Graphic 45 Le' Romantique Mini Album Tutorial

Good morning, Graphic 45 Fans! Are you ready for a blast from the past?

On my very first Design Team term with Graphic 45, in 2010, they had just released Le' Romantique (2009 release). It was one of the first collections I had a chance to play with once I joined the team! And...now it's back! The Deluxe Collector's Edition of Le' Romantique will be available in September 2019, ten years after it's first release!

I honor of this wonderful collection getting a fresh release, I have created a band new project! I have created a 7" x 5" x 2" mini album using only Le' Romantique! I often mix my collections, but I wanted to give you a tutorial that you could make with ONLY one deluxe collection pack or one 12x12 collection pack! 

This lovely mini album is perfect for a wedding or anniversary gift and holds over 30 photos! This is a simple album to construct and decorate, making it perfect for beginners and advanced crafters alike!  

The mini has four pages, plus large pockets on the inside covers. I have also used a package of the Regular Tags (black).

My assignment this month was to take a past #ClubG45 project and "re-imagine" it. I chose the A Proper Gentleman's Board Book by Annette Green as my past club project. 

To create your project, you will need a Le' Romantique Deluxe Collector's Edition pack (or one 12x12 pad of the original Le' Romantique Collection), and the list of supplies shown at the bottom of this post.

I did not have the full Deluxe Collector's Edition, hence I did not have the sticker sheets nor the chipboard pack. However, the original collection came with a sheet called "Tags" so I used that instead. You will have to substitute my selections from those that come with your Deluxe Collector's Edition stickers and chipboards.

If you chose to make the project as Annette designed it, print the project sheet and follow her directions, substituting the Le' Romantique papers as desired. There is also a video tutorial (click HERE.) 

If you choose to make my version of this project, follow the photo tutorial below. I deviated quite a bit from Annette's original project. As always, PLEASE READ through the directions FIRST, before starting to cut into your paper!

Let's get started!

Cut two pieces of black chipboard to 7" x 5"  and one piece to 7" x 2". These pieces are the front and back covers, plus the spine piece. 

Splice together medium weight black cardstock to create a piece that is 9" tall and 14 1/4" wide. Attach your chipboard covers onto the center of the cardstock, keeping a 1/4" gutter between the covers and the spine. You will have 1" border around the outside edges of the chipboard.

Tip: Use a ruler to draw a 1" border around the edges of your cardstock. This will help you to keep your chipboard straight as you place it down. 

Trim the corners at an angle and add double-sided adhesive to the 1" border.

Wrap the cardstock around the chipboard, making sure to burnish everything really well. Gently score the gutter between both covers and the spine. Work the covers open and closed gently, to prevent the cardstock from tearing. 

Gently burnish the outside edges of the wrapped chipboard. 

Now, let's make our hinge mechanism. Cut a piece of black cardstock to 6 7/8" x 7 1/2". On the 7 1/2" side score at: 1", 1 1/2", 2", 2 1/2", 3", 3 1/2", 4", 4 1/2", 5", 5 1/2", 6", and 6 1/2".  

You will have 13 sections as shown above. DO NOT FOLD ON THE SCORE LINES YET! (The white lines represent the score lines.) 

Place double-sided adhesive onto sections 2, 5, 8, and 11 as shown. You will be attaching sections 2 and 3 together, 5 and 6, 8 and 9, and then 11 and 12. These sections will become your four hinges. 

Sections 4, 7, 10 become your spaces between the hinges (gutters).

Fold on all score lines, making sure to attach the appropriate sections together (as explained above) to form the hinges. You will have four 1/2" tall hinges with 1/2" gutters. There will also be a 1" section at each end which will reinforce the spaces between your spine and covers.

Flip the hinge mechanism over and attach double-sided adhesive to the back. 

Attach the hinge mechanism to the spine and burnish. Make sure to line up the first hinge just slightly to the right of the left edge of the spine chipboard. There will be more space between the last hinge and the right edge of the spine chipboard. This is necessary to accommodate a waterfall element, which will be explained later.

Gently score the gutter between both covers and the spine. Work the covers open and closed gently, to prevent the cardstock from tearing. 

Note: I usually decorate my covers last, just in case they get mangled while creating the inside components. If you wish to save your covers for the end, please read through the directions below and set the appropriate products aside so that you don't use them accidentally!

Trim a piece of Enamored Embrace (reverse) paper to slightly smaller than 7" x 5" and attach it to the front cover.

Tip: Sponge all paper edges with black ink.

Trim a second piece of Enamored Embrace (reverse) paper to slightly smaller than 7" x 5" and attach it to the back cover. Trim a piece of Enamored Embrace (reverse) paper slightly smaller than 7" x 2" and attach it to the spine.

To decorate the front cover, trim the frame shown from the Devoted paper and mat with black cardstock. Attach the matted image to a piece of black chipboard and glue it to the front cover. 

Die cut a sentiment (Many Blessings) and glue it to the bottom part of the framed image. (If you don't have an appropriate die cut phrase, you may use chipboard phrases or stickers from your stash, or you could print something onto cardstock and attach.)

Glue an Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keyhole to the left side of the image. Add gold Matte Pearl Gems to the keyhole. Glue a selection of flowers and buds to the area around the keyhole, as shown. (The pink flowers I used are from the Precious Pink Rose Bouquet Collection.)

Let's work on the inside of the album.

Trim two pieces of Daydreams paper to 6 7/8" x 5" and attach to the inside front and back covers. Trim four pieces of Loves Labyrinth (reverse) to 6 3/4" x 3/8" and glue to each gutter. 

Note: there is a "gutter" after the last hinge. This is to allow enough space for the waterfall element we will be adding to the last page.

To create your pages you may either use the G45 black chipboard or heavy weight cardstock. I elected to use 110# black cardstock for my pages and save the chipboard for other mini album projects. 

Trim four pieces of black cardstock (or chipboard) to 6 7/8" x 4 7/8" and round the outside corners only.  

Using strong double-sided adhesive (or your favorite glue), attach a page to each hinge. Make sure to keep the pages straight. Do not worry about the hinges showing on the reverse side of each page, as we will cover them with paper.

Trim eight (8) pieces of Le' Romantique paper to 6 3/4" x 4 3/4". Round the outside corners only. 

To recreate my pages cut your paper as follows, rounding the right two corners (the right-hand stack shown above):

1 - Loves Labyrinth (page 1)
1 - Sending Flowers (reverse) (page 3)
1 - Enamored Embrace (page 5)
1 - Celebration (page 7)

Cut the following,rounding the left two corners (the left-hand stack shown above):

1 - Signature (reverse, butterflies) (page 2)
1 - Key to My Heart (reverse) (page 4)
1 - Daydreams (reverse) (page 6)
1 - Tender Missives (page 8)

Please note: if you are using the Original paper pad, you will NOT have the Sending Flowers sheet. You will need to substitute another print.

Attach the paper to each page as stated above. 

Use the Regular Tag Die to cut 12 tag shapes for the six (6) tags we will be using for this project. (We will cover both sides of each tag.)

Tip: If you do not have the tag die you can trace the tag and trim the shape slightly smaller with scissors. 

Or, you can cut a rectangle of cardstock to 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" and round all four corners. Attach the paper to each tag, as shown in the sample above (from another project).

Trim six tag shapes from Well Groomed (reverse, stripes) and attach a piece to the front of each of the six tags. 

Make sure to reserve the gentleman image (shown above, upper left) from one of the sheets of Well Groomed paper.

Trim three tag shapes from Tender Missives (reverse), two from Loves Labyrinth (reverse), and one from Sending Flowers (reverse). Attach the paper to the back of each of the six tags. Set the tags aside. 

We need to make four pockets for your mini. We need two for the inside covers and two for the pages. The pockets for the covers are slightly larger, but we will make all the pockets in the same manner. 

For the cover pockets: Cut two pieces of black cardstock to 3 1/2" x 6". Score at 1/2" on three sides. Trim the tabs at an angle to reduce bulk. Fold on the score lines and add double-sided adhesive to the resulting tabs. Attach one pocket (by the tabs) to the inside front cover and one to the inside back cover. (See the page photos below.)

For the page pockets: Cut two pieces of black cardstock to 3 1/2" x 5 3/4". Score at 1/2" on three sides. Trim the tabs at an angle to reduce bulk. Fold on the score lines and add double-sided adhesive to the resulting tabs. Attach one pocket (by the tabs) to the bottom of page three and the second pocket to the bottom of page seven. (See the page photos below.)

I have created many photo mats for my project. If you have a selection of square, rectangle and circle dies, cut a variety of photo mats and journaling blocks from ivory cardstock. If you do not have access to dies, you can cut square and rectangle photo mats with your trimmer.

Now, let's decorate!

This is the front inside cover and page one.

If you have not attached your pocket to the inside front cover, please do so now. (Make sure you are using the pocket that is 5" wide.) Trim Signature (reverse, butterflies) paper to 2 7/8" x 4 7/8" and attach it to the pocket. Remember to sponge all your paper edges with black ink.

Trim the image from Sweetheart of Mine paper and glue it to a piece of scrap chipboard. Glue the image to the center of the pocket.

Select one of the tags (with Love's Labyrinth (reverse) on the back side) and attach a 4 1/2" x 3 1/4" ivory photo mat to the center of the tag. For the border, I used a section from the Tags page (original collection). You may use something similar from the DCE sticker sheet or chipboard sheet.

To make the card, trim black cardstock to 11" x 4 1/4" and score at 5 1/2" on the long side. Fold and round the bottom four corners. Trim the image shown from the Well Groomed paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and round the bottom corners. Attach the image to the card front. 

Use a small image, similar to the one above, for your accent. I matted the image onto black cardstock and then added a gold gem.

For the inside of the card, trim two pieces of ivory cardstock to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8". Round the corners as shown, and attach the cardstock to the inside of the card.

Flip the tag and card over. For the tag, trim two circles (3" and 2 5/8") from ivory cardstock and attach to the tag as shown. trim a postage image from Tender Missives paper and attach to the tag. Tie a piece of ribbon to the top of the tag.

Tip: Make sure that you do not put adhesive where things overlap. You want to be able to attach your photos to the photo mats.

For the back of the card, trim Enamored Embrace paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8". Round the bottom corners and attach the paper to the back of the card. 

Place the tag and card into the pocket. For page one, add a 4 1/2" x 3 1/4" rectangle photo mat and a 2 5/8" circle photo mat to the page as shown. Place a decorative element and two gold gems into the upper right corner.  

Pages two and three. For page two, add a 3 1/4" square photo mat to the top center of the page. Glue an Antique Brass Ornate Metal Key below the photo mat. Add a small, silver gem to the key.  

Add a 2 5/8" x 3 7/8" journaling block to the bottom center of page two. Trim the image from Sweetheart of Mine paper and attach to the journaling block.

If you have not attached the pocket to page three, do so now. Make sure you are using the 4 3/4" wide pocket. Trim Daydreams paper to 2 7/8" x 4 5/8" and attach it to the pocket. Trim the image from Sweetheart of Mine paper and attach it to the center of the pocket.

We will decorate two tags for the pocket. Choose one tag with Loves Labyrinth (reverse) paper on the back side and one tag with Tender Missives (reverse) paper on the back side.

Select one of the tags (with Love's Labyrinth (reverse) on the back side) and attach a 4 1/2" x 3 1/4" ivory photo mat to the center of the tag. Choose a circular embellishment and mat it with black cardstock. Attach the embellishment to the right edge of the tag. Tie a length of ribbon through the grommet at the top of the tag.

Select a second tag (with Tender Missives (reverse) on the back side) and attach a 3 1/4" square ivory photo mat to the center of the tag. Trim a strip of scrap paper to 1/2" x 3 3/4" and attach it to the top of the tag, as shown. Glue an Antique Brass Ornate Metal Key to the decorative strip. Add a small, silver gem to the key. Tie a length of ribbon through the grommet at the top of the tag.

Flip over the tag with Love's Labyrinth (reverse) on the back side. Attach a 2 5/8" decorative square ivory photo mat to the center of the tag. Make a flip card by trimming a piece of ivory cardstock to 4 1/2" x 2 1/4". Score the little card at 2 1/4" on the long side to make a 2 1/4" square card. Round the corners and attach the card to the center of the photo mat.

Select a square embellishment and attach it to the front of the little flip card. Add a gold gem to the embellishment image.

Flip over the tag with Tender Missives (reverse) on the back side and attach a 3 1/4" square ivory photo mat to the center of the tag. Choose a circular embellishment and mat it with black cardstock. Attach the embellishment to the lower right edge of the tag.

Place the tags into the pocket.

Pages four and five. 

Attach a 4" square ivory photo mat to the top center of page four. Attach a 2" x 3 1/4" ivory journaling block to the bottom center of the page. Glue a strip of decorative rose ribbon to the space between the ivory mats. Add a few silver gems to the ribbon strip.

Attach two ivory circle photo mats to the center of page five. One should be 4" and the other 3". 

Pages six and seven.

Attach a 5" x 3 3/4" ivory photo mat to the center of page six. Add a square embellishment to the top of the page. Place a silver gem onto the embellishment.

If you have not attached the pocket to page seven, do so now. Make sure you are using the 4 3/4" wide pocket. Trim Sending Flowers paper to 2 7/8" x 4 5/8" and attach it to the pocket. Trim the image from Devoted paper and mat with black cardstock. Use foam adhesive to attach the image to the left side of the pocket.

We will decorate two tags for the pocket. Choose one tag with Sending Flowers (reverse) paper on the back side and one tag with Tender Missives (reverse) paper on the back side.

For the tag with Sending Flowers (reverse) paper on the back side, trim the image from Sweetheart of Mine paper and attach it to the front of the tag, as shown. Place adhesive only along the top edge of the image, making a tuck spot, or a place for hidden journaling. Tie a length of ribbon through the grommet at the top of the tag.

Select the tag (with Tender Missives (reverse) on the back side) and attach a 4 1/2" x 3 1/4" ivory photo mat to the center of the tag. Trim a postage image from Tender Missives paper and mat it with black cardstock. Attach the embellishment to the left edge of the tag. Tie a length of ribbon through the grommet at the top of the tag.

Flip over the tag with Sending Flowers (reverse) on the back side. Attach a 3 3/8" ivory circle photo mat to the top center of the tag. Select a square embellishment and attach it to the lower right corner of the tag, as shown. Add a silver gem to the embellishment image.

Flip over the tag with Tender Missives (reverse) on the back side and attach a 2" x 3 1/4" ivory journaling mat to the top center of the tag. Attach a 2 1/2" ivory circle photo mat to the bottom right of the tag, as shown. Choose a mini tag embellishment and attach it as shown. Add a gold gem to the little tag.

Place the tags into the pocket.

Page eight and the inside back cover.

Page eight contains a waterfall mechanism. Follow the directions below to create the waterfall.

Cut three pieces of black cardstock to 6" x 4 1/4". Score each on the longer side at 1/2" from the top edge to make a 1/2" tab on each piece. Round the corners opposite the tab.

Place double-sided adhesive onto each tab. Attach the tab of the first panel at the top edge of page eight. Flip the panel up and continue to attach the panels.

The fold of each panel will match up to the bottom of the previous tab.

Attach all panels in this manner.

Waterfall page 1: Cut Signature (reverse, butterflies) paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and round the bottom two corners. Attach the paper to the panel. Trim a 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" photo mat from ivory cardstock and attach it to the center of the panel. 

Waterfall page 2: Cut Key to My Heart (reverse) paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and round the top two corners. Attach the paper to the panel. Trim a 3 1/4" square photo mat from ivory cardstock and attach it to the center of the panel. Choose a mini tag embellishment and attach it as shown. Add a gold gem to the little tag.

Cut a strip of Sending Flowers (reverse) paper to 3/8" x 4 1/8" and attach it to the tab as shown.

Waterfall page 3: Cut Celebration paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and round the bottom two corners. Attach the paper to the panel. Trim the image from Sweetheart of Mine paper and attach it along the left edge to make a tuck spot.

Waterfall page 4: Cut Celebration (reverse) paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and round the top two corners. Attach the paper to the panel. Trim the image from Sweetheart of Mine paper and attach it along the right edge to make a tuck spot.

Cut a strip of Sending Flowers (reverse) paper to 3/8" x 4 1/8" and attach it to the tab as shown.

Waterfall page 5: Cut Key to My heart paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and round the bottom two corners. Attach the paper to the panel. Attach a 3 3/4" square ivory photo mat to the center of the panel.

Waterfall page 6: Cut My Beloved paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and round the top two corners. Attach the paper to the panel. Attach a 3 3/4" square ivory photo mat to the center of the panel.

Cut a strip of Sending Flowers (reverse) paper to 3/8" x 4 1/8" and attach it to the tab as shown.

Waterfall page seven/base page: Cut a strip of Sending Flowers (reverse) paper to 3/8" x 4 1/8" and attach it to the tab as shown.

Attach a 3 1/2" ivory circle photo mat to the top left of the base page, as shown. Attach a 2 5/8" x 4" ivory journaling block to the bottom right of the base page.

Now, let's finish the inside back cover. If you have not attached your pocket, please do so now. (Make sure you are using the pocket that is 5" wide.) Trim My Beloved paper to 2 7/8" x 4 7/8" and attach it to the pocket. 

Trim the image from Sweetheart of Mine paper and mat it with black cardstock. Glue the image to a piece of scrap chipboard, then attach it to the center of the pocket.

We need to make a card and a tag for the pocket.

Select the tag (with Tender Missives (reverse) on the back side) and attach a 3 1/4" square ivory photo mat to the bottom center of the tag. Select an image to attach to the top center of the tag, using foam adhesive. Tie a length of ribbon through the grommet at the top of the tag.

To make the card, trim black cardstock to 11" x 4 1/4" and score at 5 1/2" on the long side. Fold and round the bottom four corners. Trim Key to My Heart (reverse) paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and round the bottom corners. Attach the panel to the front of the card. Trim the image shown from the Sweetheart of Mine paper and attach it to the card front.

For the inside of the card, trim two pieces of ivory cardstock to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8". Round the corners as shown, and attach the cardstock to the inside of the card.

Flip the tag and card over and attach a 4 1/2" x 3 1/4" ivory photo mat to the center of the tag. Trim the image from Devoted paper and attach to the left edge of the tag.

For the back of the card, trim My Beloved paper to 5 3/8" x 4 1/8". Round the bottom corners and attach the paper to the back of the card. 

Place the tag and card into the pocket. 

You are finished! Thanks for joining me today! Happy crafting!

Graphic 45 Supplies Used:
Le' Romantique Deluxe Collector's Edition
Matte Pearl Gems
Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keys
Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keyholes
Rose Bouquet Collection - Precious Pink
Regular Tag - Black
Regular Tag and Gears Dies
Chipboard - Black

Other Supplies Used:

Cardstock: Black, Ivory
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts (ivory)
Ribbon: Moonstone Swiss Dots Grosgrain, Dark Peach Seam Binding, pink rose ribbon unknown
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Various dies: Papertrey Ink (script), Elizabeth Craft (stitched squares and rectangles), Tonic Studios (mixed edge rectangles), My Favorite Things (stitched mini scallop rectangle and square stax, stitched circle stax)
Adhesive: ATG Tape, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Squares, Scor-tape, hot glue, white glue