I am home for the summer and decided to take advantage of this time to get some crafts done. I am going to show you today how to quickly create a mini album with some photos.
I have traveled to Rome with my boys during spring and as we all enjoyed this trip so much I wanted to create a mini key chain album which can either be attached to a key chain as the name suggests, to a backpack or to a purse … .
I created a template in psd format for you. The circles numbered 1 through 20 have inked edges and include a hole for easy punching later on.
Click here to download your free printable Mini Key Chain Album Template (available only for a limited time).
First you will have to choose 19 photos. I made my son Frédéric choose his preferred pictures from our trip. Simply drag each photo onto the template, clip it to a number and resize it. For the 20th circle I used my digital scrapbooking stash to create the mini cover. Save the page as a jpeg and print it on photo paper or cardstock whatever you prefer.
For the next steps you will need scissors, a one hole puncher, a ring, a laminating pouch and a laminator (optional). You don’t necessarily need to laminate your page. I chose to do so to increase the resistance of my mini album especially because it will be manipulated by my kids.
After you have printed your page, laminate it.
Cut out the 20 circles.
Punch a hole in each page.
Use the ring to hold the circles together and attach it to the keychain.
You can add some ribbons or other fun stuff. We added a little wooden Pinocchio which we purchased Piazza Navona in Rome. Que bella vita!
The Happy To Create products used in this project: A Tour Across Europe Maxi Kit
Last but not least enjoy watching your kids as they flip through the mini-album and listen to their stories as they recall their adventures.
And here is a picture with my kids’ cheesy smiles.
Happy summer and happy crafting!
About caroline
so cute!
Thanks V!
I love this mini album idea and especially that you give us a free template! Makes it super easy to make. Thanks Caroline!
This is just the coolest thing, Caroline! Love it!
Thanks Brandie and Ariadna !
Cute, cute idea! And lightweight so it won’t drag your keys down. I’m worried about the edges of the photos fraying or the paper splitting as you handle them. Why not cut out the photos first, then laminate. I don’t have a laminator…would a tiny dot of glue stick on the back hold each in place while you positioned them between the sheets? Then, you could leave a laminated border on each circle and it would wear better. Thanks for the idea!
Thanks! Yes you can cut them out first and then laminate them leaving an edge. If you put them carefully between the sheets and put the sheet on a hard surface before carefully introducing them in the laminator they will stay in place. I like the look of the circles without the border. I have quite thick laminating pouches which allow this way of cutting and handling. The edges don’t fray easily. Thanks for your suggestion! For thinner laminating pouches this is sure a good way to do.
Where did you get the adorable mini hole punch?
Jenni, I bought it years back in my craft store in the school and office supplies department. I am in Luxembourg Europe so I guess I am of no help sorry. You are right it is cute and a hit in our home.
I’m having trouble getting the template to download. Any thoughts?
Dawn, I am on my ipod touch right now and I tested the download. It works for me. Which problems are you encountering exactly?
I’m having trouble too… I think my PC is having trouble finding an association for the file. Can you help us PC Windows users?
Gayle, we have tested the file on both PC and Mac and it works fine. What problems are you having exactly? The file is in psd format and should open in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.
Great idea and you explained it well. Did you consider printing text on the reverse side? It would take some fiddling but might help with remembering where or what was special in the photo. Thanks for sharing your great idea.
Thanks Elizabeth. That’s a good idea. Now that it is printed I told my son about your idea and we will add some text on the reverse with permanent marker.
Using a good stiff card – maybe 200gsm or more if your printer can handle it – you could print a complete second set of photos on the reverse.
As most printers will have problems getting perfect registration (positioning) every time, print the ‘B’ side with slightly larger circles, so when you cut around circles on the ‘A’ side, you’ll not get any white showing.
Thinking about more sturdy media to print on, I was wondering about printable plastic – like magnetic sheets – which led me to do a quick search for printable plastic. My search turned up PRINTABLE WHITE SHRINK-PLASTIC !!!
Tell me that’s not the silver bullet here!? :D
You’ve got to print ‘em big, but you gain by having it printable on both sides. Plus, the stuff is nigh on indestructible!!
I’m itching to have a go now!
Enjoy. [m]
Cool idea with the white shrink plastic! I might have to try that one too!
This is such a cute idea! I’m the “photog” in my family so this will be very beneficial to me. These could even be used as gifts or party favors too! Thanks for the tutorial and template. :-)
Thanks! You are welcome Denise! Great idea with the party favors too!
This is so cute. I downloaded the file, but cannot seem to be able to open it. :( I’m on a PC and I usually open psd files on my PSP7.
I’ll brb trying to gather some information on PSP7.
Maybe I’m a photoshop idiot, but can you explain what you mean by “clip it” to a number? Thanks. I’m loving the idea.
Nobody is an idiot here … you are welcome to ask questions. ‘Clip it to a number’ means using a clipping mask. Place the photo on top of the numbered circle. Right click the photo layer and in the dropdown menu choose ‘Create a Clipping Mask’. Or use shortcuts ctrl+alt+G (cmd+alt+G on a mac) in Photoshop and ctrl+G (cmd+G on a mac) in Photoshop Elements. HTH
great idea! what size circles are they?
Thanks, they are approx. 4.10cm or 1.7inches in diameter.
Hello. What a great idea. However, I have PS Elements. Is it still possible to use your template?
Thanks Karen! Yes this template is for Photoshop Elements too. It comes as a regular psd file. Please let us know if you need more help.
Thanks for featuring my tutorial!