Can you believe it is June already? I know I can't! Time marches on whether we like it or not! With our sweet niece Ellie graduating from high school in just a few days, it seem's like a real end of an era for us. All 4 nieces and nephew will soon be in collage and far away from home. Sunday dinners will never be the same! We can't do anything about the pace of life except support and enjoy on the sidelines.
Well enough about the goings on around here, lets move on and talk about todays project! This is a sweet little book made with Folio Folders, then covered with fabric from Palette Orange (Botanical). It is truly one of my favorite fabric of the Palette Collection because of both design and the colors. Right in my wheelhouse. Botanical just goes with everything, including this little book I made. So lets get started and I'll show you how I put it together (including that cover).
I am using 3 large Folio Folders for this project (1 package). But the fun thing about this project is that you can add on as many folders as you like. So if you had two packages of Folio Folders, it could be twice as thick. Totally up to you.
To finish off the cover, I added more Classic Labels (that have had a dip into the ink puddle). I stamped the label in Peeled Paint Archival Ink using a phrase from the Tiny Text stamp set. WHat do you do when your phrase is too long for one sticker? stamp two stickers!
I wanted to sew the labels onto the cover but I couldn't do that at this point so I thought the next best thing is to do some faux stitching. I used my Simon Says Stamp powder tool to take away the sticky back of each sticker so I could run them through my sewing machine.
Once stitched, I added the labels to the cover with Collage Medium...and seriously, no one would ever know I didn't stitch them on!
I started as I always do, by spraying the folders with Antique Linen Spray Stain, then wiping it off. I sprayed both sides of each folder, drying with a heat tool between sides.
I used Distress Oxide Bundled Sage and the Ornate stamp from Stampers Anonymous to create a pattern along the inside of each folder. To get the fading top edge, add the ink to the stamp then use a wet wipe to feather the edge before stamping. Give it a spritz with water and stamp! You can practice on another piece of scrap paper before stamping the folder if you want. And remember, you only need to stamp on the inside of each folder, not the outside.
NOTE: Feathering creates a much more random, worn look that will fade away, rather than giving you a hard edge right in the middle of your page.
Choose three images from the Collage Paper pack Serendipity. Add Collage Medium to one side of the folder, then lay the Collage sheet into the glue. Press down (with clean hands), then add another layer of Collage Medium over the paper.
Create a puddle of ink to the side (gathered Twigs and water). Immediately use your finger to randomly add the ink over the glue. Once satisfied, use a paint brush to flick more ink over the glue before it dries. You can set it aside while you work on the other two or dry with a heat tool before moving on.
Add a Layer Frame from the Montage pack to the blank side of the folder. These frames have been pre-stitched so it looks like you have stitched it down but that step has been done for you! I used Scor-tape to add the frames.
I could leave the Collage Paper images alone, but I thought I would use Distress Crayons like watercolors and paint the scenes. To do this I chose a limited palette; Rustic Wilderness, Salvaged Patina, Abandoned Coral, Lumberjack Plaid, and Mustard Seed. I scribbled the crayon onto the glass Studio Mat and picked it up with a small damp paint brush.
I colored each of the Collage Paper images as well as some of the background with the Distress Crayons. I didn't want too much color but wanted to give some life to the images. This coloring was so relaxing!
Once the basic inside of each folder was complete, I lined up the folders in the order I wanted, then marked the outside so I would remember after adding the tape.
I added 1/4" Scor-tape to one side, then peeled the tape to adhere one folder to the next, while creating a pocket between the two folders. That means, don't add tape on one side edge, because that will be the opening for one of the two pockets.
When the two folders are taped together, you should be able to add a card (any kind of card) to the pocket you just created. I cut my cards from Distress Mixed Media Heavystock and repeated the stamp pattern.
Use Collage Medium to add the fabric to the cover. I did it one side at a time so the Collage Medium does not dry on you. It dries so fast!
Once fully covered, press down making sure it is adhered well to the paper below (especially along the spine).
Once the cover was secure, I wrapped a beautiful ribbon around the cover. I found this silky, satiny...and kind of grungy ribbon in my stash and I have no idea where it even came from! But I'm glad it come out of hiding today because it is just perfect!
So lets now start at the beginning of the book and you will be able to see the order.
I will label each section folder 1, folder 2, and folder 3.
Folder 1
Paper Doll (Distress Crayons - Salvaged Patina, Mustard Seed and Aged Mahogany), Classic Label Stickers, Clippings, Collage Paper, Cello Sticker Tape and Postmarked stamps.
I used Thin Foam Squares under the paper doll and the black label sticker.
Clippings, Cello Sticker Tape and Number Strip.
Folder 2
Paper Doll (groups) with crayons - Mustard Seed and Salvaged Patina. Classic Label Stickers, Cello Sticker Tape and Postmarked added with a Tiny Attacher.
Here you can see the first pocket with a card in it on the left.
Clipping Stickers, Stabilo Pencil, Antiqued Gems + eyelet.
Antiqued Gem with Mushroom Alcohol Ink
Folder 3
Number Strip and Cello Sticker Tape
Second pocket on the left with added Classic Sticker.
Paper Doll (Distress Crayon Mustard Seed and Aged Mahogany), Classic Label Stickers, Clippings, Collage Paper, Cello Sticker Tape and Postmarked stamp. Gold Mixative used for the dots in her hair.
I used Thin Foam Squares under the paper doll and the black label sticker.
Once the folders are complete, open the book so only the cover is showing.
Cut one piece of Pallet Orange fabric - Botanical approximately 6.5 x 11" (I like a piece larger than the book so I can cut away the excess later)
Cut away any excess fabric with sharp scissors (Tonic Haberdashery Scissors are sharp to the tip).
Once I had everything secured - I went back and added more Collage Medium from the edge to 1/2" in (you could cover the entire cover if you wish) to stop any fraying.
I folded the book back and forth and added more Collage Medium along the spine and let that dry.
I love this cover so much! It has my heart!
Just some extra shots of the inside!
I hope you'll give this easy folder book a go! And remember, you can add as many folders together as you wish! It's all up to you and your imagination!
Now carry on,
Paula
Gorgeous!!!!
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