The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge #8 A Study in Contrasts...Building Folder (with pun intended)!

   Happy Easter! Praise GOD that JESUS is risen! I'll play no games when it comes to this point: all my hope lay in the fact that we celebrate HIS death for the sole reason that HE conquered it once and for all time- for us. Otherwise, what would we have to look forward to that we can be sure of? This life is certainly meant to be - and is -beautiful, and a greater gift than life itself cannot be had. Yet, we will have troubles in this life. While I see brokenness in this world, I remind myself that there is always something we can do to help; pray! I'm doing my share of that and it's in my thoughts as I type this post. I know many people who are facing choices they'd rather not make, illness they'd rather not have, and feeling depression or loneliness they'd rather not go through. They've lost what they'd rather keep and cried more when they'd rather have laughed. I could go on, and none of it is anything new. What stands out is that each can say "But, it's happening to ME," and my heart breaks, even as I hold out hope. I've been there in most of those things mentioned above; that's why my hope is JESUS. And it's why we have Easter. It's not about the bunny, the chocolate, nor Peeps. Ohhh, but, hey... we like those, too! ;)

    When I need a lift, my smile returns at the mere thought of my Grandbabies. I am 100% positive I'm not the only grandma who feels that way! (I'm smiling just thinking about it!) So many of my peers are joining me in this "granny thing", and the numbers are growing by the day- literally! Just about all of our kids' classmates have recently begun their own families either by getting married or starting to fill the nursery. Most of the news of these "kids" (I think we will always think of them as kids even as we see how capable they have become as adults) somehow makes its way to me via SM, and it's a very good feeling to be able to type "Congratulations!" onto their feed. It's the best news in life; sharing news of LIFE! It was recently announced that one of our Besties is having their first Grandbaby; due the very week our own (likely) last Grandbaby is due. Then they announced it was a girl; how exciting! And we received our own news the very next evening (which was younger Son, Brett's 30th Birthday): he and Holli just had an ultrasound that morning: It's a GIRL!! How blessed we feel to have 2 boys and 2 girls!! I actually sat and cried that next afternoon when I realized how 'perfect' GOD chose to give to us: 10 in our family. "Ten" numerically means "complete". On the other hand, if it turns out that it's not....lol....there'll always be room for more nuts on the Larimore Family Tree. I'm thinking this one's an Almond. ;)

    The Funkie Junkie Boutique's newest Challenge is titled "A Study in Contrasts" with Lisa heading up this one. She's asking for us to highlight contrasts in our project, saying: "It could be themes, colors, textures or forms. We are looking forward to seeing your creative interpretations and juxtapositions of things that are contrasting!" I took on her idea in more than one way- scroll on!

My project began with one simple item- an old hanging file folder.

Get out your favorite cutting and scoring tools, and you're set to use your imagination!

I started by removing the metal hangars (carefully- they're usually pretty sharp)

and used the edges as a straight line to cut against for trimming off the folded edges.

I then set them out to the recycle barrel.

I kept the trimmed folded edges and sanded the cut sides a bit.

(Later, I'll wish I had sanded the inside glue residue- just to make sure it didn't end up in my photos!)

I set the trimmed, sanded edges aside and just from folding, knew I needed to trim off 

a bit more from one side of the folder's top or bottom. Otherwise, it would overlap.

I knew I wanted to keep as many of the folds already there as possible.

So I chose 2 of those folds- the top (opposite of the excess trimmed top)

and the very last fold of the bottom.

As for making other folds: I wanted 2, so I scored at 5 inches and 10 inches.

You'll note from the photo above that the very far right is wider- to fold into 3 parts.

The key to getting any fold to lay flat: cut 'darts' or a V shape instead of just cutting straight.

This gives each edge some room when you fold them into the same shared space.

This means cutting that dart (or V shape) at each fold.

You can see I used my TH Sheers for this- to make one longer, smoother slice, rather than

using a shorter set of blades and shorter movements. 

It was pretty easy to just follow the folded line, cutting along each side.

 

This is what I had when I finished the folding and cutting.

As completely folded.

I originally thought I might use my 3D Folders-

I'd gotten caught up with inspiration from TFJB's Saturday Showcase,

but space became a factor causing me to keep my inside design flat.

I wanted one pocket and this is where those cut off folded edges came in...

...one on each side, with the bottom folded up: a nice big pocket!

I still had one more cut off edge, so I took a 'page' from Tim Holtz' Folio

(which I have one for each Grandchild made up, and 2 more saved back, "just in case"

I got more...lol!)

and decided to put in extra pages here.

You'll see these in the finished photos below.

And then I got out some of my fave patterns of Tim paperie;

and began simply measuring each page for its cover paper.

I waited until very LAST to adhere all the paper covers onto the folder parts.

The folder would have expanded and made it harder to design the front and back.

I actually did this last, but stuck the photo in at this point.

Inking some contrasting color along all the Tim paper edges and corners.

I did this by holding each in one hand, instead of flat on the Glass Mat.

That way, the color stood out more starkly, or so I thought.

After heat-drying each of the covers, I set them all aside so I could work on the

front and back covers of the folder while it was as flat as possible.

The first thing I did: use one of my fave TH Stamp Sets (Architecture).

After seeing this same stamp used by an entry in the last Challenge:

Jo, at Let's Art Journal

I made a decision after that "Blustery Challenge" to use my stamps and stencils more.

Practice makes perfect, only if I try!

I fell in love with her embossed stamping that stood out yet stayed in the background,

and thought it was a good start to handle.

I actually managed to stamp and emboss each only ONE TIME successfully,

without two tons of rethinking each move. Progress!

Thanks, Jo, for that inspiration!!

That gave me one part of my planned contrast in textures.

Next up: stencil practice- for more texture contrast.

This is always fun for me, but challenging to decide where and how much to use it.

I'm deciding to JUST DO IT and live with what it is.

Being picky can come later- after mastering not making a complete mess, lol.

You'll note here: the TH Stencil is actually backwards...

...that was done so I could flip it and match the two sides together.

After it dried, I used my TH Sander to rub a bit off where it met together and smooth it out.

Some edging done in Distress Ink to the stamped image, 

and Distress Crayon to the Window and Quote Chip...

...more Distress to the metal IdeaOlogy pieces, and a bit of (retired) Distress Emboss

for rusty Mini Gears... adding to the conrasting texture- as well as 

CONTRASTNG COLORS for that 'pop' needed.

The leftover from all the cutting whispered to me that it all wanted to be

used as inserts for more journaling/photo space inside the folder.

Yeah, I'm deaf.

But I swear to you; this stuff TALKS to me!! ;)

Instead of making them into Tags, I got out the TH Tiny Attacher to keep

the smaller pieces together with a larger. It also helped keep everything flat.

My main Tools and Materials:

(Click on the wording for info link.)

Prima Marketing Peach Tea Flowers

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Baseboards Window Frames

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Paper Dolls Solo

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tiny Clips

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Vintage Flair (Buttons)

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Grit Paste Opaque (New Packaging)

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Ground Espresso

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Saltwater Taffy

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Salvaged Patina

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Pad - Squeezed Lemonade

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Picket Fence

Sizzix Tim Holtz 3-D Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Mini Mechanics

Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tiny Attacher

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Palette Knives 2pc

Tim Holtz Tonic Studios 9.5" Black Kushgrip Titanium Shears

The Finished Project

We've been doing more "building"- mostly fixing things that need being redone

here in the Indiana house. Hopefully, we'll get both the inside and outside projects caught up before the summer gets here and allows us time to spend with family and friends.

You can tell- from my choices here- it's been on my mind. 

I played with the wording since it was both building the folder as well

as being a "Building Folder" where I could tuck in notes or photos along the way.

I scrubbed some of that yummy TH Distress Oxide in Salvaged Patina across this

after using the Tim Holtz 3D "Mechanics" Texture Fade (regular size).

(I listed the Mini -which I found available- above.)

Yes; I did choose to leave some parts uncovered.

This file folder had a nice shade of brown, whereas the rest of them I had

were all a greenish color. So I was tempted to leave some of the brown showing.

Fully opened...

...with flipping pages in the upper right corner panels.

YES! I couldn't resist the matching shade of Tim's newest Distress color Saltwater Taffy!!

These little blossoms are just the perfect touch here- so SPRING!

The color contrasted so nicely with TH Distress Paint Salvaged Patina used on the Industrial piece.

 Those same Peach Tea Prima Marketing as used in my previous projects:

The Funkie Junkie Boutique Saturday Showcase

and

TFJB Challenge #7 April Showers Bring May Flowers

Tim's IdeaOlogy Paper Dolls are just too much fun!

I was very pleased it worked out well as a flat folder that could show off some nice photos.

Now it's YOUR TURN!

Grab one of those old files and use it for the backing

- keep it simple, or go for more complicated than I did.

Stack on some layers of contrasting papers, colors, or textures.

Add a few bits and bobs, and ribbon for some fun.

Write in a sentiment, and you've got an instant card for a gift!

It's that easy!

Be sure to follow the simple rules and upload a photo of your make at 

The Funkie Junkie Challenge Blog "A Study in Contrasts"

YOU could win a $25 GC

Sponsored by:

The Funkie Junkie Boutique

THANKS! for all the LOVE in likes and SWEET comments for all my recent projects!

I've been so inspired by so many hugely talented folks out there,

so I must give credit where it's due; it's all about sharing ideas!

I hope my take on these makes inspire others to take up their

tools and go one step...or more...further!

GOD willing; there's always more to come. ;)

Until next time...

Stay Safe &

HAPPY BLOGGING!