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Jul 1, 2018

Authentique Utopia Tropical Mini Album Tutorial


Happy July friends!  Today we launch a new challenge at Mini Album Makers.  There's a plethora of inspiration awaiting you on the MAM blog with loads of tutorials from our talented design team.  We hope you will be inspired to play along for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Lindy's Stamp Gang.



Today I'm sharing a fabric wrapped spine mini album, inspired by the stunning work of Tati Scrap.  I picked up the Authentique Utopia 12x12 pad at my local Tuesday Morning (on the never ending hunt for fabulous Tim Holtz goods of course - he he).  I also scooped up a wooden word set by Little Yellow Bicycle and used some Prima Flowers and the Tim Holtz Tropical die cut set to complete the work.


Because we've been on vacation for two weeks: 1. I went a little more vibrant than usual and 2. I kept the pages simple with out many flaps and fuss.  After all, that is what vacation is about - carefree living.  :)  Each spread has a mat for a 4x4" photo.


The die cut Hibiscus flowers are all sponged with Distress Inks.  The pineapple is by Spellbinders and the sunglasses is by Tutti Designs.





To add lots of texture to the pages I layered two identical sizes of crumpled edge prints on each page.  


Now on to the assembly...  First I cut my 5 signatures from watercolor paper to 7 x 10 3/8".  I scored each one at 5" and 5 3/8" on the long side.  I decorated the insides before proceeding.  I love this method of assembly because I can work flat with the page designs, then build my book.  It's especially helpful when adding brads and flaps because they can be hidden when the pages are glued together.


I decided to add some batting to my covers to make then nice and thick and cushy.  I cut the front and back cover to 5 1x8 x 7 1/4".  I glued the covers to the batting, then cut off any excess.  I wasn't sure if this would work well with paper wraps, but it did!  :)


Next I added a tiny bit of glue to the batting to make it stick to my paper wraps.  I cut two of them to 6 3/4 x 8 3/4".  I mitered the corners, making sure not to cut too close to the corner so the chipboard won't be seen when the paper is wrapped.


I applied Red Line tape around my paper and then adhered it to my cover.  (I sanded the corners lightly to make sure everything was smooth.)


I added some brads so it would look like they are holding the fabric to the spine.  I hammered them flat on the reverse side.


Now, I wanted to have a pattern inside on my spine that would show when the fabric gave way.  To do this, I glued my stack of signatures together in order.  I glued the back of the first page to the second, etc.  Next, I measured the width of the signatures.  This was 2".  So I cut another piece of chipboard 2 x 7 1/4" (the height of my covers).  I cut a paper wrap to 3 1/2 x 8 3/4" and then adhered it to my chipboard.


I liberally added glue to the signatures then glued them to the wrapped chipboard.


Next, I cut a width of fabric.  This fabric is a vintage table runner.  I trimmed it and glued the edges in for a finished look.  Then I glued it to the front and back of the white signature as shown.  I left a little give way.


Then I glued on my covers.  I made sure to line up the inner spine with the covers on both sides.


See!  Isn't that neat?  I used my awl to poke the corner of the fabric between the covers while the glue was wet so it didn't show.


I would recommend using a heavyweight fabric and not quilter's cotton.  Tati Scrap often adds grommets to the inner hard spine and then wraps chains and adds dangles to her spines, but since I made this a top opening book, that wouldn't work for me.


I sure hope you've enjoyed this super sunny album and will try to make one of these on your own.  Regardless of what you make, do get crafty and add a project to our current challenge.  We can't wait to see what you come up with!  Hugs, Autumn


Come play along!


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31 comments:

  1. Absolutely fabulous Autumn, you have achieved wonderful results. Hugs, Valerie

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  2. It looks beautiful, Autumn, inside and out!. The spine double layer is a great finishing touch, I would never have thought of that. I wish I could join in with an album of mine but time is short at the moment!

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  5. This is such a fabulous design Autumn, I never knew that batting could be glued to paper, I may need to try that one, it looks amazing on your cover. The pages are an absolute delight, I love that Hibiscus postcard you added and Tim's Hibiscus dotted here and there really brings your album together beautifully. Even if we were not enjoying some glorious summer weather here, this album would make me feel like going on vacation to some sunny spot! Hugs, Anne xx

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  6. Such a wonderful summery album Autumn! Love all the gorgeous details and the fabric cover looks fantastic. Such a clever binding technique this too!

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  7. This I should totally tropically amazing Autumn. I thought that the title was going to spell out your name at first. Love the zing Ines and life in this. So inspiring. Xx

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  8. Oh my goodness, I adore this, Autumn!! I love the tropical, beachy feel!! The details and design are so amazing!! Wow!! This is one of my favs, my friend!! It makes me happy to look at!! Stunning!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  9. Great project! Love how much was added by simply layering crumpled papers! I pinned this tutorial - thank you so much!

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  10. Hi, Autumn! You are so talented in coming up with clever ideas AND amazing artwork! Your book is gorgeous in its textural splendor and delightful colors. Loving the way you have repurposed the canvas! hugs, de

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  11. What an awesome fabric covered book to hold your vacation photos Autumn! Great summer papers and I love how you crinkled the corners on the layers - and that binding looks so cool!!

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  12. What a beautiful wee album Autumn - so lovely and summery. Thanks for the construction details too. One day i may make one, but in the meantime there are loads of UFO's that need to be finished, especially embroidery, I have discovered...
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  13. Oh my goodness what a gorgeous album Autumn! The whole design of this is stunning!!! I will be popping back later for a closer look see and will have a go at making one ;-)

    thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
    Luv
    Lols x x x

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  14. What a sheer joy to see Autumn I feel like you have taken me on an exotic adventure flicking through it's pages. A book full of Summer time fun wrapped in fabric, what more could we creatives ask for.
    Thank you so much for sharing.
    BIG Hugs Tracey xx

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  15. OMGosh! What a bright and cheerful album Autumn! Each page reminds me of being on vacation at the beach!
    One of these days I am going to join in at MAM...who knows,maybe this month!
    Thanks for the inspiration- big hugs
    Jackie xo

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  16. Love this binding! Your creative mind is amazing and always thinking outside the box. The papers you chose and the way you designed each page is wonderful. Going to try this one!

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  17. Wow, Autumn, this is really fun! Love all the pages! Thank you for sharing your amazing creation with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

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  18. Wow!! What an amazing album Autumn!! I love the bright colours and the fun, tropical feel. Really love the style of binding! It does look so neat and absolutely fabulous with the fabric on the spine! Love this!! hugs x

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  19. Oh, Autumn, this is amazing and fun!! First of all, I think Authentique has to be my favorite line of paper. I love all of your adorable embellishments (that pineapple!!) and flowers, everything is gorgeous Your cover is beautiful, I just love it and that spine is so beautiful and creative! The brads are a great touch. You always amaze me, my friend! Hugs!!!

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  20. This is just wonderful Autumn, such fun, and perfect for a holiday album xx

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  21. Wow!!!!! Such an amazing album, I love each detail of it, specially these bright colors and tropical touch, this is sooo refreshing and such fun. Really love the style of binding, I wanna try this out. Such a great and clean finish you have given to it, my sweetie...Love this soooo much...
    Thanks so much for sharing...
    Hugs
    Dr Monika Tripathi Shukla
    UrooCreations

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  22. Such a gorgeously sunny and troopical feel to your wonderful mini book. Every little detail is so wonderfullyj put together but the spine is my favourite bit !!! (sorry!). It is so clever and I love that you can see the inside papers as well. Thanks for so much wonderful inspiration. Jennie x

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  23. Tropical summertime perfection! What a beautifully executed album, Autumn, with delights on every page. Like Jennie, I'm in love with the spine, the peeks you get of the page edges from the outside, and those fabulous metal studs.
    Alison x

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  24. This is an interesting binding method, thanks for sharing it. I love the peachy colour you have used especially that beautiful hibiscus flower. What a great way to finish off your holiday with a joyful bright album. x Amanda

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  25. Absolutely amazing from start to finish, Autumn! Especially love the tropical vibe~

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  26. WOW! You did some seriously amazing work into this beautiful travel journal! Well done~

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  27. Wow Autumn, I've been scrolling up and down this post discovering new little treasures each time. An amazingly pretty and fresh travel journal, with each page offering something special. The tropical feel throughout makes me think of relaxing Summer holidays at the beach. Beautiful work.

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  28. It's a joyful album this! Every page is fantastic and I imagine it with pictures of your beautiful family smiling and it will become even more beautiful!
    The binding then is really a crash, I'm crazy for it!

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  29. I'm only two weeks late with this comment! Loving that chunky binding - ideal for those wonderful multi-dimensional designs! Your cover is pure carefree happiness!

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  30. Well Autumn, as you left me beautiful comments on my blog, and directed me to the mini album makers challenge, I just had to come and take a peek at your artwork!!... and ...WOW!!! such a tropical feast for the eyes!!!... your journal is wonderful, textural and just so uplifting!!. I adore the way you have done the signatures, and the spine....inspiring. thank you soooooo much. jane xx

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  31. Beautiful Autumn! I love the bright colors and the crumpled corners. What a lot of work to create this wonderful album and how worth it once all the photos are added! :)

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