Tutorial: "Warm Thoughts" accordion mini-album

Hello Crafty Friends!  Kathy Jo here joining the Quietfire Design "Christmas in July" celebration.  Many of you are thinking about summer projects but it is always good to get a head start on the holiday gifts...and what a perfect excuse to retreat to the craft room.  Humming your favorite holiday tunes is fun, too.  To play on the Christmas song:  "Oh what fun it is to hide and use my Quietfire Design...hey!"  :)

For my project, I created a festive accordion mini-album using several Quietfire Design dies.  This mini-album can hold photos and heartwarming wishes to loved ones and friends.  A lovely and thoughtful handmade gift!

Let's start the tutorial...

First, several goodies are needed for this project.  The photo below shows most of the goodies.

• Quietfire Design dies: "Warm Thoughts", "Cozy", "Brrrr" and Calligraphic Elements 2 
• Four 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" white card stock
• Two 4 1/8" x 4 1/8" dry embossed Kraft card stock
• Two pieces of 14" wrinkled, white 1/2" ribbon
• Scrap patterned paper.  Enough to make ten 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" squares
• Red gems
• Good double sided adhesive tape
• Liquid adhesive (with a fine tip would be best)
• Red card stock
• White card stock
• 12" x 12" Kraft card stock
• Holiday spirit  :)

Instructions:

1. Die cut word dies and heart die in both red and white card stock.  Die cut several snowflakes.
   
2. Cut red card stock to 4 1/2 x 9 1/2.  Score at 4 3/4 and at 5.
   
3. Cut two pieces of Kraft card stock to 4 x 12. Score at 4.  Flip card stock and score at 8.
   
4. Adhere white card stock (cut to 4 1/4 x 4 1/4) to inside of album.
   
5. Adhere Kraft accordions to inside.  The accordions should be mounted as shown below to ensure the accordions unfold properly.
   
   
   
   
6. Adhere the patterned papers (ten required at 3 3/4 x 3 3/4).  Adhere the snowflakes, Cozy and hearts as desired. Below are several photos.  I made sure to also use a couple of patterned papers that were not "busy" so that I could write in the open areas.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Now we move to the outside of the album.  Use good double sided tape across the middle of the album front and back.  Do not go to the edges as the stacked card stock (in step 8) leaves an open border around the album front and back.
   
8. Assemble white card stock (4 1/4 x 4 1/4) and embossed Kraft card stock (4 1/8 x 4 1/8) to album front and back.
   
9. Adhere (using liquid adhesive) the red and white "Warm Thoughts" die cuts to the front.  Add snowflakes.  Add gems.  Tie bow.
   

The mini-album would be a wee, wonderful gift for the "nice" people on your Christmas list!  :)

Thank you for stopping by!  I do hope you enjoyed the tutorial and don't forget to check out the Christmas Specials at Quietfire Design!

Have a happy, crafty day.

Big Hugs,

Kathy Jo