JoAnn's Scrapbook Haul and Mini Album Project!

I got a gift card for JoAnn's as a retirement gift.  The note inside said $40.  I was trying to be a good girl and not go over.  However, the sales today at JoAnn's were phenomenal!  Everything was rung up, and the total came to $55 and some change.  Ok, I thought...  I have a 40% off coupon on one regularly priced item that I printed off the internet.  I gave that to the cashier.  She then told me that my grand total that I owed her was $.38!!  What???  Turns out the gift card was for $50, instead of $40.  Yay!!  Anyway, I got all this stuff for $.38!!

I've been doing some research on You Tube (yes, you can actually research stuff on You Tube - LOL).  I have some cool old pictures of my mom and dad, and wanted to do something small with them as a gift for my mom. 

So - I decided to make a Toilet Paper Roll Mini Album!  Yes - you read that right!

I raided the bathrooms in the house and got 5 empty toilet paper rolls.  (The guys in my house are not good about throwing them out - lucky for me this time!)

I flattened them out, and creased them well using my bone folder.  It's important to be sure to use the same size rolls.  That was easy, as I always buy the same brand of TP - LOL.

They still aren't quite flat, so I put them under a heavy dictionary, and let them sit there overnight to flatten.

The final thing I did for the night was to cut tags using my Cricut to insert inside the tubes.  I used my Graphically Speaking cartridge (which is one of my favorites) and cut the tags at 4".  (During assembly, I had to cut about 3/4" off the bottoms to keep them from sticking out too far, but the width was perfect)  I cut them on cream cardstock.  I had already decided on a tan/brown and aqua color scheme, so I used Glimmer Mist in Sand and Patina to color the tags and left them to dry overnight.

After I got home from the JoAnn's run, it was time to begin assembly.  I had my photos ready.

Note:  When making a heritage album of any kind with old photos, please do yourself a favor, and scan those photos into your computer.  Best not to take a chance of ruining the originals!  I scanned the photos in, and printed them out on photo paper.  Now, if I mess up, the original photo is still in pristine condition, and I can always print out another copy from my computer!

I decided that I wanted to begin with the brown/tan page and end with the same.  I alternated pages between the brown/tan and the aqua.  Here's closeups of the cover page and the back page:

The grandfather clock on the first page I cut out from some Heritage cardstock that I had.  It's glittery, but doesn't show that too well in the photo.  I trimmed both the front and back cover in the same ribbon for continuity, and used the new stamp I got at JoAnn's on the back!

Now, on to the rest of the album.  As I created each "page", I then went on to create the tag that slips inside the tube.  I did it that way so that I wouldn't mess up and forget which photo I wanted to use where.

After all the "pages" were complete, now comes the fun part of assembly.  I used my hole punch to punch holes in each tube.  That was fun - not!  It used a lot of strength to punch through the tube.  As I punched each tube, I lined it up with the next one, and drew a pencil circle inside the punched tube onto the next tube.  This way, all the holes would line up.  (Man, I decided I need to get a cinch binding machine!! They are kind of pricey, so it'll go on my wish list.)

Once all the holes were punched, I used 1 1/2 " binder rings to hold it together.  I then cut lengths of gold tulle, and wrapped through each ring, tying a bow. 

Here's pics of the finished album:

For embellishments, I used a few vellum quotes about memories, family, and friends.  There's also some puffy stickers.  Some of the tags have photos, such as the first tag that has a photo of my Great Grandmother, who raised my mom.  The second tag has a pretty risque photo of my mom posing on a car.  I put it on a tag, so that she doesn't have to pull it out to show anyone if she doesn't want to.  I included it as it really is a beautiful picture of her.  (She is going to croak when she finds out I have that photo!!)

I began with photos of her as a teenager, then photos of my dad when he was in his early 20's, then photos of them together and separately throughout the years.  I'll give it to her when I go to visit her next week.  She and dad are both in a nursing home now unfortunately.  Mom is 74 now and still has all her mental faculties.  However, Dad is going to be 77 next week and suffers from Alzheimers.  He still knows Mom most of the time though - she visits him daily.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the photos and the project!  If you like what you see, click the "Follow" button, and follow me as I create new projects!

Have a great weekend!