Hello, G45ers!
We have a special treat for you today! In this post, we are thrilled to introduce the Master of All Things Mini, Donna Kauffman! For Donna's #G45Selfie – June Challenge project she has been so kind to create a breathtaking By the Sea Mini Album with fun fold-out folios complete with a full-length video tutorial. You are going to learn so many great paper crafting tips and techniques that will be great for all of your cards, scrapbooks, and more! So grab your paper and scissors and let's make a memory album!
Down by the Sea Mini Album
“Hello, G45er’s!
I’m so excited to be with you today, sharing my very first Graphic 45 Brand Ambassador project! I’m still stunned that I am getting the wonderful opportunity to join with amazing papercrafting artists from all over the world and work with my favorite paper company, Graphic 45.
Donna Kauffman – USA
Brand Ambassador 2019-2020
I grew up working in my mom’s craft shop and began teaching classes by the time I was twelve. For the past twenty-six years, my main occupation has been (and still is) as a published author, but when my sons got older, I began teaching craft classes again for fun. I was born and raised in the DC metropolitan area and continued teaching papercrafting as my “fun job” for the next fourteen years. My sons are grown now, and I moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains a few years ago. As the last of the local shops closed, I took things online to keep connecting with the students I’d worked with for so long, and that has taken off and now I get to work with students all over the world! I’m thrilled that I now reach a global community via my MiniBooksRMe blog and YouTube channel. It’s been so inspiring!
I wanted this to be a super special brand ambassador launch, so I am sharing a full minibook video tutorial today, teaching you how to make a complete 6.5” x 6.5” File Folder Mini foundation. I decorated mine using G45’s beautiful By the Sea Deluxe Collector’s Edition collection!
BY THE SEA FILE FOLDER MINI
For this introductory project, Graphic 45 asked us to create something that showcases our design style. A “selfie” project. I love it!
If you’ve been to my MiniBooksRMe website or YouTube channel, you know I’ve created a lot of projects using file folders. I love their durability and flexibility. I’ve made everything from folios to mini albums, to travelers notebooks.
Today we’re making a 6.5” x 6.5” mini album with three interactive pages. This will be the first file folder mini I’ve done in this particular size, so BONUS!
In the video below, we start off with a walk-through of the finished By the Sea sample. Then we get to work! This is a fun mini that anyone can make. I will walk you through a full, step-by-step assembly tutorial showing how to make this mini album foundation.
I give you the mat sizes and scoring info in the video, but see the end of this blog post for a list of the folder mats needed, along with a list of tools, and the products I used to decorate. At the end of the video, I also go over all of the supplies used. I’ve included a few fun tips on techniques I love to use, too! (See more on those below!)
I hope you will enjoy making this project! As I mentioned in the video, change up the theme by using any of Graphic 45’s gorgeous collections with this versatile mini album foundation.
Fun tip!
Use the chipboard pieces as “charms” for a fun spine dangle. Cover the backs of the chipboard pieces with leftover scraps from your project.
Fun Tip #2!
Did you know that the “regular” size Graphic 45 tag die fits perfectly on their 4” x 6” cut apart cards? What a fun way to cover your tags! Check out the large tags in these photos. They are decorated with tag mats cut from the 4×6 cards. The die fits perfectly on top of the card.I show you how in the video!
Fun Tip #3
You can also use the die as a “frame” to select the part of the paper design you want to showcase for your tag as I did with the ATC size tag in the above photo.
Technique Favorite!
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I love to put those little notches in my pockets. In the video, I show you how to use an Envelope Punch Board to do just that!
Video Tutorial:
[Tutorial] Down by the Sea Mini Album for Graphic 45 by Donna Kauffman
FOUNDATION SUPPLIES:
10-12 Letter Size, Three Tab File Folders. You will need:
- 3 Top Tab
- 2 Middle Tab
- 1 Bottom Tab
- 4-6 additional folders, any tab
Four Pairs of Small Magnets (8 total pieces)
FOUNDATION ASSEMBLY TOOLS :
- 12” Paper Trimmer
- 12” Scoreboard
- Bone Folder
- ⅜” Scor-tape (wider also if you have it for attaching the hinge mat)
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Envelope Punch Board (optional)
- Corner Rounder (optional)
FILE FOLDER MINI FOUNDATION MATS:
(all cut from letter size file folders.)
Mini Album Cover: Cut 1 top tab letter size file folder to a 6 ½” height x width of open folder.
-
Cut with the folder closed, cutting off the bottom portion of the closed folder, so the remaining piece is 6 ½” from top edge to bottom edge.
Exterior Spine Support Mat: 1 ⅞” x 6 ⅜”
Hinge Mat: 8” x 6 ¼”
Inside Front Cover Pocket Strips: 2 ½” x 1” and 1 ½” x 1”
Inside Front Cover Folder: 11” x 6” (11 ½” with the tab)
-
Cut from Top Tab folder and include the tab (11 ½” with tab)
Pages: (3) 6 ¼” x 6 ¼” mats, and (3) 7 ¼ x 6 ¼” mats. (Cut from any tab folder)
Page Pockets: (3) 7 ¼” x 3”
-
If notching these pockets, line up the top left corner at 3 ⅛” on your Envelope Punch Board.
Page Folders: (3) 11” x 6” (11 ½” with the tab)
-
Cut 1 w/ a Top Tab, 1 Center Tab, and 1 Bottom Tab
-
For Center Tab: Cut 2 ¾” from the top and bottom of the closed folder, so tab is centered in the final mat. Then cut to 11” width. (11 ½” with the tab.0
Inside Back Cover Pocket: 7 ⅜” x 6 ¼”
-
If notching this pocket, line up the top left corner between 3 ⅝” and 3 ¾” on your Punch Board.
-
PLEASE NOTE: I give the incorrect measurement for this in the video. The correct measurement is edited on screen in the video. The correct measurement is also listed here.
Inside Back Cover Folder: 6 ¼” x 10” (10 ½” including the tab)
-
Cut from a closed center tab folder. Cut 2 ⅝” from the top and bottom edge to get a mat with the tab centered.
Lots of fun folders and tags, with page pockets roomy enough for more!
TO DECORATE YOUR MINI AS SHOWN:
Graphic 45 Supply List:
- 1 – By the Sea Deluxe Collectors Edition
- 1 package Regular Size Ivory Tags
- 1 package ATC Size Ivory Tags
- 1 package Pearl Gems
- 1 Regular Tag Die set
- 1 Large/ATC Tags Die set
Miscellaneous:
- Assorted ribbon
- 6” jewelry chain (cut to various lengths for spine dangles)
- 1 Tim Holtz Ring Fastener
- Hemp Rope & Fish Net Scrap (for cover decor)
Thanks so much for joining me as I embark on this exciting year with Graphic 45! I hope I’ve inspired you to give this fun mini album a try. I look forward to sharing more fun projects with you in the months to come!” ~Donna
Oh my goodness! What a way to start off the year! Be sure to join us in welcoming Donna in the comments below. We are absolutely thrilled to introduce you to our 2019-2020 Brand Ambassadors this month. Thank you kindly for stopping by. Have a fabulous day and have fun creating your file folder mini albums!
Happy Papercrafting!