A Strange Story - Pocket Folio

Hello friends,

Behind the scenes, I’ve been quietly cooking up something spooky! For the past month, I’ve been playing with the new idea-ology Halloween collection, and I’m thrilled to finally share this Pocket Folio with you all.

The best part? It comes together with just a handful of Halloween essentials: the Pocket Folio, Palette Paper Halloween, the Layers & Paper Dolls pack, Ephemera, and a Sticker Book. Because each of the six pages acts as its own self-contained scene, you can take your time and build it out page by page without feeling overwhelmed.

Inside Cover

I have used the new 8 x 8" Palette Halloween paper throughout the book. It really doesn't matter what paper goes where because they all coordinate perfectly.

The black measuring tape is from the Layer pack and the pinked black trim is from the Sticker Book.

*The Pocket Folio is a zig-zag book so I am calling each page a section.

Section One

All the Paper Dolls have been added with Thin Foam Squares so they appear to float over the page. I like to spray water on the thick Layers pieces (spider card) so I can tear and bend the edges after I have sewn around the edge. I also like to dip the Layers into a puddle of Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and use a heat tool to dry it. I takes time and effort to dry the ink over a slick surface, but its worth it every time.

Section Two

I wanted to close the pocket enough to contain the cards. So on this section I added an eyelet and sewed on some black seam binding. Once you untie the bow, the flap drops down and the cards are revealed.

I cut three cards to fit the pockets from Distress Heavystock paper. I also used three #5 tags (one in each pocket). Both were sprayed with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain and splattered with ink. All stamping throughout the project was done with the Stampers Anonymous stamp set, "The Obscure" CMS471.

Section Three

More of the great Palette Halloween Paper and a Layers card. 

The label is from the Sticker Book and the word is from Remnants Rubs.

I had moss on my table from my other project and decided to add bits here and there.

Theres some good ink spots that were left when drying ink on a slick surface.

Section 4

I added numbers from the layers pack to the pocket, then stitched them into place before gluing the pocket on the right side to hold the cards in place.

NOTE: In the end, I added a eyelet to the pocket at the top of the left side because it kept coming unglued and I couldn't have that. 

Making the card and tag was fun because you really could do anything.  Just layer, layer, layer! Collage Paper, Layers, Ephemera, Remnant Rubs...it all work perfectly together! The transparent wings are from the Halloween Transparencies pack.

Collage Paper, ephemera, mini staples rubbled with Distress Crayon.

Section Five

This one is my favorite page. I love how the bug cards turned out. I stitched them on the machine, then added the ink (dipping and drying), then added them to the page with Scor-tape. The dipping and drying after the sewing is how the ink soaks into the thread...looks so good in person!

I made sure the cards were ripped and bent enough to push the moss into the rips. Collage Medium helps with that! Cello Tape really adds to the page (can't stop using this stuff on everything!)

Section Six

Last section of the zig-zag! 

This pocket is covered with paper on the inside because the pocket opens completely.

I added the clock from the Layers pack and some Clipping Stickers from the Sticker Book to the front of the pocket.

When the pocket is open, it reveals a card that has been stapled at the top. Again, more stamping, more ephemera and stickers.

Collage Paper background, Layers frame and a creepy Portrait. A little Distress Crayon to make her green!

Back Cover

The back cover was added after I had adhered paper with Collage Medium and the black pinked sticker from the Sticker Book. The stitching came last, before closing the flap to create a pocket.

I painted Collage Medium over a floral card from the Ephemera pack. Once dry, I stitched around the edge a few times. The crazy stitching was done by sewing over separate bunches of thread I wadded up. After the stitching was done, I fell back to my Gathered Twigs ink puddle, then dried the card with a heat tool. If you ask why the Collage Medium first?...it's because the Collage Medium seals the paper and makes it seemingly impervious to the ink. So when I dip the now coated card into the ink puddle, the cotton thread soaks it up and only small amounts stick to the card once it has been dried by the heat tool.

Hope you have enjoyed todays walkthrough of my Pocket Folio! 

See you tomorrow with another Halloween make!

Now carry on,

Paula

Palette Indigo Pocket Folio

Hello friends,

I am absolutely in love with this Pocket Folio project! It gave me the perfect excuse to dive into the Palette Indigo paper pack, which honestly contains some of my favorite designs of the entire Palette series.
To bring this piece to life, I layered in several idea-ology staples, including Portraits, Collage Frames, and Memoir Ephemera. At first glance, you might notice the "sewn" details throughout the journal—but here is the best part: this is a completely no-sew project. I didn’t touch a sewing machine or a needle for a single page! Proof that you can get that beautiful tailored look by picking the right products!

Here is a Pocket Folio in the package. You can see how the Folio unfolds so the "pockets" are at the bottom. Because the covers are independent from the center zig-zag, I'm going to turn it upside down (compared to the image on the cover). So instead of having pockets, I'll have flaps. 

Now lets get started!

I'm using the 8 x 8" Indigo paper pack for this project since the scale is perfect for a journal of this size. I've cut multiple papers to cover the inside of the Folio...and of course used Collage Medium to adhere the paper. I don't think it matters what paper goes where, but I will show you the papers I've chosen. Again, notice the flaps are at the TOP.

Section 1 and 2

Section 3 and 4

Section 5 and 6

I added the very important layer of Collage Medium over the flap paper to seal it, so I could add Walnut Stain Distress Crayon once it is dry. I like the crayon color and texture, which I think adds to the overall look of the journal.

While the flaps are drying, I started to gather a few products I thought might work in this journal. I've chosen Collage Frames, Paper Doll Portraits, and three transparencies from the Transparent Things pack.

NOTE: I had two packs of the Collage Frames so I used a total of 6 large frames from this project (one Collage Frames pack has 4 large frames).

So about the Paper Doll Portraits...they were tinted by me with Distress Crayons. Since these are going into a journal, I sprayed them with a Fixative once they were tinted. This keeps the crayon secure (when the pages rub together). You can find a can of Fixative in the Fine Art department of most craft stores - near the pastels.

Set one for the Collage Fames

And another set of three for the inside of the folio.

So now lets add the first set to three Collage Frames. I used a transparency in the background.

Then added more double sided tape to add a second Collage Frame on the back. If you only have 1 pack of frames you could always cut some cardstock to mimic the frame on the back.

Here it is with the second frame attached to the tape.

When the frame is placed on the flap, you can see that you'll need about 2" of tape to add the frame.

It should look just like this. I used the grid on my glass mat as a guide for the tape length.

Now add the frame to the flap. 

Here is the inside of the flap (we'll take care of decorating this area in a minute).

Now add two more of the Portraits to Collage Frames. 

This one will be added to section 3

And this one will go on section 5.

Section 2, 4 and 6 are blank pages (other than paper). Use Collage Medium to add Memoir Ephemera to each of the three sections. Also, it is very important to add a thin layer of Collage Medium over the top of the paper and ephemera to seal.

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Once the Collage Medium is completely dry, start adding embellishments like Cello Sticker Tape, vintage trims, vintage buttons and Stitched Scraps (the sewing is already done for you!).

I scribbled the crayon on the glass mat, then picked it up with an old brush. Admittedly, I went back and adding more crayon, scribbling directly on the page.

Here are the three ephemera sections once the Distress Crayon was added:

I LOVE how you can build up the crayon on and around the Cello Tape!

So lets swing back to the underside of the flaps! 

I have added Collage Paper to cover the blank side of the flap. Here are the steps to do it:

1. Cut or rip a piece to fit flap.

2. Cover flap with Collage Medium.

3. Lay the cut piece into the glue and smooth out with brush.

4. Add another layer of Collage Medium over the top.

5. Let dry, then sand away the excess paper and add crayon to the edges.

I decided to add more Ephemera from the Memoir pack + Clippings, Postmarked stamps and Cello Sticker Tape under each flap. Of course if you want to use crayon later like I did, you must seal the paper with Collage Medium before doing so. 

The three Portraits were added with Thin 3D Foam Squares on the top half, then glued at the bottom with Collage Medium.

Inside of Section 1

Inside of Section 3

Inside of Section 5

Outside of the front and back cover. I picked my favorite Indigo floral for the cover, then use 4 different scraps on the back cover.

Inside of the two covers. Front on the left, back on the right.

Notice that the back cover on the right has a flap? This book has a reversible cover - if you want the flap on the front, you can do that. I'm keeping it on the back and will make it a pocket.

I added Large Fasteners to the corners of the flap and smashed them with the Texture Hammer. The flap was ten secured with Scor-tape at the top and bottom to make the pocket. This gave the appearance the Fasteners were securing the flap, when in fact it was just double-sided tape that was doing the job.

I added Crayon to the cover to give it an aged appearance. I also inked the twill that comes with the Pocket Folio by making a puddle of gathered Twigs ink and a bit of Antique Linen (plus water) on the glass mat. I sprayed the twill with water, then dipped it into the ink puddle soaking up the ink. Once satisfied, I dried the twill with a heat tool. 

Once dry, you can wrap the Pocket Folio with the twill and add any embellishments. I added vintage buttons and a Snippets Number Strip with Collage Medium.

The only piece I added to the cover itself was the black strip from the Memoir pack.

Here are photos of the finished Pocket Folio:

Hoping you like this project as much as I do. Grateful for Tim and his idea to bring the Palette fabric series to life as paper! It has brought so much enjoyment reminiscing about all the great designs!

Now carry on,

paula