So, I created an album using file folders.
I am always looking at ways to make a new album from scratch and this idea came to me while browsing through the school supply room!
1. The front cover already decorated with Amy Tangerine papers, stickers and stamps.
2. A view of the printed part of the file folders showing on the ends.
3. I began with 4 regular letter-sized file folders.
4. I cut them in half on the paper cutter. I actually cut them just off centre in order to preserve the natural curve of the folders.
5. This yielded 4 pieces of each of the two shapes resulting in a total of 8 pieces for my album.
6. After cutting, I was left with some funky peaks on the edges of both piles.
7. First, I took the right hand pile of folders and clipped the drastic swoop to make a right angle.
8. Then I used my corner rounder punch to make a smooth uniform curved corner on each of the folders.
9. Next, I took the left hand pile of folders and clipped the drastic swoop to make a right angle.
10. And once again, used my corner rounder punch to make a nice corner.
11. The finished right hand pile...notice that there were two corners to round on each file here.
12. The finished left hand pile...only one corner to round on each file here.
13. Next, I alternated a file from each pile. The files that have the printing on them stick out just a little farther so that they are visible along the right hand side of the album.
14. Notice that the height of the folders ends up different as well since I did not cut them exactly in half. I think this gives the album character. Of course, if you wanted uniformity, you could cut them exact, but then you would have to work with the corners a little differently than I did.
15. There are a number of ways you could choose to bind this album. I chose to use the coptic stitch, which I did in a yellow baker's twine. Using a Bind-It-All, binder rings or an accordion fold to create a spine would work just as well.
16. A view of the inside pages using the coptic stitch. I treated each file as a 'signature' when binding.
17. Another view of the coptic stitch. I chose this method because I like how the 'pages' (folders) stay flat when opened.
18. A finished view of the stitching along the spine of the album.
I had so much fun creating this album that I will probably make more! As well, I cannot wait to fill this album with a most fabulous story that will be documented in its pages!
I will share completed pages throughout the week...
