Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Everyday Mini Book Tutorial

Hi everyone! I can't believe January is already over, this month went way too fast. I have another Sizzix tutorial for you today, a little mini book.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
I love making mini books, and picking topics for them. This little book measures 3.2 x 4.6 in, and contains a surprising amount of photos and text (I added most of the journaling after taking the photos). When I was thinking of what to do, I found a bunch of photos I had taken (and already developed) of Anton at his old school, and thought that would be a great topic for a mini book. The photos were a part of me documenting details everyday during a week, inspired by Ali Edwards' Week In The Life - which also reminds me that I haven't shared the album I made with those photos yet. I'll try to get to that soon. 

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
I used these two new die sets by Lynda Kanase to make my book: Mini Album and Photo Frame & Words. The sets include lots of great words and details, as you will see below. You can see all Lynda's dies here

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
Die cut three cover pages using Tim Holtz Mixed Media Heavystock paper. Use this sandwich: Multipurpose Platform Tab 2, Cutting Pad, paper, die facing down, second Cutting Pad. 

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
Die cut another six pages from patterned paper. I used these great Basics papers by Simple Stories, which combine two of my favourite patterns, ledger and wood-grain. You need two pages for each Heavystock cover page. The book consists of three signatures.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
Smear Antique Linen, Pumice Stone and Ground Espresso on a craft sheet. Mist with water and press the Heavystock papers into the ink (both sides), as well as the ledger sides of the patterned papers.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
When dry, stamp with the ledger stamp from Tim Holtz's School Desk set, as well as the alphabet stamp from the same set. I also used a Tim Holtz star stamp, and bunch of sentiment stamps from Darkroom Door. 

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
I really like the frame and all the words you can add to it from the Photo Frame & Words set. It is best to use these dies together with the Sizzix Magnetic Platform, since it keeps them in place. Use this sandwich: Magnetic Platform, Cutting Pad, paper, die facing down with the word die in the space as seen above, second Cutting Pad.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
This is the resulting frame. Isn't it great?

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
You can also use the word dies with the banner die from the Mini Album set, by placing them as shown here.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
Die cut a bunch of frames, banners, scalloped borders, arrows, tickets and more, from leftover inky papers and from kraft-core cardstock. Sand the kraft-core pieces.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
To assemble the book: place two patterned sheets inside each of the three Heavystock cover sheets. This leaves you with three signatures. Use the same die you used to die cut the pages, to cut a piece of brown Paper Leather for the spine. Paper Leather is very strong and durable, which makes it a great material for a spine. Cut it shorter and make the die cut holes a little larger. I used my Crop-a-Dile for that. Tie each signature with string and tie them all together on the outside of the spine.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
The tabs add a fun element to the book, as do the thumbs up and heart tabs along the side.


Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
I used label stickers to complete the title.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
The inside is full of photos, sentiment stamps and journaling. I left some of the spreads for journaling only, and left space for additional photos, since I have some photos I want to add to this album which aren't developed yet (I don't print photos at home).  Both sentiments here come from Darkroom Door.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
Place the die cut embellishments and words here and there throughout the album.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
I like the look of the partially inky ledger pages.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
I am happy about having taken the photo to the right, of his school bag and shoes, both of which aren't used any longer.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
I also used a photo of my car parked outside the school. Because my car was red, Anton called it 'McQueen', from Lightning McQueen. But when he was very little he couldn't say 'McQueen', but instead said 'Queen' - which is the name that stuck for the car.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
The stamping on the tabs was done with alphabet stamps.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
Here you can see what it looks like where two signature meets. I liked including the world map stamp, focusing on Africa.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
This is one of my favourite sentiment stamps, and I've used it on a lot of projects.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
Here there is space open for photos with friends, yet to be developed.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
A photo of Anton's place at the table, and more space for journaling.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
I love this wood paper, such great texture.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
Space for more photos. A photo of Anton and his teacher will go to the right.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
Here's the back of the book. After binding it, I realised I had covered the last part of the stamped sentiment, so I just restamped 'brave' on the spine.

Layers of ink - Everyday Mini Book Sizzix Tutorial by Anna-Karin with dies by Lynda Kanase.
If you don't press the paper down hard into the ink on the craft sheet, you get these cool dots, which I really like.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and that it inspired you to make a mini book.

Thank you for stopping by today and happy crafting!!

Anna-Karin

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