Scrapbooking 101 - the one page scrapbook project

I am a crafter at heart. I love to work with my hands and create pretty things. And I must admit I like the compliments that follow. I also like variety - I like to switch things up, so I knit, paint, (decorative painting on wood, tin, ceramic, whatever) and I love, love, love to color. If I see something handmade that I like I can usually re-create it, and then I get hooked. However that was not the case with scrapbooking.

Several years ago, my sisters and I wanted to make a 50th Wedding Anniversary Album for our parents. We put our heads together, purchased supplies, and planned to meet on a regular basis to get the project done. Well, life gets busy, and all the supplies were at my house, and I do tend to take over:( so I appointed myself the "project manager" which was just fine with my sisters. The book was finished on time and the gift was well received. The odd thing for me though, unlike other crafts, scrapbooking did not ensnare me in it's web. I had no desire to run out and buy more scrapbooking supplies. So I packed up all the bits of paper, scissors, stickers and put them away. Fast forward ten years (and I mean fast).

Our only daughter had just been married and I was surfing the web for ideas. We had a small budget for the wedding and our family was a great help to us. So I wanted to give my sisters some kind of momentum, perhaps a small photo album with wedding pictures to say "thank you" for helping with the wedding. At this point I hadn't even thought of a scrapbook type album. While surfing the "web" I stumbled upon a variety of album ideas. I was intrigued by one type in particular. It was called a "mini chipboard album". What was chipboard? I couldn't imagine how a human being could make such a beautiful book? Was that really paper? The pattern paper used in this particular album started to haunt me, it was beautiful. Muted reds and black, striped and printed images, images of Paris all done in a vintage look. It even had glitter! I was hooked, I had to know more.

The first thing I did was to dig through the garage (it was a mess, we had just moved) and find that box with all my scrapbook supplies. After a quick inventory of my supplies I began to search for answers to my many, many questions. My mind raced as I started to devour ever YouTube video I could find on the mini chipboard album. Again, what is chipboard?

Chipboard is a type of particle board, a smooth piece of sturdy cardboard. It comes in different weights like paper. I found it at my local Michael's craft store. I purchased an 8 1/2" x 11" package - I had decided to not make just one, but nine mini albums - it did not go well.

I could not seem to get a straight cut! I was frustrated to say the least. Not sure what I was doing wrong I went back to the web. I was totally amazed as I watched Clare Charvill, mycreativespirit.blogspot.com, and Jane, Velocityvette08 on YouTube. I was soaking in every word and watching their hands move expertly as they worked with the chipboard and patterned paper. I then found a video for a one page project, I was sure I could handle a one page project. The chipboard project would have to wait, I opted for the more manageable one page project.

Kathy Orta has a short YouTube tutorial to make this mini album. I like to call this project a super mini brag book. I don't think this pattern is her design, but it may be, the finished album resembles a matchbook, is easy to put together and holds a number of small photographs. It makes a great "brag" book for anyone, a grandma, granddad, new dad . . . it would even be a great place to keep those photo booth pictures you throw in your drawer. I've made so many of these since discovering Ms. Orta's video, it is a great, quick gift. It may be difficult to envision how you might use such an album, so I've included photos of a super mini brag book complete with pictures for your review.

Check out the supply list and video below. You will be amazed at what you can do with one sheet of paper!

Supplies you'll need for this one page mini album.

• one sheet of cardstock; additional bits of patterned scrapbook paper
• scoreboard/bone folder
• glue; liquid, stick, double faced tape
• scissors
• ruler
• small flat magnet
• embellishments, ink pad/stamps, paper punch, etc. (optional)