2017 Calendar Folio Series - April

Each month, on the third Sunday of the month, I will release the tutorials for TWO (2) folios! As you can see, the April Folios are very LATE! After numerous mishaps, including Blogger eating my whole post on Wednesday...it is FINALLY time for the April Folios!

The April Folios are a beautiful combination of blue, peach, green, and yellow! I have added lots of flowers and spring motifs this month. I am really enjoying the Graphic 45 Children's Hour images!

I am continuing to use the Graphic 45 collections Place in Time (both the original collection and the new Deluxe Collector's Edition), Time to Flourish, and Children's Hour. I am using the 12x12, 8x8, and 6x6 pads, plus some of the other items from each collection. This month, we are also going to be using Sweet Sentiments (12x12 and 8x8) papers. This is a retired collection, but you may be able to find it on Ebay. See the full supply list below.

Please note: I am not using any of the pink papers from the collections. I found that the mango color from Children's Hour and the salmon pink from Time to Flourish and Place in Time were not compatible. Therefore, I had to use some extra sheets of the prints in the blue and green color scheme. I have a lot of paper in my hoard of Graphic 45. If you do not, you may have to change your color scheme a bit, or sort through other collections to find papers that match. Graphic 45 does a great job of re-using their color palettes, making it easy to mix and match!

The April folios consist of one calendar folio (8 1/4" x 8 1/4") and one scrapbook folio (8" x 8"). These folios hold AT LEAST twelve (12) photos. You can customize them for fewer or more photos, or for journaling, or to use as a planner. 

This folio set has a different interior design from the first three months in the series. However, we will use this new design for April, May, and June. You can construct all three months of folios at once, while you wait for the samples and tutorials! Stock up on lots of black cardstock! (Note: For May we are using dark brown cardstock.)

Before getting started, I recommend cutting up ONE EACH of the Cut Apart and Collective sheets from the various paper collections. That way you will have all the images needed, as we will also use the prints on the reverse sides of most papers. (Note: I have used more than 2 sheets of some of the paper, but if you cannot do that, substitute something from your stash that coordinates.) I also recommend the Ephemera card packs, if you can find them. 

April Calendar Folio

The April Folio is side-fold folio, measuring 8 1/4" x 8 1/4" when closed. I have added lots of flowers to celebrate spring. Since Easter was in March this year, and since I am so late with the April projects, I decided to NOT feature Easter motifs. However, you can replace any of my decor with Easter-themed items from the collections, if you wish.

The folio opens with areas for photos and journaling. This month we are going to create two pockets, perfect for tags, calendar pages, and more! Let's get started!

Cut one sheet of black cardstock to 8 1/4" x 8 1/4". Cut a second sheet of black cardstock to 8 1/4" x 8 3/4". Score the second piece on the long side at 1/2" to make a second 8 1/4" x 8 1/4" panel. Fold and burnish the score line. Add strong adhesive to the 1/2" tab to attach the two sheets together, creating a folio that is 8 1/4" tall and 16 1/2" wide. Make sure the fold is on the left-hand side of the folio, so that the folio opens like a book.

Create a pocket for the left inside page. Cut black cardstock to 7" x 7". Score at 1/2" from the left, right, and bottom edges. Fold on the score lines and add double-sided tape to the tabs. With the tabs folded inward, your piece will measure a 6 1/2" tall by 6" wide rectangle. 

With tabs folded, measure in 4" from the upper left corner and make a mark. Measure up 2 3/4" from the bottom right corner and make a mark. Draw a line connecting the two marks. Cut this section from the pocket. With the tabs folded, your piece will look like the photo above. 

This view shows the back of the pocket. The tabs have adhesive attached. 

To help with cutting your decorative paper for the pocket, we will create a template. Place the pocket, with tabs folded, onto a scrap of paper. Use a pencil to trace the shape of the pocket. Cut out the shape. Then, cut a little off each edge of the shape, making it slightly smaller than the pocket. Use this paper template to aid  you in cutting your decorative paper for the pocket. Save this template for the May and June projects. 

You will be placing the pocket onto the left page, as shown above. HOWEVER, to save yourself much aggravation, you will want to add your decorative paper to the page BEFORE attaching your pocket! (You can attach the pocket temporarily with removable adhesive.) See below!

I ended up having to remove my pocket, so please do not make my mistake! I did not want to fuss with measuring out the background paper, so I took the pocket off and then reattached it on top of the decorative paper. 

Cut Children's Hour 12x12 April Calendar (reverse) paper to 8 1/8" x 8 1/8" and attach to the left page of the folio. Attach the pocket to the page as shown.

Create a pocket for the right page. Cut black cardstock 5 1/2" x 9 1/4". Score at 1/2" from the left, right, and bottom edges. Fold on the score lines and add double-sided tape to the tabs. (This photo shows the left pocket before adding the decorative paper!)

Attach the pocket to the right page. Now, close the folio, making sure the fold is on the left side. Now, let's decorate! We will start with the front cover.

Cut blue calypso cardstock to 8 1/8" x 8 1/8" and attach the panel to the front of the folio. Attach the Children's Hour 8x8 April Calendar page to the front of the folio. 

Cut Children's Hour 6x6 blue dot paper to 4" x 4" and mat with black cardstock cut to 4 1/8" x 4 1/8". Pace the dot panel onto the calendar, 2" from the top edge and 1" from the right edge. Use a decorative doily die to cut ivory cardstock into a doily shape. (You may also use a pre-made doily that is 4" in diameter.) Place the doily over the square dot panel, as shown. 

Trim the postage strip from Children's Hour April Collective paper and attach it to the left side of the calendar. Trim the tag from Children's Hour April Collective paper and attach it to the top left side of the square dot panel, overlapping the doily shape slightly. Glue the Children's Hour chipboard piece to the center of the doily.

Use foam adhesive to attach a postage stamp sticker (Children's Hour Sticker Sheet) to the upper right side of the tag. Trim the "April Showers" sentiment strip from Children's Hour April Collective paper and use foam adhesive to attach it to the lower left of the dot panel.

Glue a selection of peach, blue, yellow, and ivory flowers to the front of the folio as shown. Use die cuts to trim leaves and vines from spinach and leapfrog green cardstock. Add the leaves to the flower clusters. Add wire spirals to the flower clusters, as desired. 

Open the folio. We will work on the left page. If you already attached your pocket, you will have to do some "fancy" cutting to attach your background paper. I have used Children's Hour 12x12 April Calendar (reverse) paper, cut to to 8 1/8" x 8 1/8", for my background. I attached the paper first, and then added the pocket. 

Using the template we made in the steps above, trim Children's Hour April Montage paper to fit the pocket and attach. Trim the "Spring has Spring" border strip from Sweet Sentiments Spring Has Spring (12x12) paper. Attach the border to the bottom of the pocket, trimming to size.

Use die cuts to cut two circles from Time to Flourish 6x6 blue paper. Cut one circle 3 1/4" in diameter and the second circle 2 3/4". Mat both with black cardstock, cut slightly larger. Attach the circles to the pocket, as shown.

Trim the April journaling strip from Place in Time April Cut Apart paper. Attach the strip to the upper right side of the page. Glue a chipboard button (Place in Time original chipboard) to the bottom center of the journaling strip. Glue a chipboard postage embellishment (Children's Hour) to the upper left corner of the page. 

Let's make some tags for our pocket!

Use two of the Graphic 45 Large Black Tags. (They come six per pack.) For one tag, trim 1" from the bottom edge. Round the bottom corners. For the second tag, trim 1 1/2" from the bottom edge, then round the corners. 

Trim Children's Hour April Montage blue stripe paper to 6 7/8" x 3 3/4". Round all four corners and attach the paper to the front of the longer tag. Trim the flower border strip from Children's Hour April Collective paper, cut to size and attach to the bottom of the tag, as shown.

Trim Place in Time April Cut Apart green strip and blue dot paper to 6 3/8" x 3 3/4". Round all four corners and attach the paper to the front of the shorter tag. Trim the rest of the flower border strip from Children's Hour April Collective paper to size. Attach the strip to the smaller tag where the two patterns meet, as shown.

Trim Time to Flourish April Flourish blue text paper to 6 7/8" x 3 3/4". Round all four corners and attach the paper to the back of the longer tag. Trim a second piece of April Flourish paper to 6 3/8" x 3 3/4". Round all four corners and attach the paper to the back of the shorter tag. 

Place the tags into the pocket. Let's work on the right page.

Trim Sweet Sentiments Easter Greetings postage print paper to 3 1/2" x 8 1/8" and attach it above the pocket. (If you cannot find this paper, there are other Graphic 45 collections that have the same shades of blue. Try to see if one of these other prints will match.) 

Trim Place in Time April Cut Apart green strip and blue dot paper to 4 7/8" x 8 1/8" and attach it to the pocket. Trim the border strip from Children's Hour April Collective paper and attach it to the seam where the two prints meet. Trim the "April" title strip from the Children's Hour April Collective paper and attach it to the top center of the pocket. 

Glue a postage chipboard piece (Time to Flourish) to the lower right corner of the pocket. Use die cuts to trim leaves and vines from spinach and leapfrog green cardstock. Add the leaves to the left side of the chipboard embellishment. 

Now, let's create a calendar card to place into the pocket. Trim black cardstock to 7 3/4" x 7 3/4". Trim blue calypso cardstock to 7 5/8" x 7 5/8" and attach it to the black panel. Trim the Time to Flourish 8x8 April Calendar page to 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" and attach it to the card. 

Use foam adhesive to attach a postage image (Time to Flourish April Cut Apart paper) to the upper right corner of the calendar. Trim the rain border from Children's Hour April Collective paper and attach it to the bottom of the calendar, as shown. 

Flip the card over.Trim Sweet Sentiments Easter Greetings 8x8 postage print paper to 7 5/8" x 7 5/8" and attach it to the card. Trim the poem from Time to Flourish April Cut Apart paper and mat it with black cardstock. Attach the poem to the lower left corner of the card. Make sure to only add adhesive to the outside edges, allowing you to slip photos or other memorabilia under the top right edge.  

Place the card into the pocket. Close the folio and flip to to the back side. 

Cut Children's Hour April Montage paper to 8 1/8" x 8 1/8" and attach it to the back panel. The calendar folio is finished! Add photos and journaling, as desired.

April Scrapbook Folio

This matching April Scrapbook Folio measures 8" x 8" and is a top-folding folio, decorated inside and out. It is perfect for journaling, ephemera, and photos. Like the calendar folio, this project can be displayed on your desk or shelf during the month of April. We will continue to use the same color scheme and theme as the first folio.

The inside of the folio contains four flaps and a pocket. Everything is decorated in a spring and flowers theme. This is a slightly different design then the previous folios. If you wish to keep your design consistent, just follow the basic construction of the January, February, or March folios. (See links below.)

We will construct the base for the folio first, and then decorate it.

Cut one piece of black cardstock to 8" x 8". Cut a second piece of black cardstock to 8 1/2" x 8" and score 1/2" from the top edge. Fold and burnish on the score line. Add double-sided tape to the tab. Attach the tab to the top of the 8" x 8" piece of cardstock, creating a top-fold folio, 8" x 8". Open the folio. It is 16" tall and 8" wide.

Cut a piece of black cardstock to 4 1/8" x 6 5/8". Score 1/2" from the right edge. Attach the scored tab to the top left panel of the folio. Place the flap 1" from the top edge. The flap will be 4 1/8" x 6 1/8". 

Cut black cardstock to 4 1/8" x 4 5/8". Score 1/2" from the left edge. Attach the scored tab to the top left panel of the folio. Place the flap 3" from the top edge. The flap will be 4 1/8" x 4 1/8". 

Cut a piece of black cardstock to 6 1/8" x 4 5/8". Score 1/2" from the right edge. Attach the scored tab to the bottom left panel of the folio. Place the flap 1" below the fold. The flap will be 6 1/8" x 4 1/8". 

Cut a piece of black cardstock to 4 1/8" x 6 5/8". Score 1/2" from the left edge. Attach the scored tab to the bottom right panel of the folio. Place the flap 1 3/4" below the fold. The flap will be 4 1/8" x 6 1/8". 

Here is what your folio should look like so far, with all flaps open. 

Now, we will create a pocket for the upper panel. Cut black cardstock to 3 1/2" x 9". Score at 1/2" from the right, left, and bottom edges. Add double-sided adhesive to the tabs. (Note: I cut an angled bit off the ends of the tabs, where they meet, to decrease the bulk at the bottom edge of the pocket.) 

Attach the pocket to the bottom edge of the upper panel, just above the fold. 

This is what your folio looks like, with all flaps closed. Now, close the folio. 

Make sure your main fold is at the TOP of the folio! We will now decorate the front cover. Cut Children's Hour 8x8 April Collective (reverse) green print paper to 7 7/8" x 7 7/8". Attach the paper to the front of the folio.

Cut Children's Hour April Montage paper to 7 7/8" x 3 3/8"". Mat with black cardstock cut to 8" x 3 1/2". Attach this panel to the left side of the folio, approximately 1/2" from the left edge.

Use a decorative border punch to punch a strip of ivory cardstock. Trim to 7 7/8" long. Cut Children's Hour April Collective border strip to 7 7/8" long. (We used this same border for the Calendar Folio. If you do not have another border, choose a coordinating border from one of the other papers.) Affix the decorative border to the bottom of the border strip. Place the border at the top edge of the panel.

Select the April ephemera card from the Children's Hour ephemera pack (or trim the image from Children's Hour April Collective paper). Trim the image to approximately 5 3/4" x 3 3/4". 

Mat the image with ivory, mango, and blue calypso cardstock, making each layer slightly larger, as shown. Attach the image to the right side of the folio, approximately 1 1/4" from the top edge and 1/2" from the right edge.

Use foam adhesive to attach the "Have a Happy Day" sentiment, cut from the Time to Flourish April Cut Apart paper, to the left side of the image, as shown. Glue peach, yellow, blue, and ivory flowers in a cluster at the left edge of the image. Tuck several peach baker's twine bows into the arrangement. 

Glue a postage chipboard embellishment (Children's Hour) to the lower right portion of the flower cluster. Use die cuts to trim leaves and vines from spinach and leapfrog green cardstock. Add the leaves to the flower cluster as desired. 

Glue a large, white pearl and several mango enamel dots to the area around the flower cluster. The cover is finished! Open the folio. We will work on the inside panels next. 

We will decorate the top, inside panel, the two flaps, and the pocket.

Open both top flaps. We will work on the top base first. Trim Children's Hour April Montage paper to 5 1/2" x 7 7/8" and attach it to the top portion of the panel, tucking the bottom edge into the pocket. Trim Time to Flourish April Flourish (reverse) paper to 2 7/8" x 7 7/8" and attach it to the pocket. 

Trim the April title from the Children's Hour 12x12 Calendar Pad to approximately 1 7/8" x 4 1/8" and mat with blue calypso cardstock cut slightly larger. Attach the title to the center of the pocket. 

Let's decorate the flaps, and then make some items for inside the pocket. 

Start with the left-hand flap. Trim Time to Flourish 6x6 green plaid paper to 4" x 6" and attach it to the panel. Trim the postcard image from Place in Time April Cut Apart paper and mat with spinach green cardstock. 

Attach the postcard image to the center of the flap. Trim out a postage image from the Children's Hour April Collective paper and use foam tape to attach it to the top right corner of the postcard. 

To decorate the right-hand flap, cut Place in Time 8x8 April Cut Apart (reverse) paper to 4" x 4" and attach it to the flap (this is a retired paper pad). Trim the flower border from Children's Hour April Collective paper and attach it to the section were the green stripes and blue dots meet up. Attach the poem tag (Children's Hour Tags and Pockets) to the flap as shown.

Now, let's make some goodies for our pocket!

We are going to make a large photo mat, a journaling block, and a square tag to tuck into our pocket. 

Cut blue calypso cardstock to 7" x 7". Cut Sweet Sentiments 8x8 All My Love (blue stripe) paper to 6 7/8" x 6 7/8" and attach it to the blue cardstock. 

Cut blue calypso cardstock to 6" x 4". Trim the April image from Time to Flourish April Cut Apart paper to 5 7/8" x 3 7/8" and attach to the blue cardstock. 

Use a Graphic 45 black square tag. Trim Children's Hour 6x6 brown print paper to 4 1/8" x 4 3/8" and round all four corners. Attach the paper to the front of the tag. Trim the "Spring has Sprung" border from Sweet Sentiments Spring Has Sprung (12x12) paper and round the top corners. Attach the border to the top of the tag, as shown. 

Flip all the pieces over to the back. For the large photo mat, cut Sweet Sentiments 8x8 Easter Greetings (reverse) postage print paper to 6 7/8" x 6 7/8" and attach it to the blue cardstock. 

Cut Time to Flourish 6x6 blue dot paper to 5 7/8" x 3 7/8" and attach to the blue cardstock. 

Trim Children's Hour 6x6 green stripe paper 4 1/8" x 4 3/8" and round all four corners. Attach the paper to the back of the tag. Trim the poem from Children's Hour April Collective paper and glue it to the corner of the tag, as shown. 

Place all your items into the pocket. 

Close the left-hand flap. Attach the Time to Flourish April Ephemera card (reverse) to the flap. Trim the saying from Children's Hour April Collective paper and attach it to the top of the ephemera card. Attach the post card tag (Children's Hour Tags and Pockets) to the lower left corner of the flap. 

Close the right-hand flap. Trim the "girl holding a chick" image from the Time to Flourish April Cut Apart paper to 3 1/2" x 3 1/2". Mat the image with mango, ivory, and blue calypso cardstock, each layer cut slightly larger. The blue calypso layer is 4" x 4". 

Now, let's work on the bottom panel. Open both flaps so you can work on the center panel. Cut Children's Hour 8x8 April Calendar paper to 7 7/8" x 7 7/8" and attach the paper to the bottom panel.

Trim the April border from the Place in Time April Cut Apart paper and attach to the top center of the panel.

Trim the post card tag image from Children's Hour April Collective paper and attach it to the lower right edge of the panel. Make sure to only add adhesive to the right and bottom edges, to form a little pocket. Attach a small, circle image from one of the paper collections. to the tag as shown. (Time to Flourish Banners)

Let's decorate the left-hand flap. Trim Children's Hour 6x6 green dot paper to 6" x 4" and attach the paper to the flap. Trim out a postage image from the Place in Time April Cut Apart paper and use foam tape to attach it to the top left corner of the flap. Trim the "April" border from Time to Flourish 8x8 April Cut Apart paper. Attach the border to the bottom center of the flap. 

Attach the Time to Flourish April ephemera card to the right-hand flap. (You may also cut this image from the Time to Flourish April Cut Apart paper.)

Close the right-hand flap. Trim the blue calendar image from Children's Hour April Collective paper to 4" x 6". Attach the image to the flap.

Close the left-hand flap. Attach the Children's Hour April ephemera card, reverse side, to the flap. Cut a postage image from Time to Flourish April Cut Apart paper and use foam adhesive to attach it to the upper left corner of the ephemera card. 

The inside of the folio is finished!

Close the folio and flip it over so that back is facing up with the fold at the top.

Trim Children's Hour April Montage paper to 7 7/8" x 7 7/8" and attach to the back panel. Trim the rain border from Children's Hour April Collective paper to 7 7/8" long and attach it to the top of the panel.

And, you are FINISHED! I hope the April Folios were worth the wait!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MAY FOLIOS:  Part of the reason why the May Folios are not ready early (as promised), is that I noticed that the color scheme for the Children's Hour May paper and the May papers from Time to Flourish and Place in Time collections do not coordinate! The color scheme for Children's Hour May is brown, pink, and blue, with pops of yellow and green. However, the May Time to Flourish scheme is lavender and coral, where the Place in Time May color scheme is purple and lavender with pops of green. 

We did a purple and green scheme for March, which means we have a bit of a problem! I also wanted to make sure both May folios coordinated. After much sifting through my paper stash, I decided to use the May Children's Hour color scheme of brown, pink, blue, yellow, and green for the folios. I wanted to emphasize the soft blue and pink scheme in the paper.

To ensure that there is enough paper for two folios, I am going to add a few reverse prints from other Children's Hour months, so you may need to by an extra pad of the 12x12 paper, if possible. I am also adding a selection of papers from the Graphic 45 Botanical Tea collection. I have a ton of this paper in my stash, so I would like to use it up! The colors in this collection are the perfect match for May Children's Hour, plus they are great for a set of Mother's Day folios. If you cannot find the Botanical Tea collection, you can substitute something else from your own stash. 

I may use some bits from Time to Flourish and Place in Time, but since the colors just do not match, I am not sure how much of it we will need. 

We will also be using a dark brown cardstock base for May, rather than black. Gather a stack of chocolate or deep brown cardstock! The May Folios will post on May 21st or sometime shortly after. You have a few weeks to gather supplies!

If you are just joining me...

If you missed the January Folios Tutorial, click HERE. 

For the February Folios Tutorial, click HERE. 

For the March Folios Tutorial, click HERE.

If you wish to make the 9" x 9" x 9" storage box to hold all your monthly folios, click HERE to see that tutorial. 

Keep in mind, that during this tutorial series I will be using some product that is retired or hard to find. After so many years of working for Graphic 45, I have built up quite a stash of paper, and I need to use it!

If you cannot find the product I am using, try to find something similar, or just substitute something from your own hoard of supplies. You may be able to find some of the retired items on Amazon or Ebay, but be prepared to pay a premium. You will also need a stack of 12x12 black, dark brown, and ivory (natural) cardstock. I am no longer going to include shopping links for the paper collections. Just "Google" and see what you can find. 

Come back May 21st to view the MAY FOLIOS!

April Calendar Folio

Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Midnight, Natural; Bazzill Blue Calypso, Leapfrog, Mango; American Crafts Spinach

Designer paper: Graphic 45 Children's Hour (8x8 April Calendar, 8x8 April Montage, 12x12 April Collective, 12x12 April Calendar, 12x12 April Montage, 6x6 patterns and solids pad); G45 Time to Flourish (6x6 patterns and solids pad, 12x12 April Cut Apart, 12x12 April Flourish, 8x8 April Calendar); G45 Place in Time (12x12 April Cut Apart); G45 Sweet Sentiments (12x12 Easter Greetings, 8x8 Easter Greetings, 12x12 Spring Has Sprung)

Chipboard: Graphic 45 Children's Hour Journaling Tags, Decorative Tags; Graphic 45 Place in Time (original); Graphic 45 Time to Flourish Decorative Tags
Stickers: Graphic 45 Children's Hour
Tags: Graphic 45 Large Black

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts, Petaloo

Dies: Cheery Lynn French Pastry Doily, Flourish Leaf Strip, Mini Fanciful Flowers; Spellbinders Standard Circles Large and Small; My Favorite Things Stitched Circle Stax

Tools: hot glue gun, scoring board and bone folder

Adhesive: Scotch 3M ATG tape runner, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D foam squares, hot glue, Scor-tape

April Scrapbook Folio

Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Midnight, Natural; Bazzill Blue Calypso, Leapfrog, Mango; American Crafts Spinach

Designer paper: Graphic 45 Children's Hour (8x8 April Collective, 8x8 April Calendar,12x12 April Collective, 12x12 April Calendar, 12x12 April Montage, 6x6 patterns and solids); G45 Time to Flourish (12x12 April Cut Apart, 12x12 April Flourish, 8x8 April Cut Apart, 6x6 patterns and solids); G45 Place in Time (12x12 April Cut Apart, 8x8 April Cut Apart); G45 Sweet Sentiments (12x12 Easter Greetings, 8x8 Easter Greetings, 12x12 Spring Has Sprung, 8x8 All My Love)

Ephemera cards: G45 Children's Hour May, Time to Flourish May
Tags and Pockets: G45 Children's Hour
Banners: G45 Time to Flourish
Chipboard: Graphic 45 Children's Hour Decorative Tags
Tags: Graphic 45 Square Black

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts, Petaloo
Twine: Really Reasonable Ribbon Peach Baker's Twine
Flat-backed pearl: unknown
Enamel dots: Viva Apricot Paper Pen 

Dies: Cheery Lynn Flourish Leaf Strip, Mini Fanciful Flowers
Border punch: EK Success

Tools: hot glue gun, scoring board and bone folder

Adhesive: Scotch 3M ATG tape runner, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D foam squares, hot glue, Scor-tape