OLW: Karla's Tip/Technique

Karla's Tip

Do More With Page Protectors!

For my tip today I wanted to show you guys how to make page protectors work for you. Sometimes I'm working on a project and I wish my page protector would be broken into several in one or I wish that it could be a smaller size. Well, you can make that happen! The main thing you'll need is a sewing machine and you'll be making custom page protectors in no time! I started on my Week In The Life album and I'll be using this technique for each day.

Supplies:

* Page protectors. In this project I used 8 x 8 Pioneer protectors

* X-ACTO or craft knife

* Self healing mat

* Mechanical or sharp pencil

* Ruler preferably see through for scoring

* Sewing Machine (not shown)

*Embellishments, photos and papers. All pattern paper in this project is from Collage Press.

What to do:

1.) Put your protector down and with a ruler + pencil, score your protector. I made my first score vertically 2 inches in. Don't put to much pressure into it. Just enough to make a good mark.

2.) Here is my protector with all my scored lines. You can see them very well. For this one I decided to create 12 squares that are 2 inches in size.

3.) My sewing machine is hooked up where it would be difficult to photograph :) But all you're going to do next is sew along those lines. I used a strait stitch with white thread.

4.) It's hard to see here but your going to use your knife + ruler to cut a slit at the top of each square (excluding the top row squares because their tops are already open) What you're doing is making a pocket out of each square. You want to go all the way through both layers of the protector. Do not cut through any stitches. Cut close but not through.

5.) When you have made all of your cuts you should have 12 pockets. Here I put a piece of patterned paper in one of the squares to give you an idea of what it would look like. I loaded the piece of paper from the top of the square through the slit I made. Even though, here, you can't see the slits they're there! That's the cool part about this technique...the wounds are hidden lol!

6.) Fill in the squares and your done! It's cool because I got to get in all my Monday photos in because each pocket can be filled front and back!

So...why not just put squares on a piece of paper? Well, you could most definitely do that and stick it in one protector and that would be just fine. But I like the look of the page underneath peeking through. It also comes in SUPER handy when you're wanting to add memorabilia. Like receipts, tickets, notes etc. You can make pockets for them and journal about them all with one sheet and you'll be able to pull the items out easily. You can change up the sizes of squares to fit your needs. Make rectangles. Cut the protector in half and sew the pieces back together to make two separate protectors. There are so many options :) And finally...because of the process. It's so satisfying to do this. It's all in getting there and this is one technique I love doing again and again.

Here is the finished entry in my album for Monday

I only have Mondays entry done so far and I know that on my other days; I will have different sized pockets all depending on the amount + size of pictures and items I want to include.

Here's an example with my sons Kindergarten album where I made the protectors smaller.

I staggered three smaller inserts to make a kind of album within the album. So yeah...have fun!

And don't forget submissions for the Creative Team call are due tonight, October 15th, Midnight Mountain Time! We will post the new team members on or around Oct. 29th.

Happy Scrappin'

-Karla

Comments

I love this idea! I see all kinds of possibilities here ...

Posted by: RaisingAlexis | October 15, 2008 at 04:14 AM

Thanks for a great tip and beautiful layouts!!!

Posted by: Avital | October 15, 2008 at 04:24 AM

Thank for the tips. Love your work on the album.

Posted by: Renee | October 15, 2008 at 05:27 AM

well done lil' grasshopper!---you're awesome!!!--love ya'---!!!

Posted by: EssenseVibez | October 15, 2008 at 06:26 AM

LOVE this tip.
I have used it a few times before and I think it is time to revisit it.
Your week in the life album is fabulous!

Posted by: Emilie Ahern | October 15, 2008 at 08:13 AM

Love this Karla!

Lynn

Posted by: Lynn | October 15, 2008 at 08:36 AM

This takes all the stress out of trying to find pocketed protectors. I really prefer your way, with all of the pockets being the same size. Wunderbar!

Posted by: caro | October 15, 2008 at 10:03 AM

that is so cute Karla! I have thought about doing that for a while but never actually done it! Now I know how, thanks!

Posted by: Joscelyne Cutchens | October 15, 2008 at 10:33 AM

Thanks for share!

Posted by: Giulia | October 15, 2008 at 01:48 PM

Here in Holland it's very difficult to find pocketed pageprotectors...until now! This is the perfect solution for my "problem"!
Thanks Karla for this great tip/technique!

Posted by: Ellemieke | October 15, 2008 at 01:55 PM

Love the tip Karla! I have soooo many extra of these laying around!! This would really be putting them to use!

I sent off my info for the creative team last night! I've got everything crossed that I can!! :)

Posted by: Heather V | October 15, 2008 at 02:09 PM

Love this! I think I just figured out how I am putting my week in my life album together!!!
THANK U

Posted by: Tina Schadone | October 15, 2008 at 03:41 PM

oh Karla...this is fabulous!! can't wait to try it out!!

Posted by: Leah | October 15, 2008 at 07:04 PM

Awsome idea !! LOVE IT :) and I love your album, very nice !!!!!!!

Posted by: Amie | October 15, 2008 at 07:46 PM

I love this idea, thanks for the tip!

Posted by: Paula | October 15, 2008 at 10:22 PM

super cool idea! I've been doing 6x12 and been looking for an album but couldn't find one, now i only have to sew my protectors in the middle ha! thanks a lot!!!

*hugs*

Posted by: Marix | October 16, 2008 at 02:27 AM