Christmas Folio with Journal

Hello Friends,

Today I am sharing the Christmas Folio I created for the idea-ology Live. I absolutely love how the Folio came out.  I love the cover with the subtle Christmas theme, the elastic band that wraps around to keep it closed (just plain old black elastic from Joann) and the sweet little words of cheer!

The Folio was covered in Christmas Backdrops paper. I just picked patterns I liked.  The red label under the black strip of words is from the Ephemera pack.

PLEASE NOTE: the inside of the Folio is shown at the end of this post.

There is a journal inside the Folio that I created from Mixed Media Heavystock.  All easy cuts and easy to put together.  Let me show you how I did it.

Cut 4 pieces of Mixed Media Heavystock 8 1/2 x 5 1/2".  Spray with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain then quickly wipe across the ink with a paper towel so you get a more even finifh, instead of a "sprayed" look. Repeat on back of paper (drying with a heat tool in between).

Cut one more piece 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, then cut across the center making two pieces 8 1/2 x 2 3/4".  Repeat the process of inking the paper.

Use Archival Hickory Smoke and the polka dot stamp (CMS 220 Dots & Floral) to create a random Background (no block was used).

TIP: Once I ink the stamp, I use a wet wipe to wipe away ink on the edge of the stamp.  This gets me a more random looking edger, rather than a hard stop of the polk dots.

Repeat on the half sheets.

So in total, you have 4 large pages 

I used these pages to create the book, added pieces from the Christmas 2023 Layers and Paper Dolls pack.  This pack is exceptional!! You really can make a book with just this pack!  Admittedly, I did add a few small pieces from the Ephemera pack, just because I had it.

COVER

This was actually the last page I decorated. What I like so much about this page is the color of her dress.  I was colored with the Distress Crayon Uncharted Mariner.

Page 1 - You might notice that I sewed the 1/2 page to one of the full pages.

Layer Frame over Ephemera. Remember, Layer Frames are already stitched so it makes it look like you stitched when in reality, you just pulled it out of the bag.

PAGE 1 AND 2

You might notice that I used white paint and a Splatter Brush on each of the pages.  I love how the white paint makes the dark colored paper and Layers pop!

With the 1/2 page open

The right side of the 1/2 page was stitched down to create a pocket.  

The card in the pocket came with the Layers Pack as did the Portrait figure. I just dress him up with some holly.  I left a place at the bottom of the card to add a message.

PAGE 2 AND 3

This is an important because it shows how the first set of pages are connected to the second set. I jsut added wide Design Tape to connect the pages, then add patterned paper over the top.  The patterned paper has been stitched around the edge (totally optional) BEFORE I glued them to the page. I used Scor-tape to add the stitched paper to the substrate.

Ephemera and Layers + words from the Sticker Book 2023.

PAGE 4 AND 5

The Layers piece with the bells on the left is a flap.

I added The large, red "sparkling icicles" layers piece to the left side of page 4. I only used Scor-tape on the edges, so it could become a pocket for a card I cut 4 3/4 x 3" (then covered in woodgrain Backdrop paper). The card slips in behind the man as his left side/leg is ONLY glued to the red card, not the opening.

I added paper to the back of the bells card, then used a piece of patterned Paper (holly strip) as a hinge. That hinge bridged the gap between the red card and the bells card.

The man was added last. I used Aged Mahogany on his plaid vest and pants then added white polka dots to his coat with a white paint pen. He's so festive!

On the other side, I just added brick (Backdrops paper) behind a frame from the Layers pack.  I colored the dress with Distress Crayons, first coloring it with Rustic Wilderness, then going back with a Detail Water Brush and removing some of the green, so the plaid in her dress would show up better.

PAGE 6 AND 7

This is another flap page. Adding flaps are easy, you just have to think ahead!  

First I added the green ticking stipe to the page. Then a patchwork of patterned paper was added to the back of the "Christmas Greeting" Card. I cut the polka dot piece wider than needed so I could attach it to the top of page 6. 

Once it was secure, I added the card with the Santa in the sleigh, to bridge the gap between the green strip and the polka dot paper strip hinge.

PAGE 7

This one is an easy one. The only thing different is that I colored her suit with Chipped Sapphire and added some details with other colors.

PAGE 8 AND 9

These two pages have the second 1/2 page sewn in the crease like page 1 & 2.  I created another pocket on the left, the exact same way as the first one, by stitching it closed.  I added a frame from the Ephemera pack with plaid Backdrop paper in the center.  Words from the sticker book and holly from the layers pack.

Inside the pocket is one of the Santa's from the Layers pack and a big tag from the Ephemera Pack.  I added the green words from the Sicker Book.

On the right side there is the other half of the 1/2 sheet page. It's hard to tell from this photo but the girls (after coloring them) were added to the 1/2 sheet page. Their heads stick up beyond the page so they look like they are part of the winer scene.  I added the girls with thin foam squares so they are raised from the page just slightly.

When the page flips over, it opens to the winter scene and a December calendar.

I added some ribbon to the Special Delivery tag, then stitched it down so it stayed in place. I did this stitching BEFORE I added the girls to the other side.

This is the back.  You can clearly see that I added the piece of patterned paper to the spine to hold it all together. The paper is only glued to the front and back covers.

The book should fit into the folio, right in the center.

I had a pack of Christmas Baseboard and this green door was calling to me!  I cut the door right down the middle to create two sides. The left side of the door is glued to the Folio. The right side is glued to the closed flap. A small hinge clip holds the door closed until you are ready to open it.

To reveal a lady behind the door (dress colored with Aged Mahogany) and her little friend that has come for a visit.

I also created a sweet Christmas message using the Clipping Stickers from the Sticker Book.

Everything about this book makes me happy.  I am glad to have been able to share it with you!

Now carry on,

paula