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

Palette Blue Tag Book

Hello friends,

Things are buzzing in the studio with the arrival of three stunning new Palette paper colors: Teal, Blue, and Indigo. To celebrate, I’ve put together a tag book featuring the Palette Blue 8x8" pack, paired with some of my go-to idea-ology essentials like Organic Layers, Transparent Layers, and those charming Paper Dolls from the Groups pack.
I’ve gathered the completed tags on a Ball Chain loop—I love this method because it’s so flexible; you can start with a few tags today and easily add more as your inspiration grows.
Want to make your own? You can find the full step-out instructions over on the
Simon Says Stamp Blog. I hope you’ll follow along and see just how quickly this little book comes together!

Pop by the Simon blog to take a quick view all the tags made for this fun project.

Now carry on,

paula

Make this Journey Your Own

Hello friends, 

Just a quick pop-in today to share a small project that reminded me of an important lesson: creating a collage doesn't have to be a mountain to climb. It can simply be a collection of things that tell a story.

I gathered some favorite pieces from various idea-ology packs—like Vintage Flair, Layers Remnants, and Memoir Ephemera. It’s the little details, like a scrap of Cello Sticker Tape, a Remnant Rub, or a well-placed Clipping Sticker, that really finish the look. Sometimes we get so caught up in making a "masterpiece" that we forget the joy of just putting pieces together.

Paint the sides of the largest Square Vignette box with Black Soot Distress Paint. 

After the paint is dry, sand to smooth the painted surface then add a coat of Collage Medium to seal the paint and give the box a more finished appearance.

Cut a piece of Backdrop paper to fit the top of the square Vignette. If you are a sewer, use a ruler to mark a 1/4" line on the edge of the paper. Using the pencil line as a guide, stitch around the edges (I went around twice). 

Tear, smoosh, roll, and bend the edges of the paper. I also inked the edges then spritzed with water to make the paper malleable. If you so use water, just dry it with a heat tool before adding the paper to the Vignette.

Make a ink puddle, then splatter the paper with ink. Once dry, it won't look as dark as it does when wet.

I added Scor-tape along the seam on the box so the paper edges will NOT be glued to the box and the black painted edges will be seen. I added Collage Medium to the center before adding the paper.

Once the paper is secure you can manipulate the edges of the paper as much as you want. I smashed and ripped it just a little bit more and it looked better. I do love the ink splatter on the paper - I think that helped bring the ink from the edges into the center.

Choose a Photomatic image from the pack. I chose this guy because I just loved his hat! 

I used Distress Crayon to tint the Photomatic. Vintage Photo for his jacket, Chipped Sapphire for the background, Aged Mahogany for his cheeks.

I added three layers of Gunmetal Mixative to the Photo Frame (drying in between). Once dry, I added Ground Espresso Distress Crayon to the metal frame and rubbed it in.

I also added a piece of Cello Sticker Tape and a rubbing from the Specimen Remnant Rub sheet. 

Use Picket Fence Distress Crayon to fill in the back ground of the Large Word Plaque. Rub with your thumbs to heat up the crayon so it melts into place in the background.

Gather the things you have created, along with a postcard from the Remnants Layers pack and a flair button from the Vintage Flair pack.

Create a collage with the pieces.

Use Tack Nails to secure the Large Word Band.

Add a Clippings sticker to the Photomatic.

And some string for texture

And some ephemera...really, anything goes.

Don’t feel pressured to create a Magnum Opus every time the creative bug strikes; sometimes, keeping it simple is the best way to play.

Now carry on,

paula