Sunday, October 10, 2010

October Afternoon Mini Tutorial

Yesterday I was in Target looking for stuff I can turn into a craft when I saw this child's cardboard book in the dollar spot. I thought it was PERFECT for turning it a mini. I like the tabs and the curved shape at the top. I knew I had to make it into something and share with you! This could work with any small chipboard book (I have found a bunch at the dollar store as well)Supplies Needed:
Child's Chipboard Album (this one is from the dollar spot at Target)
Enough paper to cover the album (this one has 12 sides so I picked 6 double sided papers I like from the October Afternoon Thrift Shop line)
Embellishments - I used the October Afternoon Thrift Shop Word stickers and journal cards.
Measure the widest and longest part of your book using a ruler. This book has tabs so make sure you are measuring the tab too!Using those measurements cut paper that will fit the pages of the book (I think this book was 5" x 8 1/2" - cutting a little bit more is better than too small!)I used scor tape and a UHU glue stick to adhere the paper to the front of the book. Mod Podge will also work really well for this. I usually find something to scrape my book after its adhered to make sure the paper is really stuck on there (I used a Basic Grey rub on tool - a brayer would also work)
For the cover you want the paper to line up with the edge of the spine but not cover it. (we will do this later)After the paper is glued cut off the excess (for this book you will have excess because there are tabs and the curved shape at the top) I just use scissors for this - the cutting doesn't have to be perfect you will fix any jagged edges in the next step:Sand down the edges so they are smooth - I used the Basic Grey sanding tools. Cover the inside pages and back cover with paper. On the inside pages leave a little space at the spine so the book won't have trouble closing. When all your pages are glued and sanded cut a piece for the spine that is as long as the book and maybe 3 inches or so wide (depending on your book). Wrap around the spine and adhere (I used a glue stick) Ink edges of all the pages with distress ink (I used tea dye). This will cover up any spots you sanded too much as well as add some extra color.Embellish the front! I adhered a ribbon around the book first then layered, paper, journal cards and stickers to the front. And there you have it - super simple mini book! Note - because this book was not intended for scrapbooking - adding paper and photos makes it tight at the spine and makes it so it won't close all the way (the reason for the ribbon). You could also cut the book apart with an exacto knife first and bind it with rings as well (that would give you more room in the book to add stuff!) Next time you are in the dollar store or the dollar section of Target be on the look out for books you can turn into mini albums!

If this is your first time to my blog - Welcome! I would love for you to become a follower of my blog or my facebook page!(see link on right side of my blog!)

This post is linked to the following places: Finding Fabulous and here:
Tidy MomMakingThe Girl CreativeUndertheTableandDreaming


30 comments:

Susan said...

adorable mini! What a great idea getting a childs board book for your base, love it. Come visit my blog and become a follower!

Carol, The Answer Is Chocolate said...

Oh no! I'm already addicted to the dollar section and now I will have one more reason to stop there :) This turned out great! I love it.

An Experiment in Happiness said...

How cute, I love the style of paper you used. Thanks for sharing!
~Jessica

Steph said...

What a fantastic idea! I will have to check the dollar spot from now. Thanks for the tutorial.

Tracy said...

This turned out perfectly. Such a good idea as you don't have to cut out the chipboard.
Love the tabs on this book

Unknown said...

Gorgeous mini album! I love the idea of covering an old book! Fantastic!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous mini album! I love the idea of covering an old book! Fantastic!

karen said...

OMG! thanks for sharing....that was great and so creative - I too, love Oct Afternoon I am pretty sure that I have all of those papers - I may have to try that

Unknown said...

I saw this on two peas and had to come and see more. This is awesome, love the paper line and that you used a board book from the dollar section. Love your blog, thanks for the inspiration!

DebW said...

what a great idea! mind if I link from my blog so others can see?

Amber said...

Thanks for following me and for the sweet comment! I have the same book, I bought it for the same reason, great minds think a like!!! Did you see my bird house like your cute Halloween one? Again.... Great minds think a like!

Unknown said...

Wow!! I LOVE THIS!!! Thrift Shop is my absolute favorite line, too! Love it! I'm a follower now. Thanks for sharing.

The Pennington Point said...

Oh.My.Goodness! I would not have thought of using an inexpensive children's book as a chipboard book. How clever you are! I love everything about it. It would be such a great gift for a friend. I love it. Thanks! Lisa~

*Monica B* said...

This is too cute! And from a kids book found in the T $1 spot... so creative! I saw this book in the Two Peas gallery the other day & it caught my eye =)

Jaedyn said...

This is such a cool idea! I have several dollar store books I could revamp this way. :) Thanks for the idea!

Lei said...

Wow, what a GREAT IDEA! Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi!

Laura in CT said...

I love this so much--thanks for sharing it!

gottahavemoxie said...

Oh my gosh! I am so lovin this idea. I love making mini's and am always on the lookout for unusual shapes and styles. This is perfect and you can't beat the price. Thanks for the great idea.

Lina Thomlinson said...

Saw your link at Craft Gossip and just had to stop by and check this out! What a clever idea and you did a beautiful job. Can I ask where you got that nifty map scrapbook paper? I adore maps used as art!

Sasha Holloway said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

Sasha Holloway said...

You should load this in the October Afternoon Flickr Fan page if you have not already .. juss sayin

Christy Carlson said...

this is amazing! I love the idea and I will definitely be on the look out for cheap books...even goodwill would be a good place to look!

Anonymous said...

LOVE this idea :)

Corinna said...

Super cute! I have also bought several books at the Target $1 spot and just haven't used them yet. You have inspired me to dig them out! Perhaps I'll make a halloween costume mini book!

Corinna

Mandy said...

love it! target dollar section is awesome!

On my way... said...

This is fabulous!! What a kewl idea!! Thanks for popping over to my blog :D

Anonymous said...

I use board books all the time- check out my blog- I gesso them and paint them. Thanks for sharing I liked your tutorial. I will be following you! I live in Northern VA ( Woodbridge) and have been to your Richmond store once for a class.

Julie said...

I just stumbled upon your blog while looking for tutorials for mini albums. Thanks for the great tutorial. It was extremely helpful!

Just Julie

kybarb said...

Thanks for the great tutorial! I love your minibook and will be checking Target tomorrow for a board book. I have had good luck at dollar stores,thrift shops, & the Target dollar spot in the past for cheap board books--like the size of this one you did with the tabs! LOVED the papers you used too!

KellyL. said...

Love this idea - it really turned out cute.. now I have to go to Target!