I got the directions for the binding (called "open spine binding") from a book on handmade journals. It's not technically difficult but it is time consuming. I started to write directions but realized that this really needs a picture to go with it--it's a little too hard to describe without one. So I'll work something up and post it in the Templates forum.
The album is absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful idea for a gift. I'm sure she will be very touched. Thank you for sharing the template and directions.
The templates and directions are now in the Resources section of the forum website. Bristol board is a very lightweight cardboard (like what they put in shirts to make them have dimension in the package) that is usually white on one side (doesn't need to be for this application).
Cyndie
New note: the website has been reorganized since I wrote this message. You can now find the template (Mini Album Template) in the Downloads forum, or here.