Kamalaht Accordion Album

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

I created this little accordion album to cheer my son on before his next track meet. I knew I was going to be out of town so I wanted to make something for my Boy so he would know I was thinking of him while he was at the meet.

I needed something that was SAVVY, SIMPLE and easy to complete in an hour or less. This was the ideal project for me!

To get started a grabbed a piece of 8.5" x 11" Black Cardstock. I scored it as I've shown on the diagram below.

Next I folded it in half. I then folded in the left and right corners and used my circle punch to make a slot.

Here's what it looks like at this point. (Remember it is folded down the middle lengthwise).

And this is a snapshot of my blank accordion album ready to embellish.

It REALLY is this easy! After you make your base ... it's all about embellishing.

So, to start embellishing I cut two pieces of Kamalaht papers to 2.5" x 3.5". I trimmed off the tops diagonally to match each of the corners. I then adhered each piece under the left and right fold-over flaps I created. I then used an eyelet to attach each flap to the accordion album base. Make certain you don't go through the bottom layer. You may want to open your accordion album up while you do this step. And then I used wonder tape along the edge of the accordion album to seal the sides.

This close up of the finished piece highlights the details in the step above. NOTICE that I embossed my stamped sayings onto my pieces. This added a savvy touch to the look of the finished project.

Next I cut another piece of Kamalaht (2.5" x 3.5") and adhered to the 2nd block ... the one I used the circle punch on. After I adhered this paper I used the circle punch to punch off the excess. I then went in and touched up with my black ink and stipple brush.

Next, I cut a red piece of Kamalaht to 2.5" x 3.5". On all of the pieces I attached I took my stipple brush and black ink and stippled around the edges of my pieces ...

It's a little POLISHING touch that makes a BIG impact! See the difference! This is especially a great tip when layering onto black cardstock.

Of course, I sanded the edges of my photograph.

Next I prepared my pieces to mount to my black accordion album base. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE clear acetate and that's what tops this off. I layer clear acetate on top, the photo in the middle and the Kamalaht on the bottom.

I attach the clear acetate to my photograph with eyelets. And then I adhere the photograph to the Kamalaht. It's a little touch that makes a BIG impact and really POLISHES your final piece. NOTICE that I only used 3 eyelets to attach my photo. I LOVE working with odd numbers. It adds much more interest.

Something else I do to POLISH my finished pieces ... after I staple ...

I take my little hammer and tap the back of the staple down to flatten it. This also helps to avoid snags and catching little fingers.

Another neat alternative for POLISHING your black accordion base is to emboss on it! I used an emboss pad, emboss powder and a heat tool with a favorite stamp to get this fabulous and savvy look. This is the front ...

and this is a snapshot of the back ...

For the front of Boys accordion album I used the 'K' from my Kamalaht stickers and a piece of gray ribbon from Amberley Grace. I attached this to the front. Because this is for my Boy ... I want to keep it really clean and simple. I plan on journaling on several pieces of Kamalaht as well as the Kamalaht die cuts and adding them to this album so I want to keep the overall look very simple ... it fits Kevin's personality better. (In case someone see's it!).

The next step was to create a BAND for this album. It's the same band I designed for the Toodle Loo Mini Album. Very easy to make. The only difference is ... on this band I cut my paper 2" wide and then scored it down the middle. I applied adhesive and folded it in half lengthwise before I constructed the band and scored it. This just gave it more support.

Typically, I would never use the same paper for the band and the initial. In this case, because it's a book of encouragement for my Boy, I don't mind so much. He doesn't worry about stuff like that as much as I do. So the band stays.

Here's a look at the back ...

Doesn't that look GREAT! It truly does look quite savvy and is quite masculine at the same time.

At the bottom of this tutorial I have included a supply list of the items I used to complete my accordion mini album. I hope this project inspires you and maybe even encourages you to make one for someone you love today! Enjoy!

If you need to replenish your supplies, have questions with a product, technique or are interested in one of the products I've used here please contact your ANGEL and she'll be happy to assist you! If you don't have an Angel yet ... click on SHOP NOW on our homepage and find one in your area today!

My Supply List for this Project: