Compare & Contrast: Album Construction Methods

I put together this video in response to a few questions others had about the different methods of wrapping albums and when to wrap the wings of the lay flat method outside as opposed to inside of the covers. I hope it helps answer those questions. As always, please comment below with any questions or suggestions you may have.
The lay flat method of album constructing was designed by Tamra Merrill, the owner of Country Craft Creations. Here is a link to her online store:
www.countrycra...
And her Facebook group community where you can find tons of free tutorials and tips and fellowship with other crafters:
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Here is a link to my full tutorial on how I make Tamra’s lay flat album construction with easy fold corners and expandable hinges:
• Lay Flat Album Constru...
Tool I use to miter the corners:
www.colorwayar...
WeRMemory Keepers small guillotine paper trimmer:
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You can find full cutting guides for my tutorials, sign up for my monthly newsletter, and even share your projects by visiting my new website:
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Music for this and all of my other KZbin Videos is from:
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If you would like to buy me a coffee (or craft supplies,) I would be most grateful :)
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And, as always, I would love for you to comment below or send me an email. I love hearing from my crafty friends. :D
Hope you have a fabulous day!
Happy crafting! :D

[@patriciastark25]

Thank you Caroline. You are one of the best teachers on KZbin, IMO. I love the clean, crisp look of this lay flat album. I will need to change the dimensions however, b/c I want to make an album 7.5” x9.5” and also make a box to hold the album ( makes a nice gift package). If I run into problems with the hinge dimensions, I may be getting back in touch if you don’t mind. Thank you again for sharing your work and giving inspiration.

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

awwwww! 💖 Thank you so much, Patricia. You just made my day!!! 💖 Tamra's lay flat method is a game changer for sure! I am getting ready to post an album tutorial for a 7" x 9" album with a 3" spine and 4 hinges for pages or signatures. It should be up by tomorrow at the latest and could easily be modified to fit. Feel free to reach out anytime with questions. I am happy to help in any way. Thanks, again, for your very kind words. I am most grateful. ((hugs)) ✨🌻✨

[@sharonyoung8251]

I typically use lighter weight paper when wrapping the covers, regardless of the method I use. It makes less bulk. Then, use fabric (thin cotton or muslin) or tyvek when gluing in the pages to provide strength for the spine.

[@sharonyoung8251]

Traditional book makers put the book block (pages) with wings on the inside glued to the cover. The cover is made all in one piece, leaving a space (double the size/thickness of the cover material) in the space between the covers and spine.

[@annkazunas7207]

Thank you so much for this video. I've been collecting design paper to make albums for 3 years now searching how to make albums. I can't even tell you how much I appreciate your time to explain the differences with how to make and compare each different construction. I haven't found any other creator that has done a video on this for beginners. I've seen so many videos of the 1st album construction for 2 years then all of a sudden one of your videos popped up in my search and I was amazed that you could make albums a different way along with the spine being different. Again I appreciate your great teaching skills , laughing about any happy mistakes, your attention to details. I've noticed you haven't made any new videos for the past year and wish you would come back and perhaps do a video maybe once a month as I know your mother with a job, joke to keep, wash all the things that go along with being a single parent and you have my heart I remember those days and by far the hardest job in this world especially if you don't have help or any support from family. I pray you have both. Again your a great teacher and have that ability to laugh at your self and don't hide anything by just doing a video do over for the perfection which don't help a newbie. Again I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your work doing this video but the knowledge you have provided is so appreciated and I'm very grateful. Thank you so much again. I question why this video hasn't went viral. You have gave me the confidence to start using all this album making paper that has cost me a enough money that I most likely could have bought a brand new sofa . Lol

[@rheaa4186]

Thank you Caroline! Another fabulous tutorial! I really love it when you bring the piece right up to the camera to show some little detail you want us to see, it makes comprehension instantaneous that way. I really appreciate you taking the time to make these basic tutorials for us newbees. Most of the ones I see are giving us the basic steps but not really explaining the reason behind doing some of the things and somehow make me feel like they aren't really geared to newbees. And that, my friend, is why I love yours, you take the time to explain and pop that sucka right in our faces so we can SEE what you are talking about lol. Thank you!

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thank you, Rhea! I’m so glad you found it helpful. I absolutely adore you, my friend!!! ❤️🥰

[@jacquelinedavila-alicea7545]

Wonderful explanation. Great tutorial!❤

[@debscraftycardkitchen]

You are an amazing teacher, and I look forward to try the lay flat method on my next album! Many thanks Caroline! 😊

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

awwww! Thank you so much, Deb. You are going to love Tamra's Lay Flat design. It is a game changer for sure! Hope you are having a wonderful day! ((hugs)) ✨

[@Franclin58]

Awesome just awesome. Thanks so much for this super helpful tutorial.

[@karenlea473]

Thank you, that was an excellent demonstration! I had heard of the different methods been mentioned but you’re the first who’s been able to show & explain the distinct differences! Much appreciated! ☺️

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thank you, Karen. I’m so glad you found it helpful. It is exactly what I was hoping to achieve. I kept seeing posts on various fb groups from crafters who were frustrated and wanted to put together a conscience overview of some of the methods they had questions about. My favorite is Tamra’s Lay Flat Method, but it really just comes down to personal preference. I figure it’s always good to have an understanding of the options. Thanks, again! 🥰

[@MaryGeorge2020]

I love your tutorial and tried the lay flat method for an ephemera holder book. I love this lay flat method. I will be using it on all my albums as I get back into making mini albums.

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Hi, Mary! That’s great! Tamra’s method is my favorite, too. I’m so happy you found the tutorial helpful. Hope you are having a fantastic weekend! ((hugs)) ✨🌻✨🌻✨

[@sharonyoung8251]

The space between the cover or not, is a matter of preference.

[@Ema25Henao]

❤thanks for this video!

[@countrycraftcreations]

I love that you are enjoying the lay flat method I created. It has helped so many especially those with arthritis and pain in their hands wrapping the chipboard.

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thank you so much, Tamra! Your design is fabulous!

[@sharondonaghy6030]

Thanks so much for sharing the different ways to wrap the albums. I’ve been using the traditional method so far as that what I learned first. I think I like your 3rd method and will be doing that to see how it works for me the next time I creat an album cover. I like how strong how the album appears with the 3rd method, but I can see using the 2nd method as well. How awesome this is. Just subscribed!

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thanks so much, Sharon! I’m so happy to hear that you found it helpful. The 2nd and 3rd methods are versions of the lay flat method designed by Tamra at Country Craft Creations. Making my albums this way has been a game changer for me! . I made this video last night after hearing other crafters voice frustrations. Remembering how frustrated I was before finding Tamra’s method, I felt compelled to put something together in hopes of helping others avoid the tears I had experienced. I can’t wait to hear how it works for you, too. Thanks, again, Sharon! 🥰

[@violaanderson2780]

Love the lay flat method with the wings inside!! Brilliant!!

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

I do too! It’s made album constructing so much more fun for me. Tamra really outdid herself with this design!

[@renaready5397]

Can't thank Tamara from Country Craft Creations for coming up with this method. It has helped me in making awesome covers!

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

I couldn’t agree more. Tamra is an amazing designer. And the online community she created is a blessing to myself and so many others. I’m so grateful for all she does!

[@dbj1111]

I love you're honesty , you inspire me to make an album .thank you !!!

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Awww…thank you so much. 🌸🌸🌸 ((hugs))

[@CustomDecorByAnn]

Hey love! I just start scrapbooking and I love your craft. I wanted to ask you what bottle do you purchase for your glue? I love the way the glue comes out. Thanks!

[@nellyfreyes]

Thank you sooo much!!!! It is so nice of you to do this tutorial. 😍👍🏼

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

You are most welcome, @nellyfreyes. I’m so glad you found it helpful. 🥰

[@AnneCameron13]

Thank you for this Tutorial! I learn something new everyday! You make it very easy to follow 😊

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thank you, Anne

[@shelleenbowman897]

I have 4 albums that I just made and the spines are cracking. Do you have a video showing how to add the tyvek on the outside?

[@swidswife]

Great job Caroline! I love your videos. I’ve looked high and low for that miter tool and can’t find it. Could you please give me info on where to purchase? Thanks so much.

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Hi, Annmarie. Thanks so much for your kind comment. Here’s the link: www.colorwayarts.com/products/metal-2-in-1-trim-miter-tool-corner-miter-tool-long-metal-miter-and-trim-tool Thanks for reminding me to put the link in the description notes. ((hugs)) 🌸💖🌸

[@dinacarroll9211]

Do you have a video or know of one that shows how to use the smaller acrylic spacers? I want to see their uses to decide if I need them.

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

I don’t recall any videos showing the spacers but I do know that Debbie with Project39 Mini Albums posted an excellent thread on Scrapbookers of Country Craft Creations about how she uses them. Here’s the link. facebook.com/groups/1585111948390881/permalink/3158864964348897/ If I see any postings of videos I’ll be sure and tag you.

[@rheaa4186]

Oh... what about making the inside flap lay-flat method and then do an outside spine cover, just cause you wanted the different look? Would that work?

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

I don’t know. I hope someone who has found a way to successfully do so can respond. I tried it a few months ago when I messed up my cover near the spine and wanted to cover it up…well….I ended up with a buckled and wrinkled mess at point where the hinge moved. 🤦🏻‍♀️ it was a reallllly hot mess! 😬🤣

[@lindagarnett5567]

Very informative I wanted to ask what weight chipboard do you use ???

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thank you, Linda. I use medium weight chipboard

[@lindagarnett5567]

@@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline no offence to Tamara but she didn’t show the scoring of the chipboard on the spine with the groove so I did one yesterday and I left a bit of a space between the chipboard cover and the spine hopefully it will still be ok?? I assume your using the artisan paper. I can’t get that here I’m in Canada and the shipping is expensive so I have been trying to find paper that won’t crack.

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thanks, Linda. I’m not sure about the scoring in Tamra’s video. I’ve seen her use a bone folder to assist in the folding….perhaps it was in another video? I don’t give any space between the spine and cover when attaching the wings on the inside. I’ve found it doesn’t need it. The one thing that does seem essential, however, is using the scor sheet to attach the inside spine cover. I think it adds strength to any cardstock and certainly helps with easing the paper into the narrow space of the spine hinge. Yes, I am using artisan. It really is fantastic. If you cannot get the artisan one thing that has helped me in the past (before I knew about artisan) was to take a slightly damp cloth and lightly go over the paper to be folded. Not so much that it becomes wet, but just enough moisture introduced to allow the fibers to relax and be more flexible. I used to do a similar thing when bending woodworking projects and it works really well. I used the American Crafts Cardstock when doing so. Introducing a slight bit of moisture to that cardstock before folding yielded the closest results to artisan that I’ve found. You just have to let it dry fully after placing it where you want it to go. Hope that helps.

[@lindagarnett5567]

@@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline I’m talking about the part where you attach your wings to your cover I heard her say it will pop down into place but she didn’t show how you did the scoring to make it go down hope you understand what I’m talking about. I actually found some paper that is very flexible it almost looks like leather or kind of crinkled so that’s what I used to wrap my album yesterday so hopefully it will be better I have only made three albums and my second one cracked. With the traditional method so then the last one I did the lay flat method hopefully it will be ok. I have heard about the water couple people said to spritz it but that kind of scares me lol. Now that I have seen your video though I will know for next time how to do the spine hopefully my book doesn’t fall apart. Lol

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

@@lindagarnett5567 oh, yes. I understand. I think I do some extra steps…probably not necessary, but it is just how I do it, lol! I would be leery about spraying water on paper, too. That’s why I just use a lightly damp cloth and very lightly drag it over the paper. It’s more to introduce humidity to it than to actually make it wet. I think your album is going to be great! I’m sure you have not done anything to cause it to fall apart. Keep doing what you’re doing I know that mine get better every time. Thanks again for all of your thoughtful comments and questions. I really appreciate having conversations with other crafters.

[@Cropalot212]

also, what if you use book cloth vs paper? Would I need to attach tyvek to the spine piece?? Or will it be sturdy enough without it

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thanks you so much for your questions, Regina. 😊I think book cloth is plenty sturdy on its own.

[@BeverlyLeeCreates]

Subbed friend I look forward to seeing you

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Yay! Thank you so much! I just subbed to yours, too! I’m LOVING the looks of your videos. Can’t wait to see them all. 🤩

[@violaanderson2780]

I love corner mitre ruler. Where would one purchase it?

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thanks for asking. Here is the link to where I purchased the ruler. www.colorwayarts.com/products/metal-2-in-1-trim-miter-tool-corner-miter-tool-long-metal-miter-and-trim-tool

[@dinacarroll9211]

I haven’t tried the lay flat method yet. Perhaps my next album. I’m curious though, do you feel a 1/4 inch space is necessary on the traditional style cover and the wings on the outside of the lay flat method? I tend to do 1/8 or slightly more. Thank you for this video. I hadn’t heard about putting the wings on the outside before.

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thank you, Dina! 1/4 inch may be a bit excessive. When I first attempted to make albums I kept placing the covers too close to the spine and ended up cracking so many covers that I probably overcompensated. 1/8 to 3/16 is probably more than sufficient.

[@MsVynette]

@@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline the general rule of thumb is to leave a space of two widths of the cardboard that is used for the cover to make the gap. That's what is needed for the boards to physically fold up square to each other. So if you are using a 1mm board you would leave a 2mm gap, 2mm board a 4mm gap. 1/4 inch is wide and would put too much stress on the paper covering and have not as much support as when the gap is made smaller. Generally the outside paper is not adhered together to the inside lining paper in that smaller gap. Best to just put two pieces of the board together and place that between the cover and the spine to make the gap. Make a spacer out of the board you are using say 10" x 1" by two pieces glued together , like a ruler :) I love your tutorials Caroline :) Thank you :)

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Thank you, Vynette! That is so helpful. Interestingly enough, I began adhering the spaces together to solve the stress issue, lol! So far it has worked like a charm. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤣 so glad to know the correct way to address it at long last, lol! Though I’m probably going to stick with Tamra’s lay flat method because it has been sooooo easy to work with. Thanks, again, Vynette. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. It is so helpful! 🥰

[@MsVynette]

@@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline thank you for your reply :) As you say there is no right or wrong way to do these things, just the way that works best for us :) The more information we have the more choices we have of trying things :) I love the lay flat method with the wings on the inside best . It is so neat and tidy, and with the double hinge system everything lays nice and flat with ease :) Thank you once again for your great tutorials :) Love them :)

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Awww…I’m so happy you enjoy them. And I love having these conversations! I learn so much from other crafters! I have to ask….what is the double hinge system you use? (See…I’m learning new things right now! Lol!)

[@Cropalot212]

do you ever use tyvek for your spine ?

[@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline]

Hi, Regina! I don’t use tyvek for my spine, but have used it to back thinner paper to make them stronger when working with. For example, the glitter paper I used to wrap my spine in the album I showed in this video was glued onto tyvek before I used it on the album because it was just a very thin piece of paper. I have used tyvek strips to wrap from the inside of my spine to the outside when I was working on prototypes for my gusseted expanding hinge attachment but found that, ultimately, I really didn’t need it. I think it depends on the materials used. I use Artisan cardstock for my albums now so it isn’t necessary, but if I were using something less malleable or less strong, I would probably consider it. Hope that makes sense? 🤷🏻‍♀️😬🤣🤣

[@Cropalot212]

@@CraftingCreatingWithCaroline thanks so much. It completely makes sense 😄