The Reveal
Hello Pages Peeps, this is Michelle here to share with you my last project for this month. I had the pleasure of working with Simple Stories' 6 x 8" Mini-Album. It is a sturdy alterable chipboard binder with a fabric spine. I used it to document my recent trip to Korea, but you can use it for any purpose. It is like a cross between Smash Books and Project Life, where you experience the benefits of both. You have a lot of room to store your collectibles like postcards and pamphlets while still being able to display numerous photos and journaling cards in various sizes.
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| Simple Stories Mini-Album |
Here is the unadorned version. The album also contains dividers, page protector and document pages.
For the title page, I used a blank calendar document page and filled it in with the travel itinerary. I decorated it with a metal bookmark and some stickers. For my final page, I made a pocket to hold some pamphlets I acquired during the trip. I decorated the pocket with some patterned papers and part of a Korean card I cut out.
You can also print out a larger photo and cut it to fit into several smaller pockets (left) so don't be limited by the pocket sizes. I also completely cover the document page on the left with a menu I picked up, so you don't have to be limited by the designs on the dividers.
I had some receipts I kept so those when on a document page. I downloaded some free Simple Stories journaling cards (right) which matched my color scheme.
I found that one of the best things I did in preparation for the album was to bring a few journaling cards with me on the trip. I filled out one a day which documented what I did and the names of the places I visited. I'm glad I didn't have to try to recall details and spelling of foreign names weeks or months later, in which I would have forgotten most of it.
I find that the things I collect from a trip which I intend to scrap, like the train ticket below (left) and metal bookmark (right), never get scrapped. They make a layout look too busy and ruin the aesthetic, so I end up not using any of the things I brought back, and only use the pictures.
Featuring Echo Park's Note to Self Collection
& Simple Stories' Mix & Match Mini-Album
6 x 8” Album: Simple Stories Mix & Match
The Interior
I ended up making over 20 double page spreads, but I'll only share a few here. If you would like to see the rest, please visit the store to see this and many other wonderful samples from the design team.
For the title page, I used a blank calendar document page and filled it in with the travel itinerary. I decorated it with a metal bookmark and some stickers. For my final page, I made a pocket to hold some pamphlets I acquired during the trip. I decorated the pocket with some patterned papers and part of a Korean card I cut out.
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| Title and Final Page |
The two main components of the album are the page protectors and document pages. The page protectors come in various designs so you can use 3 x 4", 4 x 4" and 4 x 6" photos. The document pages are 6 x 8" and you can journal on it directly or adhere memorabilia and embellishments. This shows a page protector of four 3 x 4" photos on the left and a document page with some journaling and memorabilia on the right.
You can also put photos on the document page (left) and journaling cards inside the page protectors (right). I also made a collage so I could get 5 photos into the space of one 4 x 6" photo.
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| Journal Card and Collage |
I had some receipts I kept so those when on a document page. I downloaded some free Simple Stories journaling cards (right) which matched my color scheme.
I found that one of the best things I did in preparation for the album was to bring a few journaling cards with me on the trip. I filled out one a day which documented what I did and the names of the places I visited. I'm glad I didn't have to try to recall details and spelling of foreign names weeks or months later, in which I would have forgotten most of it.
I find that the things I collect from a trip which I intend to scrap, like the train ticket below (left) and metal bookmark (right), never get scrapped. They make a layout look too busy and ruin the aesthetic, so I end up not using any of the things I brought back, and only use the pictures.
This system reminds me of old school scrapbooking, like when I was a kid. You can just stick anything onto the document pages and not have to worry about layout design, negative space, balance and proportion.
The purpose is more about documenting your life and less about design principals. I ended up using 100% of all my souvenirs and travel memorabilia, which has never happened before. Also I could document the entire trip unlike the one 12 x 12" summary page I usually do for my regular albums.
The Supplies
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| Note to Self Collection |
& Simple Stories' Mix & Match Mini-Album
6 x 8” Album: Simple Stories Mix & Match
Album Pages: Simple Stories This & That
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Echo Park, Simple Stories
Journaling Cards: Simple Stories Free Downloads
Stickers: Echo Park, Sanrio
Alphabet Stickers: Echo Park, Making Memories
Washi Tape: K & Co., assorted
Souvenirs from Korea: bookmarks, gift wrap, cards, stickers, thimble
You can find some Simple Stories free downloads here and here.
If you have something you want documented, I encourage you to try this system. It is less daunting than a 12 x 12 album.
Thanks so much for stoppin' by and see you next month,
Michelle
You can find some Simple Stories free downloads here and here.
If you have something you want documented, I encourage you to try this system. It is less daunting than a 12 x 12 album.
Thanks so much for stoppin' by and see you next month,
Michelle
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