Fold-Out Photo Album

A friend recently asked if I still made Fold-Out Photo Albums. I used to make tons of them and sell them at craft shows. I showed her the few albums that I had sitting around in one of my craft cabinets. She asked if I could make her some more for specific themes. So here is what I made:

Themes - Valentines, Spring, Generic, Summer, 4th of July, Back to School,  Fall, Pumpkins, Halloween,  2 Generic Winter, and Candy Cane.  On the last two I used old Stampin' Up Designer Paper from 1999.

Inside of Halloween themed album

Inside of Candy Cane album

These albums are not difficult to make but they can be time consuming. Below are the directions I used to give out when I taught classes for making these. Enjoy!

Folding Photo Album Directions

Supplies

3 pieces 12x12 cardstock

2 pieces 6¼ in. square chipboard (poster board or cereal box)

2 pieces 8 in. square patterned paper for front and back cover

1 yard of ribbon

Adhesive – strong glue dots or double stick tape (photo safe)

Instructions

Album:

1.    Take the 12x12 cardstock and fold in half, carefully matching corners. Crease one way, unfold, and then crease the opposite way for mobility.

2.   Unfold the 12x12 cardstock piece and then fold in half in the other direction on the same line, repeating the opposite crease for mobility. You should have a cross of creases on your paper.

3.   Unfold, then fold on one diagonal ONLY. Crease one way and then crease on the same line the opposite way for mobility. Set aside.

4.   Repeat the first three steps on the other two pieces of 12x12 cardstock.

5.    Place all three pieces of creased cardstock vertically with the diagonal crease perpendicular to your work surface (hope that makes sense). Glue the pieces together so that the two outer diamonds lay on top of the center diamond’s side points.

6.   Once glued, fold the whole thing up kind of accordion style and set aside.

Cover:

1.    Lay one piece of 8 in patterned paper face down and place one piece of chipboard in the center. Fold and adhere the paper like you are “wrapping” the chipboard in patterned paper.

2.   Repeat with second piece of patterned paper and chipboard.

3.   Lay ribbon across the unwrapped side of the bottom cover and tape to center of chipboard.

4.   Place folded album of cardstock with its opening to the bottom right-hand corner in center of bottom piece of album cover. Put adhesive on bottom piece of album and lay firmly in center of bottom album cover. Flip and repeat to adhere album to top cover.

5.    Put 5 ½ in squares (some cut in half diagonally) inside album to use as background paper before adding pictures.

This is the beginning of a "1st Day of School" album I will add to each year. I intend to put stickers and notes in with the pictures.