Create Mini Albums that Grow... with i-crafter + Designer Crafts Connection

Greetings everyone! Today I am joining the Designer Crafts Connection for another fun bloghop... making mini albums with die cuts from i-crafter -- products inspired by crafters, for crafters. If you have been following me for a while you know that I love making mini books in all shapes and sizes.

If you love papercrafting and making MINI projects... i-crafter.com is a crafters candy-land! CLICK HERE to hop on over to learn more about these fabulous products!

I was provided these i-crafter die-cut items to create with: 222113 Mini Album accordion; 222171 Mini Album Divider #1, 222712 Mini Album Divider #2, and 222173 Mini Album Divider #3 {each of which come with assortment of die-cut embellishments including florals, leafs and sentiments}; Water Lily, 3D Dimensional Embossing Folder By Lynda Kanase; Tiny Home 3D By Lynda Kanase die{this I will be using in another project}.

 

Included in the package is all pages pre-cut, ready for assembly. 

The i-crafter Mini Album, Accordion die set allows you to create a multi-page, mini album without needing to glue or stitch the binding. HELLO... no glue or stitching! This is a quick and simple way to create a 4” x 5 ¼” mini album using a paper accordion binding system that is expandable depending how many pages you desire.

With everything cut, I select a distress paint to add some shabby chic color to the edges of all the pages. I just rubbed around the edges, front and back of all the pieces, the accordions, and the page interlocking sticks.

Just a small amount of color to compliment the floral embellishments and sentiments. 

Adhere the five sections of die cut accordion using some quick-setting glue {or double-sided adhesive tape}.

Fully assembled accordion ready to add pages.

Slide the slit in the center of large page onto the first full accordion spine.

Make sure spine is fully pulled through page. Ready for some magic?! 

Slide a stick into the accordion spine and push through to opposite end. First page is attached! YES -- it is that easy! No glue needed. Makes life easy if you want to move pages around later on.

I repeat the process alternating 2-page sheets with tab divider pages.

The book grows as you add pages.

There ends up being a couple places where accordion spine meets up with tab from divider pages. 

Add a line of adhesive runner and sandwich edge of acetate page in place. Voila!

The completed book base after inserting pages and locking onto accordion spine. I am new to this type of binding and I love it!

The two remaining accordion flaps are for adhering the cover, or for adding on pages by joining on more accordion sections.

I cut two pieces of creamy white cardstock to size of other pages in preparation for embossing with the Water Lily, 3D Dimensional Embossing Folder. I quickly swiped two colors of distress paint daubers onto the folder surface, misted lightly with water and placed paper into folder.

I send the embossing folder through my Cuttlebug die cutting machine. I repeat this process to create papers for the front and back cover and extras to collage onto a recycled holiday card box.

The result is a subtle, faux watercolor texture. This pairs nicely with the colors of patterned paper accents, including i-crafter die-cut tags, pockets and envelope.

For the front cover, I glue the accordion tab to the cover base.

Glue a ribbon for a book closure that will be sandwiched within cover, then add more glue to adhere embossed painted paper. Repeat on back cover.

I add a few embellishments and its time to move on to the interior pages. I will be gifting this to a co-worker who just had a baby so I am leaving things open for her to fill in.

I am in love with the dimension of the cover and the subtle blue and green color.

The papers provided for the cover I used as lining for the inside front and inside back cover.

More i-crafter die cut accents. Tag with pocket and a paper floral paper clip, with die cut foilage on opposite page.

Close-up of the paper floral paper clip... use of metallic paper add bling while keeping things flat.

I love these monstera leaves!

This mini album has plenty of room and special places to hold things.

I added a layered butterfly as a closure for the envelope.

 

Shabby Chic Garden Accordion Mini Album

I am quite surprised how quick and easy this book came together. This mini album is perfect for use as a planner on the go or as a pocket brag book... a wonderful gift for a new mom. To complete this gift, I will enclose book in a coordinating upcycled box, paired with an adhesive runner, stickers and some clear photo corners. 

CLICK HERE to jump over to the beginning of the i-crafter Bloghop at the Designer Crafts Connection blog to view more inspiration and projects using heat transfer foils. 

For more i-crafter inspiration visit Blog HERE

Thanks so much for visiting! Sb :)

** This is a sponsored post. I-crafter provided paper products for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.