A 'Magical Christmas' & 'Nostalgia' File Folder Mini Album

Today's post is a throw back project. This one I originally made five years ago in 2015 for Authentique! I've said it many times & I'll say it again; I can't believe how fast time flies by. I've used papers from both the 'Nostalgia' & 'A Magical Christmas' collections by Authentique for this project.  The base of the album is a black file folder. I just ordered a box of 100 black file folders from Amazon--so might as well start using them up!

The album measures 6 3/4" x 8 3/4" inches and has a 3/8" inch spine. The album covers are made with light weight chipboard.

Album is available for sale in my Etsy shop, The Midnight Kraft Desk.

Here's the original post that I made back in 2015. For the 2015 project, I used the pet themed 'Devoted' collection. For the most part I stuck to the original design of the album.  However, I altered the measurements on several areas throughout the album. I was not satisfied with my first attempt at this album & it definitely needed some improvements.

I did not put a full tutorial together for this album yet as it's still a 'work in progress'. Even though the design of the album came out better this time--it's still not quite where I'd like it to be. I feel the spine definitely needs to be bigger.  It came out to 3/8" of an inch, but I feel it should be 1/2" an inch or even 3/4" of any inch depending on how I decide to decorate the inside of the album. I did take inspiration from a video tutorial on YouTube uploaded in 2014.  I referenced this video in my 'Devoted' file folder walkthrough video; so I'l reference it for this one as well. 

The inside of the album consists of several flaps & pockets in different sizes. There are layered full pockets, one side pocket, small 'tuck' pockets and two large side pockets on both the front & back covers of the album.

Inside each of the pockets are tags.  The tags range in size with 8" x 5" inches being the largest & 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" inches the smallest. The two side pockets have two large booklets measuring 8" x 5 3/4" when closed. I left these two booklets plain as I didn't want to make the inside any bulkier than it already was. As previously mentioned, I definitely feel that the spine could be larger.

Supplies: Paper - Authentique, Other: Small Gold Binder Clip

I left the cover plain as I feel that the decorative papers were festive as is. A closure is not necessary for this album; however, I have a gold binder clip that can be used to hold the album closed should it get too bulky once photos, journaling & other memorabilia is stored inside.

Below is a video walkthrough of the album. I put a full video tutorial of this album on my bucket list. I started the tutorial but stopped 1/2 way through as I kept changing the measurements as I constructed it. It's still a work in progress!

A 'Christmas Greetings' Mini Album

For today's project, I've made a small mini album with the 'Christmas Greetings' collection by Authentique. This little album measures 5" x 5" inches & has a 3/4" inch spine. It's a quick & small project, but it has ample storage for several photos, journaling & small mementos.

This album was for sale in my Etsy shop, The Midnight Kraft Desk--but has since sold. However, if you like this album; feel free to reach out to me. I can recreate this album in any theme. :-)

The papers in this collection are adorable; specifically the animal themed ones. The images of Santa with kittens and/or puppies are just so sweet.

The outside cover is decorated with a large gold fabric flower, a holly leaf pick, two mini pinecones & a poinsettia sticker.

On the left hand side, is a pocket--the pocket is decorated with gold washi tape & has a small accordion pull out decorated with 1 1/2" x 2" inch tiny cut apart cards that are part of the 6" x 6" inch papers from the collection.  This little accordion pull out is held closed with a spiral paper clip & can hold tiny photos, dates or journaling.

On the inside of the pocket is a 3" x 4" inch cut apart card from the collection.

On the right hand side of the album is a waterfall.  The waterfall consists of three pages. Each page measures 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" inches & can hold photos measuring up to 3" x 4" inches.

The pocket page on the left hand side opens up revealing a belly band page & a second pocket page. The second pocket page is decorated the same way as the front pocket page.

This little album makes for a great stocking stuffer or to store a few Holiday photos & memories.

Below is a video walk through of the album. Enjoy!

Supplies: Paper - Christmas Greetings 6 x 6 Paper Pad, Christmas Greetings Collection, Other - Ribbon, Fabric Flower, mini pinecones

A 'Splendor' Pyramid Mini Album

Today's post is a project I've been wanting to try for some time now. It's referred to as a 'pyramid' mini album because of the stacking effect of each layer which resembles well...a pyramid! 

I made this album with the 'Splendor' collection by Authentique. It measures 5 7/8" x 5 7/8" inches and has six layers. Each layer has a 1/8" of an inch spine. I've altered the direction that each layer opens; therefore the album opens up in a zig-zag manner.

This mini album is available for sale in my Etsy shop, The Midnight Kraft Desk.

If you search for 'pyramid mini album tutorial' on YouTube or Pinterest you will find several videos with detailed steps on how to make this type of album. One of the most thorough video tutorials I found was by Michelle Allen. You can find her tutorial here.

I did add my own twist to this album because I wanted to add small gussets to each layer in order to leave some room for storing photos and/or journaling. So the measurements were all different for me. I also altered how each layer opens.  I've put the measurements I used at the end of this post.

I didn't add too much on each layer in order to avoid a bulky album & to leave room for photos.  Some layers have pockets, another has a belly band & I was even able to add a pop up page to this album!  It's small but has room for storing several photos, journaling & other small trinkets & mementos.

This page has two flaps made with the cut apart cards from the collection.  Both these flaps open revealing additional room for photos.  This flaps can hold photos measuring up to 3" x 4" inches.

This is the pop up page. Each photo mat can hold photos measuring up to 3" x 3" inches.

The bottom layer which is the largest layer, I've created one large pocket & a waterfall. The waterfall has 4 pages.  Each page measures 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" inches & can hold photos measuring up to 3" x 4" inches.

Below are the measurements for the album & a video walk through. Enjoy!

(1) 5 7/8" x 11 7/8" inches, score @ 5 7/8" & 6"

(1) 5 3/8" x 10 7/8" inches, score @ 5 3/8" & 5 1/2"

(1) 4 7/8" x 9 7/8" inches, score @ 4 7/8" & 5"

(1) 4 3/8" x 8 7/8" inches, score @ 4 3/8" & 4 1/2"

(1) 3 7/8" x 7 7/8" inches, score @ 3 7/8" & 4"

(1) 3 3/8" x 6 7/8" inches, score @ 3 3/8" & 3 1/2"

Supplies: Paper - Authentique, Other - Ribbon, Mulberry Paper Flower, mini pinecone 

A 'Masquerade' Mini Album With Tutorial

Happy Halloween everyone!  For today's post, I've made a Halloween themed album with the fabulous 'Masquerade' collection by Authentique. The album measures 7" x 4 1/2" inches and has four 1 1/4" inch spines. The album is held closed with a glittered elastic ribbon. The cover is decorated with both fabric & mulberry paper flowers, a mini pinecone & ghost & bat embellishments.

Album is available for sale in my Etsy shop, The Midnight Kraft Desk.

The inside of the album consists of a pop up page, three waterfalls & three pocket pages.  The pop up page was made with a die by Karen Burniston. I only used the die to create the mechanism for the pop up element as it was the perfect size for this album. There are many tutorials available for these sort of pop up pages. Search on either YouTube or Pinterest for 'pop up cards' or 'twist pop up card'. I've found this tutorial primarily for making a pop up card--but they can be used in mini albums as an interactive page.

The waterfall photo mats measure 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" inches & are decorated with cut apart cards from the collection. The front of the photo mats can store pictures measuring up to 3" x 4" inches. The backside of each photo mat can store photos measuring up to 3" x 3 1/2" inches.

There are two different style of pocket pages in the album. Two pages are simple pocket pages that are decorated with a Halloween die cut image of Trick or Treaters. Inside all the pockets is one cut apart card from the collection.

The pop up page is held closed with a magnet & the waterfalls are kept closed by tucking the bottom pull page of the waterfall underneath the bottom cut apart card adhered to the first page of the waterfall.

Here is the 2nd style pocket page. This page has a simple pocket on the bottom but also has a 'slotted' pocket element on top where small embellishments & card stock stickers can be stored.

Supplies Used: Paper - Authentique, Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz Stitched Slots Die, Sizzix Tim Holtz Trick Or Treat, Karen Burniston Twist Panel Pop Up Die, Other: Glitter Elastic Ribbon, Fabric Flowers, Mulberry Paper Flowers, Mini Pinecone, Bat Embellishment, Ghost embellishment 

Below is a video walk through of the album & also a video tutorial on how to make this album.

Enjoy & have a safe Halloween!

An 'All-Star Soccer' Chipboard Mini Album

For today's project, I've used the fabulous 'All-Star Soccer' paper collection by Authentique to finally document a few of my son's soccer photos.

This is a shaped chipboard mini album that I've had in my stash for several years. The album is in the shape of what else--but a soccer ball.  :-)

The album measures 5 1/4" inches in diameter & consists of four pages.  I do not count the top as a page since it's a decorative page & is what gives this album it's 'soccer ball' design.

The album is held together with a book ring.  The book ring is decorated with several pieces of ribbon & tulle in shades of green & black.

I've painted the cover with black acrylic paint & then embossed it with black glitter embossing powder. This gave the cover a shiny 'glitter' effect.  I further decorated it with a little soccer boy clipart that I printed on heavy white card stock.  The little boy fits my son's description; with his dark hair & brown eyes.

I already started putting pictures in the album.  This is the first page & has a photo of my son during his very first soccer practice some 3+ years ago!  My son started playing soccer at the age of 4. 

I also created this little fold out from one of the 3" x 4" inch cut-apart cards from the collection. This flips open to reveal additional places for storing photos.  I keep it closed with a belly band that tucks under the fold out from one side. I've decorated the belly band with another card stock sticker from the collection.

The entire album is decorated with buttons, rhinestones, soccer ball stickers & card stock sticker embellishments that I've cut from the paper collection.

This is one of two pocket pages in the album.  This is a verticle pocket page & I've inserted one of the cut-apart cards from the collection inside the pocket after matting it on black card stock.

I've also inserted these small Kraft envelopes throughout the album (two total).  These envelopes can hold additional photos and/or journaling. With the cut-apart cards from the collection, I've created small pockets where little tags and/or photos can be stored.

Both of these pages with the Kraft envelope have a white paper clip that I've decorated with the same ribbon & tulle that I've used on the book ring.

Here's the back of the album. I've created a horizontal pocket and tucked inside a tag that came with the collection.  I fussy cut the soccer shirt from one of the 3" x 4" inch cut-apart cards & stored it in the pocket as well.

Supplies: Paper - Authentique, Chipboard Album - SA Crafts, Other - Sequins, Buttons, Tulle, Ribbon, Chipboard embellishments, Rhinestones

Hope some of you found this little album inspirational.  Stay safe!

A 'Timeless' Layout

For today's project, I went back to my roots. My love for scrapbooking & crafting all began some 20+ years ago with layouts! I started documenting photos from events that were meaningful to me up to that time & from there I slowly evolved to card making, stamping, making mini albums, incorporating different mediums such as embossing & paints...the rest is history.

I made a page with the lovely 'Timeless' collection by Authentique. What I love most about black & white collections is the the ability to add splashes of any color to make the projects 'pop'. I added splashes of red & holographic effects.

This pre-made layout is available for sale in my Etsy shop, 'The Midnight Kraft Desk'. 

The large circular flourish seen behind the photos mats is cut from an acetate special texture page.  The photo mats are made with both holographic & black card stock. These photo mats are for storing photos measuring up to 3" x 4" inches.  For display purposes I've temporarily placed 3" x 4" inch cut apart cards from the collection on the photo mats.

The title of my page has a holographic effect as well.  I've had this title in my stash for many years.

The embellishments used on this page are a combination of vines, fabric flowers, mulberry paper flowers, a mini wooden white fence, a mini bird's nest, a resin bird & a small glass bottle filled with holographic chunky glitter.

In this photo you can see the small glass bottle.  The bottle is decorated with lace & black & white twine.

I've also included a large stick pin & a black & white appliqué.  A large white doily further decorates the background of my page.

I've designed this page so that two 3" x 4" inch photos can slide behind all the embellishments & adhered to the photo mats. 

Behind the two photo mats there's a white wax pocket. This pocket stores six cut apart cards from the collection. I included this pocket to as a place for storing journaling, thoughts, dates or more photos.  This pocket can store 3" x 4" inch cards and/or photos.

Supplies used: Paper - Authentique, Other - Fabric Flowers, Mulberry Paper Flowers, Stick Pin, Mini Nest, Resin Bird, Mini Wooden Fence, Small Glass Bottle
Thanks for stopping by & stay safe!