https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/matchbook-style-scrapbook-album • Posted by Pearle D.
The Matchbook Scrapbook Album is an easy scrapbook album to create and use on its own, or, if you make different sizes (such as 2 inch square, etc.), you can use the Matchbook album as an embellishment to other scrapbook albums. The handy size and ease of opening makes this scrapbook album a great gift plus is great for keeping in a purse or wallet to show off the special photos you like to share.
The Matchbook Scrapbook Album is an easy scrapbook album to create and use on its own, or, if you make different sizes (such as 2 inch square, etc.), you can use the Matchbook album as an embellishment to other scrapbook albums. The handy size and ease of opening makes this scrapbook album a great gift plus is great for keeping in a purse or wallet to show off the special photos you like to share.
If you want a smaller one to embellish another scrapbook album or just to have a smaller one, just adjust the size of the cover and pages accordingly. Trim a strip of cardstock or scrapbook paper 4.5"x 12" long. This will form the outer cover for the album so make sure it is fairly stiff and firm. Double sided patterned cardstock is good to use. Measure 1 ½ inches in from the left hand side. Score it and fold the flap in towards the center. From the fold you just made measure another 5¼ inches. Score and fold again. From the opposite end of the first fold measure 5 inches. Score and fold. This should give you a ¼ inch gutter at the bottom.
Now cut 4 to 8 pages (your choice) from double sided scrapbook paper. They should each measure 5 x 4.5 inches. I found it easier to embellish the pages now rather than wait until the Matchbook Scrapbook Album is assembled. Open up the album cover. Place the pages, one on top of the other, inside the matchbook with the edges flush against the first left hand fold as pictured below.
Fold the 1½ inch flap over the pages and staple in the center. Fold the 5 inch flap over and tuck under the 1½ inch flap, and you’re all done!
When made in assorted sizes, these Matchbook style scrapbook albums are a great way to include in other scrapbook albums in order to write the photo stories and hide the journaling in a scrapbook album. Using them that way, I have stapled a small picture to the flap part and added lines and embellishment to the cover part to write a photo story and to journal in. I have also made several of the Matchbook style albums the same size (smaller than this one) and used nine of them on one 12 x 12 inch scrapbook album page. It makes an interesting and unique collage of several photos and the photo stories. Using the above method, you could also create a child’s learning scrapbook album by using the alphabet, shapes, colors, objects, etc., things that you want your child to learn in a fun way.