A Summer File Folder Album with Christa

Good morning, practical scrappers! I hope you have been busy enjoying your summer and making lots of memories everyday. If your family is anything like mine, we have long, long lists of things we want to accomplish while the weather is warm and the days long.

My daughter's list included taking photos of all (and I do mean ALL) the fun things she did this summer and adding them to a special memory book. I decided to test an idea I had one afternoon while working in my not-so-fun office while filing. The kraft folders I was using to file our tax returns was sturdy and had the capability of expansion. I was inspired!  (I am sure I didn't invent this idea, but I am pretty happy with how it turned out!) Not only is it easy to make, it's also wallet friendly and can be created using scraps!

Having said that, a few weeks ago I won a kit from Echo Park called So Happy Together. I love it's happy colours and patterns and since it was a gift for Adriane, I decided to use that. First,  I covered the outside and inside covers and used the included sticker sheet to add a title and some flowers to the front.  I used a light pencil to trace the shape and hand cut the tricky parts.

The inside pages are different sizes and shapes of the same paper line.

I even added note paper with lines, a few tabs with ribbon and a couple of envelopes to hold ticket stubs.

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I designed it so Adriane would only have to add her photos and any writing she might need to tell her story. Unless of course, she wanted to add more stickers and embellishments, and let's face WHO wouldn't?! It's fun!

This special heart page is so she can include a special photo of her two BFF's on their special cottage vacation.

In making this for Adriane, I learned a few little tips to help you make your own file folder album:

1. I used white thread and the sewing machine to sew the pages in after scoring I didn't score a centre line on each sheet but instead off set some for interest.
2. I used a narrow piece of paper the length of the folder and scored two parallel lines his allowed me to create a binding for the back of the album.

3. I chose a wide variety of page widths and heights to create visual interest inside. I also didn't place them all opening to the centre. I sometimes layered them.
4. I saved all the scraps from trimming the pages and used them to add texture to the inside.
5. Let your tabs, pennants, ribbons and other items trail off a page here and there. It creates lots of visual interest.

I hope you will give this easy and wallet friendly craft a try. In fact Adriane liked hers so much she said she needs one for every season.

Until next time, keep doing what you love!
Christa


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