Nov 1, 2018

Graphic 45 Christmas Fabric Mini Album Tutorial


It's November!  WHAT!?  As you may have noticed by now, I am knee deep into holiday crafting, so when thinking of what to create for our November Mini Album Makers Challenge, I decided to use my hoarded 12 Days of Christmas paper stash by our sponsor, Graphic 45 and created a very traditional 8x6" Christmas album, perfect for storing 4x6" photos.  Now I have held onto this paper for years, but it has just been re-released as a Deluxe Collector's Edition set this year, so make sure to grab your pad HERE.


I'll share the steps below, but first a look at the spreads inside.  Grab a cuppa, it's gonna be a doozy of a post!  LOL!  For the opening layout, I used the exquisite Flourished Frame Connie by our sponsor Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts.  I embossed it with Evergreen Tapestry EP by PSX.


All of the white photo mats allow a 4x6" photo to be slid inside for display.  Lots of flaps and folds for more photo storage.


I blended in a couple of sheets of Graphic 45 Winter Wonderland paper and a pack of Christmas embellishments I picked up at Tuesday Morning for a buck. 


The deer page features another gorgeous Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts: Flourished Frame Karen.  I embossed it with Tinsel Red EP.  Oh I love it so!




For my last spread, I used the Tammy Tutterow Waterfall die set to create the little tag flipper.  It made the process so easy! 


I modeled this album after my Prima Amber Moon album I shared HERE.  Perhaps the combination of these two posts will give you some great ideas to get started.


Following the same principles, I cut my three heavy watercolor pages as shown above.  I used a 12x18" pad for the larger size required.


I wanted to really age the bases to blend in with the Christmas paper, so I tapped Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap Distress Inks onto my kraft mat and sprayed with water, then dipped my paper edges into the puddles.  I used a brush to paint the centers.


I picked out a coordinating piece of quilters cotton and tore it to the size of my covers.  I used very thin chipboard and cut the front and back to 6x8" and the spine to 1 3/4 x 8".  I left a gap between the spine and front and back covers, then wrapped the cotton around and glued on the inside, mitering the corners.  I did not use a batting this time.  I machine sewed around the front and back covers, close to the edges.  Honestly, I'm not sure I will do this again.  I would recommend following the tutorial I mentioned above for your covers and skip the stitching...  It did work out for me, but was difficult.  The bonus was being able to stitch down my fabric doilies and focal image on the cover before assembly.  :)


On the inside I glued the edges of a strip of the same cloth inward to make nice seams, then glued this piece extending over the inside spine.  I strengthened the process by adding athletic tape to cover the raw edges, then glued my designer paper (these and the lighter pieces are from the G45 Portrait of a Lady paper line) to the inside covers.  They were cut to 5 3/4 x 7 3/4".  Last, I glued the signatures to one another and from smallest to largest, then glued the largest to the inside of my spine.


Here are some closeups of the pages.  The designer paper was cut to 5 1/2 x 7 1/2" for each page.




This panel unties to a tri-fold folio for more photo storage.



This one lifts to conceal more photos.


This one folds out.


Like this.




Here I tucked a red envelope flap beneath the paper before adhering it to the base.


It opens to reveal a pocket for photos and ephemera.





I hope this album warms your heart and makes you think of the special photos you'd love to put inside.  Why not make your own?  Or another beautiful album for our current challenge?  We'd love to have you join us.  This month's random winner will receive a generous prize package from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts!  As an added bonus, our DT is taking a break in December, so you will have two full months to link up your project!  Come and play along.  Thanks and hugs, Autumn

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21 comments:

Jane Willis said...

Absolutely stunning! I can't think of anything else to say, I'm speechless with admiration!!!

Angelwing said...

Very beautiful album, bright and magical, like a holiday!

Redanne said...

Wow, wow and wow again Autumn, this is a truly stunning Christmas mini album! The album is a gift in itself. The papers are gorgeous - I just love the little train engine and the beautiful Santa but each page is a real treat. The poinsettias and the wintry trees are lovely additions too. Great instructions as well - I love it all!! Hugs, Anne xxx

Nancy Wethington said...

How do you consistently come up with such gorgeous designs? You are amazing! This is a beautiful book and love that you used tags for the flips.

Helen Wallace said...

Another sensational little album to gift or to keep. I don't know that I would feel like giving it away. Each page is a tiny treasure and I adore the classic Christmas colours and designs. It's possibly not acceptable to choose a favourite, but I did fall in love with the sentiments in the shape of a tree, Joy, Love, Peace, Happy Christmas...says it all so perfectly. x

HMax said...

Oh Autumn, this is a treasure! I can just imagine how wonderful this will look with your family photos arranged in these fabulous layouts. I'm sure it will be enjoyed and poured over for years to come!

~Heather

Susan said...

What a beauty this is! Such a wonderful keepsake.

Gina Bloyaert said...

hallo Autumn,
what a beautiful album realy wow wow wowwww
mvg gina Belgium

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh wow Autumn, you have been busy!!! Another stunner of an album! Fantastic use of the papers and all those wonderful additional elements. Each page is like a little wonder by itself, fabulous work!!

Jackie PN said...

Autumn,
this is absolutely stunning!! Out of this world gorgeous! thank you for taking the time to share the steps!
blessings to you and your family,hoping all is well.
Jackie xx

Donna Ellis said...

Hi, Autumn! Exquisite and heartwarming! I love your use of papers and inks, and the gorgeous album. I’m always appreciative of your photos and shared creative process. I always learn so much, and marvel at your skill and imagination. Beautiful! Hugs, de

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my gosh Autumn your Christmas album is brilliant and beautiful, the perfect place to collect seasonal photos. Love it xxx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Absolutely stunningly beautiful and yes .... it does warm my heart! Your imagination in using those wonderful papers is boundless and thank you for sharing all the wonderful steps. It is the sort of book I can imagine just holding and looking through every now and again. Stunning work! Jennie x

Craftyfield said...

What a fantastic album, Autumn! I never quite know how to put lots of papers and embellishments together... I should follow your example and use some of my Graphic 45 paper hoard too!

Katie said...

Gorgeous card

Margaret Mifsud said...

Oh my goodness!! How stunning is this!! The papers are so beautiful and you have used them to perfection Autumn!! This would have to be the most beautiful Christmas album ever! Loooove it!!! hugs xx

Marty F said...

This is just stunning, Autumn! Sometimes you don't need much else when you have such beautiful paper and it's a nice change to see. As always, you add just the perfect touches. Love this!!!! Hugs :-)

Paper Profusion said...

You know what Autumn? Christmas makes don't get any better than this!! What an absolute joy and treasure trove of an album!! It is SUPERB! Nicola x

Words and Pictures said...

Another festive treat, Autumn - every page is full of delights.
Alison x

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Out of this world and put me right in the Christmas spirit! :))

Mukta Parvatikar-Maniar said...

Hello Autumn
this is so awesome...every page is a Christmas treat....love it.
Hugs

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