Using the Travel Folio

 Hello friends,

Lots of behind the scene work has kept me busy these past few weeks and blogging seems to be the first thing to be scratched off the list.  However, due to the holiday weekend here in the US, I had some extra time to get some things done and posting a project is one of them!

I created this book in January of 2020 for the Creativation show using the Travel Folio.  I was going to share it here when I returned, but we all know what happened in early March.  To be quite honest, I just didn't think anyone (me for instance) wanted to be reminded how they (I) couldn't travel anywhere due to Covid.  Fast forward to last week when Tim and I were discussing the Travel Folio and this project popped into my mind with the words, "you can share it now".  So here I am today, hoping you will accepting of an old project that I love and want to share with you today!

The Travel Folio can be used for many themes.  The inside and outside are covered with ephemera based papers that make it even easier to work with because quite frankly, the hard part of 'covering the cover' is done for you.  Can you change the paper or add more embellishment on the outside? sure, totally up to you...we have just given you the foundation to work with.

The only thing I added to the cover was the black/white sticker (Label Stickers) and metal hardware from the Factory Tags pack.

Open the large flap and I have added these fantastic giant numbers from Layers, Urban pack.  

NOTE: I need to mention that the Urban pack comes with only one number 2, so the numbers will not work if you are documenting 2021 unless you buy two packs.  The way to get around this is if you have the Sizzix die, Countdown.  

The font is the same but the number are smaller than Layers, Urban.  You can see the difference below.

The inside has two large flaps at the top and bottom to keep everything safe inside...no holes for stuff to fall out.

All the "patterned paper" on the inside of my book came from this pack of Journal Cards.  The cards come in four sizes and are printed on both sides, which works well for a project that will see both sides of the paper.  I used the longest size to create pockets by folding them in half...you will see an example of this later.

The "spine" (or the thing that you glue all the papers and tags to...) is sewn into the book, so all you need to do is add the things you want to embellish with.

We traveled to 4 countries so I created the book by date.  It was a lot easier to work out in my mind what I wanted to add when I printed all the pictures on my HP Sprocket printer.  I have traveled with the Sprocket before and the girls printed their pictures every night - that was good for a week but I think doing it for longer would just get annoying.  So this time I printed the pictures out when I got home.  Much less pressure to print after a long day on your feet.

The thing to remember when putting a folio together is that each layer should reveal just a tidbit about the next, without giving it away.  All the large tags are from the Salvaged Tags pack - they work great here because the tags come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.  Perfect for a book that should look "gathered" together!

The Journal cards have rounded corners which makes a very finished look without having to do anything special. 

In each section I would look for ways to add journaling and photos.  I also made sure I had both vertical and horizontal photos to work with.

I also love to create whole paragraphs out of Clippings Stickers.  Scotland was on the top of her priority list to visit and there was a sticker that used the very words so I knew I needed to include it somehow!  This label comes printed on the back of the Journaling Card so added the Tiny Clip to the top so it looks like the label is clipped to the page.  #fauxlabel

There are ways to extend the available "pages" of the Travel Folio.  One is to fold and score an edge of a Journal Card to create a hidden space for a photo.  So keep your eyes on the the giant ticket from the Ticket Book.

Here is the backside!  The perfect place to hide a picture, leaving a small spot for words on the part of the Journaling Card that was folded over and glued to the page.  Speaking of "glue" - I used Score Tape in varying widths to add all the pieces to the spine.  

As I transition to another country, I make sure to add the name (even though my handwriting stinks and I sometimes spell things wrong).

The blue paper behind the phone file is actually a long card folded in half and sewn on two sides.  I added another card inside with a folded ticket from the Ticket Book and an eyelet (seriously so hard to find good eyelets these days!)

More tags from the Salvaged Tag pack with added Vintage Flair (clover button) and Thought Tokens (metal coins with words).  "Handle with Care" ephemera is a favorite from Layers, Urban.

Another hidden card inside the folded and sewn Journal Card.  The Thought Token tied to the eyelet is an easy pull tab.  The colored Labels keep coming... the pack has one sheet of each: black, red, pink and navy so it was easy to keep changing up the colors throughout the book.

The text on Salvaged Tag on the right is hidden by another Journal Card that has been folded and scored to work like a door.  

I added the idea-ology fork since I used a picture of the waffles we ate that day.  A ticket from the Ticket Book serves as a tab and hints to the reader to lift the door!

I always love hidden journaling!  In hind site I should have added another picture to the inside of the door!  It's the perfect spot!

This is the last section of the folio.  The thick book that comes with the Travel Folio is placed here but I continued on with my story behind it.

NOTE: the book you see is held to the Travel Folio with an elastic strap.  The book can be easily removed for use or not used at all.

On the other side of the notebook, I was able to add one more photo of our last night in London. 

Details...

The flaps can also be used for more photos. This was a favorite taken on a boat ride in Bruges. As you can see, I was able to find a Clippings Sticker that went with every situation!

I love how this turned out - a sweet remembrance to a wonderful trip.  It's never too late to put your photos and memories into a keepsake that can be kept just for you or given as a gift.  I know Maddie loved this one.

If you liked the idea of using the Travel Folio, you might check out what Tami B did with it HERE! Totally different, yet absolutely wonderful and full of details.

now carry on,

paula

PRODUCTS USED IN THIS PROJECT

Starry Night Inspiration

I have Metallic Distress Paint on my worktable today and I am super excited to share a fun project with you.  First of all, the new paints come in 3 colors: Tarnished Brass, Antiqued Bronze and Brushed Pewter.  Loving all of them but I think Tarnished Brass might be my favorite for the moment.

 

Just to jog your memory (or if you have not used Distress Paint before) here are a few things to remember:
1. shake before use (there is a mixing ball inside)
2. paint reacts with water until dry
3. once dry, you can layer other wet liquids without disturbing the bottom layer.

If you missed the original test drive of Distress Paint, you can see it here.

I decided to make my first test run on a #8 tag.
Metallic Distress Paint - tarnished brass and a stamp from the Stampers Anonymous Mixed media set to create a "night time" sky over the Distress Stain - Salty Ocean background.  Love these two colors together!

 

I normally don't use such a bright blue color in my work but less than 2 weeks ago I saw the Van Gogh painting, "Starry Night" at Musée d'Orsay and I just kept thinking about the golden stars in the blue sky and how they almost pop off the canvas.  This painting was a huge influence in today's project of metallic over blue.

The finish of the paint is fantastic, super shiny, just what you want in a metallic paint.  I know the rest of the photos will not capture the shine (so hard to see online) but the shimmer is really nice.

So the test run is good, love the color blue, love the idea, so lets expand it and make a project.

Cut three pieces of manila cardstock-
5 3/4 x 12" - fold in half
5 3/4 x 4 - fold out
5 1/2 - 3" - pocket
you will also need 2 pieces of paper for pages, cut 7 x 5" and folded in half.  I used a thinner weight cardstock, like the type you would run through your home printer.

Color both sides of the cardstock with Salty Ocean Distress Stain, just like the tag.  I don't use this color much, and now I am not sure why, because I am in love with it right now.  I think it is the perfect night sky. 

 Ink the edges of all cards with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

 

Shake, then squeeze out Tarnished Brass Paint onto non-stick craft sheet.  Pounce stamp into paint and onto cardstock. 

I randomly stamped (no acrylic block) over the entire surface, then dried it with a Heat it tool. 
Note: I only stamped circles on one side of each of the cardstock pieces.

On the backside of the largest piece of cardstock I flicked some paint onto the surface with a brush.

To add the 5 3/4 x 4" piece onto the large cardstock, I need a hinge.  I cut a 1" strip of Sticky Back Canvas, then painted it with the same tarnished brass paint.  The Distress Paint goes on to the canvas much easier than dabber paint since it is much more fluid...and it has great coverage.

 Once dry, I added some texture with another stamp from the Mixed Media Set.

Using the sticky back canvas hinge, add the 5 3/4 x 4" piece onto the right end of the large piece (this will make more sense in later pictures).  

I then folded the two 7 x 5" papers in half and punched 3 holes on the fold to sew them to the cardstock with waxed linen.  That is the waxed linen you can see here tying the signature of pages to the cardstock.

Okay, so set the "cover" aside and let's try some of the Brushed Pewter color.  I cut a couple pieces of cardstock to fit the flag stamp you see here on the "London Sights" stamp set.  The other stamp set I will get to in a minute is "Time Traveler", it all looks very British don't you think?

 Shake, then squeeze out some Distress Paint - brushed pewter onto the non-stick craft sheet.

 Then "ink up" the flag stamp with the paint.

Stamp a piece of cardstock and dry with a heat tool. 
Once dry, dip the card into Barn Door Distress Stain to color the remaining card.
Note: Remember to clean the paint off your stamp right away.

The metallic paint acts as a resist to the stain and creates a great background. I know it does not show in this photo but the metallic sheen is super cool.  Loving this resist technique.

We need some Crinkle Ribbon too.  Vintage Photo and Wild Honey will do the trick.  Works perfectly with the Tarnished Brass color.

Let's walk through the little book step by step.
I used Big Ben from the "London Sights" set for the cover, just like the tag.  I added Tissue tape, Remnant Rubs and the Crinkle Ribbon.

Open the cover and you can see the 5 1/2 x 3" pocket.  The word "London" is from the stamp set and  "observations" is a Remnant Rub word.

As you can see, I cut a slit in the pocket to allow the ribbon to wrap around the front.  Easy solution.

A guard is stamped on a #5 tag and stapled to the center panel.  You can also see the Tissue Tape covering the seam where I attached the 5 3/4 x 4" foldout.

I used Distress Markers to add color to the stamped images on the pages of the little book:  black soot, Broken china, barn door, scattered straw, old paper and of course a water brush.

I am not using water color paper so I spritzed water on the non-stick craft mat then just dipped the brush end of the marker into a water droplet.  This gives me a bit a extra open time before the marker dries on the paper.

This is my favorite page!  Seriously, how good does that look?   The suitcase stamp from the "Time Traveler" set is great and an easy one to experiment with color.

Here i just repeated the postage stamp over and over along the edges of the pages.

And this guy...I think he goes great with the words, "tell your story".  I like using the Remnant Rubs as journaling prompts.

I added a brad to the top of the flag card so it will swing out...a good place for a funny picture or hidden journaling.

When the cover is closed over the little book, you can see the added piece and the canvas hinge.
I also added the ring fastener so it can be pulled open like a door.

 

Well, that's all for today.  Hope you liked the project and that you might try making one in your own style.  Dig out a set a of stamps you haven't used in a while and get going! The project should only take a few hours, start to finish, and you will have something fun to keep or give away.  I could definitely see using this template for Mother's day...lighter colors, notes tucked into the pocket, sentiments written onto the pages of the little book, flowers and leaves colored with Distress Markers...hummm, sounds like a good idea to me!

Cheers for a great weekend!

paula

PS) for those of you who are fellow Project Runway fans I am happy and sad this week.  LOVED seeing the snippets of the collections last night (this is always my favorite episode) and am looking forward to next week to see the actual fashion show.  I won't spoil it for anyone who has not watched the last episode, but there was one person with a very clear vision that MUST win next week or I am going to be very upset.  I have not seen such detail since Season 7 winner, Seth Aaron.  I think we might just a have to have a Project Runway party next week!  

Oh, and the sad part?  ...it will be over soon!

InLinkz.com