Mini books, Accordian Albums etc. - post your ideas here!

[SteinwaysMom]

I am fascinated by those cool little mini books and albums people make. Since there are very few storage options for smaller formats like 4x4's, it seems like a really fun altered project to pursue.

I found some links to resources for these litte gems but am no expert so feel free to add your links/tutorials/examples!

Scrapability Guide (http://scrapability.squarespace.com/mini-books-and-albums/) Just found that Quirk Michelle has compiled a wonderful resource list on her blog!

Accordian Album Tutorial (make your own) (http://www.scrapbook.com/scrapbook_layouts/showgallery.php/cat/4082)

Mini Accordian Album made w/ready to use album (http://ztampf.com/ztampfest/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=777)

Shabby Princess (http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/forums/showthread.php?t=418) thread on board books - has some great links on where to buy blank books.

You can also get used kiddie board books (my friend gets loads of them at the local library discard sale for next to nothing), sand the gloss off the pages and recycle them into altered books. The heavy pages are nice cause they won't warp if you paint or glue on them.

[mishou]

Don't have much to add to this since I haven't done my first project yet but I'll let you guys know :D

I just went and bought a bunch of kiddie board books from my local thrift shop. I think I got 6 or 7 for something ridiculous like $4. They are fun because they come in all different shapes and sizes. So sometimes that can inspire an idea for a theme for your book. I've also seen in idea books that some artists will actually use a saw and shape the board books like they want them. Also very cool.

I just finished coating them all with gesso but I think I will go back and do second coats on all of them to cover the bright colours on the books better. Before I ever knew what gesso was I tried doing something like this without it and let me tell you: it doesn't work! LOL

I haven't decided what to do with them but I may try to incorporate some of my digital layouts so we'll see how that goes . . .

[AmyK]

I just saw an ad for a new cool book by Tim Holtz - it's basically a book with a ruler for the binding. I really want one. I've made a lunch bag book before but totally hated it. I also made a little ATC book that I loved - it ended up being 3.5 x 3, and I just glued the ATCs to colored cardstock, and used ribbon to bind it all together.

You can see a picture of my love books here (http://community.webshots.com/album/255055850pzduMt), if you want to take a peeker. :)

I am so close to altering a board book. Maybe tomorrow.

[mishou]

I love your love books Amy :D

[Vania16]

I love mini-albums! I've made a bunch of them, some with Rusty Pickle covers and spiral bindings, but mostly from scratch. I just buy bookboard at my local paper supply store (Kelly Paper) and cut it to the size I want and then add pages. I've been obsessed with shipping tags lately, so a couple of them are tag books of varying designs. Here's links to a few of them :)

http://www.thedigichick.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/11106/cat/500/ppuser/334

http://www.thedigichick.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/16680/cat/500/ppuser/334

http://www.scrapartist.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=7800&cat=500&ppuser=90

These are a little more cute than quirky, but you get the idea :)

[happyrobyn]

I saw somebody (here I think) post an altered Rolodex card. I think it would be so cool to have a Rolodex full of art!

[jessica b]

Yes, I was the one who posted the altered rolodex card that I did using digital. It is here (http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=367&cat=500&ppuser=30)

Here are some more of my rolodex cards: here (http://www.scrapforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6599&sort=1&cat=all&page=1), here (http://www.scrapforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6815&sort=1&cat=all&page=1),
here (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/jlwscraps/1204rolodex_all.jpg), and I have several more that I can share if you are really, really interested. LOL!

I am a mini book lover, but I have never really completed one in digital. Yet...although I have a lot 'in progress' If you are interested, here are two of my mini albums. If you want to see more, I will track them down.
Life as Newlyweds (Paper Bag Album) (http://www.scrapforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10348&sort=1&cat=500&page=1), Friends Forever (http://www.scrapforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8057&sort=1&cat=500&page=1).

And here is one of the three altered book PAGES that I have finished. I don't have scans of the others...
Be Unique (http://www.scrapforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4516&sort=1&cat=500&page=9) I think these would DEFINITELY be easier to work in, in digital!!

I also have about 5 million altered composition book covers out there somewhere that I could share. Another obsession of mine.... :o They are not necessarily *quirky* but you know that my next one will be! ;)

The only reason I haven't done MORE altering of stuff, or mini-album making with digital stuff is because I have been out of a printer for quite a while. I have to go out to my parents' house when I want to print something... which is a huge pita! But anyway, I am READY to jump in and just have fun with something creative.

Okay, I am off to check out everyone's art.

[mishou]

Wow you guys! I wish I had an ounce of your paper altering talents!

I SO love the idea of the rolodex. Definitely something I'm keeping in mind for a future project here. Not any time soon because I think we are currently over-flooded with projects LOL But I would love to do one eventually.

Also like the tagbook idea! It's such a small canvas it feels less intimidating to a not-so-talented-and-experienced person like me.

[SteinwaysMom]

I agree! We do have a lot of projects and challenges right now but I invite the Quirks who have experience in this area to think about tutorials and/or simple projects that would be fun to introduce to more paper-challenged folk.

I have the feeling if some of us can get our feet wet in this area, we will really have fun in the altered section. All the examples posted thus far are great! This coming from someone who can't even tie a decent looking bow!

[AmyK]

Vania, your albums are so cool! And Jessica, I am so in love with all your art - the rolodex cards are fantastico. Do you have a digital template for them?

Tania (lunafaerie, who totally needs to come over here) did a cool project over at RAKscraps called "Advice from Mom" and another member offered up a mini file folder template. Some of those projects turned out super cool. I'll have to ask if Melinda would be willing to share her template.

[jessica b]

Thanks for the compliments, Amy! :) I have really enjoyed everyone's work, too! This place just oozes talent!

To answer your question, I used to have a template at some point...but I have no idea where it is now. It might just be easier for me to create a new one. I will be happy to share it when I do! (very soon)

My DH just brought a tiny grass snake in the house. Oh joy... the boys are freaking out (in an excited way) so I must go take pictures... :D

[webchyck]

I make a lot of mini albums with paper, not very quirky at all. But I did do this one project a while back called Our Neck of the Woods where I recolored and printed some Anne Langpap paper to make my covers for an accordion album, and then of course printed the journaling from the computer and made the photo pages digitally. You can see it in this entry on my blog (http://webchyck.blogspot.com/2006/03/projects-galore.html).

I've also used Carrie Stephens' little mini album kits--so cute!

[Kazadoodle]

Very cool all of you!

have you seen the pocket sizedf accordian books brought out by Moleskine? They are so cool - I bought one a few weeks backs wiht the intention of doing something with it - LOL.

I made an accordian album years ago, but didn't take a photo - I hardly ever took photos of my art before it went out :( Such a twit! LOL

I also love mini books and have tried one or two - they are fun

[Fiddlette]

I love the idea of the childrens board books....slathering them with white gesso sounds so therapeutic, meesha!! Was it??

I can't wait to see what one of them turns out like!! post soon, k?

[kygirl]

I LOVE making books -- paper bag books, envelope books, tag books, chipboard books -- you name it, I've tried it. The one thing I haven't done is use digital to create the entire project. But that's about to change.
I am working on a project now -- a tag book featuring the women of my family. I did it once the traditional way, but I want to computerize the whole process so I can make copies for my four sisters. I'll post the results as soon as I get it done.

[SteinwaysMom]

Wow, sounds awesome Donna. Think about a tutorial or instructions on how to do it...Tag Books 4 Digital Dummies?

[CathyRose]

I love mini albums! My favorite gift album size is 4x4 or 6x6. I also have the cutest rolodex that I collected from a rolodex swap on a paper site. I have to scan some in to show you. I would love to do a digi rolodex swap too!

[happyrobyn]

That would be cool Cathy!!

[SteinwaysMom]

Thanks everyone for all the input.

Yesterday I actually made something altered! This is a big deal 4 me as I have been strictly digital.

It's a greeting card w/a little mini book (http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=519&nocache=1) attached to the front. Nothing award winning but just so thrilling to do something.

[Vania16]

Well, I think you did a bang-up job! It's just gorgeous!

[CathyRose]

Love the card/mini book, it is gorgeous!

[kygirl]

Finally finished my tag book, just in time for Mother's Day. You can see it here: http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=521&cat=503&limit=recent

Once I designed the tag template, the rest was easy. Everything is digital, including the inking. I used 3-1/2 x 5-1/2 tags and printed them one up on Making Memories white cardstock. By centering the images during printing, they matched up perfectly front and back.

[SteinwaysMom]

Such a cool project - did you angle the one end or did it come like that? I wanna try one!

[kygirl]

I designed the tag template using the shape tools, and used that same template for every tag. After they were printed, I simply cut around the tag shape, and voila!

[kygirl]

You know, if I used a slightly larger tag, this would be a fun way to display ATC images.

[Vania16]

That's a great idea! Definitely a fun way to show them off :)

[SteinwaysMom]

That's what I was thinking too. Since people usually do series of ATC's it's great to get ways to present them. You could size them so the ATC fits in the square part of the tag and then the angled part extends out from the main image w/maybe a cool label.

I like those little eyelet/grommet things you can put on cards but you have to get this eyelet stomping thing and hammer it (anyone know how to do this?) - but it would be nice to us an eyelet to reinforce the hole that the ring goes in.

[SteinwaysMom]

Cathy just posted the cutest altered altoid tin (http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=535&limit=recent).

This got me interested and I found a mini tutorial for doing an altoid tin w/a mini-accordian book (http://www.scrapbookdreamer.com/store/pages.php?pageid=30&js=n).

It looks like all you have to really do is sand and paint the tin or maybe spray paint and then glue papers and stuff to it.

[kygirl]

You were asking about setting eyelets. Making Memories has the coolest tool that I use all the time. It's a combination hole puncher and eyelet setter. You can change the bits on the end to change the size of the holes and eyelets. It's my favorite tool. And yes, using the eyelets does make the whole thing a lot sturdier.

[Vania16]

I agreee - that is a great tool! I was skeptical of the hole punching thing at first, but it works like a charm!

[Fiddlette]

Oh I totally LOVE the Making Memories tool set...a bit pricey, but if you wait to buy it until you get a 50% off coupon at Michaels, it isn't that bad...and it works much better than alot of the other eyelet setters available out there....

PLUS...the few (two times namely) times I've had problems with a making memories product, I just went to their website, wrote to them what happened with the tool, or whatever, and they never wrote back, but within like three weeks, they had mailed me a replacement took, PLUS all this extra cool stuff for free as an apology...I thought that was so nice and professional...I was almost happy the next time I got something defective, lol!! It meant more presents, and sure enough LOTS of cool stuff came in the mail!!

I love supporting companies that treat their customers that way!! :)

[SteinwaysMom]

I'll have to check out that MM set. I so want to get into eyelets!

Did an altered Altoid tin magnet (http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=547&limit=recent). Boy it was fun and easy. I am posting some basic tips for Nevermore (and Robyn since she's never heard of modge podge!). Anyone w/more experience in this area feel free to contribute your expertise.


First sand the lid for a grungy look or you can even spray paint it.

Altoid lid (regular size) is about 90mm x 55mm so if you size your Lo and plan for rounded edges you can just glue it on the lid. There are these corner cutter devices for under $5 in craft stores that can round the corners (I'm guessing you'd need medium size because I have a small one and it has a sharper angle). Or you can just cut w/scissors and a craft knife (one of those sharp tiny little jobbies).

Glue can be Elmers type or a glue stick. If the paper is thin a glue stick would probably be better. I'm not an expert so maybe there are better options.

I used acrylic craft paint that comes in little plastic bottles to add a distressed finish and kind of blend the edges of the photo w/the tin. This paint can be found in craft stores or the craft section of your store. It's only 50 cents - $1/bottle and is water based & there are tons of colors you can get. Or you can get one of those gold or silver fat tip pens and do it.

I drilled a hole in each of the four corners and stuck brads in them. Brads can be found in the scrapbooking section of the craft store. These were on sale for $1 a container. The brads have 2 prongs. Once you stick the prongs thru the hole, then you spread the prongs to secure the brad (very easy - like those metal envelope fasteners). The brads can be used to stick tags on things, as the center of paper flowers and all sorts of other things.

Cut pieces of cardboard (or foamcore as it is thicker) and glue to the inside of the lid until the cardboard is flush w/the edges of the lid. Then you can glue a magnetic backing to the cardboard. I used this magnetic sheeting that has adhesive on one side and that you can cut but it doesn't appear to be very strong magnetically. Craft stores sell 'extra strong' magnets w/adhesive backing so those may give it a bit more sticking power.

Modge Podge is also a useful item found in craft stores for collages and altered stuff. It comes in a bottle and looks like white glue but you can use it both to adhere stuff and also as a protective clear coating.


That was about it.

[happyrobyn]

Thanks Debra! Great tips!

[Nevermore]

Great. I added "altoids" onto my shopping list. Gotta start somewhere, right? And you got it in one that I will have to buy a couple because no way will Max not want to do this.

[SteinwaysMom]

There are all sorts of mints in tins nowadays so even if Altoids aren't available there's probably something out there to fit the bill...UPDATE: I checked Ebay and, yes, people actually sell the empty tins for craft projects!

[Vania16]

I've also found some great little tins at Target in the candy section and seasonal sections - they're usually a character themed thing of some sort (like Spiderman or Strawberry Shortcake or something).

[kygirl]

Thanks, Debra, for the instructions. I'm definitely adding Altoids to my shopping list.

[CathyRose]

The mini album in the tin is so cute, I have seen a couple of those and they are so cool!

[nicole hinrichs]

just wanted to say how much I enjoyed you guys work I love little mini albums, I just made a junk journal will post it later (have to make picture first) once a week I paperscrap with 5 girlfriends at my house and this is what we are making tonight I hope the like it. have to make pictures of it now so I can post it.
later

[skyescrapz]

I've also found some great little tins at Target in the candy section and seasonal sections - they're usually a character themed thing of some sort (like Spiderman or Strawberry Shortcake or something).

I always seem to find SOMETHING in the $1 section at Target that can be altered and it's so easy to justify buying it because it is... after all... only a dollar. So I'll get five of them.... :D :D :D

[nicole hinrichs]

okay here it is http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=818&cat=500&ppuser=14
my junk journal ready to be altered.

[Pixeldigger]

I did little story accordian books with 'my' kids when I taught pre-school, they loved them. I used ribbon for the base and hot-glued pieces of card onto it for them to colour. The 'three little pigs' was a great one to do - one page for each of the houses and one for the vanquishing of the wolf.:D

[Fiddlette]

Everybody interested in this subject, check out the new challenge i just posted....if you have other links post there as well! :)

http://digitalartquirks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=284

[ScrapAlice]

Here's my latest in altered album covers. Inside are accordion ledger pages, and it measures about 4" x 5".

http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2657&cat=502

[graybonnie]

Oh Alice, thanks for the little creative kick! Several months ago I started altering my first book and have yet to finish it. My mind know what it will look like but I just haven't made the time to get it completed. Must get back to my abandon little book.