Have some old file folders lying around? Here’s a great way to recycle them…make a recycled file folder mini album. Dress up your folder with some decorative paper, add photos, journaling, and a few embellishments, and you have a ready-made album to give as a gift! Are you planning a trip? Add tickets, brochures and photos inside the pockets and surprise family members.
Instructions
STEP 1:
Open letter size file folder so the tab is in the top right corner.
STEP 2:
Fold the bottom of the folder up, so it matches up with the bottom of the tab…this will probably be around 4 inches…but all folders are not made exactly the same so do what works with the one you have chosen.
STEP 3:
Fold the left side of the folder in so it meets the fold in the center of the file folder. Make sure you have the edges lined up well and use a bone folder to assure nice crisp edges. Now fold this section to the back.
STEP 4:
Fold the right side of the folder (with the tab) over to the center until the “binding” matches up. (The binding being the folds on the outside.
STEP 5:
Flip the book over – this will be the front of your album.
STEP 6:
Cover all of the folder sections with decorative paper. I left about 1/8 inch around the edges of all of my papers. It is easier to fold it this way instead of covering the ENTIRE folder with paper.
STEP 7:
Add a ribbon under decorative paper on the two middle sections of the BACK side of album. This ribbon should extend long enough to wrap around to the front of the album and make a bow.
STEP 8:
On one of the inside “pockets”, cut down about 1 ½ inches at one of the fold lines and fold over the top edge of the pocket at an angle.
STEP 9:
For another pocket, use a circle punch to cut out a portion after you have covered that section with decorative papers.
STEP 10:
If you want, you can make a pocket for the front of the album too by adding additional decorative paper and adhering on three sides.
STEP 11:
Make tags to fit inside each of the pockets and decorate with paper, photos, & journaling. I used a corner rounder on the top two corners of each tag to dress mine up. I added flower stickers to the top of each tag as a tag pull (powder the portion that extends beyond the tag), but you could use ribbon if desired.
STEP 12:
Add embellishments to finish up your mini album.
STEP 13:
PLEASE NOTE! The most important step in making this file folder mini is to make sure that the folded edges line up when you are finished so be sure and fold carefully and press each fold with the bone tool. And remember, the pockets are not fastened down on the sides inside the file folder album. Since the mini album is tied shut when not being used, all of the tags stay in place!