Mini Scrapbook Album

Here's a fun, quick project which also would make a nice personalized gift.  You can fill it with pictures and embellishments.  Great for recording events like birthdays, vacations, or trips to the local apple orchard, and is small enough to fit in a card, or carry in your purse.

This mini album design is based on an origami cut and fold and is easy to do.

I made this one for my daughter about our visit to the Apple Orchard

Finished album is 3 1/2" x 4"

You will need:

• 12 x 12 sheet of cardstock
• scissors or paper cutter
• scoring tool
• pictures and embellishments
• ribbon
• stapler
• Double sided tape or glue
• paper crimper is nice but not necessary

Score your 12 x 12 paper on the wrong side in 3rds, or 4" apart.  Turn the paper in the other direction, and score it in 4ths, or 3" apart.  You could use this divide and score equation on any size sheet of paper.  I like using the 12 x 12 because it divides so nice and evenly. 

It is hard to show the scoring lines in a photo, but if you look closely, they are there.

Now cut along both opposite 4" scores up to the last 3" score mark leaving one segment connected on opposite ends.

The next part is a little tricky, but once you get it, it is easier the next time.  Accordion fold the top and bottom rows along the 3" score lines. Flip the top row over onto the middle row on the last uncut segment, wrong sides together.  Flip the bottom row up on the one uncut segment wrong sides together.

Basically you will end up with one valley fold, and one mountain fold where the three rows are connected. All the segments can then be accordion folded into a booklet.  Play with it.  That's what I did until it worked.  The pictures below shows what it will look like.

Use double sided tape or glue to seal the mountain and valley fold closed.  You will now have 12 pages to decorate in your little album.

Next make the cover.  It should be 4 1/4" wide by 7" long.  If you are going to crimp it, start with a 10" length.

Open your booklet to the middle, and lay it face down on your work surface.  Put your cover on top, and center a piece of ribbon in the middle.  Staple as pictured.

 Tape or glue the 1st and last page to the cover.

Embellish your cover if desired. I finished the cover with an apple design that was cut with my cricut machine, but you could add anything you like - a photo, title, or purchased scrapbook embellishment. 

Fill your pages with wonderful memories.  Trim and tie the ribbon.  You're done!

Happy Crafting ♥