I wanted to make a photo album keeping in the era of
the Time Traveler’s paper collection. At least to me the paper speaks
as if from a Victorian time period! So I decided to make a photo album
that can hang on a wall rather than sit on a table or shelf. They always
made me think of a Jacob’s Ladder, not sure why, but they do! This
little photo album can be hung on a wall, either side facing out or
folded and kept in the little Memory Box.
1. For each photo I die cut 2 each of the same
paper using Spellbinders Labels 3, second to the largest die. Then I die
cut one of the pieces of paper with a circle die, I used a nesting
circle die. Make sure that there is approximately .25” of paper on all
outer edges!
2. I used clear acrylic bubbles called Shaker
Bubbles for the “glass”. They fit perfectly inside the die cut circle.
You can also upcycle acrylic packaging, like what all the Spellbinders
dies come in If you can’t find them or don’t want to use the bubble.
If you use packaging, then die cut the flat acrylic with the same Labels 3 die.
3.
I used Tim Holtz Found Relatives pack for my “family”. They just seemed
to go with this project and I was able to find a faux couple and their
children! But any photos or pictures can be used. You can also add some
tiny trinkets and/or charms inside the bubble with or without a photo.
Die cut the photos with the Spellbinders Labels 3 die. It’s all right if
the photos don’t fit the die exactly, just as long the photo fills the
entire die cut circle.
4. Adhere the die cut paper “frame” piece to the
bubble. Cut the bubble outer edges to fit the outer edges of the
“frame”. Adhere that to your photo.
5. If you
like the distressed and ink look, now is the time to do that. Both the
framed photo piece and the back die cut piece.
6. Put a brad in all four corners of the framed photo piece, this will help keep it together.
7.
In keeping with the time period of this set, I decided to hang all the
photos vertically with a ribbon. If you’d rather display the photos
horizontally, put the ribbon in the opposite direction. I used a double
sided satin ribbon (although it’s hard to tell in the photos), but I’d
recommend using a grosgrain ribbon. You need an inch between each photo
piece to be able to fold the album and fit it in the box. Cut the ribbon
with about 3” to spare on each end - top and bottom. That way you can
add a bow at the top and cut a nice notched tail at the bottom.
Adhere the ribbon to the inside of each die cut back piece with an inch of space between each back piece section.
8.
From the Time Traveler’s collection
brads, I put a large brad at the
top and a small brad at the bottom on the back pieces. Through both the
paper and the ribbon.
9. You can embellish with flat-ish ephemera such as
flowers, enamel dots, gems or fussy cut pieces either before or after
you adhere both sides together. For me I was easier to embellish before.
10. Using a strong double side adhesive like
Scor-Tape,
adhere both sides together. The back die cut piece with ribbon and the
front die cut photo piece with photo and bubble.
11.
Sew a bow or flower on one side of the ribbon at the top, and I added a
beaded gem drop on the other side. Your Jacob’s Ladder mini photo album
is ready to hang or place in the box as a keepsake! I made the bow
using the
Zutter Bow-It-All, love that tool!
Hope you enjoy this,
Kim
