Hi everyone! Jeanne here today to share with you this Altered File Folder and Pocket Letter I created using the beautiful papers from Prima Marketing My Sweet collection!
The Beginning Process to Alter a Manilla File Folder
There is different ways that you can add pattern paper to the file folder. You can either adhere each side onto the pattern paper or you can trace each side of the file folder and cut it out. Then, adhere your pattern paper onto it which is what I did. However you wish to do it and is easiest for you.
Once I finished adding the papers onto the folder, I used my newly purchased stitch stamps from 49andMarket called “Gabi’s Line Stitch”. I used them using the Detail Ink from Brutus Monroe. Of course you can sew on a real stitch but these stamps I feel look pretty real . Once I was done with this, I cut another sheet to make a pocket. I used a decorative punch on it before adhering. Next, I thought I can add a short letter or even a tag or card can go in it or sending extra goodies like ephemera for example.
I had purchased the entire collection from Fotobella so I added some of the beautiful butterfly trim that came in this collection onto the front of the altered file folder. Also I used the flowers I had left from my DT package on the cover of the folder adding them around a chipboard piece that I was also sent. I then added some of the collections embellishments such as the metal scissors and the butterfly charms on the cover as well.
Onto the Pocket Letter
The pocket letter is pretty easy to complete, if you haven’t created one before, it really isn’t hard. You start off using a baseball card collectors sleeve, each section measures 2.5 x 3.5, so you cut the pattern paper to this size. I completed the front first then for the back, I chose one of the beautiful floral pattern papers from the 12x12 paper pads. When you create these to send to a crafty friend, you can add some goodies, ephemera, adding a short note or something about yourself.
The creator of these pocket letters is Janette Lane and here is a video where she lets you know what these are. A lot of you might already know about these pocket letters. For a while they were a big craze and seemed to have slowly vanished but there are many new people just beginning to craft or someone who just hasn’t created one yet.
The Final Step of the Altered File Folder
Back onto the front of the pocket letter, I added some of the ephemera that I was sent from the collection, then also adhered on some of the buttons from it as well. A while back I was sent some adorable wooden embellishments from a crafty friend that went perfect on this. I also propped up some of the ephemera pieces with foam dots for added dimension which I love doing this on my projects.
Before adhering the pocket letter onto the file folder, using my WeRMemory Keepers punch to make the holes where the pocket letter matches onto the folder, I then added some brads from an older Prima Marketing collection I had hoarded in my vault.
These are what I used to hold the pocket letter onto the file folder. Lastly , I made a small charm to hang from the pocket letter.
This project is a favorite of mine, I love creating these. Give it a try and let me know how you enjoyed creating yours. There are still My Sweet Bundles left at Fotobella to purchase. See ya next time!
XOXO,
Jeanne Rodriguez
Products used on this project: