Nature Inspired Folio

Hello friends,

I'm grateful to be here today sharing the nature filled journal I made using the newest and last Distress color, Scorched Timber! I didn't want to make a completely brown journal cover so I started with what you might guess was a peach color (but you would be wrong)...I started with Kitsch Flamingo, spraying then wiping away the spray pattern. I dried it, then added added Antique Linen.  Back and forth I went, until the cover was covered.  NOTE: Because the Accordion Folio is made with Mixed Media paper, it has a bit of yellow in it, so the pink turns a bit peach. 

Once the cover was dry, I used a stamp set that was intended for Halloween called, The Obscure. I loved the sorta of weedy plant that is part of that set. I used the Scorched Timber Oxide pad to ink the stamp, then lightly spritzed the stamp with water before stamping the cover.  I repeated the stamping process until the cover was covered with the image.

The Obscure

*I did not use the root end of the stamp, just the weedy branches

Here you can see the Folio flipped over (cover is on the right in this photo) so you can see all the stamping. When I stamped the flap, I masked off the center portion of the book so the image did not go onto the back cover.  *Remember the flap flips up into the book, so you have to stamp up-side down.

The wrap/closure was made with a piece of vintage lace - it just ties closed and you can slip it up and off the Folio without untying it, if you don't want to.

When you open the Folio, there is a pocket on the left side with three cards.

To create the three cards to go in the pocket, cut three Distress Mixed Media Heavystock pieces (3.25 x 5.5").  I chose a background stamp from the set, 'Tiny Prints', to stamp the ditsy print with Scorched Timber Oxide ink. 

Once the ink was dry, I added the sayings I created on my computer. I printed the sayings on vintage typing paper (onion skin) so you can see the print behind the words. As you can see, I stitched the paper to secure it to each card so no glue was needed.

Little snippets of ephemera were added to each with a staple, glue or a Mini Paper Clip.

I used paper from Backdrops 4 (the neutral pack) to cover the inside of the Folio. It a challenge to decide each time the best way to cover the 'gusset' - the narrow portion on either side of the center.  This time I decided to use 'Sticky Back Canvas' tape from Dina Wakley.  The tape comes in a solid white, so sprayed it with Antique Linen Distress Spray, dried it with a heat tool, then stamped it with the Tiny Prints image (Scorched Timber Oxide ink). I believe the tape is 1 1/2" wide on the roll, so I just cut it to size to fit the gussets. Worked like a charm.

The center of the Folio has a flip up portion. I kept it very simple with more stamping and a little bit of ephemera stapled on. 

I like that from this view you are given just a glimpse of whats to unfold before you. It shows a little bit of everything.

The faux stitching on the card at the bottom (meaning I stitched only the card, then glued it to the flap) balances out the ephemera on the left. I left the strings long because that just makes me happy.

All the inking on ephemera has been done by pressing Gathered Twigs Distress ink onto my glass mat, then spritzing the ink with water to create a puddle. I wipe a thin layer of collage medium over the ephemera then dip the ephemera into the ink. I go back and forth between the ink puddle and drying with the heat tool until I am satisfied.  

The ephemera used in the Folio is from the Organic Layers pack. So many great flowers, birds, and leaves to choose from!

Stamping was done using Scorched Timber Oxide ink + the stamps, Distress Damask on the right and Media Marks 1 on the left and backside (don't you just love that loop-d-loop? It was a stamp image I had never used before).

Label from Field Notes Ephemera Pack and the Snippets pack Curator, that has about a million darling little labels like this blue one here.

The circle was drawn with a Stabilo pencil and then tapped with water to make the pencil lines wick out.

The palette background paper is from the Backdrops 4 pack.  Combined with the dragonfly from the Organic Layers pack, some vintage netting, Clipping Stickers and some stitching...well. thats just magical.

And the last section of the accordion is the bird and nest.  Repeating themes, but with similar elements makes for a cohesive message throughout. I love how the bold stamping in the background really adds to the overall look.  Layers, layers, layers...thats the key.

The last pocket I created on the right side has more of the palette paper from the Backdrops 4 pack. It fit perfectly so I had to use it! Stitching added.

I added some vintage lace that you can see when the cards are pulled.

And a few more elements to add to the pocket.

I dyed the string with Scorched Timber too!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the walk-through of my Folio. I love the nature theme of the folio which came together so easily because of the Organic Layers pack.

Thanks for stopping by today!
Now carry on,
paula

Curious Things Journal

Hello Friends,

Happy to be here today sharing my Halloween Accordion Folio with you.  I know many have been asking to see the photos so I'm glad I can finally share with you.

First, I thought it might help to see what the Accordion Folio looks like before I get started.  The book is 6 x 4.5" when closed. The accordion in the center is removable, which is helpful when adding paper and other embellishments.  The folder can be used with or without the accordion which opens the door for so much innovation.

OUTSIDE

I covered the outside of the Folio with Halloween Collage Paper.  Collage Medium makes it very easy to add the paper with maximum sticking power once dry.  I always add a layer over the top of the Collage Paper for added strength.  

You might notice that I added faux hinges from the Halloween Sticker book to the left side.  They look like metal but they are just stickers.

I used a Curio Frame for the focal point on the cover.  They look like this when you buy them (that's not the look I'm going for) so I need to make a change.

I just used my finger to wipe black acrylic paint over the top.  Once dry, I sanded it with a file. Done deal.

I added the spiderweb transparency to the back of the frame, as well as Bouquet paper flowers that have been sprayed with Distress Spray Stain and Decayed Mica Stain. The black dots in the top corners are new this year, from the Halloween Pearl Droplets pack.

Don't forget the smallest of details like a bit of Mummy Cloth or small snippets from the ephemera pack.  Details matter.

The black seam binding ribbon was also sprayed with Decayed Mica Stain and dried with a heat tool.  I love the hints of metallic over the ribbon...really makes it look like ribbon for a Halloween project!

INSIDE

When you open the inside of the Accordion Folio, you can see (if you compare the first photo) that I have cut off the fold-over on the front left side to make it squared off.  I wanted it to be the same height as the card with the vase of flowers.  I also wanted to create, what I call a "peek-a-boo" with only the mans eyes showing over the top of the door.

You can see the peek-a-boo much better here!

Loving the new Halloween Remnant Rubs too.  Super easy to use along the top of the photo card, even over Distress Oxide background. 

I also added a piece from the Stitched Scraps pack to the side (another small detail).

And yes, I did color that bouquet of flowers with a small brush and Distress Crayon. Worked perfectly.

Open the fold-out to reveal the man.

If you remove the butterfly from the pocket, you can see the mans face.

For the right side, I kept it very simple and just used a flashcard from the ephemera pack.

Okay, I did add the legs I cut off a paper doll.  I mean they were on my desk and I thought, why not?

I like how the right side does not go all the way across so you see a little of what's coming on the inside.

On the right, I kept the pocket the same size, I just added an eyelet at the top and stitched it closed at the bottom.  All the people , words, skull face, and masks are from the Sticker Book.  

The very cool moon and stars are from the Remnant Rubs.  I added them to a small tag I had in my stash.

I love making cards using the Paper Dolls and Distress Crayons.  The dark colors work so well over the dark clothing and really bring her to life.

I mean really, who does not need a giant bird as a pet?

Back to the center of the book, I just added a few things from the Ephemera and Layers pack.  Super easy!

Then when you open the folder, it reveals the accordion...well it WAS an accordion, but I changed it up and made it a book that can be removed from the folder.

I did that by adding a small piece of blue paper to the side to make the accordion into a book with 2 pockets.

This is what the back looks like - the blue paper wraps around the edge to the back side, making it open like a book.  

NOTE: The stitching seen here is from a card that I stitched to the back page, it has nothing to do with the way I closed the accordion.

All the Paper Dolls were colored with Distress Crayons.  I did use a black marker to add stripes and dots. The witches hat is from the sticker book (a great addition to the masks).

Each page was layered with Ephemera and Paper Dolls. Really, anything that was on my desk at the moment.

I made 2 "cards", one for each pocket I created.  Layers are heavier weight pieces of ephemera.  They are an easy background for ephemera and stickers.  Nice and sturdy, so the card can easily be removed from the pocket.

I love this page of the book.  Everyone needs a skull balloon on a string, right?

Now you can see where the "legs"came from.

This is the card from the second pocket behind the boy.  Everything is just layered up.

And the sewn card on the last page of the book.  My homage to Wicked.  Elphaba never looked better.  I knew there was a sticker in the Metallic Sticker book that said, FOR GOOD, so I had to use it here. (Peeled Paint Distress Crayon worked brilliantly for her green skin!)

I hope I gave you some insight into this little book today.  For me the key was the Collage Paper over the folio.  It was so easy and quick to add and does not buckle when the folio closes (sometimes a problem when you add thick paper).  I also think the pattern of the Halloween Collage Paper is a great background for all the ephemera and people. Hope sure you will give it a go!

Now carry on,

paula