Saturday, May 18, 2024

File Folder Book

Hello Friends,

So happy to be here today celebrating the release of spring idea-ology! Today I am sharing a book I made with the new File Folders. The File Folder pack comes with 6 File Folders: 3 large and 3 small. The cover was handmade. I normally show step-out photos first, but in this case I think its easier to understand how the book was put together if you see the book first. So I'm going to walk you page by page through the book, then I will show you some step out photos. I have also linked below to a very good tutorial that has step-out photos of the pamphlet stitch I used. Please view that before you start poking holes in the cover or the Folders. 
Also, all the ephemera is from the Palette Ephemera Pack. So here we go!

Collaged front of the first large File Folder.
Inside the large File Folder is the first small File Folder pocket

Add a 1/4” wide piece of Scor-tape to the bottom of the small File Folder and close to secure, creating a pocket that is open at the top and right side.
The new Layer Frames-Montage, have different shaped openings and still come with the signature stitching so it looks like you sewed them into the book.
I added ephemera behind the transparency window so there is interest when you pull the tag.
For each tag that goes into the pocket, I used a photo from Snapshots 2. 

I chose photos that could be easily isolated with the white ink from a POSCA paint pen.

Once I isolated each image with the ink and let it dry, I added Collage Medium over parts of the surface to add Collage Paper to add some interest over the white surface. Another layer of Collage Medium over the Collage Paper surface, then dry with the heat tool. Add stitching and vintage lace to the top.

Collage hidden behind the pocket.
All Paper Dolls in the book are from the new Poses pack.

Collaged front of the second large File Folder.
Do you not love the new Cello Sticker Tape!!!! I used it in every sample I made for the idea-ology Live! I LOVE it so much!
Inside the large File Folder is the second small File Folder pocket.

I use basic Scotch Tape to add the clear plastic to the inside of the opening/window. If you choose to add something like this butterfly on the outside, use Scor-tape so it appears as if it is floating. When the pocket is closed you will never see the inside and no one will know how you taped the clear transparency into the center.

Collage hidden behind the pocket.


Collaged front of the third large File Folder.
Again, the Cello Sticker Tape is a star!
Inside the large File Folder is the third small File Folder pocket.

Collage hidden behind the pocket itself.

Putting it together...

Small Folders

Each small File Folder was sprayed with Antique Linen Distress Stain Spray. Most of the surface will eventually be covered by a Collage Frame or Backdrop Paper, so don’t worry too much about this step. Although the bare tab does look better and more cohesive when it is sprayed and inked since it does show.

Close each small File Folder so you have a distinct front and a back to work with (no tape or glue yet).
Adhere a Collage Frame to the front. Adhere Backdrop paper to the back. NOTE: I made the tabbed side of each small folder the front, making the shorter side of the folder (with no tab) the back. The back is where the Backdrop paper goes.

Once the Collage Frame is secure, use a cutting knife to remove the center of the frame. Only cut through one side of the File Folder! Repeat steps on the other 2 File Folders.


Large Folders

Use Collage Medium to adhere Backdrop papers to each side of the large File Folders, front and back. I made sure the fold was not covered by paper on either side, so the the File Folder could easily close.


This is the outside of each folder

This is the inside of each folder

Once the window has been cut, open the Large File Folder and lay the small File Folder on the seam. Stitch the two piece together using a longer stitch on the machine.
This is what two of the sewn folders look like. The pocket has not been closed yet...and I am till testing ephemera in the background at this point.
Add words to the tabs.
I also used Remnant Rubs to add more interest.
Cover

NOTE: I used random Backdrop papers from volumes 1-3 for the inside of the book. If you are specifically looking for the paper used on the cover - it is in Backdrops vol 2. 


I used one piece of Backdrop paper for the front of my cover making it 6 x 10”. The fatter your book, the more length you will need. Meaning, if you want to add a lot to the inside, you might need a paper cover that is 6 x 11” or 6 x 12” depending on the thickness of the book.


Anyway, I took one Backdrop 6 x 10” and adhered two cut pieces of Mixed Media Heavystock 6 x 4 3/4" for the front and back covers, leaving a 1/2" open as the spine.

Adhere Backdrop paper cut the same size as the Heavystock...still leaving the spine open.
pink paper - volume 3
blue paper - volume 1
Then I added Fabric Tape over the spine area to give the spine strength and flexibility.

If you need help with the pamphlet stitch (to sew the large Folders to the cover), please use this excellent tutorial (link to Starpointe Studio). I repeated it three times - one for each folder.

Once your 3 File Folders are complete, you will poke 3 holes in the fold (again, see the Starpointe tutorial).
Flip the cover over and poke 3 holes at the top, center and bottom, matching the ones you just poked in the folders. You will need one set of holes for each of the 3 Large File Folders. Line up the holes and sew the folder to the cover using the pamphlet stitch. Repeat for each folder.
NOTE: I have the cover ephemera temporarily adhered to the cover so I know what is the front of the book. I will eventually sew around it and adhere it with Scor-tape at the top and bottom so a fabric band can slide underneath.
The fabric band was made from Linen Tape. I just pressed it onto some muslin, then cut around the tape. I stitched around it to secure the tape to the muslin. This band runs under the "album" ephemera (Palette Ephemera Pack). The stamp is from the new Sticker book "Postmarked". The button is vintage.
The band is secured in the back with Scor-tape and it covers the knots/strings where I bound the folders to the cover.

I just used scissors to cut a slit for the button. You could make a real button hole with a sewing machine if you choose. I figured the slit was sufficient.
Remember, you can watch the replay of Tim's Live once he posts it on his blog to see the book up close. He shows every page and how the book is hooked to the cover. Nothing like seeing it on camera! 
And if you have any questions don't hesitate to email me. 
Now carry on,
paula

I added the products I used in the book at the top. 
Other new idea-ology products are listed in the bottom portion. 

Monday, May 13, 2024

New idea-ology products!

Hello all!

Just a quick post to announce that NEW idea-ology was released today! So many great products!

My ABSOLUTE favorite is the new Cello Tape! We have been trying to add this SKU to the idea-ology line for several years, but could never get it just right till now. All I can say is that I used it on every single project I made for the Live on Sat...and that is a lot! 
Salvaged hearts are also a favorite...they can be used on so many projects. You get 5 resin hearts in a variety of sizes in the package...again, another MUST have product!
I hope you will check out all the new products and we'll see you on Saturday.

The YouTube Live (Tim's channel) will be on Saturday the 18th at 9am PST.
Now carry on,
paula

NEW idea-ology products

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Make This Journey Your Own

 Hello friends,

Things have been very busy around here getting ready for the Create Event in Ohio this weekend. Stacy and I will be doing idea-ology make and takes for the 2 day event, which we are very excited for! We love Heidi at Simon Says Stamp and she runs a wonderful show. We are both looking forward to being there again!

I created this project for a display we are doing at the event. I didn't have anything really grunge amongst the samples I was bringing, so I decided to make something. I love how it turned out! I used a small Vignette tray and two Vignette Boxes as my structure.

I painted the Pocket Watch black and added the Mini Gears and the Gauge Dial. I also added the Hook Clasp (a very under utilized idea-ology product) to hang the watch from the tray.
You might notice I purposefully cracked the glass of my pocket watch. I just tapped on the glass with a small hammer right where I wanted it to shatter out from.
The metal pieces are the most important when it comes to a grunge piece. I have a very easy method to creating a Grunge finish. Let me show you how I did it:

1. Cover metal with white acrylic paint (I used acrylic because it is thicker than Distress Paint so it gives you a better build up). Let dry completely.
2. Once dry, pounce Mushroom Alcohol Ink over the metal. I did at least two rounds. with about a minute drying time in between. Do not cover all the white paint!
The Mushroom Alcohol Ink, over white paint, turns a green patina. The second layer will add brown on top of the green...you want that.
3. Once dry, cover the entire piece with Ground Espresso Distress Paint. Quickly move to a paper towel...
4. Spray metal with water.
5. Take a wet wipe a POUNCE (not wipe) over the metal to remove some of the paint, revealing the colors underneath.
You can decide how much paint leave on the surface.
Here is how my three pieces turned out. I think I got better at knowing how much white paint needs to be left, to make it show in the end result. Honestly, the photos do not do it justice.

Here are some closeups of the final Vignette tray with the metal pieces in place.
The long word band was done using the exact same grunge technique, EXCEPT for one added step. After I added the Mushroom alcohol ink, I squirted the band with 97% Isopropyl Alcohol, which makes the Alcohol Ink fluid. Tip the band up and let some of the ink run into a paper towel, thereby exposing the white paint underneath. Once this is dry, go back to the step where you add Ground Espresso Distress Paint. This extra step allowed the Alcohol Ink to slip away around the letters leaving them more readable.

Salvaged Tags make a big statement by using a strong red tag (dipped and crushed into Walnut Stain ink). 
The piece with the eyelet was cut from another Salvaged Tag, eyelet added, then glued in place.
I used an eye screw from the idea-ology Hardware pack to hang the Pocket Watch.




Thank you for stopping by!
Now carry on,
paula