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!

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This post is linked to the following places: Finding Fabulous and here: