project that was one of the reasons I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks--my first paper bag mini album! Actually, I made a mini album for a friend two years ago, but it didn't start out as an album. It started out as an accordion fold card. But, it just kept getting bigger until I had to start calling it an album. The album I have today actually started out as an album, from the get-go. And, as another first, for me, I've made a short video of the album so you can see it in all it's glory! (The idea of having to edit a dozen photos was not appealing to me at all--learning to make a video was WAY easier!) ;D

I've never wanted to make mini albums, mainly because I don't scrapbook, and mini albums seem a lot like scrapbooking, to me. But, over the summer, my DD spent the night at a friend's house for the first time, and then had that friend spend the night with her, for the first time, also, and after taking a lot of pictures to document the milestones, I needed a place to put them. So, I made an album for my DD and another for her friend.

For my DD's album, I also made a slipcase. I used two bookbinding books to learn to do it:

Bookbinding: The Classic Arts and Crafts Manual by Douglas Cockerell

Book Art Studio Handbook by Stacie Dolin and Amy Lapidow

Click here to view video in YouTube.

Okay, here's my very first action-packed video! I debated speaking in the video, but being that I'm a Southerner and have the drawl to prove it, in the end I decided that some upbeat music was a better way to go--at least for this one ;) Enjoy!

This is how I attached the ribbon pull on the spine of the album. If it gets dirty or worn, all I have to do is snip, run a new ribbon through the eyelets and button, and tie a couple of knots.

I didn't know much about any kind of mini album, so I started by watching dozens of YouTube videos. Kathy Orta and Jane at Velocityvette08 were the two people I came back to over and over. They make amazing projects, and I never got tired of watching them in action. I ended up creating my album very similar to Kathy's Vertical Paper Bag Album, making my album pages like she did, and attempting to use the same type binding. I couldn't find detailed instructions on the binding, so it may not be right, but it works, just the same. 

After seeing all the beautiful mini album jewelry people use on their mini albums, I just had to have a chunky charm for the spine of this one, so I learned to do that, too. YouTube to the rescue again! This time it was Butterbeescraps and her Charm Tutorials that helped me out.  

Here's a closer look at the tangle tags. I love how they turned out!

This project took me almost two weeks to make, since I had to keep stopping to watch YouTube for instruction and inspiration. The album is not nearly as ornate and fancy as most albums I've seen, but they turned out just perfect for two sweet 10-year old girls.

I'm still a cardmaker at heart, but I can hardly wait to make another mini album. This was a lot more fun than I ever expected it to be.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create Challenge #86: Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge #206 - "B" Unique: Button, Beads, Bags

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.