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

Find Your Loveliness

Hello friends,

Today we are celebrating the release of the idea-ology Palette Collection. I explained in my last post that the first three colors were released and will be shipping very soon. I got advance paper packs so that is why I am able to have a finished project at this early stage. Lucky me!

I decided to walk you through the Pocket Folio page by page, then I'll go back and show you how some of things were put together.

Lets start with the book itself. This is a Pocket Folio, which you know is a zig-zag or concertina book with removable covers. I LOVE that the covers are removable so you can work on the zig-zag portion, then add the covers at the end. That is exactly what I did.

The botanical paper is from Palette Orange - It mixes beautifully with Palette Pink and Red! All ephemera is from the Palette Ephemera pack. Words are of course from the Clippings Sticker Book - what would I do without it?

The wrinkled satin ribbon is from my stash (Boy, I wish I had more!). The loop pin is holding a Tiny Vial filled with tiny faux pearls colored with Mushroom Alcohol Ink, a clover charm from the Lucky Adornments pack, and a Antiqued Gem (again, colored with Mushroom Alcohol Ink). I'll talk about these pieces later on in the post.

I needed a way to cover the seam between the two papers. Vintage lace was the easy solution - I've been saving this piece for many years! Before I glued it down with Collage Medium, I threaded the ribbon through a hole in the lace then added a dot of hot glue to add the button. This way, when the ribbon is opened to see inside the book, it does not fall off the book.

The inside cover of the Folio is covered in Palette Ephemera pieces. I added a layer of Collage Medium over the top of the ephemera. Once dry, Cello Tape pieces were added, then Distress Crayon in Walnut Stain was rubbed over the seams and edges for the aged look.

Page 1: Girl in floral dress

Palette Pink + Palette Ephemera + Portraits

I haven't used Portraits for a while, so I thought this was a great book to show off what you can do with them! Her gold crown was done on a whim and I absolutely love it!! (more on both of these later).

Page 2: Pocket one

Palette Pink + Palette Ephemera

Pockets were created by adding a Large Fastener and smashing them with a Texture Hammer. Super easy!

Page 3: Lady going to a party

Palette Pink + Portrait Studio frame + Portraits

All coloring was done with Distress Crayons.

Page 4: Pocket two

Palette Red + Palette Ephemera

Page 5: 

Palette Red + Palette Ephemera + Postmarked

Page 6: Pocket three

Palette Red + Palette Ephemera

Back Cover: with added ephemera

Palette Red + Palette Ephemera

Palette Red + Palette Ephemera

Back Cover

To get started:

I used all three 8 x 8" Palette paper packs in the book. However, I only used Palette Orange on the cover, not inside the Folio. This photo was taken of the inside paper (in order of appearance) + paper that was  cut for the fronts of the pockets.

I took the covers off the center portion of the Folio and sprayed it with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain. I always spray and wipe away to get all-over coverage.

I used Collage Medium to adhere the paper to the sections. I used a small brayer to help secure the paper to the book.

Pages 1 - 3

Pages 3 - 4

Pages 4 - 6

Next up is the pockets. I added the pre-cut papers to each pocket and used scissors to round the corners to match the Folio.

To close each pocket, I pierced a hole in right corner of each flap and added the Large Fastener. Once the fasteners were in place, use a Texture Hammer to dent the top of the Large Fastener. DO NOT pound on your glass mat - only use a solid surface for hammering!

Portraits:

I am using three Portraits for this project. All were colored with Distress Crayons.

For this little girl, I scribbled on Stormy Sky, then rubbed it over her dress with my fingertip. I used the end of a cotton swab to pick up Aged Mahogany crayon and pounce it over her cheeks. Once the color is on, tap it with your fingertip to smooth it out (it really works). I had a little color left on the cotton swab so I added a few red accents over her dress. Fossilized Amber was added to her necklace (using a damp Water Brush). Then I took the end of a clean cotton swab and made polka dots over her dress. The cotton swab pulls the Stormy Sky crayon away from the dress like magic.

For the girl with the flowered dress, I started the same way, by coloring the dress with Milled Lavender. Then I used a stencil and a wet wipe to remove the pattern.

Now you could just leave her as is and be perfectly fine, but I decided to try coloring the white areas with more color.

I used a Detailer Water Brush to add the color and create the flowers and leaves on her dress. Now I know this is not going to be everyone's liking but it was fun to give it a go!

For the last lady, the real key here was to color the dress with a light color like Stormy Sky to get an all over color. Then taking a bit of a darker color like Uncharted Mariner on the side of a cotton swab, brush back and forth to create the illusion of banding around her shoulders (like she has tulle wrapped around her shoulders). The illusion is created by the organic direction of the marks. I only used the damp Water Brushes for the floral detail. This time I scribbled on the glass Studio Mat, then picked up the crayon with the Water Brush and dabbed it on.

Here they are all together! Each with a different technique, but all using Distress Crayons!

Much of a main ephemera was aged by painting it with Collage Medium, then drying it with a heat tool. Paint over the top a second time, but this time dip the ephemera into a puddle of ink and water, then dry with the heat tool.

Making the crown:

I cut a small piece of Metallic Kraft Stock the width of the girls head. I used a flat sanding block to go over the metallic finish to rough it up. I then sketched a crown on the back and cut it out. I rubbed Mushroom Alcohol Ink over the crown to age the gold Kraft Stock (that is a good trick because it now looks like old metal). Once dry, I used one of my favorite dies, Swirling Stars, to cut stars into the crown. 

Here is how I used the long die.

Gathering the trinkets:

A Tiny Vial was filled with tiny faux pearls colored with Mushroom Alcohol Ink (you can see I keep them in a small bag so I always have them at the ready), a clover charm from the Lucky Adornments pack that I dripped Mushroom Alcohol Ink over, and a Antiqued Gem (again, colored with Mushroom Alcohol Ink). As for the gold heart that will go on the Tiny Vial, It was cut from the same gold metallic Kraft Stock using the Love Notes Side-Order die. An eye screw was added to the cork so the Tiny Vial could be hung by the Loop Pin.

I added Palette Ephemera to the inside cover using Collage Medium. Always make sure you do not seal up the opening on the right so the book can be added to the cover. When I am glueing the Ephemera, I always add the CM to the paper piece, not the cover. I also slip a deli sheet into the opening so it cathes any excess glue that might squeeze out when pressing the paper down.

I love how the Palette book turned out! The cover alone is just wonderful with all the patterns and trinkets. I'm glad I could share my love of the Palette Collection, whether it be in fabric or paper. Both just sing to me!

Now carry on,

Paula