Lost Shadow Accordion Folio

Hello friends!
It has been too long since I have been here! I hope to be better at posting now that my many deadlines are almost done (only one more huge one to go).  Today, I'm happy to be here to talk about Lost Shadow, the new Distress color!  It might be subtle, but used correctly, it is the glue that makes other colors work together!  So grab a snack and sit back to read how easy it is to create with Lost Shadow!

I used an idea-ology Accordion Folio as my substrate. I set the accordion to the side so I could work on the cover first.  I used only two colors of Oxide Spray: Lost Shadow and Kitsch Flamingo.

Oxide Spray:

I began by spraying both colors of Oxide Spray onto the craft sheet + spritzing water into the mix. When the folio is unfolded it is quite long, so I had to do this in stages, adding more Oxide ink to the craft mat when needed. I patted off the excess ink and dried the folio with the heat tool.  It didn't look like much when I first started, but don't give up...the next few steps make the difference.

Collage Paper:

The next step is to add Collage Paper (Botanical) to the Folio.  I used a water brush to add a line of water around the flower that I wanted.  Then just pulled it from the paper.  Make sure your flowers/leaves are cut out before you add the glue to the folio.

The only trick with Collage Paper is to make sure there is Collage Medium under the entire area you are adding your Collage Paper to.  So Collage Medium, Collage Paper, then more Collage Medium over the top to smooth it out and make it transparent.  It's just that easy. 

Distress Paint:

Now to add Distress Paint...I laid the folio out flat on the table.  I put a new foam on my Blending Tool.  Squeezed out a quarter size circle of Lost Shadow Distress Paint, then picked up a SMALL amount of the paint on the foam (too much paint will run under the stencil).  Place the stencil over the brighter pink areas and pounce the Blending Tool over the stencil to create the pattern.  This was done quickly and very random.  Even though the stenciling is random, I ALWAYS keep the stencil level, keeping the pattern the same.  In my brain, the stencil pattern was once covering the page and has worn away leaving just bits of pattern showing. I hope that makes since to more than just me!

LEFT POCKET

You can see that the inside of the folio was covered in paper from the Backdrops 1 pack. This grey pattern was perfect to go with Lost Shadow and Kitsch Flamingo.

I used foam tape to secure the pocket to the folio.  The foam tape gave a bit more room at the bottom for the two thick cards to slip in.

INSERTS

The photos I used came from the Snapshots pack.  I used the Tonic Deckle Trimmer to cut around each photo, leaving a white edge.  It might seem like I used my Blending Tool to add the brown ink, but in reality, I smooshed Gathered Twigs onto the glass mat and spritzed it with water, creating a puddle of watery ink.  Because Snapshots are coated cardstock, you can simply press the Snapshot into the ink and then dry it with a heat tool.  This is a trick I use every time I craft because it works with anything coated: Paper Dolls, Clipping Stickers and any Layers Ephemera.

The base of the card is 1/2 of a Mini File Folder (I just cut up one of the small file folders to get two cards and rounded the corners).  The ink trick works here too because again, the cards are a coated cardstock.

The tiny tags are all cut using Tim Holtz/Sizzix "Collector".

There is a transparency covering the Snapshot where I hid a phrase from the Clippings Sticker Book.

Repeat the process with another Snapshot photo.  This time a Loop Pin hold two tiny tags off to the side.

CENTER FOLD-OUT

I stamped the entire center accordion with Lost Shadow Distress Oxide then splattered it with Kitsch Flamingo. You will be able to see more of it in the upcoming photos.

The front has a pocket for a small Snapshot.  I just sewed the ephemera to the front panel to make the pocket.

I added more Collage Paper, Snapshots and a few pieces from Field Notes Ephemera pack.

The last section has a Snapshot, Collage Paper and a Stencil Card.

I put the Collage Paper right over the top of the Snapshot and the Stencil Card.  It works under and over!

The Stencil card was Sprayed with Lost Shadow Oxide Spray.  I dried it a bit then sprinkled Embossing Glaze over the damp Oxide Spray.  I heated it with the embossing gun and it melted right away, no Embossing ink needed. This photo does not do it justice.

I kept the backside of accordion very clean.  Just Snapshots, ephemera and Collage Paper.

RIGHT POCKET

The flap/pocket on the right can be left open or closed.  I did both really.  At the top, I added a Tiny Clip that will need to be removed to access the cards.

At the bottom I punched 3 holes with my Crop-a-dile (small hole) and threaded 1/4" ribbon into the holes to secure the bottom of the flap. 

INSERTS

I managed to fit three inserts into the flap/pocket. Two started as watercolor paper with Lost Shadow Distress ink.  I just added embellishments like photobooth, black floral paper from Backdrops 1, ephemera from both Memoir and Field Notes and Clippings.  The last item is a large Flashcard that says, Happy. I just added the Clipping Sticker and sewed around it a few times.

Once the inserts are tucked inside the flap, you can close the folder.  I love how that Kitsch Flamingo looks under the Distress Paint pattern.

I wrapped a double length of ribbon around the book and tied a bow so I could figure out where it should be sewn to the book.

Once undone, just carefully flip the book over to sew the ribbon.  I used a piece of blue tape to secure the ribbon in place before I moved to the sewing machine.

And there you go, the stitching is done, blue tape removed and you are ready to adhere the accordion to the center!

Add accordion to the book with Collage Medium or Scor-Tape and the Folio is complete.

Hope you have enjoyed the making of this Accordion Folio and that you'll give it a go.  There are SO MANY options, from simple to complex when using the Accordion Folio as the base structure.  The heavy Mixed Media Paper is perfect for inks and sprays, yet it works for adding paper too.  I can't wait to start my next one!
now cary on,
paula

Christmas Card File

Hello friends,

Happy to be here today sharing the Christmas Card File I created using Christmas idea-ology.  This is a compartmentalized crafting project.  Meaning that you can create a set of cards each day and at the end of the week, the project will be done. Thats my kind of project!  Lets get started!

BOLD TIDINGS

I created three metallic cards for the box - one for each section.  You can create as many as you wish. These were made with idea-ology Kraftstock Metallic Cardstock.  I have linked two packs below. Either can be used - the 8x8" pack is older, but has the same color red and green metallic cardstock as the new pack.  The new pack is just not padded (meaning there are individual pieces in the pack).

I cut three cards (3 1/8 x 4") and ran them through my Vagabond to cut the Bold Tidings.  I added clear acetate to the back of each card for stability, then wrapped each with twine and tied with a bow.  I used the Tiny Attacher to secure the twine in place. 

Pine Twine was used to create this small wreath - I did cut the Pine Twin on the backside so it would be flat against the card.

PAPER

I am using a pack of idea-ology File Cards.  It comes with 4 styles of cards:

4 pockets

4 folded cards (they open like a book)

4 tabbed cards

4 flat cards

It does not matter the order you make them in - you just want a stack of each at the end.  I also used Distress Heavystock paper to cut more cards (because I had more ideas!)

POCKETS

The pockets were done in two parts.

#1 - Grit-Paste Opaque through a stencil

I used Mini Stencils since the pockets are small (they are linked at the bottom). These are all older stencils so you may have them already in you stash of goods.  Once you have your stencils chosen, just lay it on the stencil and using a palette knife, spread the Grit-Paste Opaque over the stencil.  I did not cover the entire surface of the pocket, just a portion.  Peel the stencil away (put used stencils into water right away) and set aside to dry for at lest 30-40 minutes.  They should be dry to the touch before moving to the next step.

STENCILS USED

Mini stencils set 50

Mini stencils set 31

Mini stencils set 19

MICA STAIN

#2 - Spray each pocket with Mica Stain (shake before use).  I laid it on pretty heavy, drying between coats. You can daub up any excess.  These are the 3 colors I used: Fresh Balsam, Tart Cranberry, and Winter Frost.  Once you are happy with the results, set aside to dry or dry with a heat tool like I did.

TABBED CARDS

These couldn't be easier.  I just used plaid paper from the Christmas Backdrops to cover the Tabbed Cards from the pack, cutting away any excess.

I added red stickers from the red Classic Label sheet + words from the clippings stickers found in the Sticker Book.

I made a mixture of Gathered Twigs Distress Ink and water on my glass mat and quickly pounced each label into the mix then dabbed if off on a paper towel.  It easy to do because the sticker sticks right to your index finger which makes the "dip and dab" record fast.  Then just add them to the tabbed card.

LINEN TAPE CARDS

In the Layers Botanical pack there are flat cards that have botanical images on them.  I cut a Heavystock card the exact same size as each Botanical, then used Linen Tape to make a hinge on the front so they open.

The Linen Tape wraps over the top to create the hinge.  The tape alone is sufficient to secure the back to the front.  I added the sewing just for a bit of texture and detail at the top.

More Clippings stickers from the sticker book.

And even an added Paper Doll.

FLAT CARDS

These are the 4 flat cards that come in the File Card Pack.  They look complex, but I used Christmas Pocket cards so all the collage work is already done for you.  All you have to do is adhere the Pocket Card to the blank card, add a Paper Doll, and a few Clipping Stickers.

I used Distress Crayons to color the Paper Dolls. That red on the coats (above) is Aged Mahogany (my absolute favorite).  I colored directly on the coat, then rub away any excess till I see the detail of the coat again. 

I also used Scrapbook Adhesives THIN foam squares to adhere the Paper Dolls - it gives them just a little lift off the card!

Then added a few detail, like Mirrored Stars and Tiny Clips, then rounded the corners of the cards.

FRINGE CARDS

I cut six more flat cards to match the others.  Two of the cards were used to make Fringe cards. Again, I used Pocket Cards to cover the blank Heavystock.  This time I used Photobooth images that are in the Christmas Paper Doll pack.

We have creme Fringe as part of the Christmas release this year.  I trimmed it down just a bit on both sides of the stitching line.  Then I made a line Gold Mixative about 6" long on my glass mat and pressed the edges of the Fringe into the Gold Mixative (both sizes of the Fringe).  You can dry with a heat tool before determining if you need more or not.  I didn't want to completely cover the Fringe, but just give it a gold edge.  Once I was satisfied, I stitched the Fringe to the top of each card with red thread (by machine).

Don't forget the sentiments.

FLAT CARDS

The last four flat cards are just some random ideas I had.  Three have been covered with the Pocket Cards and the 4th (on the left) was left mostly blank. 

I wanted to add a few eyelets to some cards so I did that here.  

Then just added ribbon or string to each.

I used one of the small Pocket Cards for a journaling spot (the Pocket card is the large red label) and then just added some holly from the Layers Botanical pack, a stamp from the ephemera pack, and a candy strip band.

FOLDED CARDS

The last set of File Cards open like a book.  Here I use the "solid" back of Pocket Cards (meaning the paper is not collaged).  Once I adhered the paper to the front of the card, I looked for the pieces that would fit on the front and not take over too much, covering the background.

I added details like string, Tinsel, and a bell from the Tiny Bells pack.

I mounted a Christmas Flair button on a piece of cardstock with string.  As you can see, I added a piece of Linen Tape to the top and used a Mini Pin to secure the string to the card.

The black checked card has a simple embellishment, a Loop Pin and Antiqued Gem I colored with Mushroom Alcohol Ink.  Because the gem is heavy, I used the Tiny Attacher to secure the string at the top.

I covered the Card File with plaid paper from Christmas Backdrops, but you could also use Pocket Cards to do that. I also used black Design Tape to cover the lip edge of the Card File to finish it off.

Now all that is left to do, is add all the cards to the Card File! And you are done!

Now carry on,

paula