More Mini Albums

These two mini albums were made with the Bohemian Bazaar collection from Graphic 45.  Both have a stack the deck binding system. The large one is made with evelopes while the smaller one with the wrap around cover, is made with tags as pages.

Mini Album Madness!!

Where have I been? What have I been doing? Making mini albums:) I am so thoroughly addicted! This one is like an exploding box, only instead of a gift or a tea light inside, there are mini albums. I had the MOST FUN making this because the paper is absolutely to die for:) It is the French Country collection from Graphic 45. I used a 12 x 12 pad, a, 8 x 8 pad a package of chipboard die cuts, and a package of tags and envelopes. I saw a picture of an exploding box mini album on line and set out to make my own after studying the pictures. Constructing the box was the hardest part. I can make all kinds of boxes from cardstock, but I thought this needed to be made from chipboard in order to support the weight of the book. I had to make the lid twice to get it to fit correctly. The bottom looks like a cross when it is open - that is two separate sections one adhered on top of the other. I couldn't figure out how else to do it.

Outside of the box. The handles are Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby.

Side of box on the outside.

Top of box on the outside.

When  you remove the lid the box explodes open and looks like this. The main section is the envelope mini on the right. On the left and behind the envelope mini, are two accordion sections. The top skinny portion is just for decoration while the bottom skinny portion (side of box) contains two mini envelopes with journaling tags.

This accordion file folder, with photo mounts for six photos.

 The file photo mounts inside were made with my Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board. The closure on the front flap is a magnetic snap from Basic Gray.

Made with 3 black envelopes cut down a bit.

Photo mats inside accordion file folder.

Photo mats inside accordion file folder.

Decorative section. Love this rooster!

Envelopes contain journaling tags.

The first page in the main section which has a Stack the Deck binding system. This mini is made from black envelopes. This page has an opening at the top for a card containing 4 mats for photos or  journaling.

Inside of the same card above.

Back of the same card above.

The back of the first page has a pocket for journaling tags.

The journaling tag on the left is a portion of the paper that I cut and put on a card for photos and journaling.

Inside card from above photo.

This envelope page also has file folder style photo mounts inserted in the top section.

Back of the cards shown above. Sigh... isn't this gorgeous paper!

Another page set up in the same way.

Alternating pages are open from the side for side loading tags.

The last page in the envelope mini, with the other accordion file folder on the right.

Written Tutorials and Videos

I'm finally feeling pretty good. No walker or cane, and the pain is at a normal level now. I'm even sleeping 6 hours at night! I think I'm finally back, 5 weeks after total knee replacement surgery. Let me tell you it is noooo picnic. It is such a prevelent surgery and you are able to walk the day of surgery, so you think eh, piece of cake. NOT!!!! It is an extremely painful ordeal and the healing takes a very long time. Not t mention that anesthesia really stays in your system a while and together with the strong pain meds, your mind is just not as clear and sharp as usual.

So all that is my attempt to explain my lack of a proper response to the paper bag mini album that I posted awhile back.  I watched and rewatched a series of videos and took copious notes before making that album.  I often think I prefer written directions with photos to a video. I am in the minority in that respect. I'm a teacher and I know how vital mulitmedia is in reaching people's various learning styles. I always end up writing all the directions down when watching videos. Yeah, I'm weird, what can I say?

When a couple people asked me for directions or a tutorial I told them I didn't have them written down yet and emailed them a link to the video series by Ginger Ropp. Why didn't I just post a link in the blog post???? Geeze slaps self upside the head! Here is a link to Ginger's video series.
Here are my written directions. I gotta tell you she does a very good job too. I really appreciate the fact that she doesn't say umm a bazillon times, make you watch/wait while she fussy cuts an intricate design, slowly show/describe each and every single product and all the various colors used. She doesn't force you to wait while she goes to look for something either!! There are a lot of poorly done videos on YouTube, but Ginger's are NOT in that category. Her videos are very well done, and this is high praise coming from  an impatient woman who used to be that hyper little girl who drove her teachers batty!!