by Susan Hibberd

Created on: April 27, 2008   Last Updated: January 10, 2011

I often make mini-scrapbooks for gifts, and these are the things I think about before I start one.

WHO IS IT FOR?

If the mini-scrapbook is for a gift, I need to think about the reason I am making it, and the theme I will choose. I usually make my books as display items, and like to co-ordinate them with the recipient's decor. A scrapbook for a child will be make of tougher materials than one made for an adult friend.

THE THEME

The theme of the book will determine the colors and the things that go inside it. Which embellishments, what binding, the whole style of making are decided at this stage. Obviously, these will be dictated by the occasion. A wedding book will be creams and golds, with hints of the bride's chosen accent color, for example.

SIZE

I like to make my books in the most cost-efficient way, so I usually make them in 1/8 of an A4 page. This means that I can cut or tear the pages out of a sheet of A4 paper most efficiently.

Once I have decided these things, I collect all the bits and pieces I am going to put into the scrapbook in one place. The papers, embellishments, glue, scissors, etc all set out on the table in front of me.

I can now start to assemble the scrapbook. As I am making a min-scrapbook, make sure there is only be one theme. This might be 'Times Together', 'Summer Holiday 2007', or 'Did You Really Wear That?' This is one of the fun things about mini scrapbooks. The whole thing will match and hang together to make one perfect, whole book and will look like a little piece of art.

I like to use my own handmade papers in these books, and I choose several different shades of one color usually, for example, all naturals, pinks & lavenders or greens. Of course, you can use any papers you like as the base for each page. Nice thick cream writing paper is a good place to start. I like to hand tear the edges for a raggedy-anne look.

Once the pages are chosen, I lay out what I want on each page. As they are very small pages, I usually use just one main item per page. I layer this up with backing papers, add words and side bars as the inspiration hits me. I always remember to keep a wide margin for the binding. This could be as much as 1/3 of the page width, as the binding is proportionally larger than on a larger book.

After double checking the items, they are glued in place. I use glue dots for ease - they are best for not showing through thin papers as well. I then add in lots of odd bits and pieces that are personal to me or my friend. Buttons, lace and tickets can all go in.

I make two covers out of some slightly heavier weight paper. I find really thick card is too difficult to bind. I decorate this to match, in slightly bolder colors than the inside of the book.

The easiest way to bind these little books is to choose a piece of lace, raffia or cord that matches and tie a wrapped binding on. I cut a piece of heavy paper or thin card the width of the spine of the book, plus 1". This should be the same height as the book. I wrap this around my book and fold the edges. Using a bradawl, I push two holes right through this wrap, the cover and the pages inside.

I use the bradawl to push my chosen cord through. I like to use a long thread of raffia or paper string so that I can ruffle out the ends once it has been tied into a bow. Choosing a slightly darker color than I have used for your cover brings the whole look together.

This is a great craft, and will really be appreciated as a gift. Little girls love them as well, if made on a kitten or horse theme.

Happy scrapbooking!

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