Matchbook Mini Album Tutorial for The Kraft Journal

     Hi everyone!  This week I want to share a tutorial for a little matchbook mini album.  I saw a tutorial for one of these at swirlydoos.com on their forum and I just thought it was so cute.
     To make it you will need three to six regular lunch bags.  Nowadays these things come in tons of different sizes so you may have to adjust your measurements depending upon your bag size.  Mine measure about 5 1/4" x 10 7/8".  Babette has some great little coffee bags in the Kraft Outlet store that would be awesome for one of these albums.  I changed my mind about what tutorial I was going to do or I would have used them.  They have a really nice plastic coated lining inside that makes them nice and sturdy.
     From the top you will measure down 5 1/2" and cut.  You just need the top portion.  Do this with all your bags.

     Next you want to cut a piece of cardstock measuring 5 1/2" x 12".  It needs to be scored at 1", 6 1/2", and 7".

     For my album I chose to distress and ink all the edges.  That's up to you.

     Next you can decorate your "pages".  For mine I decided to use a large polka dot rubber stamp and a pretty lacy border stamp to decorate my bags.  I stamped with Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder.  It really pops on the kraft bags.

     After they are all embossed, stack them and place them in the album so that the one inch flap you scored folds up over the bottom edge of the bags and staple.

     Now, just like a little matchbook, the decorated cover of the album slides down under the bottom lip to hold it closed.  For the cover I used Brown Kraft and Buff Ivory Cover Weight cardstock and a Scalloped Grungy Prim Tag from Kraft Outlet.

     This makes such a cute little mini album that can actually be used as a card which is what I'm doing with this one.  My friends teenage daughter is having her birthday party this weekend and I'll be giving her this.  She can put any special little notes or memorabilia from her b-day in the pockets or print out her party photos and keep them in there.

     Hope you'll give this simple tutorial a try.  I think you'll love the results.
     I'd like to enter this matchbook mini into the following challenges:

Creative Craft Challenges--anything but a card
Digital Tuesday--cute and girly
Incy Wincy Designs--anything but a card
Sentimental Sundays--birthday

     Have a great week!

Other Supplies

Papers:  My Minds Eye, Recollections, Copic X-Press It Blending card

Stamp:  Tickled Pink "Lil Birthday Kellita", My Mind's Eye Stella Rose Hattie "Remember", Stampabilities "Polka Dot Background"

Ink:  Copic markers, Spiced Marmalade and Vintage Photo Distress inks, Versamark

Tools:  Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace edge punch, Marvy Uchida Heat Gun

Miscellaneous:  Offray ribbon, Studio 12 pearls, Stampendous Opaque White embossing powder