Happy Tuesday! It's Jill here, and I'm excited to share a step-by-step process for creating a pocket-page mini-album using colorful goodies from the October Afternoon Sidewalks collection!
Step 1: Assemble your supplies. You will need five 5.5" x 12" sheets of double-sided patterned paper (although you could easily use 6" x 12" sheets as well; I just happened to cut mine oddly to begin with, so I ran with it.) You will also need a scissors, and to create straight creases, you may want to use a bone folder. In addition, you will need a sewing machine (unless you want to sew the spine by hand), adhesive, as well as items to fill the pockets and decorate the cover.
Step 2: Fold the paper according to the specifications below.
Begin by folding the paper in half. This first crease will occur at the 6" mark.
Then fold the outer ends of the paper inward, using the bone folder to assist you with making creases. This crease should occur at the 2.75" mark (see diagram above). Repeat with the other side.
Step 3: Trim the corners. I started at about 1" from the outer crease, and trimmed downward at an angle.
Repeat for the other side. You don't need to grab your ruler to ensure symmetrical cuts. Just use the triangular scrap left over from the first page you trimmed, flip it over, and use it as a guide to trim the second page.
Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3 with the other pages, and then determine the order of pages. Check the interplay of colors, page by page, to ensure that you like what you see. Rearrange pages if necessary until you are happy with the results. The beauty of using a coordinated line like Sidewalks is that the papers already play well together.
Step 5: Gather the pages together, aligning them at the middle crease, and sew along the spine. Don't forget to run the needle back and forth at the top and bottom of the spine, to ensure that the stitching does not unravel.
Step 6: Once you have sewed the spine, your mini-album is almost complete! If you prefer to have fold-out pages, then you can leave the pages looking just like this, or, if you would like to create pockets, then add a thin line of adhesive to the inner and bottom straight edges of each fold-out page.
Step 7: Fill the pockets with little notes and treasures. I used sweet little bits and pieces from the Sidewalks Miscellany, for starters.
Step 8: Decorate the album cover. I gathered together some of my favorite accents from the Sidewalks collection, including Chip 'n Stick Shapes and Label Stickers.
There you have it...a pocket-page mini-album!
If you plan to attempt this can-do project (and I hope you do!), I would love to see your version of it! Be sure to share your album in the October Afternoon Flickr gallery. Happy creating!
This is susper cute! Are the cut lines shown the correct place on the folding/cutting diagram? It would be a little awkward cutting by the fold. Just wondering.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lorie | April 13, 2012 at 08:08 PM
I am just now seeing this, but I love it! I am planning on making one to take on our next cruise. =) And I will be able to add pictures to it, too!
Posted by: Deborah Jennings | December 09, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Thank you!!! I love this and I'll do it very soon! I'll share with my French friends ;)
Posted by: Sparkle and Co | December 09, 2011 at 12:09 PM
It's really cool, Jill!
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Greetings from Germany
Ines
Posted by: Ines | September 23, 2011 at 08:02 AM
Brilliant tutorial and wonderful journal - TFS xx
Posted by: Denise | September 23, 2011 at 06:37 AM
I really love this!! I was wondering if you could tell me about those buttons? They are to die for and can't seem to find them. Thanks.
Posted by: Cele Schaffer | September 20, 2011 at 10:05 PM
You're so creative! I love this and it would also work on a scrapbook layout if you have several pictures you want to include for that page's theme! Thank you so much!!!
Posted by: Pat | September 20, 2011 at 01:33 PM
Jill, somehow saying I love this project isn't quite enough. But . . I LOVE this project!
Posted by: Brianaj | September 15, 2011 at 08:46 PM
What a lovely tutorial. Thanks for sharing xxx
Posted by: Jackie A xxx | September 15, 2011 at 02:16 PM
I love these new papers as well as the album!
Posted by: Diana | September 14, 2011 at 10:08 AM
I really love this, Jill :) Awesome tutorial!
Posted by: Geralyn | September 13, 2011 at 10:06 PM
Wow this is soooooo cute!
Posted by: Lisa Skinner | September 13, 2011 at 05:03 PM
Wow! Thanks, all, for the wonderful feedback. It was the first time I had attempted something like this. :)
Posted by: Jill | September 13, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Would be perfect to use as a voucher book for Christmas presents. Thanks very much. Just waiting on Sidewalk to come to NZ. LOL
Posted by: Vicki Parker | September 13, 2011 at 03:16 PM
This is a wonderful idea. I really want to give it a try, one day soon i hope!
Posted by: Jessica Toulmin | September 13, 2011 at 03:07 PM
So cute!
Posted by: ginny | September 13, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Love this! Thanks for all the inspiration...can't wait to play!
Posted by: Cathy Harper | September 13, 2011 at 10:48 AM
I can't wait to get some craft time. This is the #1 project to try on my table.
Thank you so very much.
Posted by: ~Kristina | September 13, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Oh that is such a great mini! I love the pockets. Of course, the OA paper makes it even better! Thanks Jill!
Posted by: Sheri Twing | September 13, 2011 at 10:33 AM
great idea! beautiful colours :)
Posted by: gooseberry | September 13, 2011 at 10:15 AM
This is adorable! Thank you for the tutorial...cant wait to make one!
Posted by: Tammy W. | September 13, 2011 at 09:33 AM
Love it! Gonna Pin it! Gonna try it! And will hopefully up load to Flickr! Awesome, awesome tutorial and adorable project! {Can you tell I really like this?}
Posted by: Monika Wright | September 13, 2011 at 09:32 AM
I want to try this!!! Great idea!
Posted by: Asha | September 13, 2011 at 08:36 AM
Ooooh, Jill!! I LOVE this!!! Awesome tutorial!!!
Posted by: Amy H | September 13, 2011 at 08:25 AM
This is super cute! Thanks Jill.
Posted by: Debbie | September 13, 2011 at 08:21 AM