Seascape flag book Tutorial

Finally it was cool enough in the studio to return to my flag book. The bright sunny pictures show how hot it is. This photograph was taken at 8.00pm!

To make a similar flag book you need:
2 pieces heavy chipboard  6"x7" for covers
2 pieces of patterned paper 7' x 8" to cover the front and back covers
2 pieces of patterned paper 5 3/4 x 6 1/2 " to decorate inside the front and back covers
1  piece card stock (I used a blue colour to match my flags)  12 " x 6 1/2 "
Paper cut or torn into 6 strips lengths of approx 12" long x 3 1/4" high

The chipboard covers are each covered as separate pieces. I used some long horded 7Gypsies Mariner paper.

I added lots of deep sea Seth Apter embossing power to the edges of my covers

To make the spine I creased at; 1 1/2",  2 1/4",  3", 3 3/4",  4 1/2",  5 1/4",  6",  6 3/4",  7 1/2",  8 1/4",  9",  9 3/4",  10 1/2"  Folded along the creases to form an accordion with 1 1/2 inches unfolded at each end this is used to attached the spine to the covers.

The accordion spine is attached to the covers right up to the edge of the boards leaving a small space top and bottom. I forgot to photograph this step but check out the links below if you want to see detailed instructions. At this point I added patterned paper on the inside covers.

To make my flags I decorated 2 A4 pieces of paper. For the top row I tore the sheet into strips. I wanted a sky and horizon line. Using distress stains and inks to create a light sky with a range of blues I then added a darker horizon line along the bottom of the strips with salty ocean stain.

Once dry I tore the strips into shorter flags and added stamped details in manganese blue archival ink and clear embossing powder.

For the bottom row I wanted to suggest the depths of the sea.  I used distress ink archival ink and stencils on the whole sheet .

Again I then tore it into strips and stained the white exposed edges.

I added archival stamping with clear embossing to give it shine, layers and texture.

Finally I tore the strips into shorter flags and finished off the edges. Before gluing in the flags I finished the cover. I added more deep sea embossing to the inside covers.

The covers were then decorated with lots of stamping and clear heat embossing. I made an embellishment using a stamp from Paperartsy Eclectica ESA06 by Seth Apter. I stamped onto patterned paper, embossed and then edged it with treasure gold to create a metallic edge. I used this to attach a ribbon tie for the book closure.

The ribbon wraps around the closed book and ties on the front cover holding the book closed.

With the cover finished I then attached my flags.

If you want to try making a flag book you can of course simply use patterned paper or decorate your flags however you want.  Avoid media that is very dimensional as the flags have to move past each other and you dont want them to catch. Also you want them to lie flat when the book is closed. My book only uses two sets/rows of flags you can have as many sets/rows as you like. There are lots of tutorials for making flag books. Lizzy Wurmann has a good video; LINK or this tutorial on scrapbook-crazy.com is also good:  LINK

I am glad to be organised enough to join in with Mini Album Makers again this month HERE

Also joining Fashionable Stamping for the first time - their current Challenge #136  Seaside