Wednesday, May 14, 2008

A Little and Lovely Gift to Make

My Grammy was in the hospital last week and it was pretty terrible for me. She went in for a surgery, but wasn't recovering as well as to be expected and it was pretty nerve-wracking for a few days.

I couldn't go and visit her, but I wanted to let her know that we were all thinking of her in our household and that she needed to pull through in order to see our smiling faces again. I thought bringing her a framed photo of the girls might be the thing to keep her holding on, but I figured the frame would be easily knocked over in her hospital room. I needed something that wouldn't break easily.

A pocket sized accordion album ended up being the perfect gift! I was able to fit 15 different pictures and a cover, and it folded up nice and neat with a black satin ribbon.

Making an accordion album like this one was very easy and pretty much just used what I had around the house. It was also a project that was completed, start to finish, in under an hour.

For materials I used:

*1 sheet of 11 x 14 Bristol Board (a heavy weight white paper)
a heavy card stock or watercolor paper would also be fine

*Gluestick

*16 images that I printed off of my computer
you can use up those photos you aren't sure what to do with

* 1 ft. satin ribbon

* Decorative scrapbooking paper

* Stapler

Directions:

1. Cut the Bristol Board (or cardstock/watercolor paper) in half. Divide each half into four sections like an accordion. Tape the two halves together to get a longer accordion with a total of 8 sections.

2. Cut scrapbook paper to fit nicely inside each section. Glue on. Cut photos to fit onto another piece of contrasting paper. Glue on.

3. Decide which end is going to be the back. Staple the ribbon centered evenly along the center of the back page. Make sure you staple in a way that you will be able to hide the staples by covering with the photos, on both sides of the back section.

4. Glue photos onto all the sections, front and back. Let dry and tie up with a bow, cutting the ribbon down to the size you want your bow to be.

Admire!

I used a mini-print of my Love Bunnies picture for the cover of my accordion album and made a note by printing a greeting on the computer and gluing it in. Can't get any easier than that!

And best of all, Grammy was out of the hospital less than 24 hours after receiving my album, even though the doctors had thought she would be in for at least three days more. I told her it was the album that helped her get well so soon. She agreed.

Love really is the best medicine of all.

12 comments:

Marie said...

That is so cute Marisa! I'm definitely going to give that a try! Thanks so much for taking the time to post directions and supplies for it...so glad your Grandma is out of the hospital and better!

Janna said...

I'm so happy your grandmother is doing better. Love your album! Thank you for the directions. I'll have to make one (or more!) of these soon. I know a couple of grandmas who would probably enjoy them.

Hope things are getting better for you and your little family as you prepare for moving day.

Erin said...

What a great idea! I'm glad to hear your grammy is getting better :)

idyll hands said...

That is a really great idea and the pictures are too cute. Who wouldn't want to have that sitting around - hospital or not.

My thoughts are with you and your grandmother.

Krissy | Paper Schmaper said...

That is such a thoughtful gift. How sweet and it's wonderful she is doing better :)

Denise Felton said...

OMG! You so rock! I had to laugh, though, when you said how easy this accordion album is. Easy for YOU, maybe! :) What a fabulous result.

And I'm so glad your grandmother is doing better. You must have been so worried. *surrounding her--and you--with loving vibrations*

Waterrose said...

What a great gift for someone in the hospital. I'm sure your grandmother enjoyed seeing all of your lovely faces!

Rosebud Collection said...

First, I am so happy your grandmother is home and doing fine..Your gift to her is just beautiful..You are so clever and so nice of you to share how you did it..thank you..

Sandra Evertson said...

It's Beautiful and sending good thoughts your way!
Sandra Evertson

Marcyanna said...

Awesome! Accordian books are so fun & yours turned out great! Glad to hear your grammy is doing better--love really is the best medicine!

Oh Mandie said...

Oh Marisa that is cute!! You should totally think about selling them! I mean, they DO have healing powers! :-)

Glad to hear that your Grandma is doing well!!

Nichole said...

What an ingenious idea to cheer someone up! Love it :)

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