No-Sew Mini Photo Album by Yvonne Russell

QUIRKY ANCESTORS NO SEW MINI PHOTO ALBUM WITH INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS

Hi, it’s Yvonne here. Open the door and peek inside the Quirky Ancestors Mini Album with some equally quirky ArtStacks quotes. I love interactive elements and fun surprises so there are some of those as well.

WHAT I USED:
I used a mix of different ArtStacks packs including paper, card, quotes and tissue paper plus a few things from my own stash.  My Altered Ancestors are from Lorraine Haight Moraine’s CoreStack. I also really enjoyed playing with the ArtStacks blue transparent acetate from Lorraine Haight Moraine’s BackStack this time – perfect for my theme to simulate the sky. The pattern on the acetate gave it a sense of movement and depth.

I have a YouTube flip through with a very brief “How to” or you can follow the step by step instructions below.

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Fold three (or more) pieces of Kraft or similar paper or card in half to your desired booklet size. NOTE: I used three pieces of paper and made one signature. Three was plenty as I added a lot of extra elements and layers which increases the thickness. If you want more pages, it may be better to make two signatures with three pages each rather than one signature with more pages.
2. FRONT COVER:
   Glue door image and add a tissue paper “ground” strip. Add fussy cut flowers, girl image and a title which in my case was “Album”.
3. GENERAL PAGES:
   Cut, stamp or draw photo frames if desired. Add images, quotes and decoration. I added backgrounds behind the frames and fussy cuts to some of the photos. I hid some of the quotes under “scrappy booklets” and under the flip up for added interest and fun.

 

4. FLIP UP – CONSTRUCTION:
   Cut the full length of an A4 or Letter Size ArtStacks Backstack card sheet vertically a little less than the width of the mini album page. Attach with washi tape, paper or fabric across the width of the flip up both inside and outside across the top. Check that it folds down without any resistance and sits well.
   FLIP UP PAGE DECORATION:
   Fold this long piece in the desired place and add your image to the inside so it is visible when you flip this up but not visible when you first open to this page. I added some lines for balloon “ropes” from the balloon to the man’s chair or you could glue down wool or string instead. I added an Air Mail sticker to the balloon just for fun.
5. ALBUM PAGE UNDER FLIP UP:
   Add a quote to the actual album page so it is hidden under the flip up and is revealed when you lift it. I left the reverse of the blue card blank to provide journalling space (optional).
6. POCKET PAGE:
   On the left page opposite the fold up page, I added a sewn card pocket. Inside I added labels and journal spots related to the theme.
7. LAST PAGE – POCKET FOR REMOVABLE JOURNAL CARD:
   Make a photo frame into a gusseted pocket (allows more space than just gluing three sides down). I crumpled the photo frame, straightened it out and added alcohol inked sticky/sellotape to give the effect of a repaired, well worn much treasured photo. Glue a background on the page large enough to “fill” the frame. Glue the pocket into place (sides and bottom leaving the top open).

8. JOURNAL CARD: Cut a journal card to size from the doors image and add the cat. Add a top tab to the journal card for ease of removal and place in the pocket.

9. BINDING – This is so simple…no sewing… just wind a string or ribbon a couple of times through the centre to tie off at the top outside of the cover. Decorate as desired. I added key and heart charms and alphabet beads to make the word “Family” and threaded them through a bulb pin. I also added a sari silk ribbon as a simple closure.

OPTIONAL: I inked liberally to define the edges and to add to the vintage effect.

 

ARTSTACKS KITS USED:

Lorraine Haight Moraine’s CoreStack: Physical Stack and Digital Stack

Lorraine Haight Moraine CoreStack

Lorraine Haight Moraine’s BackStack: Physical and Digital

Lorraine Haight Moraine BackStack

Doors & Windows CoreStack: Digital

Doors & Windows

Anemones & Friends CoreStack: Digital

Anemones & Friends

Witty Words MiniStack: Physical

Witty Words

I hope you enjoy following along with me!

Yvonne