Mini Birthday Album…in a Box!

I like to make mini-albums. I think it has something to do with having the instant gratification of a finished project, as opposed to my family scrapbook albums which are added to page by page, but will never actually be finished!

I especially like making mini-albums that are unique.

I had photos from my twins’ ninth birthday ready to be added to the family album, and decided to make a “gift box” mini-album out of the photos.

I literally started and completed this project in about an hour.

Let me show you how!

Gather your supplies:

You will need:

• Two sheets of Core’dinations Jillian Dot Cardstock (your choice of colors, I used teal and red)
• One 3″ Square Paper Mache Box
• Martha Stewart Crafts Scoring Board
• Mod Podge
• One Yard of Ribbon (your choice)
• Core’dinations Sand-it Gadget
• Core’dinations Tag (optional)
• Paper Trimmer
• Ruler
• Pencil
• TomBow Dual Tip Permanent Liquid Adhesive
• Glue Gun & Glue
• Awl or Paper Piercer
• Stapler
• Stickers, Die-cuts, Punches as Desired (for embellishing finished album)

Directions:

First, measure the inside of your box:

This will give you a starting point for your inside album measurements. You will need to allow a few centimeters for the album to fit into the box without getting squished.

This tutorial will have measurements for a 3″ box, with a 2.5″ album inside. You will want to adjust your measurements to fit your box.

From your Core’dinations cardstock, cut two (2) 2.5″ x 12″ strips.

(You could certainly add more paper strips to allow room for more photos, add strips as desired for your album.)

Score each strip at 2.5″ intervals.

Accordion fold the strips at each score line.

At the end of each strip, there will be a shorter (2″) section.

Cut the shorter piece off of ONE of the strips, leave the other intact. (And save that little scrap! We are using it later!)

Adhere the short section to the inside flap of the second strip, making sure that the short section is behind the new strip.

(If you would like to add more strips, continue linking the strips as desired.)

Sand your (now) double accordion using your Sand-it Gadget. I found that if you sand in a light circular motion, it will not weaken your paper where it folds.

Remember our little paper scrap? Cut in in half, lengthwise, and apply adhesive to the bottom, and two (short) sides.

Like this:

This will create a pocket, for you to add a journaling tag, extra photos or memorabilia you might want to include.

I use this technique a lot when I am creating mini-albums. It keeps them interesting.

Continue to complete your mini-album as desired.

On the front flap of the album, we are going to make a tab, so it will be easy to pull your album up and out of the box.

Cut a 2.5″ section of ribbon, and loop it in half.

Staple the ribbon to the outside of the cover flap, sandwiching the flap.

Then, cut a piece of cardstock from your second sheet of Core’dinations, and glue it on the front of your mini-book, covering the staples.

I covered the inside part, where the staples were with a photo.

Finish your mini-book, and set it aside. I used accents punched from some Core’dinations Glitter Silk that matched my ribbon. I can’t get enough of glitter! Cardstock made from glitter? Yes, please.

Lets work on that box.

With that second sheet of Core’dinations, you are going to cover your box.

You can do this however you would like.

I chose to lay the box on the paper, and use a pencil to mark where I needed to cut. I worked each side separately so I could sand the ends of the paper, and leave nice, crisp edges on my box. It takes longer this way, but it is more accurate. Paper Mache is not always consistent like covering wood is.

When you get to the lid, before you adhere the top piece of cardstock, use an awl or paper piercer to make a hole in the center of the lid.

Then, take a 6.5″ section of your ribbon, loop it in half, and tie a knot on the end of the section with the loop on top.

Thread the loop through the hole in your box, so the loop is on top of the lid. The loop will make it easier to pull the lid off to open the box.

Make a hole in the cardstock section that fits the lid, and adhere it. (The hole will be covered up, it doesn’t need to be pretty.)

Seal the entire box with Mod Podge, taking care where the ribbon loop is.

Allow the box to dry completely.

Then, start wrapping your ribbon around the sides of the box. I used a hot glue gun for this part.

Trim the ribbon as you go, so there isn’t additional bulk to the box.

Take the remaining ribbon, and tie a bow around the loop, securing it to the box with adhesive. (And covering the hole in the box.)

Then, using strong  adhesive, glue the bottom flap of your mini-book to the bottom of the box.

That’s it!

You could document a weekend trip, a bridal shower, a pet adoption…the options are endless.

Big, big memories that fold up into a teeny tiny box!