Lilac Whisper Celebration Folio Tutorial: 2017/18 Kaisercraft Design Team Application

Hello, Friends!  Today I get to share a secret that has had me bursting at the seams.   A couple of weeks ago, I was notified by the lovely folks at Kaisercraft that I had made it past the first round auditions for the 2017/18 Kaisercraft Design Team. I came home from my beach vacation to find a gorgeous box of Kaisercraft paper pretties waiting for me.   Imagine my delight when I found the shabbylicious Lilac Whisper Collection lovingly tucked inside.!  My assignment?  Create anything I like using the product provided and write a detailed blog post.  And that’s what today’s post is all about.  I’m halfway home, my friends!  Grab a cuppa and a snack and let’s get this party started!

Soft as Springtime: Lilac Whisper Celebration Folio

Lilacs have a special place in my heart because they played a big role in my childhood.  They always bloomed in time for Memorial Day. Some of the lilac bushes in my native Vermont  grew to be as large as trees, and the branches fairly groaned with the fragrant purple blossoms and heart shaped green leaves.  I used to gather them by the armful, dripping with dew to make bouquets for my mother when I was a girl.  I tried to capture all those special memories in this LIlac Whisper Celebration Folio.

This box style folio measures 5.25″ wide x 7.25 inches tall.  It has a 1″ spine, and a second 1/4″ spine.  Birthdays are something we have a lot of during the summer months, so I went with a birthday celebration theme.  My thought behind the design was to create a special box with a hidden birthday card that would also serve as a place to preserve photos and souvenirs from the event.  I designed the folio especially for this paper collection, and I can wait to share it with you.  Before I share the video tutorial and tour with you, I’d like to share a few detail photos.

Lilac Whisper Cover Details

To begin, I cut apart several images from the Well Wishes paper.  Then I distressed the edges and inked them with Pumice Stone Distress Ink or Dusty Concord Distress paint.  Next, I matted them onto Kaisercraft Weave Cardstock.  The base layer is machine stitched onto cardstock.  Then I painted a piece of Kaisercraft corrugated cardboard with Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender and Shaded Lilac Distress Paints.  I tapped Kaisercraft paper flowers with these same paints to add a distressed, shabby chic feel to the design.

Next, I layered all the separate parts onto the album cover, using foam spacers to add depth and dimension to the design.  Shaded Lilac Collectables and Mini Wood Flourishes add texture, visual interest and beauty to the cover.  Finally, I added Kaisercraft flat back pearls, ribbon, and a burlap string bow to complete the design.

A Peek Inside

The folio opens just like a top fold card would.  But inside, there are treasures galore!

First, I decorated the inside cover with designer paper, floral stickers and a sweet little pocket . To make the pocket, fussy cut the florals from the designer paper.  Then, Ink the edges with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.  Next, glue just the flat bottom edge to the base of the page.  Now, you can tuck little paper pretties into the pocket.

Keeping it Together

After some careful thought, I decided that a belly band was the best option for holding this gatefold folio closed.  After cutting a 2″ strip of designer paper, I distressed and inked the edges.  Then I cut a slightly wider piece of Kaisercraft Lavendar Weaves Cardstock.  Next, I glued the designer paper to the cardstock.  Then I added the pretty floral sticker border, a matted Collectables and a lovely lilac butterfly to complete the belly band.

Open the Gates

Gatefold designs like this one add so much drama and excitement to a design.  I always feel as though I’m watching the curtain rise on a stage production as each part unfolds to reveal even more beauty.

Flaps and Fold Out Features

Once the gatefold is open, you find this pretty little fold down flap. It makes me think of a drawbridge, for it folds down to reveal the hidden birthday card inside the folio.

Here’s a sweet little pocket filled with tags!

Paper scraps make great tags!  Use a corner punch to round the bottom edge.  Then use another corner punch to shape the top.  Punch a 1/4″ hole, thread ribbon through it, and decorate with little bits and pieces of paper.  Every scrap of this collection is beautiful, so you will want to use it all.  And, there’s room in the pocket to add a gift card, movie tickets or small wrapped chocolate as an extra surprise.

At the Center of it All

At the very center of this Shaded Lilac Celebration Folio, you’ll find a secret pocket.

The pocket holds a beautiful birthday card…

…with a hidden tag pocket on the front. I used the Blossom Mini Designer Template to add texture paste to the upper right hand corner of the card.

Here’s a peek inside the card.

How to Make a Pocket

To create this pocket page, follow these easy steps.

First, cut a 5  x 7 rectangle from Mist Designer paper.  Mat it on a slightly larger piece of Sage Weaves Cardstock.

Then, cut a 6″ wide x 3.5″ tall rectangle from Elephant Ears Weaves Cardstock.  Score 1/2″ on the bottom and on both sides.  Burnish to crease, then miter the corners with your scissors, as seen here.

Now, add a bit of adhesive where the corners meet.

Next, cut a 4 7/8″ wide x 3″ tall rectangle from Mist designer paper.  Glue to the front of the pocket.

Then use a 1 3/8″ circle punch to add the thumb hole to the center of the pocket.

Next, glue the pocket to the base of the 5×7 panel. Then decorate the pocket with border stickers, a matted sentiment, painted Mini Wood Flourishes and a Mini Paper Rose.

Finally,  center the entire panel and glue in place.  Adding these pockets to a card, folio or album is such a quick process and it really amps up the fun factor.  Everyone loves to pull something pretty from a pocket!

Lilac Whisper Celebration Folio Video Tutorial on YouTube

Would you like to make your very own Lilac Whisper Celebration Folio?  This YouTube Video tutorial will guide you through the process of building the base.  I also share lots of tips and tricks that will help you along in your own crafty adventures during the video tour of the folio.  I hope you enjoy!

You’ll find a complete supply list with product links below.  Thanks so much for joining me here today.  And huge thanks to Kaisercraft for considering my application for the 2017/18 Kaisercraft Design Team.  Wish me luck!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List and Product Links

Kaisercraft Products

• Lilac Whisper Paper Collection ( Due out in July)
  • Opal
  • Echo
  • Mauve
  • Well Wishes
  • Mist
  • Hydrangea
  • White Wood
  • Illusion
  • Jade
• 12×12 Lilac Whisper Sticker Sheet
• Lilac Whisper Collectables
• Elephant Ears 12×12 weave cardstock/ 3 sheets
• Sage 12 x 12 weave cardstock/1 sheet
• Coconut 12×12 weave cardstock/1 sheet
• Lavendar 12×12 weave cardstock/1 sheet
• Spearmint 12×12 weave cardstock/1 sheet
• 12 x 12 Corrugated Cardboard
• Garden Themed Mini Wood Flourishes
• Roman Clock Face Wooden Flourishes
• Borders Wooden Flourishes
• Bird Cages Wooden Flourishes
• Sage Mini Paper Blooms
• Misty Paper Blooms
• Blossom Mini Designer Template (coming soon!)
• Kaisercraft Self Adhesive Pearls

Other Products from my stash

• Distress Paint: Shaded Lilac, Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender
• Pumice Stone Distress ink and Blending Tool
• Wilted Violet Distress Oxide Ink
• Dreamweaver Embossing Paste
• Tattered Angels Mountain Mist Glimmer Mist
• 1/4″ Scor-Tape
• Scoring Tool
• Ribbon, Buttons and Trim