In it I show you how to make the structure that will serve as a base and some indications to place the photographs, but then I'm sure you can improve it infinitely with your personal touch :)
How to make a photo accordion: step-by-step instructions
1) Choose coordinating cardstock.
The accordion could be assembled only with a cardboard stamped on both sides.
But I personally like it to have a lot of frame and that's why I make it with the basic ones as structure and decorate some parts with the stamped ones.
But if you prefer to assemble it all using the stamped one as a base, it can also be done.
2) Cut the cardboard
Cut 0.5 cm on each side to make it 30×30 centimeters.
3) Mark the size.
Using a ruler or cutting mat, make a mark on the base cardboard at 10 and 20 centimeters.
4) Cut the cardboard along the marks.
And you will have three pieces of 10×30 centimeters. Take two and reserve the other piece for other projects.
5) Mark the folds
Mark lightly with a pencil or paper folder at the 10 and 20 centimeters on the two 10×30 cm pieces.
6) Fold the accordion.
Use these marks to fold each strip into three, accordion style.
Help yourself with a folding machine or by passing the ruler several times.
In the following image you can see how the two pieces should look like.
And also the arrangement with which we will do the next step, which is to join them to make a longer accordion.
7) Glue the two accordion pieces together.
Use double-sided tape (or glue) to join one strip to another, gluing the last fold of one strip under the first fold of the second strip.
In this step you have the structure of the mini accordion ready.
As you can see, it is the perfect size to put on a shelf, next to the computer screen or in any corner.
8) Now it's time to decorate the base.
I'll tell you a few things about how I did it, although here it's up to your personal taste and the level of detail you want to work with.
-For the front and back I cut out two 9.5 x 9.5 centimeter pieces of the coordinated stamped cardboard and glued them with double-sided tape.
-and glued them together with double-sided tape.
You can take advantage of the front:
-To put "happy day" with cardboard or foam letters ....
-You can also use some embellishment ...
-Or if all the photos are of a series or a certain time like summer or a trip you can put it to have it for reference when you save it.
9) Choose the photographs
The fun part and the real stars of this project:
8 in total fit in the mini, four on each side.
As they are 10×10 centimeters squares, they are perfect for photos you have from Instagram or 10×15 photos that have a margin so that nothing or almost nothing is lost when you cut them out.
Using the mat or a ruler you can see which is the best option to cut them out and leave them well framed for the mini.
Mark and trim.
10) Glue the photographs together with double-sided tape or glue.
✨ When gluing the rest of the pictures, make sure that the accordion closes well and that they do not bump into each other or bulge.
If you see that this happens you can easily correct it with the metal ruler and the cutter and cut slightly on the edge of the photo but without tracing too much so as not to go through the whole structure.
After placing all the photos on both sides, the only thing left to decide is whether to put embellishments or decorative details, that depends on who the recipient is or your personal tastes.
In our case, in the first prototype -which is not this one- as it was for the grandfather, Leia wrote a small dedication that we glued in one of the folds instead of a photograph, giving it a greeting card touch.
In short, it is a very simple but versatile project, small but coquettish, and with the added value that it is made especially for a certain person with love and care.
I hope you liked it!
