Seriously… this post is taking much longer than this project did! Just under an hour for all 3 parts and the tutorial pics for the blog WERE NOT COOPERATING FOR ME. I think i got it tho… so here it is. A gift collection for a dog lover in your life- OR - whatever theme you want depending on the paper you use. YA, you heard me… I’M CHALLENGING YOU PRETTY PAPER HOARDERS TO USE A FEW PIECES FROM YOUR STASH! :D
In my project, I’m using SEI’s Park Buddies designer papers. There are also matching adhesive die cuts and tags. It kills me to use the paper, but i survived. So will you. And you’ll have something cute to give away after! (or keep, heh heh). I’m also posting a tutorial on covering the Stampin’ UP! On Board Bitty Album and Case.
The reason for the tutorial on this quite simple- from the posts on SCS to my own classes, there is a fear of “doing something wrong” when it comes to covering the Stampin Up! Bitty Books. I have made about 4 of these now and each time, I find new tricks.
Supplies needed: Stampin’ Up! On Board Bitty Book, 2 sheets 12″x 12″ patterned paper and coordinating solid cardstock, Sticky Strip tape, Modge Podge, paint brush, Ribbon, Jumbo Eyelets, 1 1/4″ circle punch
- Trick 1- don’t try to wrap the papers over the edges. There is not enough room for the album to slip easily into the case if you do this. So, be one with the rough edges.
- Measurements for the Album: 4 pieces coordinating papers- each cut 3.75″ x 4.75″ and one piece of cardstock cut at 2″x3.75″ for the binding.
- Adhere the pieces using Modge Podge- in the example above, I placed the striped paper on the outside covers and the inside is Chocolate Chip textured cardstock. This is also used for the binding.
- To make the binding lay flat on the sides and spine, it’s best to crease it lightly, then score the creases. Apply with double sided red sticky tape and Modge Podge.
- Once all the pieces are glued on, you can either add embellishments or not- remember anything you put on the front should not interfere with sliding the album into the case. Here, I used some scraps from the brown and striped papers (the green piece is the other side of the striped paper) and an adhesive die cut mounted on paper, punched with the 1 1/4″ circle punch and adhered with a dimensional.
Now for the Album Case. The Bitty Book comes flat and you need to fold the scored edges and adhere to create the case. There is a smaller side to it- can you see it in the pic? It’s maybe 1/8th of an inch smaller on the two flaps – the small flaps go in the inside. Fold the flaps in and if the box looks square, you have it right. If the sides are rounded, you need to switch the inside/outside flaps.
- Adhere the sticky strip to the smaller flaps as shown.
- Remove the red plastic and fold the larger flap over the smaller and press along the flaps.
- Cut a strip of patterned paper 12″ x 5″.
- Wrap the paper around the case, taking care to align the seam at the bottom of the box. Crease it with your fingers.
- Remove the strip and score it at the creases you made.
- See the light crease marks? This is where you will now score the paper for a sharper edge.
- Wrap the strip around the case again, this time, use a pencil to trace the curve of the half circle on the case (do this for each side).
- See the circle? See the pretty circle? Sorry for the blurry pic….
- Using your 1 1/4″ circle punch, line up at the pencil mark and punch the circles.
- Now we’re ready to adhere the paper to the case. At the bottom edge, use sticky strip to keep the paper in place.
- Working from the bottom up, apply Modge Podge with a paint brush, apply the paper and smooth it for each side.
- For the Case Binding- cut 2″x 4 1/8″. Repeat the process for the binding from the album – crease, score, apply sticky strip and Modge Podge, adhere.
- Now you can decorate the case however you like! In my project, I used Old Olive Wide Grosgrain, a Jumbo Eyelet, the Tag Punch and assorted adhesive die cuts from SEI Park Buddies.
In the very top photo there is also a notebook. This is a Target notebook that I covered with the same papers and adhesive die cuts. I cut out the Scotty dog and Modge Podged it on! I hope this tutorial is 1) easy to understand, 2) interesting, 3) helpful and 4) inspiring! STOP HOARDING, START USING! lol!
