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BEST OF CRAFTS
Puttin' On the Knits
Knitty Gritty
Creative Juice
Sewing for the Home
Scrapbooking: Flowers
Scrapbooking Basics
Scrapbooking: Holidays
Scrapbooking: Vacations

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  • Photo-Album Cover
  • From "Ask DIY"
    episode ADI-707
    advertisement

    Click here to view a larger image.

    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    Figure C

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    Figure D

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    Figure E

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    An album that's worthy of your most treasured family photos!

    Q: Can you show me how to make photo album covers using material and batting?

    A: (from Debbie Stapely, DIY Crafts expert) One thing I've discovered is that this project works best with one of those albums that screws apart (figure A) -- three -ring binders work okay, but they're much more of a challenge to cover using this technique.

    1. Remove the screws and take the album apart -- then you can just cover the back and the front separately.

    2. Use scissors to cut a piece of batting to fit both covers.

    3. Give the outside of one album cover a light coating of spray adhesive; let it set until it's tacky. (Do this if you already have some spray adhesive at home -- it's not absolutely essential to apply an adhesive to hold the batting.) Set the batting in place.

      Tip: Always use spray adhesives in a well-ventilated area.

    4. Cut a piece of fabric for each cover, measuring 2" bigger all around than the covers themselves. Center it over one cover and flip the whole thing over (figure B).

    5. Using your trusty glue gun, run a bead of glue along one side (figure C) and press the fabric over the glue.

    6. Do the same on the opposite side so you'll get a tight fit, then do the remaining sides, saving the corners for last .

    7. Apply a drop of glue to the corner of the fabric (figure D), finger-pleat the corner (figure E) and stick it down.

    8. To cover the raw edges, apply either a fabric-covered piece of cardboard or a piece of handmade paper, cut to fit the inside of the cover. Glue in place with either high-tack spray adhesive or hot glue.

      Tip: If you use handmade paper and you find that it's too thin, adhere a piece of heavier paper to one side, using spray adhesive.

    9. Use a pair of scissors to poke through the holes where the screws will be reattached.

    10. Repeat with the other cover, then reassemble the book. If you wish, you can add decorations such as sewing findings (satin-cord frog closings, etc.)

    Q: What materials would you recommend I use to make a magic wand for my daughter's fairy princess costume?

    A: A wooden dowel is a great place to start. Paint it gold or silver, add glitter or ribbon , or fabric that you used to make the costume. (Ribbon streamers hanging from the wand are fabulous!) Then look around the house -- maybe you have an old foam Christmas star or something similar that you can attach to the end of the dowel. And by all means, get your daughter to help -- this is a great mother-and-daughter project!

    Q: What width of ribbon should I use to make ribbon-embroidery designs ? Do I need a special needle?

    A: Typically, the best ribbon width is 1/8 " to 1/4". You should use a crewel or tapestry needle with a larger eye. Check at your local crafts store -- they're sure to have everything you need to get started .

    Q: Do you have instructions for a simple braiding technique?

    A: The simplest technique uses three strands: Take one outside strand and place it over the middle strand. It becomes the middle strand. Take the other outside strand and place it over the middle strand. Keep doing this -- alternating outside strands over the middle strand -- until you have as much braid as you need.


    RESOURCES :
    Bookworks: Books, Memory and Photo Albums, Journals, and Diaries Made by Hand
    Model: 0823004910
    Author: Sue Doggett

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Handcrafted Journals, Albums, Scrapbooks and More
    Model: 0806939354
    Author: Marie Browning

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
    Website: www.sterlingpub.com

    Crafting Beautiful Journals & Albums
    ISBN: 1581801351
    Author: Anna Morgan


    Cover to Cover: Creative Techniques for Making Beautiful Books, Journals, and Albums
    Model: 0937274879
    Author: Shereen Laplantz

    Lark Books / Altamont Press
    Website: www.larkbooks.com

    Art of the Scrapbook: A Guide to Handbinding and Decorating Memory Books, Albums, and Art Journals
    Model: 0823010198
    Author: Diane V. Maurer-Mathison
    Watson-Guptill Publications
    Website: www.watsonguptill.com

    Crafting Beautiful Journals and Albums: How to Personalize, Embellish. . .Scrapbooks
    Model: 1581801351
    Author: Anna Morgan
    Order this title from Amazon.com.

    The Traveler's Photo Album and Memory Box
    Model: 0880881518
    Author: Sophia Bedford-Pierce
    (1998)


    Peter Pauper Press, Inc.
    White Plains, NY 10601-5376

    Vacation: 16 Acid-Free Sheets for Memory Albums, Stamping and More
    Model: 1562313673
    Author: Editors
    (1997)

    To order this title from Amazon, click here.


    Hot Off the Press Inc.
    Website: www.craftpizazz.com

    Birthday: 16 Acid-Free Sheets for Memory Albums Stamping and More
    Model: 1562313665
    (1997)


    Hot Off the Press Inc.
    Website: www.craftpizazz.com

    New Ideas for Crafting Heritage Albums: The Latest Tips and Techniques ...
    Model: 1558705805
    Author: Bev Braun

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Broadway Books/Random House, Inc.
    Website: www.randomhouse.com

    The Simple Art of Scrapbooking: Tips, Techniques and 30 Special Album Ideas ...
    ISBN: 0440508398
    Author: The Scrapbook Guild
    (1998)


    Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing
    Website: www.randomhouse.com

    School Life: Photo Album and Journal
    Model: 1884807313
    Author: Nancy C. Akmon, Editor
    (1998)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Blushing Rose Publishing
    We apologize no contact information is available.

    Memory Albums by Design
    Model: 0865731837
    Author: Sheena Cable
    (January 1999)

    To order this title from Amazon, click here.


    Creative Publishing International, Inc.
    Website: www.creativepub.com

    Our Wedding: A Keepsake Album
    Model: 1561483273
    Author: Meryl Doney
    (2001)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Good Books
    Website: www.goodbooks.com

    Crafting Your Own Heritage Album
    Model: 1558705341
    Author: Bev Braun
    (2000)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Betterway Books (F & W Publications)
    Website: www.fwpublications.com

    A Lasting Legacy: Scrapbooks and Photo Albums That Touch the Heart
    Model: 096633180X
    Author: Souzzann Y.H. Carroll
    (1998)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here


    Living Vision Press
    Bountiful, UT 84011

    Memory Album

    Designed to highlight your child from infancy to graduation.


    Through the Years
    Richmond, TX 77406-1168

    My Baby Shower: Photo Album and Record Keeper
    Model: 0880886749
    Author: Virginia Reynolds, Kerren Barbas
    (2001)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Peter Pauper Press, Inc.
    White Plains, NY 10601-5376

    Bookmarks: Books, Memory & Photo Albums, Journals, and Diaries Made by Hand
    Model: 0823004910
    Author: Sue Doggett

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Watson-Guptill Publications
    Website: www.watsonguptill.com

    Family Memories: Photos, Albums and Journals
    Model: 157421005X
    Author: Suzanne McNeill
    (September 1997)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    F & W Publications Inc. (North Light and Betterway Books, Story Press, Popular Woodworking Books)
    Website: www.fwpublications.com

    All You Need to Know About Making Memory Albums
    Model: 085532872X
    Author: Maggie Wright
    (March 1999)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Search Press Ltd.
    New York, NY 10011-4113
    Phone: 212-519-1300

    Happy Birthday: Photo Album and Journal
    Model: 1884807321
    Author: Nancy Akmon, Editor
    (January 1998)

    To order this title from Amazon, click here.

    Blushing Rose Publications

    The Ultimate Book of Memory Albums
    Model: 1574860755
    Author: Paulette Jarvey and Tom Muir
    (August 1997)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Leisure Arts (Hot Off The Press, Inc.)
    Website: www.craftpizazz.com

    Recollections: A Scrapbook and Guide of Creating Your Own Family Album
    Model: 0811827453
    Author: Sallyann J. Murphy
    (June 2000)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Chronicle Publishing Company
    Website: www.chroniclebooks.com

    The Creative Memories Way: Creating Keepsake Albums and Building Your Family Legacy
    Model: 1578564816
    Author: Cheryl Lightle and Shari MacDonald
    (March 2002)

    To order this title from Amazon, click here.

    Waterbrook

    Travel Journal: Photo Album and Journal
    Model: 1884807305
    Author: Nancy Akmon, Editor
    (January 1998)

    To order this title from Amazon, click here.

    Blushing Rose Publications

    Scrapbooks and Photo Albums: How to Collect, Design, Assemble, Decorate
    Model: 1885593597
    Author: Laura Check
    (2001)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Williamson Publishing Company
    Charlotte, VT 05445
    Email: info@williamsonbooks.com

    Country Living Scrapbooking: Creating Scrapbooks, Albums, Journals and Memory Boxes
    Model: 1588161943
    (August 2002)

    To order this title from Amazon, click here.

    Hearst Books

    Our Family History: Record Book, Photograph Album and Family Tree
    Model: 0762102322
    (October 1999)

    To order this title from Amazon, click here.

    Readers Digest
    Readers Digest
    Pleasantville, NY 10570-0235

    Holidays and Seasons: 16 Acid-Free Sheets for Memory Albums, Stamping and More
    Model: 1562313681
    (March 1997)

    To order this title from Amazon, click here.


    Hot Off the Press Inc.
    Website: www.craftpizazz.com

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