Authentique Beginnings Baby Book with Eileen Hull Travel Journal Die by Sizzix
Hello, Friends! I love Mondays! You wake up to a brand new week with brand new opportunities to learn and create. This Monday, I’m especially excited because I’m sharing a project made with a brand new release from Authentique Paper. This Beginnings Baby Book is so very sweet, I can’t wait to share it with you.
See? I told you it was sweet! When I first saw these darling papers, I nearly swooned. They are just perfect for use in a baby book! I often think about a project for days (or even weeks) before I dig in and create, but this idea came to me in a snap. Why not pair up these pretty pretty papers with my Eileen Hull Travel Journal die? So I did!
I framed this precious focal image with some Petaloo Flowers, luscious Buttercup Satin Ribbon, and some fussy cut elements from the 12×12 Collection kit. The baby book measures a generous 4.25″ wide x 8.75″ tall. That means there’s lots and lots of room for goodies inside!
A vintage style brad and elastic loop form the closure. Crochet lace adds a lovely vintage feel to the design. Don’t you love these patterns? Yum!
Beads. flowers and novelty buttons add fun details to the spine.
Beginnings Baby Book Tutorial on Snapguide
Travel Journal style minis are trending right now. They are really fun to make…one could almost say addictive! In case you’ve never put one of these together before, I prepared a SnapGuide Tutorial to walk you through the cover assembly. You’ll also learn how to put the signature pages together. I hope you enjoy!
Beginnings Baby Book: Pockets and Tags
Now that you’ve seen how the baby book is assembled, it’s time to look at some details. One of the things that makes these travel journals so addictive is the opportunity you have for adding all kinds of interactive elements. And you know how I feel about interactive elements in a project!
Pockets and tags go together like babies and cuddles! I created this large 4″ x 6″ tag with Authentique Spectrum paper in Bubblegum Pink and Antique Lace. It was my first opportunity to play with the Spectrum line, and I have to say, I’m hooked! It’s super sturdy, has a very slight sheen and makes really crisp folds.
To make this tag, first I rounded the bottom corners of a rectangular piece of paper. Then I used a corner chomper to shape the top edge. Add some ribbon, a posy and pretty designer papers, and you have a tag in no time flat!
The pocket is decorated with a Details Sticker and some little banner flags cut from scraps.
Here’s another sweet little pocket filled with journal cards from the cut apart page. I also turned a Detail Sticker into a file folder by matting it on designer paper and folding.
Side pockets can hold larger journal cards and photos.
Don’t you just love these images? Be still my heart!
Beginnings Baby Book: The Waterfall Feature
Waterfall features are such a great way to include a lot of photos in a small space. Here’s how I made this one.
- First, cut eight 4.25″ x 4.75″ rectangles from Spectrum Bubblegum 1&2 papers.
- Next, punch a scalloped edge along the bottom of each rectangle.
- Then, score each rectangle at 1/2″ on the long side.
- Now, burnish the score line to form a flap.
- Add adhesive to the back side of the flap. JUST the flap!
- Next, line the flap up with the top of your paper and press in place.
- Line the top edge of the next rectangle up with the bottom edge of the flap above it. Press in place.
- Repeat until you’ve used all the rectangles.
- Finally, add an image from the Details Sticker Sheet or the 6×6 bundle cut apart page to the top rectangle.
Beginnings Baby Book: The Belly Band
This image from the cut apart page is perfect for use as a belly band! Because it is 12″ long, it will span the page nicely. My thought here was that it would be the perfect tuck spot for a copy of baby’s birth certificate, birth announcement or baptism certificate. Of course, photos will fit here , too.
Beginnings Baby Book: Flips, Flaps and Fold Outs
To create these two cutie pie flaps, just score a 7″ long piece of paper in half, add a punched border and tuck beneath the elastic binding. Decorate one of the labels that you cut while making the journal covers. Add a little sticker from the Details Sticker sheet. Easy peasy! Using a variety of paper sizes and shapes makes the book much more fun!
Here’s a peek at another decorated signature page. Each signature has 4 sheets of acid free text paper in it. These blank pages can be used for more photos, journaling or as a place for baby’s first visitors to add a special word of greeting.
These little flip books are so easy to make! Cut 6×6 papers in half, score in half, then add decorative corners. Glue onto the page, add a sticker, and BAM! Instant flip book!
Here’s another fun way to add a flap: Score a journal card to fit the size of the inner page. Glue just the edge down and fold. Isn’t it sweet?
If you glue just the edge of an image to a fold out page, a photo can still be inserted behind it.
This fold out page opens up to a little side pocket and tuck spot.
Another example of a flap and some flip pages.
Beginnings Baby Book YouTube Video Tour
Because this Beginnings Baby Book is so interactive, I decided to make a YouTube video tour of it. I also share a lot of tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures.
I know it’s true that everybody loves a baby…and I sure am in love with Authentique Beginnings! Hopefully, I’ve inspired you to break out your scissors, glue and pretty papers and get your craft on. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
Supply List:
Authentique Products:
- Beginnings 12×12 Collection Kit (comes with Details Stickers)
- 6×6 Beginnings Bundle Paper Pad
- Spectrum Series Bubblegum Pink 1&2, Antique Lace 1
Other Products:
- Buttercup Double Sided Satin Ribbon
- Ivory Crochet Lace
- Eileen Hull Travel Journal Die by Sizzix
- Elastic for Binding
- Petaloo Flowers
- 12 sheets of cream 8.5″ x 11″ text copy paper, acid free
- Scor-tape
- Bone Folder, Scoring Tool
- Novelty Buttons

Beautiful!!! Hey have you tried the Spellbinders waterfall dies?? They are amazing!!! And so easy to use, no more cutting or scoring the dies does it all!! You get 2 kinds in each choice, I’ve got a bracket and a scalloped edge and I love the easy of using them.
Kathy,this baby book is delightful. Don’t have any immediate need for one but hope to try something like this in the near future. Am even thinking of gifts for my sisters with a section of baby memorabilia from each of us as a type of family baby memories to pass on to the next generation. Your creations always stir up the creative dimension in me. Thanks for sharing!
Kathy, I do really appreciate all the work you put into making the video, Snapguide and your blog. I follow your blog and look forward to seeing everything you do. I love the same vintage, retro style that you use in your album, etc. I’m putting the baby mini on my list of projects.
Thanks again,
Rosemary