File Folder Album for Mini Album Makers

Hello Friends

The first of the month means a new challenge at Mini Album Makers and it would be lovely if you could join in with us.  Our rules are straightforward, any handmade book goes. Enter any form of handmade mini albums, scrapbooks, journals and book arts.  You must add our badge to your post and link to our challenge to be eligible to win a prize.  Please see the full rules on the Mini Album Makers blog HERE.

I had a single manila file folder sitting on my desk and I wondered if I could make a whole mini album from it, and it worked!

Here is how I made the mini album:

I started by cutting the file folder in half mid way and I then folded the outer edges towards the middle, no measuring, but I did try to keep the folded edges all in a line, at the left hand side, so that the edge of the album would be nice and neat.

This is how it looks after folding.  Later on I rounded some of the pages, including the cover.

I separated the two sections and added glue to the marked areas above and also along the spine section (not shown as marked above). This creates a lovely big 'pocket' in the middle of the journal.
Note:  It is not strictly necessary to add glue to the spine edge to create the pocket as a binding will be added to the finished album.

I then created two top opening inner pockets by gluing two edges, as shown above, leaving the top of each one open.

The mini album comprises four sets of pages and three pockets, two at the top and one at the side, all of which you can add tags or keepsakes to.

Now it was time for the fun part!  I had some lovely neutral tone papers in my stash and I used these to line each of my pages.  I added some random pieces of collage and some washi tape here and there.  I added a beautiful Tim Holtz flower die cut (Sizzix 664163) on top of the collage.  I also finished each of the edges of the pages with Antique Linen Distress Oxide to give a neat finish.

For the next set of pages I created a pocket on the left side, decorated with Tim Holtz's latest Crochet die (Sizzix 664178) to finish the pocket.  I added some collage to the right hand side along with another Tim die cut flower.

For the third set of pages I created another pocket on the left side, finished it with another piece of Tim Holtz Crochet die cut - it looks like real lace.

For the final pages I added some collage papers and another die cut flower.

I added a border strip to the edge of the completed album, to finish it off and make it look neat.  For the ribbon closure I added a little envelope to the back and threaded some sari ribbon through.

I decorated a few tags (standard size 8 trimmed to fit) and tucked these into the pockets.

Here is another view of the front, I added more of Tim's flowers to finish off.  I also added some of Tim Holtz's Clippings Stickers word strips to each of the pages and to the cover.

The size of the finished album is approx. 5.3/4" by 5" at it's widest.

Our Sponsor this month is The Funkie Junkie, a wonderful Craft Boutique, who are offering a Prize Package to one randomly selected winner.

Website: www.thefunkiejunkie.com
Blog: http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com/

We do hope you will join in with us this month at Mini Album Makers.  I hope you will visit to see what my talented teamies have made to inspire you!

Thanks so much for your visit, it is much appreciated!

Hugs, Anne xx