2.03 Lucky Me - Mini Format How To

I wanted to share a quick how to on the format for those that WANT to follow it... remember you can do any format you wish. Even if you are not doing this class, you might want to try this format for something else. It really a favorite of mine now after doing this project.

I came with this format based on a few desires:

1. First, I hate wasted cardstock. The base of these pages are 12x12 sheets of cardstock with zero "waste"!
   
2. Second, this format lets you keep the pages a bit cleaner and "hide" your journaling. This can be great for two reason: one, you might not want to show your journaling for each item to the world and second, it gives you extra room to journal without cluttering your design
   
3. Last, I love the look of the edge to edge photos with the block for the title.
   

Now how to create yours

Supplies needed:
* 12x12 sheets of cardstock all in one color or in mixed colors
Note: each sheet creates 3 "pages" (6 sides). For my 30 page album I used 5 sheets to create my interior pages.
* Chipboard, acrylic, or heavy duty cardstock you can cut to create your covers
* Patterned paper scraps, at least 3.5" wide by 4" tall
* Bone folder or old credit card
* Ruler or scoring tool
* 4x6 photos - 1 per page/topic (I chose to use a smaller photo on one page, and no photo on two pages)
* Liquid glue or ATG gun (you want a firm bond)
* Embellishments and small alphas (I recommend going very FLAT if you are doing 20+ topics in your book or it might get really bulky)

Step 1: Choose your card stock and papers

I chose to work with 12" by 3.5" strips of patterned paper for the most part. You can do a more unified look and focus on just 1-3 colors like Mara did, or be a bit more bold and really mix it up like it did

My cardstocks


My patterned papers


Step 2: Make the card stock base for your pages
Cut each piece of card stock into 12" wide by 4" tall strips. You will get 3 strips per 12" by 12" sheet. Then score each sheet 3" over from the side.


Step 3: Make your flaps
Fold each page where you scored it to make the flap. You'll notice you only have flaps on one side of each page, so to create the flap on the other side, we are going to use patterned paper piece.

Cut out 3.5" wide by 4" tall pieces of patterned paper. Score each piece 0.5" over from the side.


Glue or adhere the 0.5" flap down to the edge of your page so that you now have flaps on every page... on one side it is a card stock flap you made when you folded the strip of card stock and on the other side its a flap made from gluing down a piece of patterned paper.








Step 4: Organize your pages
Now you book should look something like this


I chose to line up my pages so that I had card stock flaps together in facing pages, then patterned paper flaps together in facing pages, and so on. Its really up to you and this is not a big deal, but I recommend laying out your pages in an order you find pleasing. You can follow a set pattern or make it totally random.

Facing pages, both patterned paper flaps


Facing pages, both card stock flaps


Step 5: Add Photos and Titles
Now you can add your photos. Adhere photos down along the edge that does not have the flap. This is the inside edge of your book. Keep in mind you will be punching thru this edge about 0.5" in to bind it later (or gluing along the edge if you choose to accordion fold bind) so you don't want ANYTHING important along the edge of the photo.

After your photos add your titles, and embellies. Again, I suggest keeping it somewhat flat.


Step 6: Add Journaling
Last, add your journaling under the flaps. You can either handwrite your journaling like me or try typing up and printing out your journaling like Mara

Step 7: Cover and Bind
Bind your album however you wish. I chose to hole punch mine but this made it a lot fatter on the edges than the spine. If you want a more even book, consider using the accordion fold binding like Mara did. You can see how to here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPNWJKrwO5w

Last - share your book with us so we can ooh and ah over it AND you can earn a badge and a chance at fabulous kit!

A few photos of the format I used for my book to help you visualize the final project:

Front View


Top View


Side View


Open Book

Hopefully all of this makes sense!

I love this. thanks for posting it. When I do this class, I am going to use this.

Thanks for posting this! The measurements are helpful!

I this format. I so want to do another mini using this! Maybe a gift for my mom!

Great tutorial...thank you!

oooh, love this format too
thanks for the as-you-go photos lol

I'll need to print and digest this, but this looks AWESOME! THANKS!

Love this format Breezer!

Pooky wrote:oooh, love this format too
thanks for the as-you-go photos lol

I know... I used my iPhone so it looks kind of crazy!

I love the flaps and using the whole paper. Your instructions are really great and will be very helpful.

Oh, my head is starting to whirl with ideas.

this is really helpful... I got confused about how the flap goes on, and could come back and look to see... wonderful!
I'm having trouble punching the edge of the cardstock layered with the pp though... I think I need a better punching tool. Otherwise I can't get my rings through.

Oh no A. I used my crop a dile so I didn't even think about it.

Love this....the breakdown makes it a breeze! Just thought of what I will use this for....my DD is turning 13 in May. I am going to get the album done and then add pics from her party to the album and give it to her before the night is over. How cool would that be?

ScrapHappy wrote:Love this....the breakdown makes it a breeze! Just thought of what I will use this for....my DD is turning 13 in May. I am going to get the album done and then add pics from her party to the album and give it to her before the night is over. How cool would that be?

that's a fantastic idea! And because of the awesome format Bree designed it is soo easy to put together!

So this is the project that you were working on at Archiver's. I love it and can't wait to start one. Your directions are terrific and so easy to follow.

bwilbanks wrote:So this is the project that you were working on at Archiver's. I love it and can't wait to start one. Your directions are terrific and so easy to follow.

Yep this is the one you saw! I can't wait to see what you come up with!