Serendipity - A Mini Album Made for Swirlydoos

The cut-aparts on Blue Fern Studios' Happy Accident Chance pattern paper that came in Swirlydoos' "Spring Grunge" Kit had me instantly thinking "mini album". I've combined this, the Fortuity sheet with several of the Serendipity papers from the April 2016 "Purple Haze" Kit that I've been hoarding to create this small mini, containing lots of room for photos and journaling.

To start, I cut 2 pieces of chipboard 6¼" x 6¼" and 4 pieces of a cereal box 6" x 6". Using a Cropadile Big Bite, I punched a hole in the center 3/8" from the side, then 2 more holes, each 2" away from the center into the larger chipboard pieces. I centered the cereal box squares onto the chipboard and traced the holes with a pen. These were thin enough to allow me to use a 1/4" circle punch for all of the inner pages. Next, I selected my papers and cut them to fit: (4) at 6¼" for the covers and (8) at 6" for the insides. Each page was marked at the holes and punched, then given a good inking around the edges for a vintage feel as I went along. They were all glued to the chipboard bases with Beacon 3-in1. This gave me a bit of wiggle room to place the papers "just right" before they set.

I selected this gorgeous upper right corner of the Merriment paper from the Serendipity collection for my front cover. I didn't decorate it until the end, so I was free to move it around without messing up my pretty embellishments.

I cut two pieces of cardstock to 8" x 2⅜" and scored them at 4". Four of my larger scraps were cut to 4" x 2¾", punched with a corner rounder and inked around the edges before attaching them to the cardstock. Next, I cut a couple of scraps to 2¾" x 1", scored them at 1/2". The cardstock was folded over and glued to one side of the "hinges", then attached to the bottom and top of the chipboard base to form a couple of flaps. Next, I attached a 6¼" x 6¼" piece from the Glee sheet to the chipboard base then turned it over and used my Big Bite to match the holes for the o-rings. (I did this with all of the following pages, using the 1/4" circle punch on the inner pages.) I then cut a scrap of the Glee paper to 6¾" x 3¼" and scored it at 1/4" around the sides and bottom. I folded these over, inked the edges and cut the "V" at  the corners and fastened it to the edge of my page to form a pocket and glued on a small piece of lace to the top.

For the first inside page, I cut a piece of cardstock to 6" x 5", scored it at 1", then glued it to the cereal box base at the fold. Next, I adhered the 6" x 6" paper and added a scrap of pattern paper in the center to form a photo mat. I cut a piece of the Fascination paper to 5¾" x 3¾", rounded the corners and inked the edges before gluing it to the inner flap. I created a pocket for the outer side by cutting a piece of the Anticipation paper to 6½" x 4¼", scoring the sides and bottom at 1/4". I used a 1" circle punch to cut a notch in the center of the top of the pocket, then inked the edges before attaching it to the cardstock with Scor Tape. The folder was made with (4) pieces of pattern paper, each cut to 5½" x 4", glued back to back with a small piece of scrap in the center to form the hinge.

The next page came together very quickly, with a 6" x 2¾" pocket cut from the Inspiration paper attached to the Fortuity paper and trimmed with lace.

I love including waterfalls in my mini albums. They give me the opportunity to include a lot of photos and they're so easy to make. I cut (5) scraps that blended well to 4" x 3¼" and scored them at 1/2". The other corners were rounded and the edges were inked. The 6" x 6" Fortuity paper was glued to the base, then I made my waterfall, placing the bottom piece to the center of the page, then adding the next piece just above the fold, continuing with the rest of the papers.

I wanted to have a little hidden journaling in my mini and so I used a Sizzix die to make an envelope. This was adhered to a Fortuity page with a doily from my stash used as a background. The journaling piece is a cut apart from the Chance paper with some of the pretty leaf trim that came in the "Spring Grunge" Kit.

Another simple page: I tore a piece of music paper, inked the edges and glued it to my base paper (again, Fortuity). I then added a photo mat, made with a piece of the Anticipation paper, cut to 4" x 2¾", trimmed with the corner rounder and inked around the edges.

One more quick and easy page: this pocket was fussy cut from the Merriment sheet, inked and taped to the Fortuity base.

Another good way to include a lot of photos on a page is to make an accordion-style mat. I cut (7) pieces of paper at 4" x 3¼", rounded the corners and inked the edges. (6) of the pieces were glued back to back, then side by side with a bit of scrap in between to form hinges. The remaining piece was glued to another piece of scrap, then adhered to the center of the Fortuity paper base.

 Another pocket flap, created the same way as the one on the first inner page and containing an accordion-style insert for photos and/or journaling. The mat in the center is another one of the Chance cut aparts.

Another cut apart, adhered to a 6¼" x 6¼" piece of Inspiration paper. I just love this quote that's attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt.

And the back cover, left plain to allow my mini to lie flat and inviting for all who want to take a peek.

I've learned to add all of my embellishments last, when I've seen exactly where the design is going. (Yes, I do a minimum of planning, making it up as I go along.) Here's what I did with the front of my album.

I found these wood pieces from the March 2014 Swirlydoos Kit in my stash and thought they were a perfect match for the pattern of my paper. I colored them with Metallic Lustre from the "Spring Grunge" Embellishment Add-On and glued them on. Next, I added flowers and leaves from the Main Kit and Flower Add-On, tucking in a bit of cheesecloth here and there. The butterflies were made with one of my favorite Martha Stewart punches, inked and embellished with Nailhead Stickers. To finish it off, I added my title, cut from one of the title strips off my pattern paper.

I added flowers, butterflies and bits of cheesecloth, along with the rest of the cut aparts and some pretty scraps to the rest of the book to fill out the pages. And then I bound it all together with o-rings from my stash and called it done!

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a look. I truly appreciate your visits!!!!!

Supplies

*Swirlydoos May 2017 Spring Grunge Kit*

Blue Fern Studios - Artisan Collection - Happy Accident - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Chance

Blue Fern Studios - Artisan Collection - Happy Accident - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Fortuity

Prima - Rose Quartz Collection - Flower Embellishments - Black Marble #595067

Mark Richards - Scrapbooking Embellishments - Metal Stickers - Nailheads - 3mm - Round - Black #3873

May Arts - Leaves Ribbon - #BY34 Light Blue

*Swirlydoos May 2017 Cardstock Add-On*

Core'dinations - 12 x 12 Foundations Cardstock - Elephant

Core'dinations - 12 x 12 Foundations Cardstock - Mystic Gray

*Swirlydoos May 2017 Flower Add-On*

Prima - Rose Quartz Collection - Flower Embellishments - Petal Marble #595111

Prima - Rose Quartz Collection - Flower Embellishments - Travertine #595142

*Swirlydoos May 2017 Embellishment Add-On*

DecoArt - Metallic Lustre - Wax Metallic Finish - Rose

*Swirlydoos March 2014 Salutations Kit*

Prima – Stationers Desk Collection – Wood Icons in a Box

*Swirlydoos April 2016 Kit*

Blue Fern Studios - Serendipity Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Inspiration

Blue Fern Studios - Serendipity Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Merriment

*Other Supplies*

Blue Fern Studios - Serendipity Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Anticipation

Blue Fern Studios - Serendipity Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Contemplation

Blue Fern Studios - Serendipity Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Fascination

Blue Fern Studios - Serendipity Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Glee

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Walnut Stain

Washi Tape

Cheesecloth 

O-Rings

Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue

Scor Tape - 1/4 inch

*Tools*

Sizzix - Tim Holtz - Alterations Collection - Movers and Shapers L Die - Pocket Envelope #657843

Martha Stewart Crafts - Craft Punch - Classic Butterfly

EK Success - EK Tools - Nesting Punch - 1/4 Inch Circle

EK Success - EK Tools - Nesting Punch - 1 Inch Circle

Sunstar Kadomaru Pro Corner Cutter #S4765036

********************

If you’re ready to start getting perfectly coordinated, top of the line scrapbook kits delivered to your door, please visit us at www.swirlydoos.com. Mention my name (Peggy) when you subscribe and you’ll receive 10% off your first kit, AND a coupon good for 30% off your entire purchase in the Swirlydoos.com store!