Monday 26 November 2012

Christmas Mini Envelope Book Tutorial

Hello everyone,
 
I hope your weekend went well, mine went far too quickly!
Well today is day 26 of the Christmas Countdown at Creative Craft World
and it's a special day for me as it's my birthday :)
 
I have a tutorial today for a little mini album made with envelopes.
I haven't it fully decorated inside but maybe it's just as well as this post
has a lot of photos already.
 
 
 

 I used 3 DL size envelopes and I like to use PaperMill Direct ones but any good quality ones will do.
To start you score each envelope down the middle.
 
Then fold in half (with the flap to the inside)with a bone folder to get a good crease line.
 
 Take a piece of scrap card and trace the outline of the flap.
This will make a template for cutting patterned paper for the flap as you decorate.
 
 Take one envelope for the front cover and lay it flap side down.
Add a strip of double sided tape from left to right approximately halfway down.
Take approx. 1m of ribbon, find the centre and adhere to the tape.
This is your ribbon closure.
 
Now you can decorate the back and front of the envelopes.
 
The paper I used for the front and back cover is Jillibean soup.
I inked all the edges of each envelope with 'Barn Door' distress ink.
 
Measure 1.5 cms in from the spine and 2.5cms from the top and bottom
and mark with a pencil.
Using the large hole in the cropadile punch through the folded envelope.
Using this envelope as a guide, mark the holes in the other 2 envelopes and punch. 
 
Layer the envelopes together and tie ribbon through the holes.
I left one end longer so I can loosen the ribbon if the book becomes a little bulky after decorating.
You can dab some wet glue on the ends to stop the ribbon from fraying. 
 
Before I decorate a book I always gather up as many matching embellishments as I can.
(A great chance to use up that hoarded stash...)
It really does make decorating a book a lot quicker if everything is at hand.
 
This is the first page of the book, I have tags to make for journaling on the left hand side
and I'll probably add more bits and pieces as I go along :) 
 
The second page is a pic of the family (except me...) enjoying the first snowfall one winter.
I still have to complete the journaling on the left hand side.
You can use the flap of the envelope for tucking in tags and little bits and pieces inside. 
 

When I get the book completely finished I'll post all the photos of the inside
so you will have a better idea of how it all comes together.
 
If you made it to the end of this very long post
THANK YOU!
I hope I have inspired you to have a go at your own little book
and if you do, please post a link in the comments section below - I'd love to see it :)
 
Don't forget to pop back tomorrow for a link to Susi's blog
where she has made some handwarmers.
These are great little things, I've made some for the craft fair coming up
and I've had to hide them because all the family want one :)
 
Take care,
Sarah xx

Edited to add: Rene from Simply Cute has used my tutorial to make a fabulous calendar.  You really must check it out!!!
Click HERE to see it. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
MIM ~ linky party
Challenges 4 Everybody #8 ~ anything goes
Corrosive Challenges ~ anything goes
CI Paints ~ anything goes
The Squirrel & The Fox ~ anything goes 

19 comments:

Caroline said...

WOW this is so beautiful I love the colour palette of this and thank you for the tutorial. Caroline xxx

Sue said...

This is stunning Sarah. I love the design, thanks for the fabulous tutorial. The colours and details look great.

Hugs Sue

Doreen said...

Beautiful album,love the design and fab details.xxx

loz said...

Fabulous Book and tutorial Sarah. Saw this on MIM..Loz

susibee said...

Happy Birthday Sarah:)

Love your book and will definitely be making one of these.

MiniOwner said...

Oh wow Sarah! This is fabulous! And a great tutorial, too. Thank you.
Sue x

Rene said...

Wow! I totally HAVE to do this...I was going to make my mother-in-law a calendar but this is wayyyy better! Thanks! And thank you so much for joining us at MIM this week! Don't forget, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning! Good luck!
Rene :D

Heidi said...

really like this and will giv it a go

Gibmiss said...

Hi sarah
This is gorgeous ..... You are sooo talented.....i would like to make a desk top calender have you any .... I could make .... Not to big .......
Thanks Sarah......
Hugs Sylvie
Hope you have had a nice birthday....

Margie said...

Happy birthday Sarah - hope it was a good one for you. Your little book is great - you make it look so easy. I'd love to have a go at making one too - once I get all the cards finished!

DIANA L. said...

This is so AWESOME. I love that you shared a tutorial also I am looking forward to seeing it finished.
Thank you for joining us at Creative inspiration paints.
CI design team member
DIANA L.
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

DIANA L. said...

I saw this on MIM great job!

see my comment above.

DIANA L.
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

Vicky Hayes said...

Happy birthday wishes for yesterday Sarah! Hope you had a lovely day. Your book is beautiful as always. Vicky x

Jasmine said...

What a fantastic little book, and so clever to use envelopes! Such a fun way to share holiday photos. Thanks so much for shaing at The Corrosive Challenge!

Lynne Armstrong said...

This is totally gorgeous Sarah...and your tutorial is fantastic! Such a beautiful little keepsake :) Thanks for joining our challenge at The Squirrel & The Fox

Unknown said...

Hi Sarah
Happy Belated Birthday Wishes...I hope you had a lovely day.
This Mini Book is beautiful and a fabulous Tutorial so easy to follow thanks for sharing this make.
Me and my daughter was at the Craft show on the Thursday maybe we will get to meet up next time..
Hugs Sarah x

Faye said...

Hello Sarah. Your Book is Fantastic..Popped in from MIM. Faye

Rene said...

You may want to pop by my blog tomorrow night...I'm giving you a big shout out!
Rene from MIM!

Sandy said...

This is great love the papers you have used.. Great tutorial.. Thanks for sharing.. Thanks for joining us at Challenges 4 Everybody.. Good luck! Sandy :)