These little folders are really easy to make if you have a paper trimmer, a scoring board or a means of scoring the paper and some basic supplies like glue, scissors and ribbon. I can’t take the credit for the idea however, I received my first ATC from the swap I’m taking part in and the lady that sent me the ATC sent it in one of these little folders that she had made, so thank you Carolynne for giving me the inspiration!
I think these folders make the sent ATC’s look nicer than just popping them in an envelope, and they add something to the ‘Happy Mail’ factor of sending an ATC. Plus if you keep the sentiment neutral, the recipient can reuse the folders to put a gift card in, or for sending another ATC to someone else. You can also use them yourself for gift cards which is what I've started to do, decorating the folders to reflect the hobbies/interests of the recipient.
To make my folders I used both 200gsm and 160gsm, of the two weights I prefer the 160gsm mainly because I discovered that 200gsm card or thicker cracked along the folded edge, which made the folder look rough and messy.It's also good if your chosen paper has a pattern either side, but this is not essential, if your card/paper only has a pattern on one side make sure you have the right side facing out when you make your fold.
To create a folder cut a piece of card stock or thick paper to the following measurements: -
Width = 20cm
Height = 10cm
Score and fold the piece in the middle at the 10cm point, then fold and run the back of a bone folder/scoring tool on the fold to make it nice and defined.
Round off the corners of left and right side opening edges, front and back, you can skip this step if you want straight edges - I used my Xcut 5mm (S) Corner Punch. Put this piece to one side for the minute and create the inside pocket.
To create the pocket, take a piece of card stock or paper that matches the outside of the folder or contrasts with it and cut it to 10cm wide by 6.5cm tall.
Score a 1cm border along 3 sides (bottom, left and right) crease and fold, open the fold up again and trim the corners away.
Glue the 2 sides and fold the bottom piece up so it becomes attached to the sides, hold it in place whilst the glue dries. Once dry add some glue to the bottom folded in piece and the two sides, line the pocket up with the centre and bottom of the inside panel, and press down, apply pressure and leave to dry.
Once the glue has dried you’re ready to decorative your folder, you can stamp on the front or add a label or any embellishments you desire, I added a die cut that I stamped a sentiment on. You can close the folder in the way you would a card and call it finished, or do like I do and punch holes in both sides of the folder and put a little ribbon through and tie it to close. I've also made some small envelopes big enough to take ATC's and some 4" x 4" envelopes that fit these folders perfectly.
I've not been doing a lot of card making lately, I'm rewriting a course to teach youngsters about the history of robots and been off visiting Oxford and doing the Christmas present shopping lark.
