Flip Top Frame Accordion Book
by Jackie McColl
ARTchix has flip top frames in three handy sizes! Perfect for making quick and elegant pieces of jewelery. I wanted to make a handmade present for my friend's Birthday- a special secret little accordion book.
This is what I did to make this fun, meaningful gift:
Here are the things you will need for this super easy class:
Large size flip top frame with special inserts
Specially sized images from ARTchix gorgeous collage sheets: All Smiles, Lil' Christmas, Lil' Duos, Lil' Sweeties, Chixies Steampunk
Stamp and stamp pad
Scissors
Glue
Decorative tape
Sharpie marker
Our flip top frames come with special inserts: three sized and scored pieces of cardboard for gluing images to and two sized pieces of transparency for protecting your pictures.
First, using Staz-on ink, I stamped onto 3 of the six panels of cardboard. You only need to do this on one side if you like. Set aside to dry.
Pick your images! We have a selection of specially sized collage sheets to fit these awesome frames. Once I decided on the story I wanted to tell, I picked my images and simply cut them out. You will need two for the outside (front and back) and three for the inside of the book.
Then, using my glue stick, I just stuck them onto the remaining blank pages. Again, you can do one side of the cardboard or both. I did one side- leaving three panels on the back clear so I could write a special message there :)
Tell your story! Using words from our handy word collection sheets, I glued one word onto every stamped panel to tell my story. Amazing- Good- Day!
Time to assemble your secret book. Fold the three panels in half- you will find this super easy as they are already scored for you. Cut your adhesive decorative tape into two strips that are the same height as the book pages. Once you have your three panels in order, line them up side by side and stick them together putting the tape half on one side of the panel and half on the other.
Press down hard to secure or you can even add a little glue to make sure they stick.
Finishing touch! I like to ink all of the edges of the images- it makes your work of art look neatly finished. For small items, I prefer my black sharpie marker and simply run it carefully across all of the exposed egdes. Nice!
Last step... now that you have made your adorable secret accordion book, it's time to hide it inside your flip top frame! Just fold it up, sandwich it between the clear plastic pieces and slip it into the frame. Pop the lip shut and there you have it!
Your special handmade secret accordion book- perfect to hang as a pendant from our ball chain necklaces!
Try out all three wonderful sizes of frames - the mini and medium frames make perfect matching earrings or bangles for a bracelet! Now who wouldn't want to receive a set of these elegant pieces from a good friend!
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