Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Construction of a Mini

Hi everyone!  Thanks for the advice on yesterday's post!  I know we've all been there.  I imagine that can be said for any hobby.

Today I wanted to share a small mini with you that I made.

Construction:

I love it when companies make those 12x12 papers with 4 6x6 designs on them!  I think they are perfect for mini albums.  We R Memory Keepers does that.  My album today uses their Down The Boardwalk collection.

First I started with one of those papers to make my inside pages.  I knew I wanted them to be smaller than the 6x6 and I really wanted to make them shaped.  I used the perfect beach day die cut as inspiration and template for my inside pages.

I took the die cut and place it over each design and drew my template for my pages.  I wanted to keep the inside uncut as it would be the middle of my mini, where the fold was.


Typically I would draw with a pencil and then erase, but since I was doing this for a tutorial I used the black sharpie to make it more visible.  However, I highly suggest you use pencil.  :)

So my paper ended up looking like this:

Then I cut it out.


Next I took another one of those fun papers with 4 different designs to make my cover.  I started by cutting it and using 2 designs for the cover and back, keeping them 6x6.  (But I later cut them down some).

Then I just ran it all through my sewing machine to create my book.  

I also knew I wanted to use that fantastic die cut in my mini too, so I adhered it down as the center of the album.  :)

So here's my mini:



Completed Album

After this point, it didn't take long to add my photos, journaling and embellishments.  Here's my completed album:


That lace serves two purposes.  It adds to the design of the album and it keeps the album shut.  So you just untie it to open the album.


What do you think?  It's actually a very simple mini album.  Surprisingly, I didn't have too many pictures from my cruise, so I used what I had.  It was one of the most relaxing things I have ever done!  I can't wait to go on my next cruise.  :)

Thanks for stopping in today!  I hope you have a terrific day!!!


29 comments:

caroline hancock / Scrappercaz said...

WOW this is awesome i love it. I have been meaning to make one like this since i bought my first Amy Tangerine minis, but seeing as i have 5 left i have not as yet :)

Dara Lynn said...

I love this Pam!!

Johanna said...

Looks amazing, love the colours! Must be satisfying to make it from scratch! So, busier cruising than taking pictures? Shame ahah ;-)

Murphy's Law said...

Great tutorial and I love those papers. That book is adorable and fun!

Mary Pat Siehl said...

looks amazing!!

Christina Collins said...

This is really fun. Loved reading the step by step process. Very inspiring! I love how you hand cut the little sheets out.

Lisa Rukin Swift said...

So nice to be able to pick and choose styles and designs to put your own album together. This turned out beautifully! Thank you for showing the process.

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

This is GORGEOUS!!!! I absolutely loveeeeeeeeeeeee this!! WOW!! I so need to try this!!!! Thanks for the inspo!

Jingle said...

Well, that just turned out fabulous! Love your process shots!

Sagecat said...

What a cute and clever mini album!! I really enjoyed your precise tutorial...I am definitely going to try it!

Melissa said...

This is FANTASTIC! What a genius idea. I love how it turned out, you'd never think it was so simple to make. Thanks for the tutorial!

Tammy said...

That is a fabulous mini! Thanks for showing how you put it together. Makes me want to get a sewing machine! :)

Tanya Ham said...

What an awesome idea!!! Thanks so much for posting this! I'm going to have to bookmark so I remember where I saw this! :)

PattyC said...

Adorable! I just love this! Thanks for showing us how you made it.

Lisa Dorsey said...

What a great mini Pamela! I am working on a mini right now too. Love how you inspire me every time I come see your blog friend! :)

Anonymous said...

LOVE this!!! Thanks for the look-see on the tutorial :)

Pam W. said...

Wow!! This is adorable. Amazing job. Thank you for sharing!!

Cori in W. Texas said...

Freaking adorable! Makes me want to spend the day at the beach :)

Mary Jo said...

That is an absolutely amazing mini!
Love how you put it together :)

Connie Mercer said...

that was amaing~how do you think of this stuff~you must be good in math!!! love the template idea and then making the little card book. Beautiful job Pamela!!!

Tracie Marie said...

So super cute!!! I love this!! I'm so wanting to make mini books right now. I'm going to have to give it a try!!!

Busygirl said...

What a great idea! I wish I had a sewing machine though. I've seen so many mini albums put together with a sewing machine.

Linda Beeson said...

I like that you showed the steps, the shape of those pages is neat and great papers!

Norma G. said...

Oh that's cute, it turned out great!

Unknown said...

Oh my, oh my what an adorable book!!! Very creative and very giftable. This gives me some great ideas for gifts for the girls giving my dd her baby shower.

Sandra said...

I love this idea and I'm also going to bookmark because I have an idea in mind for my two adult children. We have a couple of people very close to us who are really ill and it's made me realise there's a few things I want to say privately to my children. This is an ideal way of giving that gift.

Penny said...

Sorry about the double post, I must have hit the button twice. Love Penny

Shannon91 said...

Génial !!!!! Thanks !!!
Bizz

Svetlana said...

Great idea!! I was thinking about making mini album from 30x30 paper with 15x15 pattern I love Echo park paper!
Thanks for tutorial