Star Album

Pictures of my Star Album! The album, when closed, is 5.5 x 4. The area of each page inside - to either hold a picture, or words...this would be a very sweet mothers day gift/card combo!!

Cover

Opening the album!

Another page!

Completely open, for display. Top view

Isn't it cute?

I love it!

Starting to close it, back into book format

Back cover

How To: Make a Photo Album

I decided to make my photo album to hold this years pictures. Last year, I made this one. It's very cute, and I just love it. I was looking for something different, but cool too...

My inspiration came from this album. I purchased this at Blacks (Canadian store), in 2002, for 15.99 I believe. It could have been 24.99. Anyway, it's a plain book with a textured paper cover, and full of plain black cardstock. I really like it because it's classy and simple.

Some inside shots of the album! This one is a 12x12.

So now to make my own!! I didn't want the front and back to be so plain. I decided on an 8x8 size, and had a bunch of pictures enlarged to that size. Then I covered the chipboard in black 80 lbs cardstock (from SU), and made my covers with the pics I wanted to use. I then covered the whole page in Mod Podge and let dry. This creates a very "painted" look that doesn't show up well in the pics, but it looks really cool in person.

Waiting for the Mod Podge to dry!

I used a template I made to get the holes right (and straight!), and then a Crop-a-dile to punch them out. It's bound with O-wires from Bind It All (purchased at a local scrapbooking store). I don't have the Bind It All machine, but you can do it the hard (long way), by punching out the holes by hand and then feeding the wires into the holes and clamping shut.

Front Cover!

Open album

Inside cover and first page. The inside cover is covered in mod podge, the first pic is not.

Another page in the album

Another page. Simple. I like it!

Back page and back inside cover

Back outside cover of album

I made this whole album, *including* the printing of all the pictures and enlargements for less than $20. Most of these items I already owned, but here is there approx cost.

Chipboard - 2 pcs of 8x8 = 1.00
All pictures and printing = 14.00 (at Costco)
Mod Podge - I used less than 1/4 of a jar costing 6.95 = 1.73
O-wires = 2.00
Paper = 2.00

Simple, cute, cheap...AWESOME. I love it!

How To: Use a Paper Trimmer

Are you confused by certain measurements when you see them? Having a good paper trimmer will help you, I promise. Always make sure you have the paper snug and straight against the top ruler portion to ensure accurate cuts.

Make sure you have a paper trimmer with an arm that swings out. It can cut 12 x 12 sheets of paper. Fiskars is the brand I would recommend, personally.

I'm making these pictures pretty big, so you can see the details I've added

Add caption

Some examples of measurements and where they are found.

Once you get familiar with your paper trimmer, it's very quick and easy to use. Don't let little-known measurements scare you!

Making your trimmer last forever - TIPS!
Buy replacement blades from Stampin' Up, Michaels, etc. When you cut paper and it burrs the edge a little, instead of a perfect crisp cut, it's time for a new blade.

After much use, my lettering/numbering etc on the main base of the board began to fade and wear off. I took a sheet of sticky rub on laminate (I happened to have had this on hand from years ago), and covered this area (the silver part), and them trimmed to precision with a hobby blade. The printing on the trimmer is now protected, and it should last forever!

I have marked popular cuts on my trimmer with a Sharpie. Right on the ruler part. I have a dot right at the 5.5 mark, which is the most common cut you'll make with homemade cards. It's easy for your eye to see that spot and you never accidentally cut it a 1/4" too small or large!

How To: Trifold card - Video

*PLEASE FORGIVE MY CAMERA* I desperately need a new one, it's broken and over exposes everything. I'll get a new one soon. This should give you the idea though!

This card is really easy to make, and can make a big impression!

"and can be done lots of different ways for different occasions"

This card is one of the options for the Stamp A Stack Class I am holding on Friday

1. Cut your Taken with Teal cardstock to 5.5x11
2. Score at 2 and 3 3/4 from each end. Use a bone folder to go across your score line and make them "tight".

3. Cut designer paper or card stock to 1 3/4 x 5 1/4 (for the front panels). Mine are Very Vanilla card stock, embossed with a Big Shot Impressions Die, to give it some pretty texture. Sponge the edges of the Very Vanilla with Taken with Teal ink. Center and attach to card, using adhesive. A pretty patterned paper would look so nice too!

4. The center image: This can really be any size that would look proportionate to the size of the card. Depending on the stamped image you choose, your dimensions could be larger. I used the stamp set Happy Moments, with the Stamp-a-ma-jig. Very Vanilla piece is cut to 1 7/8 x 2 6/8. Sponge the edges of the vanilla paper.

5. Attach stamped image to Teal background piece, slightly larger than the vanilla one. Dimensions are 3 x 2 1/8. Pierce paper and apply embellishment brad.
6. Adhere the image to only HALF of the center portion of the card, so it will still open.
7. Color the image with ink and blender pens.
NOTE: If you use a dark paper that would not be visible for writing, adhere a piece of coordinating light colored cardstock to the middle back portion of the card. Dimensions would be 3 1/4 x 5 1/4. Sponge the edges with the matching ink.