Doodlebug Design Inc Blog: SUMMER FUN - SUMMER TIME MINI ALBUM

Friday, August 7, 2026

SUMMER FUN - SUMMER TIME MINI ALBUM | with Conny

Hello, crafty friends! Conny here from The Daily Life of Creativity with another mini album tutorial. Today we’re creating a 5” × 7” chipboard mini album using the adorable Summer Fun collection from Doodlebug Design.

Let’s get started! I began by cutting my chipboard: Two covers measuring 7” × 5” and One spine measuring 7” × 1¼”.

To cover the front and back chipboard pieces, I cut two pieces of patterned paper to 8½” × 6½”. I used Blue Jean Buffalo Check Woodgrain Petite Prints and Gulf Friends from Summer Fun

I centered each chipboard piece on the paper, mitered the corners using a cover guide tool, then wrapped the paper around the edges using double-sided adhesive and liquid glue.

For the spine, I used Bumblebee Buffalo Check Woodgrain Petite Prints. I trimmed the paper to 8½” × 4”. I centered the 7” × 1¼” spine on the paper and wrapped the top and bottom around the chipboard. I then adhered the side flaps to the front and back covers to each side.

Next, I covered the inside of the album. I used papers from the Summer Fun 6” × 8” Paper Pad. For the center spine area, I cut a colorful stripe paper to 6⅞” × 6” and adhered it with double-sided tape and liquid glue.

For the inside covers, I used the colorful polka dot paper with a white background. I cut one piece to 6⅞” × 6”, then trimmed it in half to create two 6⅞” × 3” panels. I adhered one to the inside front cover and the other to the inside back cover

Next, I built the two waterfalls. Each waterfall has six pages. I cut six pieces of white cardstock measuring 4½” × 3½” for each waterfall. I scored on the 4½-inch side at ½ inch. Next I applied adhesive to the scored flap and stacked the pages one underneath another, beginning at the top of the patterned paper.

For the waterfall closure, I cut a piece measuring approximately 4” × 1½” and scored it at ½ inch on the 4-inch side. I also used a scallop punch to decorate the bottom corners of the waterfall pages as well as the closure for a fun decorative touch.

Next I created the interactive pages! Using the Summer Fun Solid Assortment Textured Cardstock, I used both the dark blue and white cardstock. I cut one piece to 6⅞” × 12” and scored at: ½”, 5¼” and 7⅞”.

I cut the second piece to 6⅞” × 9⅞” and scored at: ½” and 5¼”.

I added a scallop border to both pages—one along the pocket edge and one at the end of the larger page. It adds such a cute finishing detail, so don’t be afraid to pull out your punches and have fun with them.

For the pocket, I cut a piece measuring 5½” × 3½” and scored it ½ inch on the 3½-inch side

½ inch on both the left and right sides of the 5½-inch side.

I used a 1-inch circle punch to create a thumb notch before assembling the pocket. Inside the pocket, I tucked in one of the journaling cards from the collection. I also used one of the cards from the Cards & Envelopes pack as a tri-fold insert, giving the album even more room for photos.

The smaller photo mats throughout the album hold 3” × 3” photos, while the pocket is large enough to hold 4” × 6” photos or journaling cards. I also used one of the 6” × 8” paper pad cards, scored it in the center, and tucked it into the pocket to create a fold-out journaling insert.

On the first page, I created a simple flip-up element using another scallop edge, then decorated the album with clusters made from the Bits & Pieces, Odds & Ends, Chit Chat, Puffy Icons, and Puffy Words.

To finish the cover, I added the adorable Flora Flamingo Doodle Pop, which makes the perfect focal point.