Graphic 45 Something Splendid Trifold Folio with Video Tour

Hello, G45’ers!  Today I have a sweet Graphic 45 Something Splendid Trifold Folio to share with you.  It traveled all the way to CHA in Phoenix last month.   I was thrilled to see it ion display in the G45 booth and to share it with the world in a Graphic 45 Facebook live.  Now I finally get to share this fun, interactive folio design with you on my blog.  Hooray!

I grew up reading Little Women…probably once a year all the way through high school.  So when Graphic 45 released the Little Women collection, my heart went pitty pat!  Since designing and creating folios has become my new passion, I worked up a special design to celebrate the release.

Graphic 45 Something Splendid Trifold Folio: The Basics

To make the base of this album, create two 7″ x 5″ side fold cards with a 1/2″ spine.   Then overlap the card bases, leaving the top of the center panel open.  This forms a lovely pocket that I filled with Black Alpha Banner Tags.

This image of Jo with her Professor stole my heart.  I just love the quote “Love is a great beautifier.”  How true!  Because this image really spoke to me, I decided to turn it into a pocket on the folio cover.  Here’s how to do that:

• First, trim the image to fit the folio cover.
• Then mat on black cardstock.
• Next add thin strips chipboard (or foam tape) to the top, bottom and left side of the black mat.
• Finally, position the pocket as seen in this photo and glue in place, leaving the right hand side open.

I’ve never created a folio with a pocket on the cover before, but I have to say, I love the way it looks!

Graphic 45 Something Splendid Trifold Folio: Filling the Pocket

You can create a lovely little bundle of paper pretties to tuck inside the pocket.  The back side of these ephemera cards are so pretty!  I cropped the corners and matted this 3″ x 4″ card on blac cardstock to create a unique photo mount/journaling spot.

This Black ATC Policy Envelope was very quick to dress up.  First, I trimmed a 3″ x 4″ ephemera card to fit.  Then I simply fussy cut around the two flower clusters to add a little dimension.  Next, I wrapped it around the policy envelope and glued in place.  Finally, I punched a hole and added the pretty Staples Ornate Key.  So simple, but so splendid!

This 4″ x 6″ image was treated in the same fashion as the ephemera card.  Cut it down to fit the pocket, crop corners and mat on black cardstock. I added an ornate label (retired) to dress it up.  The whole little bundle is held together with a hinge clip that I dressed up with a bit of black satin ribbon.

Graphic 45 Something Splendid Trifold Folio: A Peek Inside

Here I’ve used a Black Policy Envelope as a page.  Here’s how to add this to your folio:

• First, cut a 1″ wide strip of Orchard House paper the same width as the envelope base.
• Next, score it in half to form a hinge or flap.
• Now, glue one side of the flap to the envelope base and the other half to the folio base.  You’ve just turned the envelope into a page!

To form this pocket, simply score a page and fold back.  Then you can fill it with decorated Staples ATC tags.

The folio is mostly flat, so that it will close properly, but flat is not boring!  You can incorporate lots of interactive elements to keep things interesting!

Graphic 45 Something Splendid Trifold Folio: Finishing touches

Cover two Black Alpha Banner Tags with paper and fussy cut images.  I like to use the tags that have unusual letters like Q or W for this.  These tags fit nicely into the pocket formed by joining the two bases together.

I even added a waterfall feature to the folio.  The paper panels are die cut with a Spellbinder’s die, then matted on black cardstock.  I love the way the black elements in the folio make the patterned papers pop!

Graphic 45 Something Splendid Trifold Folio Video Tour

To help you get a feel for how all the various mechanisms work, I’ve created a short YouTube video tour.

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas 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

Graphic 45 Something Splendid Trifold Folio Supply List

• Little Women 12×12 Paper Collection:
  • Full Bloom
  • Sisterly Love
  • Something Splendid
  • Orchard House
  • Boundless Beauty
  • Time to Cherish
  • Literary Lessons
• Little Women Ephemera Cards
• Metal Staples
  • Ornate Metal Keys
  • Washi Tape‘
  • Ornate Label Holders
• Staples Tags
  • ATC Black Alpha Banners
  • Alpha Banner Black
  • Black ATC Tags
• Policy Envelopes
  • ATC Black Policy Envelope
  • Regular Black Policy Envelope

Other Supplies:

• Spellbinders Labels 8 Nestabilities Die
• Black Cardstock
• Black Satin Ribbon
  • 7/8″ Double Faced
  • 1/4″ Double Faced