DIY Network

Album Cover Makeovers From "Scrapbooking" episode SCB-412

Projects by Renee Sparks.

Each inexpensive mini album was given a different treatment makeover--to give them texture, dimension, and a more expensive, handmade look. Although we used mini albums, the techniques below can be used for albums of any size.

Border Punched Gemstone Album

Materials:

mini album *
3" x 8" black card stock
Fiskars Greek key or other border punch
3 square earrings with colored gemstones in the center or embellishment of choice
wire cutters
hot glue gun with glue sticks
1/4" mounting tape

* Note: We used a solid color album, but you could use an album with a design or use acrylic paint to paint the album first. If so, when the paint has dried sufficiently, apply a clear acrylic sealer or varnish before applying paper and embellishments.

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Figure A

1. Use border punch to punch a border down each long side of the black paper strip.

2. Apply mounting tape on back of punched strip completely down each long side, each short side, and two strips down center of strip. Note: Take care not to apply mounting tape to back of punched areas, otherwise the tape will show through and be sticky through those areas. Apply tape just beside the punched areas.

3. Place taped strip to left side of album front and press firmly into place. Wrap excess short ends under edge of album and adhere inside album front and back.

4. Use wire cutters to cut earring posts away from earring backs (figure A).

5. Use hot glue to apply each earring to center of adhered black strip.

Crackled Album

Materials:

mini album
fine-grade sandpaper
ivory acrylic paint of color of your choice
two-step Delta Fine Crackle finish *
soft bristle brush *
palette
dark brown antiquing gel dark brown acrylic paint
soft cloth or paper towel
masking or painter’s tape - optional

* Note: Do not use a foam brush or coarse bristle brush.

1. Rough up area of album to be crackled with sandpaper. Wipe away dust with soft cloth.

2. If desired, tape off areas to be left unpainted.

3. Use soft brush to apply one or two coats of ivory acrylic paint to album. Allow to dry between coats; then dry overnight.

4. Use soft bristle brush to apply step one of the crackle medium to dry painted area of album. Allow to dry at least 30 minutes to no more than one hour. Do not allow to dry overnight. Note: If you want very fine, tiny cracks, apply a very thin coat. If you want larger cracks, apply either a thicker coat or apply two coats, allowing the first coat to dry in between.

5. Apply a medium thick coat of step two of the crackle medium. Allow to dry several hours. Cracks will begin to appear within 10 to 15 minutes and will continue to crack until the layer of step two is completely and thoroughly dry.

6. Squeeze a quarter-size puddle of antiquing gel or dark brown acrylic paint onto palette. Dip small area of soft cloth into gel and rub gently over and into cracked areas. Wipe away excess gel with clean area of cloth. The gel will get down into the cracks and give it an aged and worn appearance, plus make the cracks show more prominently.

Gingham Heart Album

Materials:

mini album
pink gingham scrapbook paper
pale blue scrapbook paper
paper trimmer
Fiskars heart border punch
paper heart embellishment
1/4" mounting tape
hot glue gun with glue sticks

1. Use paper trimmer to cut pink gingham paper to fit center of album.

2. Apply mounting tape to all four edges and several strips in the center of cut gingham piece.

3. Align over center of album and press firmly into place. Wrap edges over front and back sides and press in place inside.

4. Use paper trimmer to cut a 4" x 4-1/2" pale blue piece of paper.

5. Punch heart design around all four edges of pale blue paper.

6. Apply mounting tape to back of punched piece at all four edges and in center. Be careful not to apply tape over punched out areas.

7. Align over center front of album and press onto adhered gingham piece.

8. Use hot glue to adhere paper heart embellishment to center of punched blue piece.

Metal Embossed Album

Materials:

long mini-album with crackled binding
Fiskars Shape Boss with pegs and stylus
Shape Boss scrolls or other design stencil
two 5" x 5-1/2" pieces of American Art Clay copper embossing metal
two 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" pieces of American Art Clay silver embossing metal
metal ruler
dark brown antiquing gel or dark brown acrylic paint
palette
soft cloth or paper towel
4-3/4" x 8-1/4" black card stock
1/4" mounting tape

Figure A

1. Place two-part Shape Boss stencil onto top of Shape Boss and hold in place with pegs.

2. Place copper metal piece between stencils. Following directions on the package, use stylus to trace around edges of open areas of stencil (figure A). Note: You will be working on the back of the metal piece. Finished design will be shown from the front. Trace all areas of metal piece as desired, moving metal piece as needed between stencils.

3. Remove embossed metal piece from stencils and repeat with second copper piece.

4. Place silver metal piece between stencils and repeat embossing. Remove and repeat with second silver piece.

5. Place one piece of embossed copper to right side of album front. Align so that metal is 1/4 inch over at top, bottom and right side.

6. Use fingers to gently fold metal edges over album edges and gently crease into place. Take care not to press too hard on the embossed areas or they will flatten.

7. Remove creased metal gently. Apply mounting tape generously to back of embossed metal and to back of folded edges. Replace on album and press firmly into place.

8. Repeat to apply second embossed copper piece to back of album.

9. Use metal ruler to gently fold 1/4 inch toward back of each long side of silver embossed metal pieces.

10. Generously apply mounting tape to edges and back of folded embossed silver metal pieces. Align to the left of the adhered embossed copper pieces, overlapping slightly on the left edge of the copper. Press firmly into place.

11. Squeeze a quarter-sized puddle of antiquing gel or acrylic paint onto palette. Dip soft cloth or paper towel into gel and gently rub over embossed metals. Use clean area of cloth to wipe away excess gel. Allow to dry thoroughly.

12. Apply mounting tape to back edges and center of black card stock pieces. Align over inside front and inside back of album covers and press firmly into place.

RESOURCES :

Delta Ceramcoat
Delta Technical Coatings, Inc.
Website: www.deltacrafts.com

Shape Boss, Shape Cutter and Templates
Fiskars Consumer Products, Inc.
Website: www.fiskars.com

punches
Fiskars Brand Inc.
Website: www.fiskars.com

ArtEmboss Metal sheets
American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Website: www.amaco.com