I love making mini albums–accordion albums, envelope albums, chipboard albums, I just love them all. I have a passion for traditional scrapbooking as well, but there is something so satisfying about making a little project mini-album. I love them for singular events, keepsakes, and also to give as gifts. And they are the perfect creative place for playing with new tools or for trying new techniques. So, I made a cardstock mini-album (with a twist!) for my latest Xyron Makers Team and Craft O’Clock Creative Team Projects.
For this entire project, I used my Xyron Creative Station Lite machine and my Xyron Mega Runner adhesive. This post has been sponsored by Xyron. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The paper for this project was sponsored by Craft O’Clock. Some of the product links in this post are affiliate links. Clicking on these links helps to support Sandpaper Road, and you won’t pay anything extra when you make purchases through these links. Thank you very much for your support!
So, to create the structure of my mini album, I used 5 sheets of basic 8-1/2″ x 11″ cardstock trimmed to the following dimensions:
9-3/4″ x 6-1/4″ (24,77cm x 15,88cm)
9-1/2″ x 6-1/4″ (24,13cm x 15,88cm)
9-1/4″ x 6-1/4″ (23,5cm x 15,88cm)
9″ x 6-1/4″ (22,86cm x 15,88cm)
8-3/4″ x 6-1/4″ (22,23cm x 15,88cm)
I scored each piece horizontally at the 4-1/4″ mark. Then, I turned each piece around so I could score it on the OTHER END horizontally at the 4-1/4″ mark. So, when you hold each piece of cardstock horizontally in your two hands, you have one score mark 4-1/4″ from the left edge and one score mark 4-1/4″ from the right edge.
For more detailed instruction, watch my step-by-step video tutorial HERE:
I folded all the score lines with my bone folder. Then, using my Xyron Mega Runner, I adhered all the cardstock together in the center, stacking the pieces of cardstock on top of each other like a little tower. I was careful to center each piece exactly.
This project uses 20 sheets of paper, which in this case is one entire 6″ x 6″ paper pack. I used the “Vintage Bisou” Paper Collection from Craft O’Clock. I trimmed down the sheets to measure 4″ x 6″, and rounded the outside corners of the cardstock and the patterned paper, as well. I did, however, leave the inside edges of the paper square (the edges closest to the spine).
I chose patterned paper for the front and back cover, and I trimmed down the coordinating scrap strip to 1″ x 6″ to use for the outside spine. Using the 5″ Permanent Adhesive refill in the Xyron Creative Station Lite made adhering the patterned paper go so FAST!
For added strength (plus decoration), I pierced a few tiny holes down the center of the spine and added decorative metal brads.
Most often, mini albums require some sort of ribbon tie, gift box or magnet closure to hold them closed. For this project, however, I am using the Xyron Creative Station Lite to make my magnetic closure. I mask off a section of the paper I plan to use as a closure (just with scrap paper). Then, I run it through the Xyron Creative Station Lite with the magnetic refill in place. After removing the mask and snipping off the excess magnet, I mask the strip again (this time over top of the magnet, and using the adhesive refill). The result is one strip that has adhesive on one end, magnet on the other, and a blank space in the center. Check out the video tutorial (earlier in the post) for step-by-step instructions.
When I decorated the outside cover, I used lots of metal brads and eyelets. The metal attracts to the magnetic strip, creating a natural closure.
To use up the 2″ x 6″ leftover strips, I created little “pockets” just by notching the middle of the strip with my envelope punch board and using the Xyron Mega Runner on three sides. I also rounded the corners, as well. I like the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board because it has a corner-rounder on one end and the “notch” punch on the other.
I embellished the album with extras from the “Vintage Bisou” Collection: fussy-cut pieces from the “Extras to Cut” sheet, envelopes from the “Envelopes to Cut” sheet, plus cut-aparts from the “Project Life Cards” set, and die cuts and quotes from the “Vintage Bisou” collection, as well. Aren’t they BEAUTIFUL?
I used the Xyron Creative Station Lite Permanent Refill to adhere all my embellishments. Before I added my photos, I ran them through my Xyron using the Laminate Refill cartridge. I love that I can change out the cartridge right in the middle of the project, even before the cartridges are empty. This way, all my photos are laminated (without using a heat laminator). This takes the place of using “page protectors”, as I would in a conventional scrapbook album. Plus, laminating the photos allows me to use photos on facing pages. Without the lamination or page protector, the photos would stick together once the album is closed.
Here’s a look at the finished album!
Thank you for looking! Please share with your crafty friends! And don’t forget to follow the Sandpaper Road blog, so you never miss a dose of crafty inspiration!
