I finally finished my most recent mini album! As I mentioned earlier, I had gone to Michael’s to pick up some of the goodies from the Nursery Tales Collection by Prima. I got some great deals because I had a 30% off your entire purchase coupon and I also went back on another day to use a 40% off coupon for the paper pack.
Want to see what I bought?
As many of you know, I am expecting a new baby in September, so I was thrilled to see this new collection!! The timing couldn’t have been more perfect too because I wanted to make a mini album just for Gabe and the Nursery Tales Collection worked wonderfully for this project.
Mini Album Idea for Older Siblings
My son Gabe will be turning three just before we expect his new little sibling to be born. We have been trying to prepare him for our new arrival and get him excited about the new addition to our family. I want him to feel like he is a big part of what is going on. Gabe loves books, but I had been having a hard time finding one that I thought was really sending him the right message. Then it hit me, Gabe LOVES to look through all of my mini albums – why not make him his very own mini album about his early days as a newborn? I used photos from Gabe’s first few days to show him what life with a newborn baby is like.
I love this idea because it accomplishes at least three goals:
- Help the sibling learn about everyday life with a newborn by sharing photos of bathing, changing, feeding, sleeping, cuddling and even crying.
- Use photos of the sibling as a baby, so that they can see that they were once a newborn and were cared for in the same ways.
- Give the sibling a special mini album of their very own – Gabe loves his even more than I expected him to!
I used a 5×5 Accordion Album, which also comes with its own keepsake box – too cute 
! Here are some pics of the finished box:
And a close-up one so you can see the adorable mini roses and beautiful flocked paper:
Here’s the front of the album – I love the rub-ons in this collection!
I love the little bunnies too !
Now for some pics of the inside of the album – awww, was he really ever that little?
I love that the album has built in pockets and frames – it really is the perfect thing for a preschooler! Plus, you can add extra photos on the backs of the tags.
What a great photo for the last page 
.
Tips and Tricks for Mini Albums for Kids
- I used the distressed look, with rough, inked edges – that way, if the book suffers some wear and tear at the hands of my preschooler, it won’t be as noticeable.
- I attached clear transparency sheets over each of the photos to protect them from little finger prints.
- I made double-sided tags for all of the pockets in the album, making it more interactive and fun for young viewers.
Still with me? How about that giveaway ! Leave me a comment on this post with your guess about the color scheme of the new baby’s nursery… PINK or BLUE? In a couple of days I will randomly choose somebody from the winning group of answers to receive a special sampling of the Nursery Tales papers and embellishments ! P.S. If you are a friend or family member who already knows, please keep it our little secret for a few more days, OK? ~xo Jess
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May I guess? I think it’s PINK… I hope I win… woo hoo, thanks for the opportunity!
Btw, love the mini album! They are gorgeous!
Your mini album is gorgeous! You will have lots of fun with the nursery tales collection! I have given mine a bit of a work out, now I just need more pics! I think you are going to have a very cute little BABY!!!
I think it’s pink. Girls are so much fun! (Boys are, too, but I love frilly pink things!)
What a priceless idea!!!! I’m sure Gabe will have a much better understanding of his new sibling because of you creativity!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!
Can I guess green, that’s what I went with, just in case! OK, I guess blue! Congratulations either way, it’s wonderful!
Hey Jess….congrats!! I’m feeling blue….brothers are the best!
I see pink in the fun scrapping stuff up there along with the blue, so I’m picking pink for the new little one! gorgeous mini-album Jess and a great idea for helping Gabe to understand what is coming!
Oh, how exciting! I can’t wait to find out!
I think it will be another boy. I have 2 boys, and they are HEAVEN!! There is nothing better than watching my boys play together. Oh, and #1 turned 3 one month after #2 was born! PERFECT spread!
I think PINK!!! Baby girls are so much fun! Funt to scrap too!
Pink pink pink!!!! It’s my wish for you!!!
Ok Jess, Well, without seeing you. (I believe in an old wives tale of how you carry a baby)
But, I am thinking…PINK!!! Congratulations either way, I have 8, 4 boys and 4 girls! They are wonderful God sent blessings either way! Hugs to you.
I love your mini album. It is gorgeous. Wish I would have thought of it for my oldest daughter when her sister was born. I am going to guess PINK for you. Congrats!!
Wow, your mini album was beautiful! when I have my first child – I will definately be following some of your ideas!
As for the giveaway, I’m going to guess blue.
Congrats by the way! Whatever the gender is, I do hope she or he is healthy and happy and gives you all the joy in the world.
I’ll guess PINK.
Your album is delightful! I love it! And the Nursery tales collection is beautiful.
I am thinking Pink…and I absolutely LOVE that mini album you made! It is gorgeous and what a great idea!
I’m going to have to go hit up my Michael’s too!
Congrats on the baby, too!!
Hi Jess! As you know I love, love, love your blog and once again I have an award for you….you can get it at http://www.cropandscrapdesigner.wordpress.com
Enjoy and please pass it along to some of your fav blog sites:)
Blessings to you and your family!
Ruth Petty
LOVE that idea! I have to store all these scrapbooking ideas away for when I have little ones…
I guess…. ummm… 50-50 chance, huh? Ok, I say PINK!
I can’t wait to find out! This album is beautiful! I think…boy. That’s what we are having
Oh what a beautiful baby. Love the card too. I will guess blue. Congrats no matter what the sex of the new little one.
Well, I guess ***PINK***! Even though I have two boys, and I know what fun that is, I am going to guess pink for you! (Maybe my own wishful thinking spilling over!)
Gorgeous album, BTW, I used bunnies for my boys’ nursery. (Second boy got the same since he came less than two years after the first!)
What a cute little mini album. Just loved it and planning to do it for my baby. I thing ur nursery will have pink colour. God bless and goodluck….
I’m going to guess blue. Love the mini album!
Pink of course!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jess this one is awesome! I love the rabbit, so cool. I can’t wait to come and see you!
What a fabulous idea Jess. Littleies are usually pretty self centered so having his own mini album that’s all about him will be really special to him.
The album looks fabulous but I especially like the things you did to make it realy ‘his’ book and not yours.
Love the papers, love what you did with them! Thanks for sharing. I guess..blue! While it is great to have one of each, two brothers can be so close. Best to you!
I am going to guess its Pink , cos I have a gal and she is adorable …
I am going to go with my gut instinct based on the pictures i looked at with the album hopefully this baby is the same as ur nursery! I am going to guess it’s Blue and i also see everyone thinks pInk is the answer which that might be true. I originally thought blue though so i am going to stick with that answer. I love the album and once i find out what you used to make the original album what you put the cardstock on I will be making one of my own. I have been interested in making a mini album just gotta get the right stuff to start it. Great Job….