Matchbook Mini Album Tutorial

Items needed for this project include:

Cutting tool with a 12" capacity

Scor-Pal or ruler with 1/8" measurements and a scoring tool

12 x 12 card stock of your choice
Adhesive

Photos cropped to a 2x2 square or equivalent shape and measurements

Magnetic strips with adhesive backing (for closure)

Journaling pen Estimated time to complete basic project: 15 - 30 minutes

(a more elaborate book will take more time, this estimate is for a very basic book)

To begin this project I decided to go with a double sided pattered paper. This will eliminate the need for additional paper cuts for decorative purposes and will save a considerable amount of time.

Trim the 12x12 paper to the following measurements:

Strip 1) 2.5 inches wide by 6 inches long (this will make the matchbook cover)

Strip 2) 2.5 inches wide by 10 inches long (this will make your accordion album page)

Next you will score to the following measurements:

Strip 1) 1 inch mark and 5 inch mark, then you score 1/8" from those marks to give you a nice fold for expansion.

Strip 2) Score every 2.5 inches (2.5", 5", 7.5" )

Now fold on all of your score marks to create your cover and your accordion page.

Once the folds are complete you can add adhesive to the back of the first square on the accordion page and adhere it to the inside of the cover as shown.

Now you get to place your photographs where you like them, add any journaling and decorations. It is important to do this prior to adding your closure because the thickness of your book will be determined by the amount of papers etc. that you use. (If you like a lot of embellishing you may need to adjust your cover length to accommodate the additional thickness.)


Now that you have everything inside of your album, fold it closed to see where your cover meets. Take one side of your adhesive backed magnet and adhere it to the bottom of the cover where you desire your placement.
Next, take the other half of the magnetic closure, attach it to the first magnet, then peel off the backing. With the two pieces together, you will fold the top of the cover over and press firmly to attach the second magnetic strip.

Your project is now complete! This is a quick and easy project that would make a great little gift for someone special. It is also a great way to use up some of those photos that aren't good for scrapbooking due to poor composition, business, etc. Just crop what you can use and put it in your little book.

(Now, if you were paying attention, you probably noticed that I glued my mangnet right over my title for the book on the inside cover...it was okay...I wrote the wrong thing. I used the inside of the bottom flap to write the correct title of the event. )

Have fun with this one...and remember, you can make these as wide and long as you want to if you do some minor adjustments. The possibilities are endless...

Keep those hands busy!

Gwen