May - Make the most of yours stash

 Making the most of your stash 

Project 5 - 12 x 12 papers

On YouTube recently I have read several blogs on using up your stash, and in particular I was taken with one from The Posh Paper Lady, who is advocating shopping from your stash. So instead of seeing a project you want to try and going out to buy the papers for it, look at your stash and “Buy” the papers from your own pile. The blog goes on to discuss the need (or not) of having the latest papers to work with and how really papers from your stash are never outdated as they are your style.   

So for the next couple of blogs this month making the most of your stash is going to be all about making projects with what you already have. 

Todays Project

Using your 12 x 12 Papers

As you know I have had a tidy up recently and now have a pile of part used 12 x 12 paper pads as well as over-stock of papers. I had put a few bundles on Ebay but since preparing for this blog I have decided to use the bulk to make up items and when I am able I will have a Table at a Craft fair and sell them all for Charity. 

The first one will Blitz the stash nicely. 

Folio Envelopes 

These are simple and quick to make and very useful to file your papers, vouchers etc. 

You can put 3-5 together to make a little gift 

Take a sheet of 12 x 12 

Score at 1” and 6.5”

Turn and score at 3/4” and 10.25” 

Fold the first score lines into the middle and burnish 

Fold the top and bottom score line down and burnish 

Unfold to cut away as shown below

You can then fold the left side in and either glue the right flap over the fold or under the fold if you do not want the seam to show. I like to show the seams and so I glue it on the inside of the flap to fold it over the outside of the envelope and the same with the bottom flap 

Then using a 1” punch cut 2 circles from the cut-offs and place a hole in the middle of the 2 circles. Add a brad to hold the 2 together and before gluing down on the flap put your bone-folder or nail between the 2 circles and run around so that your butchers string or ribbon will tire around easily.

Glue the double circle to the middle of the flap 

Get your butchers string or fine ribbon  and wrap around the envelope 2.5 times and wind around the brad between the 2 circles and tie once; wind back the other way and tie off again cutting the end off neatly to the edge of the circle. 

You can either wind the thread around the bottom of the envelope or across the front and back of the flap, to fasten the envelope down 

I love these folios so much I made a whole bunch, and as I had some pretty thin 12 x 12 papers from K & Co I glued 2 sheets together to make stronger storage folios. 

They make great storage for certificates or paperwork that is to be kept long term such as deeds etc. 

As well as these I have made a basic Stationery folder with Notelets and envelopes.

Take a 12 x12 sheet and fold up 5” from the bottom, and then fold in half. Burnish the folds so that the centre lies flat. You can decorate the inside by marking 2” down on flap at and drawing a line to the top of the fold on the outer edges, then cut this piece off. Add some ribbon, lace or decorative paper 1cm wide along the angled edge as a contrast.

For the notelets cut 2 pieces of 12 x 12 into 4” strips which will give you 6 4” by 6” notelets. You can make envelopes for them if you have an envelope maker, or you can readily buy 6 x4 envelopes. 

Glue a narrow strip on the inside of the folded up flaps and add a small amount of glue to the centre fold of the flaps to make your pockets.

Decorate the front of the folder. I have added a matching piece of card to the front under which I have placed some ribbon to tie the folder together.

 This is a basic folder

 With notelets and purchased envelopes

 While this one has been decorated

 I have made my own envelopes and a little notepad to match.

The last project is one of the first mini-books i made. I think it was called Nanna’s Brag book and can be made from one sheet of 12 x 12.

Score the card at 3,6,9” turn and do the same again, Gives you a 4 x 4 grid

Cut the first and 3rd score lines from the top to the bottom of the third square 

Cut the 2nd score line from the bottom to the bottom of the 1st square 

From the left side fold pieces together until you get to the end and then fold back to run along the next line., keep going until you reach the other end, you now have the paper concertina’d into a 3 x 3 book. Start from one side unfold a page and glue down the 2 pages together then fold over and do the next 2 pages. By gluing page by page you can see easily which flaps to glue, take it steady through the book or you may not have the pages lined up properly.

for the outside of the book cut 2 decorative pieces of card 3 1/4” square and glue to the front and back lining up with the left side not going over that edge or the book will not open correctly. Before gluing down you can add a piece of matching ribbon to the front and around the back. These books hold 16 small photos, enough for any nan to show off the grandchildren. Or it could be used for class mates on leavers day etc.

Mine will go out as Happy Mail. 

Well thats just a few ideas to smash your 12 x 12 papers 

You could also make gift bags see Sam Calcott’s YouTube videos, perfect for Christmas papers

https://youtu.be/WGoU3cBJX_M

Back next month with small gifts to make, and use up your stash.

Happy Crafting

Dee