Split Pages in a Mini Book by Jennifer

[Jennifer Priest]

I came up with this technique late one night while designing a minibook for a charity event Scrapbook Royalty was organizing. At the event, attendees took a class to create a minibook. They were given pictures from cancer victims at the Cancer Coping Center—these pictures could be of their grandchildren, spouse, or any number of events and people they wanted to remember—and the attendees scrapped these in the mini book that was later presented to the person suffering from cancer and their families.

The challenge in this project is that there are often a lot of pictures but not enough pages to scrap them on. We had done this type of event before and had resorted to making a big pocket in the back of the book to put the pics in—this just wasn’t suitable.

I had to figure out ways to creatively include more photos but not so many pages. We used the Bind It All to bind the books so the books could not be more than 1” thick (the Zutter Zisters recommend that the o-wires used be ¼” larger than the thickness of the book—the largest size of o-wire they sell is 1-1/4” hence the 1” limit).

The result was using split pages—a way to make one 6x6 page fit four pictures instead of two (just one on front and one on back).

Supplies:
Chipboard base pages for your mini book
Paper to cover the chipboard pages (I used Basic Grey)
Four 4” x 5” mats (I used Bazzill White)
Binding o-wires (I used ¾” brown wires)
Bind-It-All
Guillotine Trimmer
Strong Liquid Adhesive

Instructions, demonstrated with 6” x 6” pages:

1. Adhere the cardstock to the each side of a chipboard base page. Also adhere any vertical borders you plan to use on the page, if any.
2. Using the Bind It All, punch the binding holes in the page as directed by the Bind-It-All instructions.



3. Using a guillotine trimmer, cut the page in half horizontally at 2” up from the bottom, making sure you cut between two of the binding holes, not through them. This will create a 2” x 6” lower section of the page and a 4” x 6” upper section of the page.



Here is how the two pieces should look from the front side of the page:



Here is how the two pieces should look from the back side of the page:



4. Cut 4 mats from cardstock, about 5” x 4”.



5. Lay a mat in the center of the page. Adhere it to the bottom section of the page only.



Here I only put glue on the very bottom 1” or so of the mat:



This is what it should look like when it is glued—the top 4” section should be able to be moved:



6. Flip the bottom section over as if you are turning the page.



Adhere another mat to the back of the page, making sure the edges are flush with the mat on the front. The page will be sandwiched between the two mats.



7. Flip the top section over as if you are turning the page. Again it should look like a 6” x 6” page again, just from the backside.

8. You should be able to see the bottom of the mat that is on the 2” x 6” section of the page. Line up another mat with the edges of this mat so they are flush. Adhere this mat to the top section of the page only.



Make sure you only put adhesive on the top 2-3” of the mat (the part that is touching the top 4” x 6” section of the page). If you put adhesive on the whole mat, it will make all the pieces stick together and it won’t be a split page anymore.



When you glue the mat on, it should like there is only one mat. Make sure the edges are flush with the other mats. If you separate the page sections they should look like this:




9. Flip the top section over as if you are turning the page back to the front. Adhere another mat to the front of the page, making sure the edges are flush with the mat you just glued on the back.





This is what it should look like with the mat glued onto the front:



This is what the pages look like laid slightly askew—you can see how the mats stack atop of one another:



10. Bind the book, making sure you catch all the holes of the smaller section in the binding.

Slipping the first section of the split page onto the o-wires:



Slipping the second section of the split page onto the o-wires:



After the book has been bound, this is what the pages will look like as you flip the book:



Turning one of the split pages:


With the split pages open:



Turn the second section of the split page:




With all the split pages turned:



I’ve used this technique in several classes and it is always a hit—it’s a surprise too because looking at the page straight on you think it is one page but really it is like 4 pages. You can also use two wallet sized pics on one mat instead of a standard sized photo to get even more pics onto the one page. This technique works well for a vacation, wedding, or any other event where you have a lot of great photos but want to create a minibook. You can do it over and over again in the same book too! Enjoy!!
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[1CC]

Your presentation is wonderful, Jennifer! This just looks like such a fun little album to do! You were very, very clever! Don't you just love when you have a brainstorm? I always surprise myself when I do! You did a great job! I love the concept.
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XO

Chris



visit my blog: http://www.ascrappersmusings.blogspot.com

[croppycatter]

Wow!!! I love mini book ideas...love my BIA too! Can't wait to try this one!!!!
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Kim

[VirginiaTillery]

Oh my goodness, what a WAY cool idea! I love this! Thank you for the awesomely clear instructions. I can't wait to try this!
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[Virginia]
Check out My Blog!

[bruinbr]

what an AMAZING set of instructions! thanks so much for such a great project!
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kim

a sweet smackerel

[Michon]

Very cool idea Jennifer! I love that tool! I need one of those toys, I mean tools!
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michon
Yep I too have a BLOG

[Sigmagirl]

WOW! What a great way to include more photos! I love how clear the instructions were and the great demo photos!!! TFS!
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JEN

[Lyneen]

Great Idea.... THANKS

Awesome instructions!!
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Lyneen

[Jennifer Priest]

Aww thanks!! I love my Bind It All!!
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[Debbie]

Aaah, great idea. Loved the thorough, step by step instructions.
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[Just~Jen]

this is cool!
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Jennifer
Mom to Kenny, Jackson, and Kaden

Jen and Amy's
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[Lyneen]

I have a Bind it All, never pulled it out!!!!!!!!

I CAN SEE I NEED TO....
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Lyneen

[Jennifer Priest]

I use my bind it all all the time. I seem to use it on every minibook I make nowadays----I have no idea and don't remember what I did to make mini books before the BAL--it has all been forgotten! LOL I love this crazy tool!

One thing with the BAL is you've got to make sure you clean it out on a regular basis. Think of it as a three hole punch--it needs to be emptied or it does not work correctly. My tool of choice is a big 16" metal Pampered Chef skewer--it gets in there and I can really get all the paper and such out. Just a tip...
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[VirginiaTillery]

Any tips for a poor soul who doesn't have a Bind It All on how to make one of these albums?
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[Virginia]
Check out My Blog!

[shreve68]

awesome..step by step!!
I want one of those tools....so cool.
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Laura
My Blog: http://msgrace-thegiftofgrace.blogspot.com/