A Pocket Full Mini Album

The latest mini I've been working has got me more excited about creating than I have been for awhile.  It was the perfect thing to get my crafting mojo back!  Inspired by the eclectic look my Project Life album gets from a mix of page protectors and the idea of smashbooks, I wanted a project with lots of little places to stash things.  Looking around my studio, my eyes spied a big stack of 9 pocket pages for organizing trading cards.  Perfect!

I made the album base from thicker scrapbook papers, all from a MAMBI paper pad I picked up at Michaels.  On the cover I mixed a variety of stickers and die cuts, layering them on with dimensional Zots.  I didn't put adhesive on the larger die cuts so the cover photo can be slid underneath them.

Open up the book and you'll see the first spread, this one has two inserts a trimmed down page protector and a handmade pocket.  I love how you can see glimpses of what's to come through the clear plastic.  The "Keeping Cool" die cut is attached with dimentional Zots so you can slip a picture underneath it and leave a pretty pink border mat for the main picture.

I included three trimmed down page protectors throughout the album.  Each has been cut down from nine pockets to four.  Inside are a variety of 2.5"X3.5" papers.  Some have been embellished a bit, others can have a little photo attached, and some can be left as filler cards.

This easy to make pocket is just a piece of paper folded up, the sides sealed with washi tape.  It has a hint of glitter, so fun!  I decided to reinforce the holes so it won't tear over time.  I used a punch to make the opening and added a sheet of pink cardstock.  You could add a longer story inside or remove the paper and put in longer keepsakes like concert tickets etc.  

There are a couple of foil covered papers throughout the book, this check and the pink polka dots, which give it a cool metallic look.  Only the bottom and sides of the green journaling card have been attached so a photo can be slipped under, or not.  Just depends on your personal preference.  An epoxy castle sticker's in the corner.

The yellow ice cream die cut is lifted up a bit and the popsicles are little brads, giving a hint of dimension.  Love the washi tape attached mini picture space.

Die cut attached just along the top so a picture of a delicious meal or friends at your cook out can be added.  You could also add your favorite BBQ menu here.  I added the staples before gluing this page to the next so the prongs are hidden, smashing them down a bit gives them a smoother finish.

A tip for foil paper, make sure you know exactly where you want you pictures to be, before attaching.  If you do and change your mind the sticky side will leave marks.  I learned that the hard way, and that's why the cute beach ball is where it is :)

I have a couple of Whisker Graphics mini treat bags leftover from my son's first birthday party.  We used them for the stop sign rice krispy treat favors we made.  Those turned our super cute.  The bags were also too sweet not to do something fun with them.  They matched my theme so in they went into the project! 

I left the back of this little mini plain white, thinking a larger photo attached overing the entire surface would look great.  Used some Martha Stewart labels for someplace to add a few details, what on earth did I do before those came around?  I use them all the time now!

You can slide something under the "Summertime" tag.  I liked this page because the white provides a natural photo mat.

Now you know a little twine would also show up, didn't you? 

Here's the other Whisker Graphics bag, this time it's a pocket on the page.

I was thinking having your kiddo add a self portrait, their name, and age on the reverse would be a fun way to use the citrus tag.

Here's the last page, with little orange brads in the corner of the photo mat and another handmade envelope.

Here's another little tip for working with foil papers, if you want to stitch on them, stitch on the reverse.  My sewing foot left marks all over, which led to the washi tape detail.  Oh well, it all worked out, I like the washi tape on.

Here's how I finished off the back of the pocket, with a little photo mat and tag.  I liked the big bold text paper too much to cover it up.  I hope you enjoyed a walk through my lastest mini!  I'm going to be wrapping it up and sending it off to my friend Jenny and her daughter Abby.  I hope they love it and have fun filling it with all their summer memories and treasures.

Below is a closer look at some of the details.

Shared at Skip to My Lou, Craft-o-manic, Sew Can Do, Ninth Street Notions, Serendipity & Spice, Home Stories A2Z, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Sugar Bee Crafts, and on my own weekly co-hosted linky A Crafty Soiree.