Hi friends.  Today I have a summer themed mini album to share that I made using some of each of the different ribbon styles in the June Ribbon Club Assortment from Really Reasonable Ribbon along with some Burlap String for the tops of my tags.

This is my first attempt at a mini album with this sort of binding, so I would love any tips you can give me in the comments section.

The June Ribbon Club Assortment is a pretty summer themed collection of colors.

Not a member yet?

The June Ribbon Club Assortment contains 9 styles and a total of 18 yards of ribbon.  Each monthly assortment is a color or holiday themed collection of ribbon.  What a fun way to build your ribbon stash and try new ribbon styles.

So, this is my first attempt at a mini album with this type of binding and overall, I’m pretty pleased with the results.  For those of you with mini album experience, I would love some feedback.  I will be posting some questions below as well on places where I had some problems.

You can see on the photo above that I used a variety of ribbons on the book binding for a colorful touch.  I then added a little summer saying near the top of the binding.  As you can see in the photo below, I had added the pages before I decided to add the ribbon to the outer book binding.  Next time I will add the ribbon first and then it will be tucked under where the pages attach to the binding.

Of course I didn’t have any design paper in the colors I want.  I have about 300 pounds of design paper, but I never have what I’m looking for – perhaps a slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean!  So, I pulled out my Distress Ink pads and made some paper in the colors I wanted.  I love the look, but I have to caution you that it was a LOT of work, so think hard before you set out on this path with making your own design paper…

Since it was my first album with this type of binding, I tried to go with the easy way on many of the steps.  I did not completely cover my chipboard covers – meaning wrapping the paper around to cover the edges.  I just cut paper the size of the front, back and binding and glued it on.  I inked the sides of the chipboard, but I’m not really liking that too much, so I will do it differently next time.

I was also pretty repetitive on the pages.  All the pages were folded the same way with slightly different edgings.  I also made all the pull-outs and tags the same shape and changed up the colors and the small beach themed embellishments for a little variety.
I used little snippets of all the 3/8″ ribbons from the June Ribbon Club Assortment on the pull-outs in the pages.  I did stagger where I added the holes on these pull-outs so I would not have too much ribbon bulk in one spot.

For the tops of the tags that will slide in from the top, I used ivory, pink and light blue Burlap String which matched the ribbons very nicely.
I also added some bands of ribbon on each page near the binding of the book to add some additional interest and color.  You can probably see that a little better a few photos above this one.

Okay, so here are my questions:
1.  Do you normally leave a little space when attaching your pages to a hidden hinge type binding?  I think I made mine a little too snug as the pages won’t lay over.  I originally thought it was because of the ribbon I added near the binding, but on closer inspection, it seems to be because I attached the pages too tightly.

2. What type/types of adhesive do you use?  I am very impressed with Scor-Tape for attaching the binding mechanism.  I think a wet glue is best though for adding the decorative paper to the chipboard for the cover.  I rushed this one and just used my Scotch ATG.

3. How many pages is too many?  I did 6 on this album with a 3/8″ space between the pages.  The 3/8″ seems fine, but the album is 2-3/4″ thick.  It 6 pages just too many?

4.  How do you decide how much bigger than the pages to make the chipboard cover?

5. Any other tips and tricks for making things easier and nicer looking?

I topped off the front of my mini album with a pretty bi-color bow made on my Bow-it-All V3.0 using Peony and Copin Blue Delicate Stitched Satin from the June Ribbon club Assortment from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  I also ran some layered ribbon across the center under the name plate.

For a video tutorial on how I created this pretty bi-color bow, please click HERE.
I’m entering my mini-album in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create #198 – Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday #286/287 – Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge #6 – Anything Goes
Allsorts Challenge #419 – Use at least 2 dies
Crafting with Friends #45 – Anything Goes
Crafty Catz #374 – Anything Goes with Punches or Dies
Creative Fingers #132 – Anything Goes
Jo’s Scrap Shack FFC #192 – Anything Goes
Simply Create Too #128 – Summer Fun
Scrapy Land #67 – Anything Goes with dies
Die Cut Divas – Summer Fun
Aud Sentiments – Summer with a Sentiment
Crafting with an Attitude #28 – Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Creations #37 – Anything Goes
Crafty Creations #343 – Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts #37 – Anything Goes with option of Die Cuts
Inspiration Destination #129 – Anything Goes
TTCRD – Anything Goes

Supplies
Ribbon:   Really Reasonable Ribbon June Ribbon Club Assortment, Burlap String
Digital Sentiments:  Create with TLC
Dies:  Cheery Lynn Designs LSC1 Square Stitch & Cut SilverXM7 Oval, XL20 Pierced Stacker 2B569 Curved Border, Rectangle Pierce & Cut Lge,  B279 Sand Dollar and Starfish, CABD47 Sea; Spellbinders S4-725 Shapeabilities Shortie Tags
Ink:  Distress Ink Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean, Old Paper, Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Tattered Rose, Brushed Corduroy
Adhesives:  Scor-TapeScotch Advanced Tape GliderDesigner Dries Clear AdhesiveE6000Scotch Quick Drying Tacky Glue
Bow-it-All V3.0
White Mulberry Paper
Chipboard
Tyvek
Sponge Daubers and mister

 
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