Authentique Solitude Waterfall Folio Tutorial

Hello, Friends!  If you’ve ever wished you knew how to create a folio, today’s post is just for you.  This Authentique Solitude Waterfall Folio Tutorial celebrates the beauty of winter in a fun, interactive design.

I have a thing for birds. They are so delicately beautiful…especially in the deep winter.  The Solitude Collection is filled with beautiful winter images, a rich color palette and stunning patterns.  I love it.  This 8 1/2″ x 6″ x 3/4″ folio is really simple to construct.  The base is made with just one sheet of 12″ x 12″ kraft cardstock and just a few simple score lines.  You’ll see how to make it in the video tutorial below.

Authentique Solitude Waterfall Folio Tutorial: Cover Details

I chose this gorgeous bird to serve as the focal image for my folio.  It is double matted on Cream and Blue Linen Artisan Cardstock.  Then I placed 3 layers of waste chipboard behind it to elevate it above the rest of the design.

TIP:  Back an image with more than one layer of foam tape or waste chipboard to make it stand out.  Height = prominence in a composition.  Think of how a king’s throne is always higher than everyone else in the room.  The same is true for design.

Burlap string adds a lovely rustic touch to the design.  Since I design my cover art before I adhere it to the base, this allows me to wrap the string around the left hand side with ease.  To add to the vintage winter vibe of this project, I strung a pair of Tim Holtz vintage ice skates from the burlap string bow.

 

TIP: For maximum visual impact, cluster your embellishments together around your focal image.  This little wood slice (from my son’s workshop) serves as a base for the altered rusty birdhouse, berries and “snowballs.”  By arranging my Little Birdie Margerry flowers, woodland tree and rusty pine tree, and Noble Peacock Seam Binding Bow in the same area, the eye is drawn to the image.

Authentique Solitude Waterfall Folio Tutorial: The Closure

Some of you have asked me how to create a ribbon closure, so I share that detail with you in the tutorial, too.

Authentique Solitude Waterfall Folio Tutorial: A Peek Inside

The inside features a 10 page waterfall cascade with a magnetic belly band closure on the left.  On the right, you’ll find a roomy pocket with a 4 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ folio.

Each page in the waterfall has room for a 3″ x 5″ photo.  I’ll show you how to build the waterfall and the magnetic belly band closure.  You’ll also learn how to add a simple flap and/or tuck spot element.

Then we will build this delightful tab top folio with a magnetic closure together.

I’ll show you how to maximize your patterned papers and create a clever work around for short pages.

There is room for a large photo mount on the pocket page, too.  And plenty of room for extra photos in the pocket.

Authentique Solitude Waterfall Folio Tutorial on YouTube

So are you ready to get your craft on?  I think you will really enjoy this video tutorial as I cover a lot of basic techniques that you will be able to use in any folio design for any occasion.

You’ll also see me make a really BIG mistake…and learn how to recover from it!  No one is perfect when it comes to crafting.  Mistakes happen!  The key is knowing how to think on your feet and get a project back on track when a “craftastrophe” happens!  

I’ve also created a linked supply list and a cutting guide for your convenience.  You’ll find them below the signature in this post.

I hope I’ve shared some tips, techniques and inspiration that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Authentique Solitude Waterfall Folio Tutorial Supply List

*Please note: I’ve provided product links whenever possible.  However, some items from my stash are no longer available.  Use a substitute from your own stash for these items.  Thanks!

Authentique Paper:

• Solitude 12″ x 12″ Collection Kit  (includes cardstock components)
• Artisan Cardstock in Blue Linen (5 sheets) and Cream Linen (1 sheet)

Other Supplies:

100# Kraft Cardstock/1 piece, 1/2″ Scor-Tape, Scoring Tool, Bone Folder, Basic Grey Small Magnets/2 positive, 2 negative; 30″ champagne netting ribbon, Noble Peacock Seam Binding Ribbon, Little Birdie Ivory Margerry Flowers, Mini Woodland Tree, Rusty Pine Tree, Rusty Snowflake, Rusty Birdhouse (retired), Tim Holtz Ice Skates (retired), Wood Slice from my son’s workshop, Picket Fence Distress Paint, Mini Pearl Prills, Berries from the floral department, Ranger Grit-Paste, Stampendous Shaved Ice, Mini Wooden Clothespin, Natural Burlap String, Art Institute Dries Clear Adhesive

Authentique Solitude Waterfall Folio Tutorial Cutting Guide

Kraft Cardstock for Covers: (2) 11″ x 6″ panels

Blue Linen Artisan Cardstock: (4) 8 3/8″ X 5 7/8″ panels, two for covers, two for inside covers

Birch Pattern Solitude Eight: 92) 8 1/8″ x 5 3/4″ panels to line inside covers

Waterfall Folio: (10) 4″ x 5 3/4″ panels of Blue Linen Artisan Cardstock

Waterfall Liner Papers: (19) 3 3/8″ x 5 5/8″ panels of various patterned papers

Belly Band: 9″ x 2″ Blue Linen.  Liners are 5 3/4″ x 1 7/8″ and you will need 2

Folio Insert: (2) 4 1/4″ x 12″ panels of Blue Linen Cardstock

Folio Liners:

• (2) 4 1/4″ x 4 1/2″
•  (3) 4 1/4″ x 6 1/8″
• (3) 4 1/4″ x 5 7/8″
• (3) 4 1/4″ x  2″ for tuck spots