Special thanks to mrsengeseth
I thought it would be fun to make unique mini scrapbooks. These fold in an
interesting way from a 8.5 X 11 size to just about 3 inches square, just right
for tucking into a purse or bag. It will hold upwards of 16 cropped pics each,
a great brag book or place to put vacation pics. I have two variations to show
how to do.
Supplies
Bone folder
Paper glue (Mod Podge works great for this project)
Sponge brush or paint brush
1 sheet 8.5 X 11 paper (can be printer paper or typing paper)
1 sheet 8.5X 11 (per book) cardstock
Papers for covering your books, I chose a map for one and scraps for the other.
Scissors
Paper Slicer
Xacto
Cutting mat
thin not corregated cardboard
Pencil and eraser
Straight edge
Step 1
Create your template.
I chose to have my books small, using just one sheet of 8.5x 11 cardstock each
book. I created a grid of four squares by 3 squares each square measuring 2.75"
square. Create this grid on the plain paper. This left a 1/2" strip along the edge
that i later simply cut off. Now take this grid and lay it on top of your cardstock,
with the drawn grid side up, not against the cardstock. (the idea here is not to
get pencil marks on your cardstock). Using your straightedge, to guide you along
your drawn lines, use a bone folder to score the grid through the paper onto the
cardstock.
Step 2
As shown in this picture, cut the paper. The object in this step is to not cut the
paper apart. but to cut between the squares the long way, stopping before you
begin cutting at all into the last square. The second cut will be the same way
but as shown, will leave the end square on the other side. I am sorry about
the instructions in this step...please refer to the pic if I am not clear.
Step 3
fold your strips, accordian style along the scored marks. Once you get to the
end of a strip tuck the strip up under the beginning of the next row. I will
show a few pics to illustrate this, I hope it is clear...
These strips are not cut apart, they are folded and tucked in behind the
first square of the next row.
and then folded up the final row of squares... should have it looking something like this.
Step 4
Use your bone folder to crease all the folds in this acordian folded strip. Set aside.
Step 5
Now we begin to cut out the cover. For a book like cover cut a rectangle from
the cardboard. My dimensions were 3" by 6.5". Measure two 3x3" squares with
a 1/2 " strip in the center, as shown in the pic. Score the sides of the 1/2 inch
strip (this will be the "spine" of your mini scrapbook.)
Alternate Step 5
If instead you want to do a two part cover you can cut two 3"X3" squares
from the cardboard.
Step 6
Now we will cover the cardboard. Cut your paper an inch wider and longer than
your cardboard.
Step 7
Apply a thin layer of glue to the unscored side of the cardboard. Lay this glued
side down, onto the back of the paper you have chosen to cover your book in...
in this example i am covering with the map. Use your bone folder to smooth out
the paper and glue so there are no lumps. Now clip your corners as seen in the
pic. Apply glue to the edges of the paper and fold down onto the cardboard.
Use your bone folder to smooth as before.
Follow the same method if you choose to do the two part cover.
Now is a good time to take a break from all this. Place your paper covered
cardstock under a book or other weighted object to dry flat. Dry at least two
hours.
Step 8
Lining the inside of the book:
(this step can be omitted if you are doing the two part cover)
Measure and cut a piece of carstock or coordinating scrap scrappin paper.
I cut my piece 1/2 inch smaller long way and short way than the cover so
that it covers over the edges of the paper you covered the cardboard with.
(in my example i cut mine smaller than i am telling you to, so you could see
where I am putting this lining piece of paper-- hopefully to make my
description more clear )
Step 9
Attatching your accordian folded "pages".
Please bear with me in this direction too...i may not be so clear, good thing
i have a pic to help me out!
Unfold your accordian folded paper. Lay it flat as possible with the long edge
in front of you...so you are looking at 3 rows of four...(instead of four rows
of three--does that make sense??)
and with the left bottom side being a cut edge...(see pic for better idea of
what my sleep deprived mind is trying to say, lol)
Take the bottom leftmost square and apply a thin layer of glue to the back
of it. Lay this square onto your lined side of the cover. Smooth with your
bone folder. Make sure to center this square as carefully as possible in the
book. (in my illustration before it would be on the side that did not get the
lining.) Do not cross he edge of the "spine". It should only be on the right
most side, centered there.
Alternate Step 9
If you are doing the two part cover you will do it much the same as the
single part cover. Apply the glue as in the previous step 9. apply to the
cardboard side of the cover smooth with your bone folder. Rotate the page
and repeat with the second part of the cover. Smooth with your bone folder.
Making sure you use thin layers of glue is the key in both Step 9's.
Here is the best I could get for a close up of the result of this step:
To make this clear, I flipped the project over and took a pic to show location
of the covers of the alternate covers
Step 10
Fold up your mini scrapbook Using the folding method shown earlier in the
tutorial, fold up your page accordian style once more. Fold your book at
the spines over the pages (if doing the book type method)...Viola! done!
Now you can use all kinds of embellishments to personalise this...you can
decoupage cropped postcards or birthday cards etc. add ribbon as ties for
closing, add beads, stickers, die cuts, glitter, and the ideas go on and on.
These books can serve all sorts of purposes. You can make mini albums for
special occassions, trips, themes (how about making one for your child to
put in cropped pics of their friends? they can put in pics on some squares
and write about their friends on other squares.), there are all sorts of
ideas that you could do.
A big part of the fun of these books are the unusual way in which the book
folds up. you may want to show the recipient how to fold it once opened up.
Here are my finished books:
I nearly forgot to mention, when putting pics in this book, using glue may
cause the pages to wrinkle...best bet would be to use double stick tape
(acid and lignen free!!), or photo mounting squares...it will also keep down
bulk as you add to the pages.
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