Prima Amber Moon Mini Album Tutorial

After a month filled with encouragement and inspiration, our September challenge at Mini Album Makers is completed.  I am overwhelmed with the amazing response thus far!  Thanks to each one of you who have commented or entered our challenge. 

October 1 means a new challenge begins.  Head on over to the blog to see what my fabulous team has been up to.

I created a fabric covered mini album featuring the new Prima Marketing Amber Moon collection.  I chose fall colored plaid fabric for my cover.  I've written a tutorial on making fabric album covers HERE, so check that out if you're interested.  My cover features a gold embossed Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Scribble Frame Leaves.  

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts has so kindly sponsored our challenge.  The winner for October will receive a wonderful assortment of chipboards.

Now, I'm always looking for easier ways to do just about anything.  I wanted to do a nestled binding, but I thought it would be too thick to adhere the pages to flaps like I usually do, so I made continuous pages with built-in flaps.

For a 1/4" gap between pages your signatures will have a gap at the following increments:

Signature 1: 1/4"

Signature 2: 3/4"

Signature 3: 1 1/4" (or 5/4")

Each signature after the first one follows the pattern of adding 2/4" to the last measurement.  You could easily add more pages.

My first two pages cut easily.  I cut the premeasured length and then scored at the width of each page from either side.  For the sheets that didn't fit it into my paper cutter, I first scored a mark the width of my page base and folded.  I then cut through both layers at the height measurement.

I used a ruler to mark the length, then lined the markings up with my paper cutter and trimmed.

Once you get your sheets cut to the right lengths, you just score at the width of each page from either side.

Then adhere your designer paper and flaps and fiddly bits to each panel.  Apply red line tape to the backs of the two smaller signatures and adhere them all together.

You want the tops and bottoms to line up straight.  I use the sides as my guide here, so that the layers have a nice succession of 1/4" inward.

Next I raided my stash for all of my pretties.  I find that having everything laid out beforehand is very helpful and makes for a speedier process.  I have vintage trims, tons of die cut elements, beautiful chipboard by Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, and Prima flowers.  I decided to ink up all of my dye cuts before starting.  I embossed the deer and arrows in gold.  As you will see, I had an amazing time using these goodies.  

Here are my album measurements for your reference:
Base Pages: 5 5/8 x 7 1/4"
Designer Paper Pages: 5 1/2 x 7"
Covers: 5 3/4 x 7 3/8"
Spine: 1 3/4 x 7 3/8"
Photos 3 x 4"

When you pull this tag the pages flip up.  I will try to recreate this and do a separate tutorial.

Here I embossed the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Mini Flourishes Bella in ginger EP.

As you can see, I had a lot of fun with the interactive elements and embellishments!  Perhaps I should have used a 1/2" page gap, because the album almost bursts open.  :)

I have definitely made this with love and tried to use photo blanks, but the inspiration wouldn't come until I added my family photos on the pages.  I'm so happy with the result and hope that you are inspired to try an album of your own and play in our current challenge.  Best wishes!

Find these die cuts and Prima Marketing Amber Moon Products at the Funkie Junkie Boutique:

AUGUST PRE-ORDER Prima Marketing A4 Paper Pad - Amber Moon	AUGUST PRE-ORDER Prima Marketing Amber Moon Flowers - Raven	Medium Weight 12x12" Chipboard (12 Sheets)	Sizzix® Thinlits Die Set 14PK - Fall Foliage by Tim Holtz
Prima Delightfully Thin Doily Die - Parisian Lace 584047	Prima Delightfully Thin Doily Die	Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Crocheted Doily 1 by Tim Holtz 661497 (February Pre-Order)	Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Wildflowers by Tim Holtz 661190 (February Pre-Order)
Ranger Embossing Powder - Gold - Super Fine Detail	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Rusty Hinge	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Frayed Burlap

I'm also sharing with:

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

Fussy and Fancy: Shabby Chic

Really Reasonable Ribbon: Anything Goes w/Ribbon

That's Crafty! Forever Autumn