The photo album serves to preserve old memories and to collect photos in one place. Handmade, it can be a pleasant thought for loved ones. Creating a DIY photo album is a lot easier than it looks. With the right materials, a little creativity and time, you can create a perfect one!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating an Accordion Photo Album
Step 1. Stock up on paper
Go to a stationery shop and buy paper for the album cover and pages.
- Make the cover with a fairly thick sheet of decorative paper. The cover must be made of a heavier material, such as cardboard, and have original details, such as geometric patterns.
- Create scrapbook pages with single-colored sheets of solid paper. They should measure 30x30cm.
Step 2. Cut the 30x30 sheets
Divide the 30x30 sheets in half to make two 15x30cm pieces. On each 15x30 piece, use a ruler to cut 3 segments of 10 cm in length. Fold the 15x30 piece along each of the three 10cm lines and press firmly to flatten the folds.
Measure and cut the cover pages into two 10x15cm pieces
Step 3. Use duct tape
Take both 10x15 pieces of paper for the shorter ends and tape them together. Fold the paper up like an accordion to understand where you will need to place the front and back cover of the album.
Step 4. Glue the decorative paper to the album
From the beginning the decorative paper sheets will act as the front and back cover of the album. Apply some glue on the corners and sides of each sheet and stick it on the first and last page of the album.
Step 5. Add photos
Arrange the photos on the free pages of the album, both front and back. Do not glue them, but apply adhesive photo squares to the corners of the photos to secure them on their respective pages.
Step 6. Cut a piece of ribbon for the bow
Make sure it is long enough so that you can wrap it around the album when you tie it. Use a good adhesive glue to attach it to the back of the cover. Tie the ends of the ribbon together by making a simple bow.
- Use your creativity by adding some designs. Use a glitter or gold permanent marker and fill the cover with drawings or words that have to do with the person you are making the album for. If you want, add some stickers or even more photos on the front and back.
- If you want to add an extra touch of originality, stick a metal plate on the cover to write a name or date on.
Part 2 of 3: Creating a Photo Album from a Paper Bag
Step 1. Buy brown paper bags
You can find them at a supermarket stocked with stationery or a DIY store. As for the pages, try to get at least 3-4 bags.
Step 2. Place 3-4 bags on top of each other
Insert them alternating the open and closed parts: first a bag with the opening facing up, then one with the closed side facing up.
Step 3. Fold the bags in half
Thus folded, they will form a book. Use a hole punch to punch two holes in the folded paper: one at the top left and one at the bottom left.
Thread the ribbon through each of the holes and join the ends at the front of the album. Make a bow
Step 4. Put the photos on the pages
Choose photos that measure 10x15cm and stick them with tape or some glue. You will need to perfectly fit each image on each page, i.e. on the front and back of each sheet. You can arrange them in chronological order or use your creativity to select images with similar shades and tones of color.
Step 5. Decorate the front and back cover of the album
Use some leftover wrapping paper or decorative paper scraps to customize the cover. Apply some glue to the corners of the paper and stick it on the cover to eliminate any wrinkles.
- Write the album title on the front with a colored marker, using beautiful cursive handwriting.
- Put another photo on the cover to suggest the album's theme and which photos it contains.
Part 3 of 3: Creating a Small Photo Album
Step 1. Get the supplies
You must have at least 10 passport-sized images, 10 blank 7.5x12cm filing cards, a ribbon or something to bind, a felt-tipped marker, and a hole punch.
Step 2. Apply Claw Glue to the back of the photos
Turn the cards over with the longer side horizontally.
- The passport-sized images should be placed as a portrait on the cards.
- Attach the photo to the right side of the card.
Step 3. Write down some of the details depicted in the image on the left side of the card
Use this space to write the names of the people in the photo, the date of an event or simply the title you want to give to the image.
Step 4. Take two blank cards and place them on the front and back of the album respectively to act as a cover
Decorate the front with markers or, if you prefer your creation to be understated and elegant, affix a simple monogram using a character stencil.
Step 5. Drill holes on the top and bottom of the album
Place them about 1.5cm from the bottom and highest area. Thread a ribbon through the holes and tie a bow.
Advice
- Find some photos and add them to your photo album.
- If you have a box full of old photos or a traditional photo album at home, select your favorites and use them in your scrapbook.
- If you have digital photos, go to a photographer or a print shop and ask for the images to be printed. Make sure they all measure 10x15cm.
- Start with 10 photos, but feel free to print more so you can make various DIY photo albums if you like.
- You can choose and categorize photos by subject or by date and time.
