Authentique Scholastic Back to School Mini Album

Hello, Friends! It’s August already?  That means it’s time to get ready to go back to school!  I’m loving the happy prints, retro images and primary colors of this Authentique Scholastic collection, how about you?  It takes me right back to my happy childhood school days.

Authentique Scholastic Back to School Mini Album: The Inspiration

I grew up in an era when each little town had it’s own 2 room schoolhouse within walking distance of home.  Ours sat at the top of a steep hill, surrounded by ancient maple trees and a large grassy meadow that was perfect for outdoor play.  We had a small playground with old fashioned swings, a merry go round, teeter totters and a large sidewalk where we played hopscotch.

The vintage yellow schoolhouse was a two story box shape, with enormous windows, maple hardwood floors, old fashioned iron coat hooks and green slate chalkboards that covered two walls of each room. Grades 1-3 were in one room and grades 4-6 in the other.  A big old fashioned clock hung on the front wall with large framed photos of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln on either side.  The Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” was conspicuously displayed for all to see and take to heart.

We started each day with The Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer.  And no…I’m not 100 years old!  This was 1962…not that long ago…but oh, how things have changed!

Authentique Scholastic Back to School Mini Album: The Base

The base for this project is a 8.25″ x 8.75″ x 2″  G 45 Black Mixed Media Album.  I decided to pretty much “gut” the album interior and make it into an interactive memory book.

TIP:  Layer elements with varying height chipboard to add interest to the cover display.

TIP: Matting stickers and images on Black Jack and Lemon Drop Spectrum Cardstock makes the layers pop.

TIP: Not all embellishments come from the scrapbooking store!  A trio of pencils tied with ribbon look fantastic on the album spine.  First, glue the pencil sides together.  Then, wrap with black micro gingham.  Tie a bow.  Then mat the apple image on a double layer of Black Jack and Lemon Drop cardstock.  Punch a hole in one corner, string on a metal key and you’ve got a mighty cute embellishment!

Authentique Scholastic Back to School Mini Album: Adding the Waterfall Feature

TIP: There’s loads of room inside the front cover for a waterfall/pocket combo.  Here’s how:

• First, cut (6) 6 1/2″ x 5″ rectangles from Black Jack and Lemon Drop. (3 each)
• Next, score a 1/2″ flap on the top edge of each rectangle.
• Then, shape the bottom corner with a corner punch, if desired.
• Now, fold the 1/2″ flaps back and burnish.
• Next, center and adhere the first flap along the top edge of the inside cover.
• Then, line up the folded edge of the next flap beneath the first flap.  Continue this process for all 6 waterfall pages.
• Now, make a pocket and adhere along the bottom edge of the page.  I used an oval die to cut a pretty shape in the top of mine.
• To keep the waterfall closed, adhere a length of Light Blue Navy Satin Ribbon along the base of the final waterfall page, then tie a bow on the front.

Authentique Scholastic Back to School Mini Album: Interactive Pages

As you’ll see in the video tour below, I created a number of interactive pages inside the album.

Belly bands and accordion folio inserts are a fun way to display photos.

Pockets with large pull out photo mounts are easy to  make.

• Make quick and easy pockets by cutting patterned papers 3″ longer than the height of your page.
• Score, fold and adhere the sides for an almost instant pocket.
• Then cut squares of Black Jack paper to fit the pockets.
• Line with patterned paper on both sides.
• Mat tab type stickers on cardstock scraps to make decorative pull tabs.

This album is loaded with fun…but everything is very easy to do, as you will see in the video tour.

TIP: Change up the size of your pages to add variety and interest to your album.

TIP: Create flap folios above pockets to add room for more photos.  Mine are 6 1/2″ x 9″, scored in half so that each panel will hold a 4″ x 6″ photo with room for the pretty paper to peek around the edges.

TIP:  Create a tip in page by cutting your paper 3″ wider than the base page.  Then score, fold and adhere the back side to the album bse.

TIP: Hidden pockets with inserts are a snap to make.  Cut designer paper 1/2″ wider than the base on the sides and bottom edge.  Score 1/2″ flaps, fold and adhere just the flaps to the base page.  This makes it easy to slide a folio insert behind the page.  Use a circle or oval die to cut a decorative opening, if desired.

TIP: Save the off cut from die cutting the pocket edge and turn it into a decorative tab on a folio.

Authentique Scholastic Back to School Mini Album: The Video Tour with Tips and Tricks

To help you get a better idea for the flow and function of this album, I’ve created a short video tour.  You’ll find lots of tips and helpful hints for making your own Back to School mini album.

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  You’ll find a linked supply list below the post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Authentique Scholastic Supply List

• Authentique Paper
  • Scholastic Collection Kit (comes with the sticker sheet)
  • 4 sheets each Lemon Drop and Black Jack Spectrum Cardstock
• Graphic 45 Black Mixed Media Album Base
• Light Navy Satin Ribbon with Grosgrain Edge
• Burlap String
• Apple Buttons
• Primary Buttons from my stash
• Tim Holtz Pen Nib
• 3 yellow school pencils
• Vintage Style Black key
• School Themed Novelty Buttons
• Red, Yellow, Blue Flowers from my stash