the hybrid chick

As a Mom you want to remember those special first moments and this little album is perfect to record your thoughts and experiences. It has little pockets to add photos, memorabilia and journaling spots to record the all important facts!

It is so easy to make and fun to assemble… it uses a variety of odds and ends like Badge\Baseball Card Holders, Envelopes and Tags. I also used some of my Paper Scraps to cover the backs of the tags.

Don’t forget that both these mini-albums (1 Boy and 1 Girl) will be up for grabs! Check the end of this post for more details…

So let us get together our supplies… and start creating!

You will need:

• Digital Supplies: Tags and Papers ( I used the tags from my Baby Mine Collection available HERE and also separately: Baby Mine Boy and Baby Mine Girl)
• Epson Premium Matte Photo Paper
• Trimmer & Scissors
• Adhesives (I used Tombow Mono Adhesive Permanent and Mini Glue Dots)
• Bone Folder and Metal Ruler
• Marvy Uchida Jumbo Circle Punch
• Cropodile or Hole Punch
• Book Rings
• Badge Book Holders
• Ribbons
• Flowers Buttons
• Chipboard Accents
• Paperclips
• Coordinating Paper Scraps
• Distress Ink and Applicator

Step 1:

In Photoshop I open up a new canvas (8×10 inches; I don’t have a borderless printer). I then arrange my digital elements so I can fit them all on one page.

I also created a little pocket template that is just a 7×4 inch rectangle which I will score and fold to use as a pocket/envelope. I clipped a background paper onto the template and as a final touch I added a 1pt grey stroke to make it easier to see where to cut out.

What I just love about the kit I used is the fact that you can also use the same idea for a Baby’s First Year Album; the kit includes the following: 10 Journaling Cards (Titles: It’s a Boy/Girl, Month, My First and Today) which can be used for a project like this!

Step 2:

Print out the Tags and Pocket Template onto your Epson Premium Matte Photo Paper. Use your trimmer and scissors to cut out the tags and pockets.

Use your bone folder and ruler to measure and fold the pocket ( for a 7×4 inch pocket score along the 7 inch side at 2 inches and 5 inches; this makes a 3 x 4inch pocket)

Adhere the overlapping side to finish your pocket, no need to glue the end because we will use the book rings to keep the inserted tag/photo in place.

Step 3:

I used my Circle Punch to cut out a half circle from the pocket to make a pretty little opening for a tag/photo.

I used some leftover white card stock to make a 3×4 inch tag to insert in the pocket, the Mommy can change it out by either adding a photo or inserting some Baby Memorabilia.

If you wish to distress and ink your edges go ahead…I distressed the Baby Girl Album to make it look a bit shabby chic and I left the Baby Boy Album un-inked.

Step 4:

Arrange your Tags and Pockets and Badge Holders in the order you want them, hold them securely and using the Badge Holders as hole templates carefully punch the holes in for your little album.

Now start decorating…add some ribbons, flowers, buttons and even dolled up paper clips (Just add a pretty ribbon tie and you have one very cute paper clip!).

Don’t forget to Matte some coordinating cardstock/patterned paper to your tags so you don’t have a glaring white background!

Just have some fun and play around…add some more pockets and/Journaling Cards and even additional Badge Holder that is just the right size for a wallet photo.

The New Mommy will just love having this little keepsake on hand and it is so easy to just add a photo that even a sleep deprived person would feel up to it!

I am also giving away these two darling albums to 2 lucky readers… Just mention if you wish to receive the Baby Boy/Baby Girl Album.

All you have to do to be eligible to win is leave a comment here on this post! If you’d like to double your chances, you can receive an additional entry by mentioning this post on your blog, Twitter or Facebook. Come back and comment again with the link to your posting. All winners will be announced on June 28th! So remember to check back then to see who the lucky winners are!

Best of luck and I cannot wait to see how this project inspires you!

Other Articles by Mari Koegelenberg:

• Envelope Travel Album - June 23rd, 2011
• The Doilie Project goes Hybrid! - July 12th, 2010
• Cupcake Boxes and your Die-Cutting Machine - April 15th, 2010
• Easy Printable Christmas Advent Calendar - December 4th, 2009
• Trick or Treat!!! - October 30th, 2009