Tri-Fold Ephemera Folder

Hey all. Kelly Boler from Book and Paper Arts, one of our amazing Mixed Media Design Team Members, created a captivating Mixed Media Tri-Fold Ephemera Folder for us this week. As you know, we feature one new Mixed Media project each week created by one of our creative team of artists. We want you to be totally inspired by this series! Therefore, please make sure you check out the video tour at the bottom of the page…please scroll all the way down to see it. Are you ready to be inspired? I will step out of the way and let Kelly tell you all about her charming techniques…

Mixed Media Ephemera Folder

This month’s mixed-media design project is a very Portable Tri-Fold Ephemera Folder. This Mixed Media clutch with pockets everywhere is handy for storing your paper goodies whether you are traveling, on a vacation, or during your lunch hour at work! Load it up with your favorite things, throw in your handbag or tote, and you have a mini-paper studio on hand at all times.

The folder is created from 12” x 12” double-sided card from a scrapbook pack. (You can also use any cardstock or even heavy watercolor paper and then decorate it yourself.) Some simple cutting, folding, and gluing creates an amazing amount of storage space in a convenient size.

Ephemera Used

Inside I added pockets, pouches, and tuck spots to hold an array of Graphics Fairy treasures, so that there are layers to uncover and discover.

To start with, I glued journal pocket from the Bohemian Ephemera bundle into the folder itself.

I also printed up envelopes from the Premium Members site. There are hundreds of Printables on the site. If you dive into the Envelopes, you will find dozens of sizes, shapes, and designs of pre-fab envelopes and pockets. There I found this envelope from the Tropical Leaves bundle, which I then printed on tracing paper for added translucence that adds depth (and organization) by allowing you to see what is inside. I found another mini-ephemera envelope in the Mini Ephemera Pieces bundle. It is also pre-formated and only needs to be printed, cut out, and then glued at the tabs for a beautiful storage space.

Even More Gorgeous Ephemera

With pockets in place it is now time to get to the good stuff! Cards (mostly in an ATC size) of Distressed Paper Stacks from the Blank Paper Ephemera bundle and Script Backgrounds from the Grunge Texture Pack bundle were used for size and color palette. I used them either “as is” for collage backgrounds or for rough tearing, adding the bits here and there.

This also works well with the Vintage Postcards from the Rusty & Distressed Textures bundle  with some Altoid tin size cards from the Yellow Ephemera bundle. I also used oversized tags from the Olde World Maps bundle and goodies from the Marbled End Papers bundle. After that, I added a small coin folder with tickets from the Birds & Nest Ephemera bundle then glued a ticket outside to help me find them!

I love these Mini File Folders from the Red & White Floriculture Images bundle. They are small, but this makes them the right size for holding something even smaller.

Wings for Added Fun to the Tri-Fold Ephemera Folder

Since you can’t have too many wings, I added some from one of the Collage Sheet Printables from the Ballerina Fairies bundle. I put them in a handmade pocket made from tracing paper.
Finally, I tucked in some Safari washi tape from this African Safari bundle also printed on tracing paper, although it also works well on conventional or sticky paper. And there you have it!

Your portable paper studio on the go. Stay tuned to the Premium Member site for a video tutorial on how to create your own ephemera folder.

Mixed Media Tri-Fold Ephemera Folder Show & Tell

To see a short video of my Portable Ephemera Folder on The Graphics Fairy’s YouTube channel:

I like to use stock my folder with a variety of sizes and shapes of paper to work with in my illustrated journal when I am on the go.

Let me know if you have any questions. Please visit my website: Book and Paper Arts where you can subscribe to my online book and journal arts newsletter. Feel free to follow more of my book art on Instagram @bookandpaperarts or check out my YouTube channel.

Kelly