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

Adventure Vignette Tray

Hello Friends,

I am so happy to be here today celebrating the new Palette Multi paper and Palette Ephemera Snippets that were released at the first of the month. I absolutely love the stamps paper that comes in the pack and wanted to show the full rainbow of stamps across the Vignette. If you would like to see the step-outs for this fun project, pop over to the Simon Says Stamp blog for the full tutorial!

Now carry on!
Paula

Palette "Snippets" Cards

Hello friends!

The final three colors of our Palette paper series are officially out: Purple, Charcoal, and Multi. Today, I’m diving right into the Palette Multi paper and mixing it with the new Palette Ephemera Snippets.

I'm just going to say it: this may very well be the cutest snippet ephemera we have ever created. There are 135 tiny, intricate pieces in a single pack! (Honestly, I’d buy it just for those darling one-inch tiny slide frames.)

These cards came together so easily using a mix of the new papers and snippets, popped up with foam squares for dimension, and finished off with a few fun extras.

Now lets get started!

I started by cutting Palette Multi paper (8x8") to fit the idea-ology Photo Studio frames. This is a new paper pack that was released along with Charcoal and Purple.

I am making two large and two small. I just used scotch tape on the back to hold the paper in place.

I needed a card base so I am using Distress Watercolor Cardstock. I cut it 1/4" wider and taller than the Photo Studio Frames, then scored it. I sprayed it Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain and used a paper towel to wipe the stain over the surface. Dry with a heat tool to speed up the process.

I also added Gathered Twigs Distress Ink on the edges of the cards to give it a little more dimenson.

Use Simon Says Stamp Tear-iffic Tape to adhere the Photo Studio cards to the card bases.

This is optional...but I took the cards to the sewing machine and stitched around the edge of the Photo Studio frame.

Next I created little clusters with the new Palette Snippets. I just needed a few pieces on each card to make it work. I also added a bit of Cello Sticker Tape and a Clipping sticker to each. String was wrapped around the inside edge and stapled at the top so it stays in place.

NOTE: I placed the Snippets I used, to the right of each card.

This one has an added xo tag from the Word Tags pack. I filled in the tag with Picket Fence Distress Crayon.

I added a purple label and a heart charm to the string on this one.

Here the are - ready for their close up!

You gotta admit - the new snippets are darling!!
now carry on,

paula

Palette Blue Display Panel

Hello friends,

The Palette Blue paper pack is an absolute favorite of mine! 💙 I used almost every single pattern to create this Display Panel with added Etcetera Tiles. The Palette Blue 'Collage' paper is doing the heavy lifting here, breaking up the patterns by introducing beautiful hits of red, yellow, and pink. To finish it off, I added plenty of idea-ology adornments, giving the entire mixed-media piece that weathered, vintage vibe I love so much.

Start with one of the Palette Blue papers for the background. This one is a favorite of both Tim and I, so I decided to give it a go. I left the sides of the panel with the plain wood but I did add a coat of Collage Medium to give it a more finished look.

I used a combination of tiles to create the pattern over the panel (no paper yet - just blank tiles). It is best to get the pattern in place before BEFORE you add the paper! Once I had the pattern, I took a photo with my phone, since had to take it apart to add the paper!

To use this pattern, you will need:

5 large squares tiles with paper + 2 blank tiles for risers

3 rectangle panels with paper + 1 blank tile for a riser

3 small squares with paper (one is not shown here) + 2 blank tiles for risers

NOTE: the rectangle and small squares are from the same pack called 'Mosaic'.

Add the paper with Collage Medium and use scissors to cut away the excess. Lightly sand the edges, then add a layer of Collage Medium over the top of the paper to seal. Let dry or use a heat tool.

Scribble Walnut Stain Distress Crayon on the edges of each tile. Rub with your fingers and use a wet wipe to pounce over the crayon to muddle the finish.

Use the photo on your phone to recreate the pattern on the panel (still no glue yet). As you can see here, I have added blank tiles where I know I want the tile to be raised.

Once you have all tiles in place, you can begin to add the Collage Medium to the back of each tile, making sure the tiles are straight and close together.

You might notice that I have already added a few embellishments like labels (bottom left tile), paper pieces from the blue collage sheet (bottom right tile) and a Number Strip (top right tile).

Now use Collage Medium to add all the tiles on top of the blank or "riser" tiles. Set aside to dry.

Gather multiple idea-ology embellishments to add to the tiles. Use a variety of paper, metal, and vintage adornments, along with labels, Remnant Rubs and Clipping Stickers.

prize ribbon - Lucky Adornments

spoon - Silverware Adornments

key - Keys Adornments

flaming heart charm - Milagros Adornments

heart - Salvaged Hearts

metal label - Labels Frames + Quote Chips Labels

flair button - Mini Flair

vintage button

Use Collage Medium to add the embellishments.

I did use a nail to add the Milagros on the right.

The vintage button was added to the Salvage Heart.

The prize ribbon on the left has a Mini Fastener added to the top, then it was glued on.

Cello Tape was added to all the tiles. I especially liked it here, holding the Photobooth in place.

I thought the spoon needed a little something so I decided to add some pearls that I colored with Mushroom Alcohol Ink.

And there you have it! This is an easy project that could easily be done in a day, especially if you have your tile pattern and adornments/trinkets planned out.

Thanks all!
Now carry on,
paula

Products found in today's project.