Envelope Mini Album with Patterned Paper Pages

A project from our live show STUDIO 3 - Industry News brought to you by Toni Darroch - Broadcast 26th March 22 · 26/03/2022 · watch it from 14:00

Transform spare envelopes from your stash into a beautiful mini memory album with pockets and decorative pages. This quick project uses patterned papers to create a finished album that looks professionally made, perfect for storing photos, tickets or memorabilia.

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Step by step

1. Gather a pile of envelopes in various sizes—five by seven, eight by eight, six by six, or B6 all work well. ▶ watch 14:15
2. Take two envelopes and apply tape or glue to the tab of one envelope, then push it inside the other envelope to create your first page. ▶ watch 14:45
3. Push the flap down firmly to secure the envelope inside, creating a snug fit. ▶ watch 15:15
4. Continue adding more envelopes in the same way to build up multiple pages, stacking them to create depth and pockets. ▶ watch 16:00
5. Cut patterned papers from your six by six pad to size and glue them onto the envelope pages to hide the envelope structure. ▶ watch 17:30
6. Create a decorative pocket by placing cardstock inside an envelope, drawing a light pen line around it, then cutting just inside that line to create a shaped pocket opening. ▶ watch 23:30
7. Score a white cardstock base with two score lines to create a gusset, then glue your envelope pages inside to create a complete album cover. ▶ watch 28:00
8. Create a belly band wrap using an off-cut of white cardstock or patterned paper, gluing it around the album to hold it closed. ▶ watch 45:00
9. Decorate the front cover with patterned paper from your A4 pad, adding embellishments like flowers, buttons or frames to personalise your album. ▶ watch 51:45
10. Add final decorative touches to pockets and pages using die-cut embellishments, ensuring all components are in place before closing the album. ▶ watch 1:01:45

Tips from the show

• Use both tape and glue when assembling albums to ensure they last—tape alone will eventually dry out and the album will fall apart.
• Decorate pages before filling them with photos or memorabilia, as overstuffing will prevent the belly band from sliding on and off.
• If you're not confident cutting pocket shapes freehand, skip that step and simply cover the envelope with patterned paper instead.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly