Creative Challenge: Mini Books

The MFT Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative side using a specific theme, product, or technique. This month, we were challenged to create a mini-book.  Be sure to check out the MFT Blog for a list of all participating designers who have put their MFT stamps and/or Die-namics dies to work to create a mini book for you today!

My starting point for this project was some photos of my daughter that I had that were a too small to fit in a project life binder.  I think I printed from facebook photos and when they arrived in the mail, they were smaller than the standard photo.  That being said, a standard photo will be too large for these envelopes.  Of course, you can adapt the idea by cutting down photos to make it work.  :)

There are a number of You Tube video tutorials that show you how to make these little books.  I searched "accordion envelope book" or "accordion binding" and came up with a few to lead me in the right direction.  It was not my original idea, but I did make a couple of changes to make it my own.  The major change I made was that I left the flaps on my envelopes.  Most, if not all, of the videos I watched has you cut off the envelope flap and tuck in a tag or scrapbook type page.  There are a variety of ways to adhere your envelopes to the "accordion" and you have to figure out which one works best for you!

Below are the six envelopes or "pages" of my book.  All the links are below that.  :)  The main stamp sets and Die-namics that I used are from the Own Your Story, At the Movies, First Class Friend, Tag You're It, and You Move Me sets.  All of the links are below.

Here's a little arial view of the envelopes and the binding:

And here's a few photos tucked inside:

I used quite a few stamp sets and Die-namics.  This is one of the few times I drug out a bunch of stuff and used it all!  Usually I get set on one thing and stick with it.  All in all, I'd call it a success!  I even cut a few extra pieces and have them stacked on my desk for other unplanned projects. 

Kraft Envelopes	Whip Cream Cardstock	Red Hot Cardstock	Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics	Cappuccino Twine
Wild Cherry Felt	Homespun Birdhouse Die-namics	First Class Friend Stamp Set and Die-namics	Own Your Story Stamp Set	Corrugated Cardboard
Finishing Flourishes Stamp Set	Chocolate Felt	Fresh Ink	Award Seal Die-namics	Tag You're It Stamp Set and Die-namics
By the Letters Die-namics	You Move Me Stamp Set and Die-namics	At the Movies Stamp Set and Die-namics	Natural Cardstock	Notched Tag Die-namics
Red Hot Ribbon

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Now before I run off I have a couple of other mini books to share.  Recently, I was at the Dollar Tree perusing their school supplies. These mini composition books caught my eye and what can I say, I'm a sucker for paper.  Once I got home I realized the Creative Challenge was still on!  I decided to decorate a couple of these cuties.  

 I couldn't not use that monster, mmm'kay?  He is from the Baby Onesie set and I think he's darling.  I may have resisted googly eyes for now, but there's no guarantee about the future.  I also like the pinking edge mimicking the teeth.  It gives it more character.  No kidding, I can't wait to carry this one around--It won't be long before I give it to a friend.  ;)

This one has a little washi tape covering the edge of the paper and the edge of the notebook.  I like the added texture.  I used one large green flourish to represent the leaf.  The others are small flourishes in a pink and orange motif.  They're all in the Finishing Flourishes set.  I also go to use the Layered Rose Die-namics, which is just lovely in felt.  All my links are below.  :)

Pretty Party, Crate Paper	Award Seal Die-namics	Baby Onesie Stamp Set and Die-namics	Circle STAX Die-namics, Set 2	Star Border Die-namics
Red Hot Cardstock	Sweet Tooth Cardstock	Fresh Ink	Finishing Flourishes Stamp Set	Whip Cream Cardstock
Whisper Grey Felt	Banana Split Buttons	Layered Rose Die-namics

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