ABC Primer Photograph Album

This is an album I have made using the amazing ABC Primer collection from Graphic 45.  I used chalkboard paint on the front cover to mimic the old type blackboards and slates.  I have a video of this on YouTube, just click on this link:  http://youtu.be/iGRWjfRFXos

This is an 8 x 8 album.

 

For the front cover I used chipboard pieces, cut outs, I Am Roses flowers, Bakers twine and layered them all around what is meant to replicate an old blackboard.   

  

The back cover is one of the pages from the 12x12 pad.

  

The spine I left the black card showing and added cut outs and a chipboard piece on the bottom.  I then took a working globe charm on a long chain and added more charms to it.  The theme was 'Knowledge'. Some ribbons have then been added in complimentary colours.  A piece of chalk held on with a coiled piece of red jewellery wire is also attached to enable you to write any message on the front cover (you need to provide your own duster though x).

 

The inside front cover has again been layered with chipboard pieces and cut outs with the number pieces being raised on pop dots to enable a journaling card or picture to be placed behind.

Page 1 allows for a photo mat to slide behind the main picture and is held down with a Basic Grey magnet, the picture flips up enabling more opportunities for photos underneath.

Pages 2 & 3 I have created more layering, places to put favourite momentos behind the 'ABC' cut outs and created small booklets for each page with photo mats inside.  Many of these I have also used a photo corner punch for ease.  The pages also have additional photo mats in the shape of a notepad inside the body of each page, you can see one sticking out here.

Pages 4 & 5 are great fun.  The picture of the child measuring another child is a small booklet with additional photo mats inside and is held on the page using a a Basic Grey magnet. It also flips out when you disengage the magnet, which you can see in the photo below.   In my albums I love creating lots of wee hidyholes to keep the magic going enabling people to keep exploring in the hope of finding more and more.......

Here is a picture taken prior to binding the pages and shows how the inside booklets fold out offering opportunities for journaling and additional photos out with the main photo on the body of the page.

Pages 6 & 7 have more flip out pockets, again held using magnets.  Here lots of layers were achieved using cut outs, chipboard pieces and pop dots to create interest taking the eye around the pages.

Inside the flip is a bellyband with a small booklet, either for journaling or small photos.

This bellyband technique has been used on both pages for rhythm and continuity.

I try to have every layout different, not just because it keeps me entertained, and sometimes at a loss how to create something unique and unusual, but also to maintain the excitement and interest for the person looking through the album.  Can you just image all the amazement and smiles discovering all the pockets?

A bellyband and pocket with borders have been added to create interest and again the same use of the alphabet, albeit in different fonts, help pull the two page theme together.

Within the next pages are more places for treasures, layering and places for tags, photo mats and of course larger photos.  On page 11 I have created more booklet type places, which once removed offer large spaces for photos.

The final page and back cover.  I created another bellyband and adhered different cut outs from the collection layering also to add dimension and interest.  The girl with her arms raised is similar to how I constructed it previously in that it is held in place using a magnet and can be easily lifted off the page.  On the back cover behind the 'pondering child' is a pocket for wee keepsakes.

I hope you enjoyed this and have found some inspiration to complete some crafts yourself.  I am entering this in a blog challenge over at Country View Crafts where Novembers theme is 'Letters', I hope this qualifies?  Without our ABC's where would we be?  Click the link below and it will take you straight over to their page where you can see lots of other  inspirational crafts.  http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/challenge-9-november.html

Before I go here are some other ways to use this collection.  Post it holders I made, great gift for teacher, which we did and I also have one on my office desk, which everyone always comments upon.

Pauline

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