Sugarplum Patchwork: Art Journal File Folder Tutorial

February 19, 2015

Art Journal File Folder Tutorial

I've been so inspired by the girls over at The Documented Life Project and so I am playing along - even though I'm getting a late start. It doesn't bother me that I'm behind with the art journal projects - rather it makes me excited that there are all these challenges waiting on me!

I have been a fan of Roben-Marie for a long time so I decided to combine one of her mail art tutorials with the first lesson in DLP. This video of turning a regular file folder into a work of mail art was so inspiring I just had to get my paint covered hands on one. I put together this little step by step tutorial to share what I did. Enjoy!

The challenge for week one is - book paper
and the prompt is - be your own goal keeper.

I started with a regular old file folder. I collaged book paper to it; trimmed it off even with the folder and painted over the book paper with white acrylic paint
.

Then it was time to add color. I combined blue and lime green acrylic paint
.

Then added some pink circles and scribbled with a black Inktense pencil which I wet with a brush.
I followed that up with some doodles using a white paint pen and a black colored pencil. I stamped "be your own goal keeper" with black ink.

Stitching around the sides and bottom finished it off. I left the top open.

I like making my journal pages loose as opposed to working in a journal sometimes, so I will use this folder to safeguard my goals, any inspirational quotes or images that tie into my goals as well as notes about any plans for accomplishing the goals.

And I like that they are contained and not just out there for all eyes to see. I can pull this folder out anytime I need a reminder of what I want to achieve.