Make it with Crate :: Page Tabs w/Marie Lottermoser

I love the look of having a large variety of tabs along the edge of a mini album. Not only are they great page separators, they're a quick entrance mark for finding a specific page or memorable event! Today, I'm going to show you how to go about making lots of different types of page tabs using everything from photos to bows.

First, gather a small collection of clips, page tabs, brads, stickers, washi tape and so forth. For my album, I crafted tabs using an assortment of items from the Maggie Holmes collection; stickers, bows, flower clips and washi tape paper.

For the base of the tabs (extra support), trim small pieces of cardboard. Any type of cardboard may be used, including product packaging. If you're concerned about acidity, then your best bet is to research a resource that sells acid-free/archival quality cardboard.

Paint the cardboard coordinating colors that match your album. My rectangular tabs are approximately 2" wide by 1.5" long, which I then folded in-half.

Then, the fun begins! It's time to decorate the cardboard pieces. Start with stickers and position them right on top the painted cardboard tabs.

To change things up some, switch to fabric bows, or tiny photos. Consider the theme of the album when dressing up your tabs, as well as the content. Try incorporating elements that support both, and relay to some of the designs already created within the album. This promotes unity and will help to bring the album together as a whole.

You can then simply add the tabs to their corresponding pages. For cardboard tabs, I prefer stapling them directly to the pages. Not only are staples super convenient, they're a snap to add! They're also super sturdy and ensure secure placement of the tabs. Of course, there's always the option of wet adhesive - whatever you're most comfortable using on your pages.

Since I stapled the tabs directly the pages, I placed a small sticker over the staples to hide them.

After positioning the cardboard tabs, I finished the album with even more tabs! Some are directly from the Maggie Holmes cardstock sticker sheet, some are pieces of washi tape folded over and some are made with flower clips which just slide onto the page.

After orienting all the tabs, take a moment to flip through the pages of your mini album. Note how fun the tabs are to use, and how they feel beneath your fingers - they give the album a unique "edge".

I encourage you to try your own variations when tab making. Position them in different spots; bottom, top, right, etc. Mix & match different materials and mediums. Also, consider punches and other helpful tools to create one-of-kind shaped tabs. There is no limit to what you can do!! Have fan with it!