Useful Folder/Memory Book

Hi Crafters

As I am preparing for the Craft Day on the 16th, I gather up templates, stamps and dies, make samples and then have a desk full of tools and samples that need storing for the workshop.

I came across this folder on YouTube, I first saw it made by Lyriclover, for her Christmas Fayre and it is a great way of using up scrapbook paper pads. All crafters have their stash of paper pads and after making a couple of projects the remainder of the pad gets put back in the cupboard.

These Memory Books or files are very useful to store dies by themes, gather up tools and templates for a crop or workshop like I am doing, or if you have a friend or family member that you want to make a gift for, make the file and add matching photo mats and personalise for the recipient. The files will hold plenty of standard  size photographs, so perfect for a special occasion memory book.

The one I have made has a simple ribbon finish as I am filling it up so need the folder to be expandable, the ribbon allows me to close the folder no-matter how much  I add. If you were doing it as a gift you could decorate the cover, and add little extras to the inside pages, such as decorated paperclips and die cut words & phrases for their journalling.

This folder requires 4 sheets of 12 x 12 card preferably double sided although you could decorate the inside if you had single sided.

If you are making it into a memory book you will need 8-16 pieces of coordinating card 5" x 8"

1. Take each sheet of 12 x 12 and score in half turn and score at 9" make sure any pattern is in the right direction before scoring. Do this for all 4 sheets
2. Fold and burnish all score lines so that the flaps fold up 

1. At the centre line of the fold up flap cut a  small V as this will allow the flap to sit well when the folder is closed. add strong tape or a thin line of wet glue to all the insides of the flaps and glue down
2. Next sit each piece on top of each other so that the 4 pieces make into a book. Choose the prints you like best to sit on the outside of the book. Glue each piece to the next so that the 3 inside pieces are glued together 
3. Cut a coordinating piece of card 9" but 2" card . Fold in half and glue all over the inside.
4. Placing the folded line in the middle of the back-seam of the book; glue one side down turn over and folding the strip over glue down the other side. This just adds some strength to the book edge. 

If you are making photo mats and decorating the inside, layer plain card with the matching pieces of 5" x 8" as this give somewhere to write the date and details of the photograph. Add decoration as desired.

The pictures above show the folder being filled with items needed at the workshop.

Happy Crafting 

Dee