Spring Break Project for Kids: Mini Scrapbook in a Tin Tutorial

You can make this decorative tin/scrapbook with just about any type of mini tin box.  (Think empty Altoids tin, or check the dollar spot at Target.  Target always has little tin boxes that are filled with games or candy.)

Make a "Toilet Paper Roll" Scrapbook

Need a place to show off your crap?  (Sorry!  I just couldn't resist!)  After you see this elegant mini-scrapbook, you'll never look at a toilet paper roll the same way again. 







Just start with some of these:



Next, press down on the roll and use a bone folder to crease each side.

Use Mod Podge to adhere the decorative paper to the roll and to the removable book pages.

What makes this little book so beautiful is the use of the different textures.  Notice how my BFF Nancy used buttons, lace ribbon, decorative paper, and regular card stock to create this beauty.

Talk about turning trash into treasure!

Handmade Baby Shower Scrapbook: Tutorial

Last week I received an e-vite to a surprise baby shower for not one, but two, new moms.  Can I tell you how excited I was to have a reason to make not one, but two, scrapbooks???!!!  I'll ignore the fact that the invitation didn't arrive by snail mail.  I was too tickled to care about that!

I found these great chipboard scrapbooks on clearance for ...get this... 33 cents each.  Yep, that's right.  Only 33 cents each!  How could I not buy them all? 



The only problem I had with these books was that I didn't like the fact that they only had one hole.  I don't know why.  For some reason I just thought they looked tacky with just one hole.



Enter the Crop-a-Dial. 



Having a Crop-a-Dial on-hand meant that I could go from a tacky and boring chipboard book, to this:



... and this:



The first thing I did was make 6" x 6" scrapbook pages.  To adhere the scrapbook pages to the chipboard, I used another necessity, the Anywhere Glue Stick.

 

This is by far the best glue stick I have ever used.  (When my girls were in elementary school, I would buy these glue sticks for their school supplies.)   I love the "Anywhere Glue Stick" for several reasons.  First, the glue is shaped like a rectangle.  No big deal, you say?  Well, having a glue stick with right-angles is better than using a round glue stick because you can add the glue "anywhere," (hence the name,) particularly in the corners of the project.  The other reason I like this glue is because it is affordable...only $3.95 for TWO.  Finally, and most importantly, this glue stick really works.  Not only does it work to adhere cardstock to chipboard, but I have also used it to adhere paper to composition books and clipboards. 



Okay, back to the scrapbooks.  When you cover each piece of chipboard with the scrapbook page, ignore the hole that is already punched in the chipboard piece.  Just cover it over with the paper.

Once you are done, use the Crop-a-Dial to punch new holes wherever you would like to.  Notice the white arrows in the photo below...



I also made a front and back cover for the book.  To do this, I cut two pieces of chipboard (that I already had) 1/2" bigger than the album pages.  I lined up the holes and used the Crop-a-Dial once again to punch the holes where I wanted them.



Here's a look at the inside pages.  Notice that I decorated the inside of the front and back covers, too.



I used rings to hold the book together.  Make sure you add a fun variety of ribbon to the rings.  It's a great way to use those small pieces of scrap ribbon that you felt too guilty to throw away.



I think each scrapbook cost about $2.50 to make.  The most important thing about the books is that the ladies loved them.  Neither of the ladies are scrapbookers, so they were both thrilled to have a place to begin.

College Pride Week: Make a Mini College Scrapbook (Tutorial)

There are so many "firsts" in life.  You know...first baby, first day of school, first hair cut, etc.  I thought it would be fun to memorialize our daughter's first few days at college. 
I made this mini scrapbook to save photos of the days when I drop her off and help her move into her room.



It only has a few pages.  By making the scrapbook "mini," it is much easier to complete.  You won't feel overwhelmed by having a huge scrapbook.  All you have to do is use a few photos that capture the important moments.  I'm looking forward to taking a couple of photos of her dorm room after she is all moved in and the room is all set.  I can pretty much guarantee that her room will never be as neat and tidy as it will be that first day.  :)



SUPPLIES:
Click HERE to order
Cardstock in your school's colors 
Ink in your school's colors 
Ribbon in your school's colors 
Paper cutter with scoring blade 

Directions:
For the Cover:
1)  cut a piece of cardstock 4-1/4" x 11"
2)  score the 11" side at 5", 5-1/2", and 6"

3)  fold in half along the 5-1/2" score line

4)  cut a slit along the 1/2" score line
5)  round the corners

For the Inside Pages:
1)  cut two pieces of coordinating-colored cardstock 4" x 10-1/2"
2)  score the 10-1/2" side at 4-3/4", 5-1/4", and 5-3/4"
3)  fold in half along the 5-1/4" score line
4)  cut a slit down the 5-1/4" score line
5)  round the corners
6)  fold all pieces into a book
This is what you will end up with:


For the ribbons:
1)  cut three pieces of ribbon
2)  insert through slit and tie


Decorate the cover and you're done!