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Wednesday 1 May 2019

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

24 comments:

  1. Ann, thanks for the photo's this is one I'd love to try. Beautiful inspiration :)

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  2. What a lovely book from a simple folder! The die cut flowers are perfect!

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  3. This is beautiful Anne, and what a transformation from that simple folder. I love the papers you've used and all the collage bits, and the die cut flowers look really pretty. I will get around to making something like this ..... one day! Thank you for the inspiration xxx

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  4. oooh ! so gorgeous Anne! and what a fabulous way to use the folder. I love your decorative details and all those gorgeous flowers. Right up my street ! A gorgeous album x

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  5. Gorgeous Anne, love the use of the folder and the neutral palette is stunning ❤️❤️😘

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  6. Oh my goodness, this is one of my favorite minis of yours, Anne!! How creative to use one folder!! I love the soft colors and the details you added!! It's absolutely stunning!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa

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  7. Totally gorgeous Anne! Love the delicacy of this album, so soft and pretty. A glorious upcycle of a boring manilla file :) xx

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  8. Wow - fantastic idea, love the album, and it is great that you have used some items you have and put them to use. I think more than me have "stuff" in their stash that has a layer of dust growing on it (ok maybe not dust in every house LOL) Love it! Axx

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  9. This is such a beauty Anne, such a delicate looking album and everything works together so beautifully. Have a very happy May, Sue xx

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  10. This is so brilliant Anne! I love the way you did the folds on the file folders...so brilliant. The chic vintage look of everything is so fresh...gorgeous!

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  11. Oh, this is so beautiful, Anne. Your delicately tinted floral die-cuts appearing in the pages are like pressed flowers from times past, and I love all the little tags and pockets and collage elements. Beautifully done, and so gently meditative as you turn the pages.
    Alison x

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  12. It’s great to see how you’ve put it together Anne. It’s a beautiful album
    Lynn xx

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  13. Now this is really beauty Anne, how clever to use the file folder in such a way to construct this album. I can feel the joy you felt when ready to play and design those pages. You've used some of my favourite new dies from Tim, the crochet lace die is amazing isn't it!! Love all the tags you've added and there still lots of space left to decorate at your will. I know this one will be even more beautiful in real life...
    Hugs Tracey xx

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  14. This is so delicate and so beautiful Anne! What a fabulous design (I'm going to try one of these) and I love the papers used. I love all the tags and pockets and the floral die cuts and collages are just gorgeous! Such a beautiful little album! hugs xx

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  16. Anne, you definitely surpassed the challenge to yourself with this incredible journal! Just the idea of using a Manila folder was amazing to me and then you created this thing of sheer beauty. WOW! Such a creative and inspiring creation. Love this!

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  17. I love how you think, Anne! The way you've constructed this album with the folds and pockets is genius and your finishes are so soft and feminine--a real show stopper! It's funny, when I was trying to think what mini I could make for the last challenge (in the final hours), my eyes fell on my file folders, but nothing remotely as cool as this came to mind! You're a paper/card/fabric wizard, that's what you are! Thank you for the inspiration and fabulous tutorial! Hugs!

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  18. Anne, your mini book looks so beautiful in neutral shades, with just a few delicate vintage images and gorgeous details, like those fabulous pieces of lace. An elegant "less is more" kind of project!

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  19. This is just lovely, Annie! It reminds me of botanical notebooks I have seen in museums where lovers of nature would write down the species they saw on their walks through the woods and on holiday. That crochet die is a new and awesome element for your beautiful creations! Hugs, Darnell xxoo

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  20. Nearly missed this one. Love it. Angela xXx

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  21. oh now this is a beauty, Anne . So delicate in tone - those papers are gorgeous . How you brought yourself to cut into them I do not know but so glad you did as you have certainly shown them off to their best by creating this exquisite album.
    Hugs x

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  22. I love this my friend, it's soooo gorgeous! Such a clever design too. Lovely soft colours and beautiful detail. Hugs xxxxxx

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  23. What a gorgeous album, and a super tutorial!

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  24. What a lovely little album Anne! I totally adore all your little touches throughout. Those TH flowers are the perfect detail. You have such a good eye for design!
    ~ Heather

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