MaD[ly]scrapping

SBS - Ya Game!

2009-07-03T11:24:00.005+08:00

Full Step by Step Instructions to help you create this layout:

Step #1

Gather your pics and papgers:

2 sheets Cardstock - Same Colour
4 Portrait 4x6 Photos
1 Landscape 5x7 Photo

3 sheets of PP, all different

Step #2

Trim 1 PP to 10x12 - place on the RHS, centred Top, Bottom and Right. It will overlap onto the LH Page

Trim 1 PP to 6x12 - place the the LHS, 1.5 inch in from Left & up from Bottom. It will overlap onto the RH Page

Trim 1 PP to 2 Strips @ 1x12 - Save these for later.

Step #3

Rule a line in pencil across the RH Page 3 inches down from the top, do the same on the LH Page.

Place 3 of the 4x6 Portrait pics across the 12 inch width on the RH Page, spanning side to side with no spaces. Place the other 4x6 on the very left of the LH Page.

Next place the 5x7 Landscape pic centred on the matt created between the 4x6 photo lines.

Step #4

Grab the 2 x inch high strips you put aside.

These both go under the 4x6 pics, in line with the base of the 5x7 photo, as shown.

OK... now we are going to draw some journaling lines, you can do this in pencil and erase later. These are going to be placed on the space about the 5x7 photo. Use the line of the top of the 4x6 pics as a guide and keep all your lines underneath this. It makes the perfect spot for a journaling area.
Add your journaling now if you wish... or you add it once we've finished.

Step #5

Title time...
We have a lot of a space for a nice FAT title! Place your title in the area above your journaling area... you've got about 11 inches width to play with here!!

Step #6

Embellish... since I've done a masculine LO my embies are simple. But the placements would work whatever you are using.

Put a small grouping near or interacting with the title and then a larger grouping in the bottom right corner.

Because my paper is very lineal and graphic, but my main embies are grungy I've added some little tiles that have been finished in the same way as my grungeboard skulls to help combine the 2 effects. Depending on your choices your LO may balance simply with the 2 embellished areas.

Happy Scrapping!!

SBS - Poser

2009-07-03T10:50:00.004+08:00

Full Step by Step Instructions to create this layout:

Step #1

For this one we are going to gather some supplies first...

1 5x7 Portrait Photo {one that will suit flowers}. You could also matt a 4x6 or use 2 4x6 landscape shots

1 Cardstock
3 Patterned Papers
Short Title, we'll have space for about 1.5 H x 3 W inches

Ribbons - to match. 10mm ribbon works well, with some 5mm for accents and 20mm for a big bow.
Anywhere Hole Punch
Awl, Darning Needle {or something to poke things with, thread stuff through holes with, I used pointy tweezers}

Step #2

1st we'll cut the papers:
1 PP to 7x5 inches - A
1 PP to 9x9 inches - B
1 PP is going to be a curved wave... 2 inches @ left > 3.5 inches @ right & 12 inches width - C

And now stick 'em down:

A - 1 inch in Top & Left
B - 1 inch in Bottom & Right
C - Falling just over the bottom of A and across B

And place your Pic - Fitted Top & Left of B

Step #3

We're going to make some pretty ribbon flowers and we're going to make them right onto the layout!

If you are concerned with going right onto the layout, cut some circles from Cardstock and work on those, you can then attach these to your layout.

I have placed some cutout circles with removable tape in the positions I want, just to make it easier. They'll be placed to the right of the photo and one in the bottom left corner.

Flower How To:

Punch 1 hole and then 5 holes around this hole in a circle {they don't need to be perfectly spaced}

Starting with one of the outer holes, thread a ribbon length from the back, through the hole and then into the centre hole, leaving it with some 'puffiness' to hide the outer holes {if you pull it taut you will see the holes and that's not so pretty}

Continue for the rest of the holes, working outside to inside and then secure at the back. Finish the flower centre with a rhinestone, brad, bead or button.

I have used a standard hole punch size with10mm Grosgrain ribbon which works well. I did try a 20mm ribbon, but that was a struggle on the last 'petal', however it did make really cute 'softer' puffy flower {it's the purple and white striped one}

Once done, use the thin ribbon to make 'stalks' from the flowers to the bottom of the page, and the 20mm to make a big bow to tie the bouquet together, place the bow about 1.5 inches up from the base of your page.

Step #4

Add your title, this will fit above your bow, to the right of them bottom of your photo, and then we're done.

I've added some more cutouts from the PP, depending on the size and positioning of your flowers you may not need anything extra...

Happy Scrapping!!

SBS - Black & White

2009-07-03T10:32:00.005+08:00

Full Step by Step Instructions to complete the following layout:

Step #1

Grab a plain cardstock as your base {not a patterned PP}, and 2 4x6 Portrait Photos, these are to be the same photo but change one to Black & White or Sepia... alter it in some way, so it's different to the other.

Step #2

OK... lets have some Fun!!

Go get some acrylic paints... at least 3 colours that will suit your photos. I've used Black, Butterscotch, White, Gold, some KindyGlitz and Glimmermist {yep, I cut sik, the effect is gorgeous although the camera isn't picking it up}

OK, I've used the Black to fill most of the background, just got in there with my hands. Then I've blobbed some dots of the paint across the top, grabbed an old credit card {any plastic card is perfect} and then dragged the card over the cardstock, mixing and blending the paints. Yep... I created a huge mess, was fun!!

There is a tutorial I created for Aussie Scrapbooking with more photos... but anything really goes to create a background of your very own, full of colour and texture.

If you don't have paints, maybe use some Inks, Watercolours or Glimmermists, or you could skip this step as we'll build on top of this later.

Step #3

Grab a PP or Plain Cardstock to use as a matt for your photos.

Matt one of your photos, centred... my matt is 7x5 1/2inches. You can perhaps ink or paint the edges or doodle if you wish, I've left mine plain for now, will see it it needs something later.

Next find a journal sheet, about 6x3.5 inches... preferably with a curved or decorative edge to add some softness to the LO

Also we'll need some PP or Text about to about 7x5 inches.

Step #4

Okies... lets stick some stuff down!!

Now we need a 8x8 PP or Cardstock to separate the pics etc from the background. I've also cut out a piece of the painted background to use later, since it's being hidden by the 8x8 matt.

Place elements as shown... your 7x5 PP/Text in the top right corner, about 1cm in & twisted on an angle. Then your matted pic centred left on the 8x8 {or 10x10} matt. Your journal sheet to the right of the matted pic, 1/2 inch in from the edge and over the 7x5 PP and finally your 2nd photo on an angle overlapping the the matted pic, covering quite a lot of it and helping to make the angled pic a feature {clear as mud?}

Step #5

Embie time!

Choose an embie to suit your LO and to be positioned along the bottom right corner of your photo/photo matt and across under your journal sheet.

I've used some simple Collections Branches to mimic the leaves on the journal sheet, a chippy flourish, some ribbon and the ever present flowers!!

Take some time to journal as well!

Step #6

Finally time to fit in a title. There's quite a bit of room to play here. I suggest a title that wraps around the top corner of your 8x8 matt to create balance with your embie cluster in the bottom right corner.

Dont' be concerned by my topic... I'm fine, but this is something I've wanted to scrap about for quite a while.

Happy Scrapping!!

SBS - Oddball

2009-07-03T10:23:00.007+08:00

Full Step by Step Instructions to create this layout:

Step #1

Grab a background sheet, 4 sheets of PP {10x10, 9x2, 6x6 & 8x4 approx} and a 5x7 photo {Portrait}, or 2 landscape 4x6's I'm trying to be a little more eclectic here so I have very varied patterns, while keeping the tones harmonious.

Step #2

Grab the 9x2 peice of PP. Distress the left hand edge if you wish. Adhere this in your top left corner, about 1/4 inch in from the edge

Grab your 10x10 PP, distress the edges if you wish and then adhere centred on your page.

Grab your 6x6 square, distressing again if desired and adhere this one on the bottom right corner, about 1/4 inch in from the edges again, over the top of the 10x10 matt.

Step #3

Grab your 8x4 piece, distress the edges if you wish and adhere this about 2 inches in from the left hand side centred vertically.

Adhere your photo over the 8x4 matt, centred vertically and over hanging the right hand edge.

Step #4

Find an embellishment that is long and thin, something to run up along the left hand edge of your page, about 10 inches. This could be ribbons or embellishment groupings, chipboard or even handcut flourishes. Whatever works with your page.

Now we need to ground all our elements and help them 'belong' to one another. To do this I'm going to suggest to use some small peices of ribbon across the bottom of the photo and the embies... and a little piece just above your photo... as shown. Paper pieces or machine stitching would work just as well!!

Step #5

Add a Title in the bottom right corner, running on from your ribbon embellishment. Have some fun with it, this is quite a fun different style LO so dare to be different! I've chosen a quirky title {to suit the pic} and have used odd fonts to match.

Step #6

Journal time... this time I think strip journalling will work a treat.

Happy Scrapping!!

SBS - The Little Things

2009-04-19T21:30:00.007+08:00

Full Step by Step Instructions to create this layout:

Step #1

This one will need 5 Pics @ 4x6, 3 Portrait {1 will need to be split} & 2 Landscape

You will need 4 kinds of papers for this.

{A} 2 @ 12Hx12W Same Pattern as a base, PP or C/S
{B} 2 @ 10Hx11W Same Pattern, PP or C/S... I would suggest a plain colour or simple pattern for these.
{C} 1 @ 8Hx12W PP or C/S
{D} 2 @ 1.5H & 11.5W Same Pattern, PP or C/S. You could also use border strips, ribbon, fabric for these.

When choosing papers for a double, choose patterns that can be joined effectively in the middle.
These have been put into layer order A,B,C,D if that helps you while choosing.

Step #2

Join your base {A} together, I always tape these at the back so they don't move while working on them.
This way you can work on the whole sheet as one peice. When I've finished is when I trim it to 2 12x12 peices.

Next trim {B} to 10x11 if not already done, and centre each on the background lined up to the centre join of course!

Trim {C} to 8x12 if not already done and centre on the left hand side of {B}, it will overlap onto the right hand page.
If you wish you can trim 2" of the right hand edge so that you can glue these down in 2 parts and not need to trim through later.

Lastly place {D} spanning across both pages, 3 inches up from the bottom of the base sheet.

Step #3

Place your photos, starting with the 1 Portrait photo that can be slpit. Cut 1 inch in from the left and place this 1.5 inches from the top of PP {B}, butting up to the edge of the Left Hand Page Centre.
Next add the other part of the photo and in a line {going right} add the 2nd Portrait pic, leaving about 1/4 inch between the 2 pics. The 3rd photo will be on an angle {as shown}

The 2 Landscape photos will go one under the other to the left of the split portrait photo, leave 1/4 inch spacings.

Or see below!

Step #4

Add a title in the space under the portrait pics {bottom right hand page}.

Add some journalling in the space to the left of the landscape photos, I have done this as journalling strips.

Step #5

Embellish!! The fun bit... I tend to always embellish last. It helps you fit in bits that need filling in, adding balance and interest where needed.

Here I suggest you add some embies in the bottom left and top right corners, with some iddy embie highlights around the journaling and title.

Happy Scrapping!!

SBS - Forgotten

2009-04-07T19:53:00.010+08:00

Full Step by Step Instructions to complete this layout!

Step #1

Gather your supplies. This one will have lots of yummy layers so gathering everything we need first will be a good idea!

You will need:

2 sheets of cardstock, different colours, 1 piece can be offcut size and light enough in colour to journal on.
3 sheets of patterned papers, 1 piece can be an offcut size

Embellishments, I'll be using flourishes, flowers, leaves and pearls.

A one word title {about 1 inch H x 5 inches W}

2 4x6 Portrait Photos that look good side by side, or 1 5x7 / 8x6 Landscape Photo

Step #2

Choose the darker {or heavier shade} of your 2 C/S sheets as a base.
Trim 1 of the PP to 11x7 inches, mark it {A} on reverse. Distress the edges.
Tear the other PP to about 8x9 inches, distress the edges further if you wish. Mark this one {B}
Tear 2 pieces out of the other C/S Sheet to about 4x8 inches {marked C1} & 2x3 inches {marked C2}, distress the edges further if you wish.
Finally tear your 3rd PP {the offcut one} to about 6x3 inches, mark this one {D}, again, distress the edges further if you wish.

Step #3

{A} is centred to the left

{B} is centred overall. Don't glue this one down all the way, just a little strip in the centre to hold it in place as we are going to make C & D fit in underneath.

{C1} slides underneath {B} in the bottom right corner
{C2} slides underneath {B} along the top, centred on {A}
{D} slides underneath {B} and over {C1} bottom left corner.

You can adhere them all now, nothing else needs to slide under anything!

Step #4

Time to place our photos.

Place them side by side centred top and bottom on PP {B} and slightly overlapping the left hand side.

Step #5

Add your title, this goes along the top of the RHS photo, starting in the TRC and working back in.

Step #6

Embellish time!

Add your embellishments in the bottom left corner and top right corner below the end of your title.

Journal in the spare space on your cardstock at the bottom right corner {C1} and you're done!

Next week we'll do a double LO with a few photos...

Happy Scrapping!!

SBS - Relax

2009-03-28T20:22:00.004+09:00

Step by Step Instructions to create your own version of this Layout:

Step #1

Select a 12x12 base stock sheet. This can be plain or patterned.

1 5x7 Photo {Landscape Orientation}, you could matt a 4x6 Landscape pic up or use 2 4x6 Portrait pics... either options will fit.

Step #2

Select 3 different patterned papers.

Trim 1 to 5Hx10w and mark it [a] on the reverse
Trim 1 to 4Hx4W and mark it [b]
Trim another to 8Hx4W and mark it [c]

For this one, if you can get patterns that have only 1 or 2 colour hues that would be great. I am using Black and Orange, with white and silver accents, essentially 2 main colours. Paper [a] will be having a title over it, so keep this in mind when selecting your PP.

Step #3

Adhere {or arrange if preferred} your trimmed PP's and Photo.

[a] 5mm in from bottom and left
[b] 50mm in from top right and 30mm down from top
[c] 5mm in from right and 25mm up from bottom

Photo then goes 50mm in from the right and 95mm down from the top {and bugger, forgot to take a pic of that bit :doh:}

Step #4

Find and adhere a title into the space left on your paper [a] under the photo. There's a lot of space so you have room for various options! I've chosen to fill mine with some ghost alphas. And now you can at least see where the photo is placed!

Step #5

Now it's time to embellish!

We're going to have 2 clusters, one at the top right of the photo and one bottom left, tying in with the title.

When choosing your embies, select 2 small pieces to be a contrasting colour to the main embies and colours of the page, this is where choosing a simple colour base adds some punch with a splash of contrasting colour. Place one of each of the contrasting embies in each cluster.

You'll notice there is an empty spot in the bottom right corner... I think this is a perfect place to pop a journal card! If you prefer, leave it blank...

Happy Scrapping!!

SBS - Heaven

2009-03-27T06:49:00.006+09:00

Full Step by Step Instructions to create this layout:

Step #1

Grab a base {patterned or plain}, I'm using a bold pattern for this one.
Grab 3 pics, standard 4x6. 2 Portrait and 1 Landscape. The landscape pic will need to be able to have the top left 1/4 covered. 1 of the portrait pics will have about 1" of the base covered {so essentially it will be a 5x4" photo}.

Step #2

Grab a pp that will contrast well, trim it to 11"H and 7"W
Place this to the RHS, centred R ,T & B.
Trim another piece of this PP to about 3"Hx3"W and put aside.

Grab another PP @ 7.5"H & 4.5"W
Place this to the RHS of your 11x7 PP, 1" from the T & 1" in from the R
Trim another piece of this PP to about 1"Hx5"W and put aside.

If you want to distress, go for it.

Step #3

Find a journal card, or another PP that works that is about 2.5"H x 4"W
While you're hunting... look for a flourish or other grouping of embies that will cover about 2" x 7" area on an angle. I've got this yummy new flourish by ScrapFX.

Step #4

OK, now we're going to place our photos, but don't stick right away as we need to slip those other little bits of PP we put aside under them.

Your 5x4 Pic goes on top of the 7.5x4.5 PP 1/2" from the top & 1.5" in from the R.
Place your landscape pic underneaath, butting up against the bottom and 1/2" in from the right
Your last 4x6 pic goes to the left on an angle, as shown. You may need to change the angles and position for yours depending on the images of the other pics.

I use removable tape to place these when I have other elements going under them, or just bring the adhesive in from the edges to allow for it. If doing this, the PP pieces will be going to the top and bottom left of the photo grouping.

Step #5

Place your little journal / PP piece above and following the same angle of your last pic placed.

Place your 3x3 PP at the bottom of your angled photo, but placed square, 1/2" in from the edge of the page and 1 1/2 up from the base of the page. It will sit underneath your photo.

Then your last little offcut goes under your bottom photo, overlapping both bits of paper showing. It sits 1" in from the left and 3/4" up from the base.

Step #6

The finishing touches...

Add your embellisment interacting with your last little PP bits we stuck down, bottom left corner.

Add a title running alongside your 5x4" pic

Journal on the Journal / PP Piece if you can, need or wish!

Ta Da... all done!!

Happy Scrapping!!

SBS - Today

2009-03-15T20:04:00.007+09:00

Full Step by Step Instructions for this layout:

Step #1
This one is going to be quite involved, but it will be easy… still only 6 Steps! So first we are going to gather our yummies!

For this we will need:

1 12x12 sheet plain cardstock
1 12x12 sheet Patterned Paper
1 7x5 piece Patterned Paper
1 7x5 piece “Notepaper”
2 border strips, fabric, lace, tape or Patterned Paper Strips that would work as decorative strips, enough to cover the 12inch width
1 large & 1 small Flourish {paper, chipboard, crystals}
1 large & 1 small Embellishment Cluster {Ie flowers, circles, stars… whatever grouping of embies would work well with you PP/Photos}

A cluster can be a large grouping or a small arrangement of a flower with a button centre, whatever works for you. The Large Cluster will be about 4 inches diameter and the Small Cluster about 2.5 inches diameter. Naturally you can wait to see what embies suit later, or if you’re like me grab everything out and change your mind at the end!

1 5x7 Portait Photo
OR
2 4x6 Landscape Photos

Step #2

Grab your cardstock background and distress the edges {roughed up, inked or both}
Next grab your 12x12 PP and tear about 2cm off all edges and ink.

If you’re not one to rip up or distress your paper this will work left clean. You’ll need to trim your 12x12 PP to around 10.5 inches square.

Adhere to your cardstock, centred each way.

Step #3

Place your 5x7 Patterned Paper 1.5 inches down from the top & 1.5 inches in from the left of your cardstock edge.
Place your 5x7 Notepaper in the same position but at the bottom right.

Stick down if you feel comfortable doing so!

Step #4

5x7 Pic:
Place just under and inch {2cm} down from the top & in from the left of your 5x7 Patterned Paper piece.

4x6 Pics:
Bring 1cm down from the top & in from the left of your 5x7 Patterned Paper piece and slightly angle the bottom photo to add some interest.

Add your 2 border strips underneath and slightly overlapping the bottom of the photo. These can be straight or crooked, depending on what works for you!

Borders

Step #5

Add your Embellishment Clusters & Flourishes…

The Large one goes towards the bottom right corner, overlapping the Notepaper & your photo.
The Small one goes in the top left corner, overlapping the top of your photo.

Your Large flourish runs along the bottom, over the top of your 2 border strips and interacting with your large Embie Cluster
The Small Flourish interacts with your small Embie Cluster, running downwards on the left of the page, bordering your photo.

Step #6

Add a Title in the area above your Notepaper. Yes, it will need to be a short and sweet one!

Now you can finish by journaling on your Notepaper area, you’ll see I bought some of my title into the journaling area using some little alpha stickers!

And that’s it!

Happy Scrapping!!

SBS - Serenity

2009-03-07T22:38:00.004+09:00

Full Step By Step Instructions to create the following layout:

Step #1

Choose 1 Portrait 5x7 Photo, or 1 Portrait 4x6 Photo and matt it to 5x7..

Choose 1 Cardstock as your background and then 3 co-ordinating patterned papers. Full sheets of the PP aren't necessary, we should get away with ½ > ¾ sheets if you want to use your scraps.

Step #2

Trim 1st PP to 10 inches high x 5 inches wide and call it {A} and then another piece of the same PP to 2 inches high x 10.75 inches wide and call it {B}

Trim 2nd PP to 10 inches high x 3 inches wide calling it {C}

Trim 3rd PP to 3 inches high x 11 inches wide calling it {D}

If you wish to do something with the edges of each {tear, distress, ink} then go for it.

Mark your pieces ABCD on the reverse as above, it should make it easier when I tell you what bit to put where.

Step #3

Let's stick down some paper!!

{A 10x5} This lovely piece wants to go to the left, centred so that there is 1 inch border top, bottom and side...

{C 10x3} Place this piece over the top of {A} to the right side... then we're going to twist to the left about 25 degrees {pointing to about 11 and 5 if it was clock hands}, then drag downwards so that it almost touches the base of our cardstock background, leaving only a few mm spare.

{D 3x11} this one goes along the bottom of the page. Centred left and right and up about 1 ¼ inches {3cm}, it should just overlap {A} to the left and show a smidgen of {A} at the bottom.

{B 2x10.75} goes over the top of {D}, centre it top and bottom and knock it over to the very right of the page, you should see approx 1cm of {D} on 3 edges.

Step #4

The photo is placed 2 ¼ inches from the base, 7cm from the right, 10cm from the left.

Next, go find some embie/s that you would like to use to decorate the bottom left area. Don't stick the embie/s down yet... we'll need to interact them with something later.

Step #5

Think of a one or two word title... it will need to fit down the right hand side of your photo, or wrap around the top and right hand side, depending on the words. This will frame the photo and balance the embie on the bottom left.

Step #6

Journaling, an integral part of your LO be it a short who when where or something more. Find or make a suitable journaling tag, something about 4 ¾ x 2 ½ inches and place it in the bottom left corner, overlapping your photo slightly, as well as your paper layers, it should fall about ½ inch from the base.

Don't journal yet, layer your embie/s over the tag, interacting with it, then journal after you know where your embie will fall over the tag... and that's it.

Friends Mini Album

2008-03-28T22:45:00.008+09:00

This was such fun to create!! I've used a Maya Road Coaster Mini Album and covered it with some We R Memory Keepers Coppered Out Patterned Papers and Bazzill. The Buzz and Bloom Botanicals were painted in brown, green and blue acrylic paint and then coated with Dimensional Magic to gloss them up and really make them 'pop' from the page! The album was decorated throughout with Bazzill Bitty Blossoms and Prima Flowers, Fancy Pants & 7 Gypsies RubOns and cute Jenni Bowlin Felt Birds. The colours of the felt birds were a perfect match for the Patterned Papers! Titles were done in American Crafts Thickers and Buzz and Bloom Diva Chipboard Alphas, and highlighted throughout with Heidi Swapp Tags and Bling Borders. Click on the image for a larger view... blogger is being a bit naughty tonight!!

Buzz and Bloom...

2008-02-16T00:09:00.008+09:00

Fave Photos 07 Mini Album, by Mistra Hoolahan

Here I have used a Buzz and Bloom Large Circle Tabbed Book. It has 3 leaves that are approx 5x7.5 inches, and that's just the face, including the tabs it almost 7 inches high!! I've teamed it up with Buzz and Bloom Diva Alphabet, Buzz and Bloom Butterfly Kisses Tokens, Sassafras Lass Starry Night Papers and Diecut Tags, Heidi Swapp Alphas, Heidi Swapp Bling, Prima "Say It In Crystals" Swirls, Prima Flowers, Junkitz Laguna Paintz, Basic Grey Periphery Buttons, DeJaViews Timeless Chipboard and a WeR Memory Keepers Decorative Eyelet.

Christmas Delights!

2007-11-25T11:51:00.003+09:00

Some Christmas Inspiration!

Here we have used Collections Mini Boxes and covered them with Basic Grey Figgy Pudding papers and a Cosmo Cricket Plain Jane Cigar box covered with papers and embies from Making Memories St Nick kit.

Mini Accordian Fold Album, by Mistra

2007-11-04T09:26:00.001+09:00

This very cute mini album may look complicated, but it's as easy as making the 'snap' boxes we used to make as kids!!

For the Pages:

1 Sheet of 12x12 Cardstock – either Patterned or Plain

Scoring Bone

Strong glue {I used Dimensional Magic}

MMM Fabrics and other embellishments to decorate

For the Covers:

Chipboard for Covers {2 pieces @ 85x85mm}

1 Sheet of MMM Fabric, cutting 2 @ 150x150mm {6inch} pieces

Strong, quick drying glue and 2/S tape {I have used quilters tape and a glue stick as the DM will run through the fabric}

Iron-On to embellish

Ribbon or Cord {optional}

To make the Accordian Pages:

Cut the 12x12 sheet to make 4 6x6inch pieces.

Score and fold each in half one way, open and then fold in half the other way, open flat again so you will see 4 even squares on each. If using 2/S Cardstock fold the other way round so the pattern is opposite to the other 2 pieces.

Score and fold each across one diagonal, open flat. Again if using 2/S Cardstock fold 2 the other way round so the pattern is opposite to the other 2 pieces.

Fold each 6x6 panel into a 3x3 square by pinching the 2 corners on the diagonals folds together, they should fold inwards. Similar to how we made the snap boxes when we were kids. Squish them flat and let them pop open again for the assembly.

Place the bottom right square to the top left square {the ones without the diagonal folds} of another piece, being sure to keep the diagonal folds in the same direction. Do this for all 4 pieces before gluing to check that your patterns are matching and that the diagonal folds form a ‘peak’ on one piece and then a ‘valley’ on the next piece.

When satisfied that everything looks as it should, glue the squares together.

To make the Covers:

Cover one side of the chipboard pieces with glue and place into the centre of the reverse of the MMM fabric. If you wish to use brads/eyelets etc as embellishments for the covers it would be best to do that before glueing the fabric to the chipboard.

Fold in the corners, then apply more glue and proceed to fold in the edges. Do this for both pieces.

If using an iron-on for embellishments to the cover do this now so that the iron doesn’t affect tapes, glues, photos etc.

Use some cord or ribbon to form a loop on one side and then a long loose length on the other side… this will wrap around the back of the finished book and make a closure. Tape these into place using 2/S Tape.

Now you can decorate by adding photos, MMM fabrics cut to fit, cutting patterns from the MMM fabrics and using other embellishments, keeping in mind that the top and bottom squares will be used to attach the album to the covers. You can decorate both sides if you wish, it’s up to you!

Take care when decorating over the fold lines… if you prefer you can decorate the pages once after you have attached the covers.

Get your accordion pages apply glue and tape to an undecorated end piece and place onto the reverse of the cover, do this for the other side and press together. Don’t apply the glue to close to the edge to avoid the glue spilling out and onto your pages. I use tape around the outer edges and glue in the centre to avoid this.

Your album is now finished… enjoy!!

You can easily make different sizes using the same rules… 8x8 starting sheets will make a 4x4 album, 12x12 sheets will make a 6x6 album. Remember to make the chipboard covers about 5mm larger all around.