Pumpkin Spice Folio – Fun Folds & Surprise Mini Album

Hello, G45ers!

 Welcome to a wonderful Wednesday here on the Graphic 45 blog!  Today's post features a stunning Pumpkin Spice Folio mini album done with our new Seasons collection.  Below you will find detailed photos of all the flaps and folds and tip all by our talented resident folio enthusiast and Brand Ambassador, Kathy Clement!  This folio is just in time for Thanksgiving so be sure to take lots of photos over this celebratory holiday to put them in your handmade mini to enjoy for years to come.  One of the beauties of the folio is that they are compact and quick to make, making them excellent for gifts.  Let's jump into all this delicious Pumpkin Spice! 

 

Weekly Blog Contest

Just leave a comment here on the blog, Instagram, and/or  Facebook to be entered to win! Up for grabs this week is a Place in Time – Deluxe Collector’s Edition, Home Sweet Home 12×12 Paper Pad,  Shabby Chic Metal Key Holes, Metal Door Plates & Knobs, and Ivory Mixed Media Album, an $80+ value.  The winner will be announced on the blog, Friday, November 24th, 2017.

 

Pumpkin Spice Folio

By Kathy Clement
 

“Fall is the season when I get bit by the baking bug.  I just love the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, apple and especially pumpkin wafting through my house.  Not only do these treats taste yummy, baking them makes everything feel warm and cozy.  The fall pages of the new Seasons collection are laden with beautiful pumpkin images.  Just as I cannot resist the urge to bake with pumpkin spice, I simply had to create this Pumpkin Spice Everything card folio.

 

Card folios are great to make because they double as gifts.  This 5” x 7”  top fold card base is made with a ¼” spine that allows me to add all kinds of goodies to the inside.  The card can also double as home decor.

 

When I trimmed out the 5” x 7” patterned paper from the “B” side of the 8” x 8” Autumn page, I was left with half of the floral wreath from the “A” side of the paper. I fussy cut this, popped it up on waste chipboard and used it to accent my focal image.

 

 

Tip: Add texture and dimension to a card design with ribbon, flowers, and textiles.  The faux canvas bow is topped with burlap string and burlap primroses from Petaloo.  I also tucked a couple of burlap leaves into the mix to add to the rustic feel of the card.

 

Tip:  Geometric dies offer a quick and easy way to create card layers.  This is especially fun when you mix and match shapes.  On this card, I cut a large circle from the striped Patterns and Solids Paper Pad.  The floral layer is cut with a fancy label die.  I matted each layer on brown cardstock, then staggered them on the card front with foam tabs between the layers.  Placing the border strips between the two patterns adds another layer of design. Matting each layer on brown cardstock helps the eye to see each pattern without becoming confused.

One of the reasons I enjoy making card folios is that it provides a great way for me to use up my scraps.  I have a blast figuring out clever ways to use up the lovely scraps on my work table.  They become pockets, gift card wallets, tag decor, or sometimes even small photo albums.

This thin strip of floral paper from Patterns and Solids was just the right width and length to serve as a side pocket. I used more scraps to create this pretty little tea bag wallet.  These are so easy to make. Just score a 4.5” x 7” strip of Patterns and Solids striped paper at 3” and 6”.  Fold on the score lines.  You’ll have a little 1.5” piece on the end.  Punch a thumb hole with a circle punch and glue just the sides down to form a pocket.  Then you can decorate it with pretty images and borders from the Autumn Collective pages.

 

You can tuck a tea bag, gift card, little note or individually wrapped chocolate into this cute pocket.  Now your card just became a gift!

 

The standard pocket on the bottom half of the card is a party all by itself.

The belly band on this Staples Kraft Tag is another scrap.  I tucked a smaller Staples ATC Alpha Tag behind it.  The pocket also holds a large ephemera card and a honey stick to go along with the tea bag.
 

 

Tip: Even tiny scraps can be put to good use.  I had just a 2” piece of border left over.  After cutting fishtail ends, I wrapped this around my honey stick, securing it with a removable glue dot. This makes the honey stick look so much more festive.The ATC tag is backed with another small scrap from the 12×12 Patterns and solids and decorated with a leftover border strip.  

 

Making a card folio allows you to transform a simple card into a lovely gift while using up that pile of pretty paper scraps at the same time.  That’s a win-win any time of the year!” ~Kathy

 

Graphic 45 Supplies:

 

• Seasons Collection
• 12 x 12 Autumn Collective
• 8×8 Autumn Collective
• 8×8 Autumn
• Brown Patterns from  Seasons 12×12 Patterns and Solids
• Seasons Ephemera Cards
• Decades Dark Cashmere Ink by ColorBox
• Staples Kraft Tag
• ATC Alpha Banner (Letter T for thankful)

 

Other Supplies:

• Petaloo Autumn Hues Briar Roses, Burlap Leaves
• Brown Faux Canvas Ribbon, Burlap String, ¼” Brown Gingham
• Tea Bag, Honey Stick (I get mine at the health food store), removable glue dot
• Scoring Tool, Circle Punch
• Stick pins, Mini Pumpkin, Vintage Button from my stash

 

Alpha Banner Sets Pinterest Board

 

Thank you for joining us for this Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice post by Kathy!  We hope you put all three of these tips to good use, and that you share your projects with us on Facebook and Instagram using the #Graphic45 hashtag.  Have a wonderful holiday weekend, enjoy your family, and be sure to carve out some time for creativity!  

 

Happy Papercrafting!