Folio Fun

Ideas using this new Folio die designed by Eileen Hull for Sizzix gives us loads of possibilities to create with. The idea I will be sharing here is a “white on white” album using a canvas type of material. It is embellished with cuts from a thinlit set of dies using the same material and layered to create the patterned motif on the front and back covers. 

I cut the folio covers from a product called Kreative Kanvas  (which is unfortunately no longer available) but is VERY similar to a product called Kraft Tex. This material can be cut, sewn, glued and colored. Since it does not have the thickness of mat board it will leave a faint score line at the necessary places.  NOTE: If Kraft Tex is unavailable, a thick artist canvas could likely be substituted.

Cut 2 pieces for the folio front and back covers. Cut design elements for layering using desired thinlit dies and the same material.

Back cover design 

***Refer to the photos that show the folding and stitching to create the album. NOTE: I stitched around the covers on 3 sides, leaving the top open to insert tags or other elements. It can also be completely stitched closed around all 4 sides. ***If no sewing machine is available, a fabric glue would work in place of stitching. It would be suggested to glue and clamp with binder clips till glue dries well.  

TIP: A closure for the album is made with a strip of the the canvas-like material, cut approximately 1” x 7 or 8” long. It was sewn to the back, inside cover before sewing the folded inside back flap together. Glue one or two clear Velcro 5/8” circles or a strip to the end of the closure strip and inside the front cover.  

Finished inside back cover with pen holder and closure

Placement for closure strip

Visual guide for inside back cover

To make a pen holder - Cut two of the extra pieces, from the same material. Fold over the edges on both and glue them together. Glue to the inside of the back cover and add a pen.

To form the binding - 

Line up the holes of the binding with the front cover over the back, matching the holes and grooves. The binding can either be glued together or sewn. Follow the lines between the holes if stitching (2 lines) and finish with another stitched line about 1/8” or 1/16” from the edge closest to the back cover.  

Lay the decorative designs in any desired pattern. Glue the elements in place on the covers . Set aside till glue dries. 

Once the album is together I gave it a coat of a shimmery gesso. NOTE: Any clear finish of choice can used. Try a glitter brush from Scrapbook.com, Link

Lace elastic either through the holes or over the grooves to hold 3 album inserts inside the album. 

Finish with a organza bow tied around the binding or any other decorative finish. 

Make inserts for the inside using any choice of decorative papers for covers for the inside signatures and copy paper for for journaling. 

Materials

Eileen Hull Folio die by Sizzix

Folk Art Elements Set of thinlits by Sizzix

Kraft Tex, white

Sewing machine/white thread

Glue

Shimmery Gesso

Brush

Elastic, white

Ribbon

Velcro circles, 5/8" clear

Pen

Decorative papers 

Copy paper

Sharing two more ideas with the Folio die, each from different materials. 

Made from the plastic packaging from the die and decorated with Washi Tape

 

Made from a plastic folder from the Dollar Store

New Die Release - Folio Fun My Way

 It’s always fun creating with Eileen Hull dies, but really exciting, interesting and fun when there are brand new designs.  

The newest Eileen Hull dies released by Sizzix are the Folio, Mandala and Folio Page, Pocket and Flowers. I will be showing how I combined these dies for my creation. 

Though I will not be giving step-by-step instructions, this post will give a description of the process I used. 

When creating projects with Sizzix dies I have a tendency to try to combine a variety of materials and also play around with with the designs of the dies by altering them or combining them with others.  

The folio die will likely become another favorite! I think you will see that with the creations by the  others participating in this blog hop.  It’s always inspiring to see the ideas shared. This project begins of course with the folio die-cut design. It does have a old, shabby distressed look because of the materials used, plus the surface techniques used. The addition of the mandala design, the red, wool hearts and ribbon each add a little touch of warmth to the finished project.

• This version has a spine that extends as far as possible. This gave me the opportunity to include several sections inside.
• The outside of the folio was painted with a metallic copper paint. Brushed over with a wash of brown paint. Old dictionary pages are torn and applied to the inside of the folio cover with gel medium.
• Corrugated board is cut to fit the front and back covers, as well as the front and back inner flaps.  
• Apply adhesive for foiling sheets randomly into the corrugated pieces. Press foiling sheets of choice to add bits of the metallic foil on the covers. 
• Use glue or adhesive sheets cut to size to add the covers and flaps to the folio.  
• Cut a mandala design from a copper colored paper, backed with adhesive for the front cover. 
• Cut the same mandala design from another type of paper for the back cover.  Gel medium was used to apply the design to the back. Heart shapes were cut from a felted wool sweater. Two are layered to the front cover, one to the back. A ribbon tie is added for a closure.

The inside has a variety of sections

• The first section is enclosed as a holder. A couple folders were made to be inserts into the holder. Each folder has a tab added to the edge for removing and inserting them into the holder. 
• The next insert is a folder made from card stock cut from an older Eileen Hull scoreboard die (Album). Pockets are added in two different directions from coordinating decorative paper.

• The next insert is made with the older album die, cut from a acrylic folder and altered to create a narrow album insert.  The covers are embellished with the mandala cut from white copy paper. Use a gel medium to adhere them. Pages are made from copy or newsprint paper. 
  
  
  
• The next two inserts are small lined notebooks. Each is covered with coordinating decorative papers. 
  
  
  
• The last folded section also hold a small covered notebook and has a pen holder. The pen holder shape is from the Journal die. TIP: One or more pocket folder could be added to this section too. 
  
  
  

Finishing the folio

• Black elastic hair bands are used to hold all the inserts in the folio. The bands are placed in the notches instead of using the holes.
• A pen is attached to the inside back flap using a cut from EH Journal die as a holder. It is held in place with a paper brad.
• The elastic bands are gather together and held in place with a pin, with the charm holder piece attached.
• A variety of ephemera can hang from the holder.
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• Follow along from each blog to the next with this list 
• Eileen Hull Designs
• Julia Aston
• Madeline Arendt
• Jennie Atkinson
• Karen Bearse
• Susie Bentz
• Sarah Lizzie Dodd
• Sue Eldred
• Maggi Harding
• Lisa Hoel
• Jenny Marples
• Elizabeth Robinson
• Betsy Skagen
• Tonya Trantham
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Follow along the list of participants to see a wonderful variety of ideas and styles. 

***A NOTE FROM EILEEN ***

Welcome to the Chapter 1 Eileen Hull/Sizzix Release Party Blog Hop! Just wait till you see all of the fun options the new ScoreBoards Folio Journal die has in store for you! You will also love the Mandala and Folio Page, Pockets and Flower Thinlits dies that coordinate 

Please hop through the blogs and be inspired by the work of the talented Inspiration and Educator teams! Leave a comment for each designer and you could win a Folio Journal die (as soon as it arrives!)

Join me and specials guests for a Facebook Live on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at noon Eastern. Comment on our Facebook Live and be eligible to win either the Mandela die or the Folio Pages, Pockets and Flowers die- two winners! 

Winners will be announced on the Facebook Live show on February 9 at 6:00 EST. 

We appreciate your love and support, friends!