Explosion Album Tutorial

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• Video

Author: Becky Cates
 
Want to try a creative twist on a mini album? Try an Explosion Album! These little albums are simple to make and so much fun to open and admire. Here’s one decorated for Valentine’s Day.
 

 
To make a 4 inch explosion album, you will need:

• Three 8 x 8 inch pieces of sturdy cardstock – can be all the same color or 3 coordinating colors
• 1 sheet of patterned paper (thinner paper folds around the cover easier)
• Two 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 inch pieces of chipboard
• Coordinating ribbon approximately 24 inches long
• Scissors
• Adhesive
• Paper trimmer with scoring blade
• Bone folder
  

Directions:

1. Score each of the 8 inch squares of cardstock three times. First horizontally, next vertically and finally on ONE of the diagonals. I added dotted lines for you to see more easily where to fold, but DO NOT draw those on your project! Crease each fold well with a bone folder. Then turn your paper over and crease again on the back side.
    
     
   
   
2. Connect the three “pages” together by attaching the SOLID square area of one paper to the SOLID square area of the next paper. You’ll want to layer the pages so that the folded areas of one paper are on the TOP SIDE and the folded areas of the next page are on the BOTTOM side.
    
   
   
   
3. To make book front & back cover, apply adhesive to one side of a 4 1/4 inch square of chipboard and center it on the wrong side of a 5 1/2 inch piece of patterned paper. Trim corners of pattern paper at a 45 degree angle close to the point of each corner. Apply adhesive to the edges of the patterned paper and fold over chipboard.
    
   
   
   
4. Adhere ribbon to inside back cover.
   
   
    
   
5. Apply adhesive to back of first and last pages of album and attach to cover.
    
      
   
   
6. Fold “pages” in to album.
   
   
   
   
7. Decorate cover and inside pages with photos, journaling, & embellishments. Wrap the attached ribbon to the front and tie a bow to complete your project!
   
   
   

Explosion albums make quick and easy gifts and are sure to get a great reaction out of your recipient!
 
Here are a few ideas of themes you might want to try:

• Helpful hints for a new mommy
• Photos & notes from each of the grandkids for grandma & grandpa
• Anecdotes & photos from a weekend trip
• A day in the life of a favorite pet
• 10 reasons why “I love you”
• Give family members or attendants a special memento to celebrate your wedding
• Record a single school year - or a look back "through the years"
• Show off favorite pictures of the kids' Halloween costumes, or document any holiday for that matter!
  

As you can see, practically ANY theme is perfect for the tiny little explosion album! I hope you have as much fun making yours as I did mine!