How to Make a Mini Album
There are several reasons why mini albums have become popular among both beginning and experienced scrapbookers:
- A mini album is a great project for the scrapbooker who doesn’t have time to commit to a full-sized family scrapbook.
- Since you’re working with a smaller “canvas,” mini albums can be a fun way to try new crafting techniques in a low pressure environment.
- If you need extra space for photos and journaling from a special event, you can attach a small mini album to your regular 12x12 scrapbook layout.
- When displayed in a pretty basket, mini albums make an attractive addition to your home décor.
- Mini albums make thoughtful gifts for your friends and family. You can either assemble the entire album or make a book with spaces for the recipient to add his/her own photos and journaling.
Ideas for Mini Album Themes
Although some mini albums are simply records of a specific event, such as a wedding or family vacation, others are organized around a particular thematic concept. Ideas for this type of mini album include:
- The ABCs of Me
- The Colors of You
- 10 Things I Love About You
- Two Peas in a Pod
- A Few of My Favorite Things
- The Recipe for Success
- Words of Wisdom
Learning How to Make a Mini Album
Making a mini album is easy if you follow these simple steps:
- Gather your photos and prepare your journaling. In most cases, you’ll need between one and three photos for each page of your scrapbook.
- Purchase an album. Mini albums are available in a variety of styles. The size you select will depend on how large of photos you want to use and how much journaling you wish to include. Albums with plastic page protectors are easiest to use if you want to work with memorabilia and/or bulky embellishments, but specialty products such as chipboard and clear acrylic albums offer a chance to flex your creative muscles.
- Select a product line to use. Choosing a coordinating line of patterned paper and embellishments gives a cohesive look to your project and makes it easy to create an entire mini album in just one afternoon. Depending on the size of your album, one page kit may even have enough supplies for the entire project.
- Choose a layout for the pages in your album. Generally, a mini album will be easiest to create if you use one layout template as the basis for all of your pages. (Scrapbook sketches can be found on the Page Maps and Creating Keepsakes Web sites.) By varying the papers and embellishments you use, you can still give each page a slightly different look if you wish.
- Assemble each page in your album. If the album you’ve selected doesn’t have page protectors, check to make any metal embellishments you’ve selected won’t be poking or scratching photos on the facing pages.
Ready-To-Make Complete Mini Album Kits
When you're pressed for time and inspiration, try a ready-to-make a Mini Album Kit that has everything you need to complete your project.
