Laminated folders and pouches

 Hi Crafters

Today I have a fun project and one that would make a useful gift for anyone. We all use storage folders to hold our bills, receipts, notes etc, and these are laminated for harder wear. 

It was fun to do some masculine styled projects. I have used a DCWV 12 x 12 paper pad. I love the bold prints and retro look to the papers.

Fist I made yet another gift bag, I seem to have to make one from every 12 x 12 pad I open. Then I decided to do some laminated projects, and thought it would be good to make a couple of sets for the men in my life. 

This is a quick and simple project  and you could use up any odd sheets of 12 x 12. I am giving instructions on using 2 sheets of 12 x 12 as it is the most economic way use of papers and laminating pouches. You will get 1 folder and 2  pouches and even a small card holder from 2 sheets

You will need:

2 sheets of 12 x 12                                                                                2 A4 laminating pouches                                                             Either some sort of popper set or you could use velcro dots.

Cut each sheet of 12 x 12 the same way

1 piece 7.5" by 12" leaving a piece 4.5" x 12" 

With the pieces cut at 7.5" wide cut them both at 8" ,this will leave you 2 pieces measuring 4" x 7.5".With one of these pieces cut a 1.5" x 7.5" strip to make the flap of the folder and one piece 1" x 3.75" (this will make the flap for the card holder. 

You will also have 2 pieces 4.5" x 12" and these you cut into 2 to make the 2 pouches.

Plug in your laminater, and while it is warming up place the 2 folder pieces right side out and slide them into the sheet making sure they are exactly even all the way around, place the 1.5" strip ( you may like to curve the top corners with a corner punch) into the folder, placing it 1/8" above the other pieces and with the right side down.

With the 2 pouches place them outsides showing and lay them side by side in the laminating pouches .

When your machine is up to temperature put the 2 pouches through keeping them straight.For the folder cut around the shape leaving 1/4" gap to secure the seal. Now lay flat on your crafting surface and take a sharp pointed craft knife and nick into the top of the folder where there was a gap for the flap, there will be a natural air pocket here and your knife should slip into it. do  not press down or you will  go through both sides. Once your knife has found the slit, slip it along the width of the top of the card, this will form your folder.

 Happy Crafting

Dee