Pushing the Envelope Tutorial

Thank you all for your patience in waiting for the "Pushing the Envelope" tutorial. The original post on 3/5/2011. The tutorial will provide the BASIC steps to make this type of album. Left Photo: To prepare to make this book: (2) 6-1/2" x 5" chipboard pieces (2) 7-1/2 x 6" patterned paper (2) 6-1/4" x 4-3/4" solid/pattern paper for inside cover (2) 4-3/4" x 12" solid/pattern paper for spine, scored 1-1/4" along 12" side (7) envelopes of your choice - A2 size used for this tutorial (7) 20" long cut ribbon of your choice 1/8" Hand Held circle punch Keep in mind, these are basic measurements. If the envelopes used are larger in size, increase to adjust the covers accordingly. COVER: Right Photo: Adhere the 7-1/2" x 6" piece to the chipboard. To make the corners, apply adhesive to the edge, then fold up the corners (as shown in the photo), repeat on all 4 corners. Left Photo: to achieve crisp sides, use a bone folder or simply lift up the side and rock forward (see yellow arrow), apply adhesive, secure. Right photo: finished front and back cover results. Set aside - do not apply inside cover yet!!!

SPINE: Left Photo: Crease and fold the 4-3/4" x 12 strips. Connect the two strips (see yellow arrow)

Right Photo: There are a total of 7 mountains for the outside and 8 for the inside. Note: The total amount of folds will also depend on how many envelopes are being used for the album.

Left Photo: Make a template 2" x 4-3/4" using chipboard. First hole is 1-1/8" from the top, following (3) 1/8" holes on the edge 1-1/4" apart. Note: if envelopes are larger/smaller in size, center the template for the same results. Place the template on the 3rd fold line which will the 1st mountain fold, mark holes - continue marking on all mountain sections.

Right Photo: Fold crease to punch holes using a 1/8" hand held punch. Repeat process 6 additional times.

Preparing the Envelopes

Left Photo: Fold the envelope flap inside (see yellow arrow)

Right Photo: using the template previously made for the strips, center template on envelope, mark holes.

After punching the envelopes, the envelope side results are as shown. Note: the 1/8" punch should be ONLY punching half way (or 1/16" in).

Connecting the Envelopes to the Spine

Left Photo: A needle with larger holes will be good to thread ribbon of your choice.

Right Photo: After threading needle, push through the center hole of the spine and envelope (see yellow arrow). Leave about 7" of ribbon as a tail.

Left photo: After threading ribbon through the center hole, from the inside of the envelope, thread through the bottom hole and through the bottom of the spine (see yellow arrow)

Right Photo: Bring needle up to the top spine hole, thread through top envelope hole as shown.

Left Photo: Before the spine attaching process is completed, outside of the spine should be as shown

Right Photo: Thread through the center envelope hole and through spine ensuring the tail will be on the opposite side of the original tail (see yellow arrow). Tie a double knot to secure ribbon.

Finished attached envelope results:

Attaching Cover to Spine

Left Photo: adhere spine extension to the cover (see yellow arrow)........position it 1/4" from the edge

Right photo: Adhere the solid/pattern paper on top to hide the extension.

Results of finished project side view

Whew.........................this tutorial took a bit longer than expected. I do hope it is clear, if not, please, let me know.