Ok, so its day 2 of Hybrid for Dummies. See yesterday’s post for the step by step Board Book tutorial. I’m going to vote the Matchbook Album as the easiest hybrid so far. You don’t even NEED glue which is always a huge plus for me. You’re going to start with this handy dandy pre-made template. Everything is all measured and pre-sized for you. No thinking required (another huge plus for me).

This makes a really cute brag book, stocking stuffer, or  ‘just because’ gift. You can go with matching pages or just pile in your top 10 pages. The beauty of this project is that it’s size to accommodate your 12×12” layouts. Just shrink them down and add a strip of matching paper to the bottom where the edge folds over.

I photographed this project STEP by STEP as I did it to show you exactly how it’s done!

Here’s how to make it:

First step is to design your album cover and pages. Once that’s done – print. You can fit  4 pages to an 8.5×11” sheet. Remember quality photo paper is key. I’m using Kodak Premium Photo Paper – Glossy. And don’t forget that you have to set your printer preferences accordingly. When you go to print and that box of options pops up there is likely a drop down menu somewhere where you can choose the type of paper you are using.  Then on plain computer paper print a copy of the blank cover template if needed to help you find your fold lines.

Once you’ve printed, cut. Select your tool of choice (trimmer, cutter, knife – NO scissors!) If you want to get fancy you can trace your cover onto a coordinating sheet of solid scrapbook paper or cardstock to line the inside of the cover. I used lilac cardstock. Fancy.

I went with the tape runner for this one. (Therm o Web Memory Tape Runner). No dry time, solid hold, easy to use. Adhere the two covers together.

Alright, almost done! Order and pile up your pages in a stack. Place them down against the bottom crease. Fold up that edge and *BEFORE YOU STAPLE* slide the cover closed and then line up your stapler just  below the end of the cover.  You want to make sure that the cover has room to lie flat. If you staple too high up the cover will not tuck in.

Ok, you may staple now. Be aware of how many pages your stapler is capable of punching through.

And VOILA! Done. C’mon, that was easy right?