Hello!

Are you ready to be inspired? Great, let’s get started! You can make this cute mini album in one of two ways (beginner or expert), depending on your level of experience and the supplies you have on hand. All you have to do is follow the instructions and have fun!

1. Building the box—beginner version To build the box, you will need two sheets of paper from the Cupcakes & Carousels Designer Series Paper Stack (item 142744). I used two different designs to add contrast.

   To create the bottom, use one sheet of 6″ x 6″ paper; score at 1″ on each of the four sides; cut corners as seen on the photo and adhere. For the top of the box, use one sheet cut at 5-3/8″ x 5-3/8″; score at 3/8″ on all four sides.

   

2. Build the top of the box—beginner version

Decorate the top of your box with two hot air balloons stamped in Early Espresso ink (item 126974) on a piece of Cupcakes & Carousels Designer Series Paper. To make the tag, I used a piece of Gold Baker’s Twine and a few sequins from the Cupcakes & Carousels Embellishment Kit (item 142767), then adhered it using Stampin’ Dimensionals. It’s simple to make but oh-so-elegant—don’t you think?

3) Build a shaker top for the box—advanced version

I made the top of the box a bit more fun for those who want to do the stepped-up version.

Before assembling the top, I cut out a window using the Stitched Shapes Framelit Dies (item 145372). Next, I cut and adhered a 3-3/4″ x 3-3/4″ Window Sheet (item 142314) to the back and assembled the top. Next, I cut a 3-3/4″ x 3-3/4″ piece of Cupcakes & Carousels Designer Series Paper and this time, I used the hot air balloons that were cut out using the Up & Away Thinlits Dies (item 142748).

To finish the project, I applied Foam Adhesive Strips (item 141825) to the edge of the Designer Series Paper, slipped in a few sequins and Sprinkles Embellishments (item 142741) on the Window Sheet, and adhered my paper on the bottom of my cover. I love shaking the box to see the beads and sequins dance around!

4) On the inside

I used two 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheets of Bermuda Bay Cardstock (item 131197) for the first mini and Calypso Coral Cardstock (item 122925) for the second. First, I cut three strips measuring 3-1/2″ by 11″, scored at 3-1/2″, 7″, and 10-1/2″. Next, I cut a strip of 31/2″ x 7″ and folded at 3-1/2″. All that was left was to fold the accordion as illustrated.

If you can, round all angles and corners as I did using the Project Life Corner Punch (item 135346). This will make it easier to handle and give the project a nice finishing touch. (I adhered the first and last flaps to the top and bottom of the box.)

5) Decorate your album

I created the mini in the spirit of a country fair and its fabulous treats. (I make these recipes on a regular basis when I have guests.) For a simple version, you can play around with the designs on the Cupcakes & Carousels Designer Series Paper Stack; I used the horse on this one.

I stamped a few clouds in Early Espresso ink on a design and fussy cut them. That’s right, when you don’t have Framelits Dies or the Big Shot, you can still use these assorted stamps. I adhered the horse using Stampin’ Dimensionals (item 104430).

To keep the spirit of a shaker card in the second version, I used some sequins from the Cupcakes & Carousels Embellishment Kit and created a little shaker pocket. The second flap is decorated with yummy cupcakes ready to be tasted.

I hope you enjoy this project!

Aurélie Fabre
2017 Artisan Design Team