Disney documenting is as much a must as a cup of Dole Whip. Am I right? It’s no wonder, with the many photo ops and amazing moments around every turn. Capturing such a fairytale is nearly impossible to resist. There’s just one hitch in this enchanting getalong… Who has time to document a vacay while they’re ON a vacay?! You hope you’ll do it to it when you return, but we all know how that story goes, don’t we? Good news! I have a solution!
Hello, friends! Megan here, and I’m sharing a bitty book you can make before depart on your trip. It will have pages on the ready, just waiting for you to add a photos and few written details. It seems Tink had her hand in this magic.
Oh, and this little album was made in a traveler’s notebook insert, so you can place it inside your favorite Echo Park Notebook Cover. This way, it’s very portable and very protected. It’s sure to stand up to the travel test.
Since this kind of trip is made up of MANY moments, I find it easiest to break the book up into sections. To identify the sections, I first made a list of major trip categories I anticipate.
- the road trip
- our hotel and the Maingate
- breakfast with the characters and autographs
- The Magic Kingdom
- California Adventure
- Nights (fireworks, Downtown D [whatever it’s called now], etc.)
- Hidden Mickeys (we love finding these!)
- extras (the beach, family visits, etc.)
What items would make your list?
With my list ready, I die cut tabbed borders using the File Tab Die Set. These will mark my sections for easy access.
Since I have more sections than tabs, I also die cut a doily using the Crochet Doily Die set and cut it in half to make a tag. I also used ephemera pieces like the one shown here.
SECTION 1: The Trip
For this page, I mapped our journey using ephemera, stickers, chipboard, and enamel dots. What landmarks and stops would I find on your upcoming trip map? How would you represent those using stickers and such? It’s fun to think about such things and come up with ideas. For example, the coffee cup seemed a good Vegas marker. I’m sure we’ll need a recharge by then, and it’s not like this collection is loaded with casino imagery. :)
SECTION 2: Hotel & Park Check-In
Adding memorabilia gives an album an added touch of cool. Keys and park passes are an easy option, as they’re flat and small. Knowing I’d want to keep these pieces, I die cut pockets using the Gift Card Envelope Die Set.
SECTION 3: The Magic Kingdom
For each section, I created a lead page and then left several pages behind that lead spread blank. I’ll use them to house more photos and written notes on our adventure.
TIP: You don’t have to decorate every page of an album. It’s fine to leave some pages blank and simply use them to hold your pics. If you feel it’s too “unfinished,” you can always doodle a line border around the page or add some washi tape.
SECTION 4: Hidden Mickey
We love looking for the elusive Mouse hidden throughout the park, so I made a section to document this adventure. There are many round embellishments in this cute collection, making it easy to create a few Micks-in-disguise of my own.
SECTION 5: Disney After Dark
From fireworks to food, there’s always fun to be had after hours. Seems a small section for these elements is in order.
To create the fireworks, I simply trimmed the outer edges away from a few die cut doilies.
SECTION 6: All the Extras
Time for more photo pages! I cut the Journaling Cards sheet of 12 x 12 paper into rows and scored between each card design.
I then attached the first card in each row to a page in my album to create fold-out elements. This is a trick I use often to add in more photos when I’m lacking real estate.
To keep my book open when I’m working in it and closed when it’s not in use, I created a Minnie-inspired jumbo paperclip. Simply die cut a bow and attach it to a clip. I both glued using a heavy-duty adhesive (e6000) and stapled. I know my book will be getting much wear and tear. Now I won’t have to worry about my fashionable clip topper falling off in the process.
Don’t forget the back of the book. Like the well know Gold Crown signature on Hallmark cards, this is a way to add a final touch to your project. A simple sticker will do the trick.
I wish I could say that making an album about our upcoming trip to The Happiest Place on Earth was as fun as actually being there, but you and I both know that would be a lie. But! I can say that it was a close second, and I didn’t have to stand in any long lines to enjoy this ride. I hope it leaves you ready to work a little magic of your own.
ECHO PARK PAPER Co. SUPPLIES USED
OTHER SUPPLIES USED
- traveler’s notebook insert
- jumbo paperclip
- adhesive
- die cut machine
- sewing machine
- ink
- pen
