Photo Assembly Instructions

Print Version

1. Gather 10 (4 x 6 or 3 X 5) photos that you would like to use in your photo book. These can be of your kids, grandkids, a vacation, family, etc.
2. Layout your photos: 3 on the top, 4 in the middle, and 3 on the bottom of your photo book. The photos on the top 3 and bottom 3 triangles will need to be cut in half later, so choose photos (if possible) that have 2 people side by side or can easily be cut down the middle. If the photos you have chosen are not easily cut down the middle without cutting into someone, do not worry, you can still use these photos and your book will still turn out beautiful.
3. Now, lets begin with your 4 photos in the center. You will be cropping the corners of each photo , enough so that there is a ¼ inch border around your photo corners. Center your photo on top of the patterned paper diamond. While holding your photo in place, take a pen and mark 1 dash diagonally at the top and bottom of each corner~make sure your dashes are far enough in to give you a small border once the corner is cut. These dashes will tell you where to begin and end cutting all of your corners.
4. Using a paper trimmer (if you have one) or a scissors, carefully cut the corners from top to bottom where you have made your dashes. Do this to all 4 corners. Repeat steps 3-4 for the other 3 photos in the center.
5. For the 6 photos that are on the top and bottom, these will need to be sliced in half first, before cropping corners. This works best with a paper trimmer, but you can use a scissors if you are careful. Slice your photo in half, then, center both halves on the two triangles that make up a diamond. Place your two halves close together so that there is just a tiny space between them where the vertical cardstock seam is. Holding both halves in place the whole time, make your dashes on all 4 corners just like you did in step 3, then proceed to step 4. *As a rule, you can place your 2 halves as close together as the patterned paper is without worrying about them getting bent when your book is closed!
6. Now, you are ready to glue your photos in your book. Using a photo-safe glue stick, rub a generous amount on the back side of one of the center photos pressing it down firmly. Repeat for the other 3 center photos. There should be an equal paper border around each photo corner. For the 6 photos that have been cut in half, do the same as above, only place each half close to the vertical seam. Do not place your photos too close, or your book will not close right and your photos will get bent. Using a soft cloth, you may want to rub out any finger prints that are on your photos. Enjoy!

Call or E-mail me with any questions: Gretchen Mortlock 360-624-7586 pgmortlock@gmail.com