Monday 25 November 2013

My Creative Scrapbook Mini Album Tutorial - 18 Handy Tips for creating a Mixed Media Mini Album!





Hi everyone!  Here are some photos of the inside of the Paris mini-album I made for My Creative Scrapbook this month.  All their kits are available HERE & whatever you are looking for, you will find it there - My Creative Scrapbook caters for every style, every budget & has samples galore to inspire you HERE in their extensive gallery, month after month!!  I used their current MIXED MEDIA kit.

As this tutorial is also going up at My Creative Scrapbook
 I need to show the cover photos again - sorry :)
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Hello there My Creative Scrapbook fans!  Helen here today with 
18 Handy Tips for creating a MIXED MEDIA MINI ALBUM
- I hope you enjoy them & learn something new today...


1.  So how do you go about creating a mini album?  The prospect is always a little daunting at first, but breaking it down into achievable steps makes it easy & fun, especially with a kit all selected for you like this one from My Creative Scrapbook!


2.  Although I am showing you the cover first - for the sake of continuity - you need to do the cover last. Save your bulky embellishments for it and set them aside. 

You'll find it much easier to work on your album whilst the cover is still flat & leaving it until last will also ensure that it doesn't get squashed, stained or damaged during the construction process.  



3.  There is usually always ribbon or braid supplied with a kit, like this gorgeous striped cotton ribbon as well as cream lace & black lace too.  

Set aside your ribbons & braids for your album spine. Big bows always look fab!!  If you have a long enough length to create a double bow learn how to do that HERE


4.  Don't forget about your back cover.  
Whilst there is obviously no reason for it to be elaborate you need to keep it in theme with the front cover & contents so need to reserve enough medium to enable that.


5.  Before you begin glue two pages together at a time, in order to create thicker pages.  Unless of course your album is especially designed for watercolours, with a gsm of 180gsm or more.  This is only necessary if you plan on using various mediums on your pages {such as sprays, paints, inks, etc}.  

This will lessen the warp of your pages, which tend to buckle if dampened.  This helps minimise this as much as possible.


6. Cut up the papers you are using (or those supplied in the kit) according to the design possibilities. For example - cut up journaling cards, printed strips, fussy-cut elements,etc.


7. Now split your cut paper elements up into the same amount of piles as you have pages (for example 19 double-spreads equal 19 piles), to ensure an even distribution throughout your album.

 {This album will give you 19 double page spreads
 although not all are shown here}.


8. Do the same with your embellishments
Split them up into the same amount of piles as you have for the papers. For the same reason as above (no. 3).


9. Decide upon a theme for the album and print out the correct amount of photos in advance. Resize them according to the size of your album. I had my photos printed 2 per jumbo (10 x 15cm print) as my album was just 14 x 19cms.


10. Choose a stencil (in this case supplied with the kit) as well as a few stamps, and use these on every page, to provide continuity to your album and make it look cohesive.


11. Stamp using archival ink as it is permanent and waterproof so won't smudge or run, even if you add other mediums on top of it.


 12. Don't add a lot of bulky embellishments to your pages or your album won't close nicely - rather reserve these for your cover.


13. If you can't resist using flowers on your pages (like me) open up the petals as much as possible and use your heavy scissor blades to push the flowers as flat as possible (be careful as often they have a central wire holding them together, which can pierce your finger!)


14. Dry off each double-page spread thoroughly, either overnight or by using your heat (embossing) gun,  before starting on the next, to avoid them sticking together when you turn over your page.


15. As an additional precaution, use pieces of greaseproof paper - cut roughly to size - to place between each page of your album until it is completely dry - to stop tacky paint, etc sticking to the opposite page.


16.  Have fun!  Enjoy yourself experimenting!!  Mini-albums & art journals are meant to be a fun place to try out new techniques so don't stress too much about whether or not everything is perfect!


17.  Think of your mini album as one complete unit - meaning that not every page needs to be a work of art of full of detail because people will be looking at all of it as a whole, like they would just one layout.


18.  Don't forget to use your ephemera on your pages.  I used postcards, tickets & pages from pamphlets.  With this album there is an envelope at the front to store even more, as well as a pocket at the back.  

I hope you will have learned at least one new idea today, that will come in handy when you are putting together your next {or first!} mixed media mini album.  



17 comments:

Elaine coustley said...

Your art journal is just wonderful I would love to be able to see it real. I've , over time bought a few journal books to do "one day" you have inspired me to get moving .x

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

This is absolutely amazing!!!! I love love love the colors, the textures, the photos, the paint, the flowers on the cover!! Just GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!

Margaret Mifsud said...

Wow!!! Helen this is spectacular!!! Loved each and every page. You've given me heaps of fab ideas for my smash book ... thank you so much!!! Love, love, love this ... totally gorgeous album!!! ox

Lynnda said...

WOW... this mini is so detailed and lots of hardwork!!! I love it Helen... You are simply amazing!... Phenomenal mini!!! Simply inspiring! ... hugs...x

Desire Fourie said...

Stunning Helen and so colourful.
Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

Heather Jacob said...

one word !!!!! breathtaking x

Wilma Voermans said...

Althought I dont do minialbums I loved to see your pages and read your tips ! I think you had fun making this, love it!!

Lizzy Hill said...

Thanks for all these WONDERFUL hints .....it looks great & I've stored 'em up for future use:):) Glad we got to see the inside of your mini, too:):):)

Lynette Jacobs said...

Your album is gorgeous. Thank you for all the great tips.

Riikka Kovasin said...

Absolutely stunning! I was blown away by the cover already and then the pages - wow!

Peg said...

Wow, this is fabulous Helen!

yyam said...

What a beautiful keepsake album! Love the colours and all the textures!

Unknown said...

Wowza Awesome textures and great colours love your album so cool

Denise van Deventer said...

Beautiful album Helen and some great tips and tricks! Thanks for sharing....

Rachael Funnell said...

GEE! WIZ! your mixed media mini album is full of AWESOMENESS & what a great keepsake!!

Bente Fagerberg said...

Wow, please help me pick my jaw up from the floor someone,... :-)
Totally GORGEOUS!!

Eila Sandberg said...

Was dead sure I had left a comment on this fabulous blogpost, but naaw. Been scrolling up and down many times to soak in all the details of your amazing mini, it sure is full of awesomeness as Rache says! xoxox