Graphic 45 2019 Brand Ambassador Audition (Graphic 45 Folio Series - December)

Welcome to my blog, crafters and Graphic 45 fans! After nearly 2 1/2 years away from Graphic 45, I am once again tossing my hat into the ring and auditioning for one of the 2019 Brand Ambassador spots!

I know it is a long shot, but I have been wanting to try out again since the Call last year. I was not really in a position to participate last year, but this year I am on the back-end of my surgery and doing very well! So, I thought, why not?!

I had such a wonderful time during my three years as a Graphic 45 Design Team member in 2010, 2011, and 2012, and as a Special Projects Designer for 2013, 2015, and 2016. However, I know that they are always looking for "new blood" so my chances are slim. I really wanted to try out anyway, just one last time!

For my Audition project, I am sharing my LAST Calendar Folio of the series that I started back in January 2017. (Better late than never, right?!) I finally finished all 24 folios, and the December Folio Set is the last of them! (Who knows what I might start next??!!!)

These folios showcase my "signature style" of layering and mixing collections! I think that this series of 24 folios goes to the heart of who I am as a paper crafter, especially when using Graphic 45 papers. This is also a series of step-by-step directions with photos, which is my favorite way to teach online. I know there are still folks out there who prefer to have written directions with photos, rather than a video, and I will continue to present tutorials in this way.

Enjoy!

GRAPHIC 45 CALENDAR FOLIO SERIES!

Well, at long last, two years and two months after I started....here is the very last folio in the series! Who knew that this undertaking would be such a long, slog to the end!?! I am so happy with the completed projects, and overjoyed to be finished!

To see ALL of the completed folios, see the end of the post where there are links to all the months completed so far. I have also added a TAB at the top of the blog so you can always go there to find all the folios.

The December Folios are all decorated in a vintage Christmas theme, suitable for photos of your children opening their presents, visits to Santa, church events, and so forth. 

For this last set of folios, I really went through my stash of Graphic 45 papers and pulled out everything that I thought was a good match for the Graphic 45 Children's Hour Collection! I used a LOT of collections this time, so do your best to use what you have!

We will use the Children's Hour 12x12, 8x8, and 6x6 pads, plus some of the other items from the collection. This month, we are also going to be using the  Place in Time Deluxe Collector's Edition (plus some of the original collection, since it is in my stash in abundance). We are also using Time to Flourish (which is retired, but you can still find it online). And we will use some papers from the Seasons collection. I also dug through all my stash of G45 Christmas papers and pulled out: Christmas Emporium, St. Nicholas, Winter Wonderland, and Christmas Magic. 

I have used black cardstock for the base. See the full supply list below.

The December 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. 

The folios are the same basic construction as the all the other folios. To see the other tutorials, check the links at the end of the post, or see the Graphic 45 Folio Series tab at the top of the blog..

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 may have used more than 2 sheets of some of the paper, but if you cannot do that, substitute something else from the collections or something from your stash that coordinates.) 

I also recommend the Ephemera card packs, if you can find them. I also like to use the matching chipboard, stickers, banners, and so forth. If you cannot find these items, you can substitute fussy cut images from the papers, or similar. 

December Calendar Folio

The December Folio is side-fold folio, measuring 8 1/4" x 8 1/4" when closed. This theme is perfect for all your Christmas memories, past and present. The red, green, and ivory color scheme carries throughout the project.

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. 

Attach the two sheets together to create 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 3" 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 future projects.

Before placing the pocket onto the left page, as shown above, you need to first cover the inside of the folio page. Cut Time to Flourish December Flourish (reverse, text print) paper to 8 1/8" x 8 1/8" and attach to the left page of the folio. Then, attach the pocket to the page as shown.

Let's create a pocket for the right-hand 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. If desired, trim the tabs at an angle, as shown.

Attach the pocket to the right-hand 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 a piece of ivory cardstock to 8 1/8" x 8 1/8" and attach it to the front of the folio. Trim the Children's Hour 8x8 December Calendar page to 8" x 8" and attach it to the ivory cardstock on the front of the folio.

Trim the postage strip from Children's Hour December Collective paper and attach it to the left side of the calendar. 

Using a die cut template, trim a doily shape from ivory cardstock. Attach one doily to the right side of the calendar just below the days of the week strip. Trim the "Merry Christmas" sentiment from Children's Hour Decmeber Collective paper and use foam adhesive to attach it to the bottom right side of the calendar, just overlapping the bottom edge of the doily.

Trim the Santa and sleeping little girl image from St. Nicholas Signature Sheet paper. Mat the image with ivory, red, and green cardstock, each layer slightly larger than the previous. Use foam adhesive to attach the image to the right side of the page as shown, covering part of the doily shape.

Create a flower cluster with red, ivory, and green flowers and leaves. Tuck a chipboard element from Place in Time under the bottom left edge of the flowers.

Note: I added some berries and a gold spiral to my cluster. I also added some white paint and a bit of gold glitter to some of the flowers. I often purchase floral stems from the craft store, which go on on sale after the holidays. I cut then up to add interest and dimension to my paper flower clusters. Sometimes the stems come with berries, pine cones, and other interesting bits!

The cover is finished. Open the folio and we will work on the left-hand page.

You should have already attached the background paper and the pocket to this page. (Use Time to Flourish December Flourish (reverse, text print) paper to 8 1/8" x 8 1/8" for the background.) 

Using the template we made in the steps above, trim Winter Wonderland Yule Post paper to fit the pocket and attach. Trim the "Seasons Greetings" border strip from Winter Wonderland Nordic Greetings paper. Attach the border to the bottom of the pocket, trimming to size.

Use die cuts to cut two circles from St. Nicholas 6x6 Patterns and Solids paper (green paper). Cut one circle 3" in diameter and the second circle 2 1/4". Mat both with black cardstock, cut slightly larger. Attach the circles to the pocket, as shown. 

Use foam adhesive to attach a "Dec. 25" banner (St. Nicholas collection) to the green circles, as shown. 

Trim the December journaling strip from Place in Time December Cut Apart paper. Attach the strip to the upper right side of the page. Attach a button chipboard from the St. Nicholas collection to the bottom center of the journaling strip. 

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 Winter Wonderland Pretty Poinsettia paper to 6 7/8" x 3 3/4". Round all four corners and attach the paper to the front of the longer tag. Attach the "Merry and Bright" sticker (Time to Flourish) to  left edge of the tag as shown.

Trim Children's Hour 12x12 December Calendar (reverse) paper to 6 3/8" x 3 3/4". Round all four corners and attach the paper to the front of the shorter tag. Add a postage image cut from Season Winter Collective paper to the left edge of the tag as shown. 

Flip the tags over. Trim Children's Hour December Montage (reverse, green dots) 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 postage stamp image from St. Nicholas Christmas Cheer paper and attach it to the top of the tag as shown.

Trim Christmas Magic Happy Holly Days 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 Children's Hour December Montage paper to 4"  x 8 1/8" and attach it above the pocket. 

Trim Winter Wonderland Pretty Poinsettia (reverse) green stripe paper to 4 7/8" x 8 1/8" and attach it to the pocket. Remove the border strip from Time to Flourish December Cut Apart paper, trimming to 8 1/8, and attach it to the pocket as shown. Trim the "December" border from Time to Flourish December Cut Apart paper and attach it to the top center of the pocket.

Now, let's create some paper pretties to place into the pocket. We will make one calendar card and two tags for this pocket.

Trim black cardstock to 7 7/8" x 7 7/8". Trim the Time to Flourish 8x8 December Calendar page to 7 3/4" x 7 3/4" and attach it to the card. Trim the diamond border and a postage stamp image from Winter Wonderland Nordic Greetings paper. Trim the border to 7 3/4" and attach it to the bottom of the calendar.  Attach the postage stamp image to the upper left corner of the calendar.

Use a G45 Large Black Tag for the longer tag. Trim 1 1/2" from the bottom of the tag and round the corners. Trim Winter Wonderland Woodland Whimsy paper to 6 3/8" x 3 3/4". Round the corners and attach the paper to the tag front. Trim a postage stamp image from Children's Hour December Cut Apart paper and attach it to the top of the tag.

For the second tag, use a G45 Regular Black Tag. Place in Time December Cut Apart (reverse) paper to 4 7/8" x 3 3/4". Round all four corners and attach the paper to the front of the smaller tag. See the photo above for what section of the paper to use. 

Flip all three items over. Trim Christmas Magic 12x12 Patterns and Solids holly print paper to 7 7/8" x 7 7/8" and attach it to the back of the card.

Trim Time to Flourish December Flourish (reverse) red text paper to 6 3/8" x 3 3/4". Round the corners and attach the paper to the back of the longer tag.

For the second tag, trim Winter Wonderland Pretty Poinsettia (reverse) green stripe paper to 4 7/8" x 3 3/4". Round all four corners and attach the paper to the back of the smaller tag. Trim a postage stamp image from St. Nicholas Christmas Cheer paper and attach it to the top of the smaller tag.

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

Cut Children's Hour December 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.

December Scrapbook Folio

This matching December 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 December. We will continue to use the same color scheme and theme as the first folio, focusing on all of the wonderful vintage images within the paper collections.

The inside of the folio contains four flaps and a two pockets. The pockets are stuffed with fun tags and photo mats. Everything is decorated in a vintage Christmas theme.

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". 

Now, we will create a pocket for the upper panel. (Sorry, mine looks a bit worse for wear!) 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. 

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". 

Let's create a pocket for the bottom page.

Cut black cardstock 5 1/2" x 9". Score at 1/2" from the left, right, and bottom edges. Fold on the score lines and add double-sided tape to the tabs. If desired, trim the tabs at an angle, as shown.

Attach the pocket to the bottom edge of the page.

Fold all the flaps closed, and then close the folio. We will work on the front cover next.

Make sure your main fold is at the TOP of the folio! We will now decorate the front cover. Cut Christmas Magic Patterns and Solids holly paper to 7 7/8" x 7 7/8". Attach the paper to the front of the folio.

Cut Time to Flourish December Flourish paper to 7 7/8" x 4". Mat with black cardstock cut to 7 7/8" x 4 1/8". Attach this panel to the left side of the folio, approximately 1/2" from the left edge.

Cut the Christmas tree border from Place in Time December Cut Apart paper to 7 7/8" long. Place the border at the top edge of the panel.

Select the December ephemera card from the Children's Hour ephemera pack (or trim the image from Children's Hour December Collective paper). 

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

Use foam adhesive to attach the "Most Wonderful Time" sentiment, cut from the St. Nicholas Season's Greetings paper, to the lower left side of the image, as shown. Trim the postage stamp image strip from Seasons Winter 8x8 Collective paper and attach it with foam adhesive to the left side of the folio, as shown.

Use flowers and other floral elements to create a bouquet along the left edge of the main image. Add a chipboard button from the St. Nicholas collection. Dust the flowers with a bit of glue and then add a bit of glitter. 

We will work on the inside panels next. 

First, 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 December Montage paper to 5 1/4" x 7 7/8" and attach it to the top portion of the panel, tucking the bottom edge into the pocket. Trim Christmas Magic Gifting Gala (reverse) green stripe paper to 2 7/8" x 7 7/8" and attach it to the pocket. 

Trim the December title from the Children's Hour 12x12 Calendar Pad to approximately 1 7/8" x 7 5/8" and mat with black 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. Attach the Time to Flourish December ephemera card to the panel. 

To decorate the right-hand flap, trim Christmas Magic Candy Cane Ribbons (reverse) green check paper to 4" x 4" and attach the paper to the panel. Trim the "Seasons of Joy" image from Seasons Winter Collective paper. Mat the image with black cardstock, cut slightly larger. Attach the image to the flap as shown.

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

We are going to make a large photo mat, two smaller photo mats, and a square tag to tuck into our pocket.

Cut black cardstock to 6" x 7 3/4". Cut Christmas Magic Happy Holly Days (reverse) text print paper to 5 7/8" x 7 5/8" and attach it to the black cardstock. Trim the postage strip from Seasons Winter Collective paper and attach it to the upper right side of the photo mat, as shown.

Cut two pieces of black cardstock to 6 1/8" x 4 1/8". Cut the "December" ephemera card from Time to Flourish December Cut Apart paper paper to 6" x 4" and attach to one of the pieces of cardstock. 

Attach the "Wishing you" ephemera card from the Christmas Magic collection to the second piece of black cardstock.

To create the tag element, use a Graphic 45 black square tag. Cut Childrens's Hour 12x12 Calendar (reverse) green print paper to 4 1/8" x 4 3/8" and round all four corners. Attach the paper to the front of the tag. 

Flip all the pieces over to the back. For the large photo mat, Place in Time December Cut Apart (reverse) paper to 5 7/8" x 7 5/8" and attach it to the back of the card. See the sample above to determine which part of the pattern you should use. 

Attach the "Love" ephemera card from the Winter Wonderland collection to the back of the vertical panel. Cut out a postage image from Time to Flourish 8x8 December Collective paper and use foam adhesive to attach it to the upper right corner of the card.

Attach the "ho ho ho" post card ephemera card from the St. Nicholas collection to the back of the horizontal panel. Trim a postage image from Time to Flourish 8x8 December Collective paper and attach it to the upper right corner of the post card image.

Trim Christmas Magic Candy Cane Ribbons paper to 4 1/8" x 4 3/8" and round all four corners. Attach the paper to the back of the square tag.

Place all your items into the pocket. 

Close the left-hand flap. Attach the "Peace" ephemera card from the Winter Wonderland collection to the flap. Trim a postage stamp image from Seasons Winter Collective paper and a second postage stamp image from Winter Wonderland Nordic Greetings paper. Attach both postage images to the right of the tree image on the ephemera card. 

Close the right-hand flap. Trim the "holiday wishes" image from Time to Flourish December Cut Apart paper to 4" x 4" and attach it to the flap.

Now, let's work on the bottom panel. Open both flaps so you can work on the center panel. Cut Winter Wonderland Yule Post paper to 3" x 7 7/8" and attach the paper above the pocket. 

Trim Children's Hour December Montage (reverse) green dot paper to 4 7/8" x 7 7/8" and attach the paper to the pocket. Trim out the postcard tag image from Children's Hour December Collective paper and attach it to the bottom right corner of the pocket. Use a small circle punch to punch a circle out of some scrap paper and attach it to the post card tag, as shown.

Let's decorate the flaps. Attach the Children's Hour December ephemera card (reverse side) to the left-hand flap. Trim a postage image from Children's Hour 8x8 December Collective paper and attach it to the upper right corner of the ephemera card.

Trim the green journal card from Children's Hour December Collective paper to 4" x 6" and attach it to the right-hand flap.

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

We are going to make a large photo mat, a small photo mat, and a tag to tuck into the pocket.

Cut black cardstock to 7 3/4" x 7 3/4" Trim Christmas Magic Kewpie Christmas (reverse) holly paper to 7 5/8" x 7 5/8" and attach it to the cardstock. Trim the December title strip from Place in Time December Cut Apart paper and attach it to the top of the panel.

Cut black cardstock to 6" x 5 1/2". Trim Christmas Magic Candy Cane Ribbons (reverse) green check paper to 5 7/8" x 5 3/8" and attach it to the panel. Trim the holly border from Christmas Magic Gifting Gala paper and attach it to the top edge of the panel. Trim a journaling block from Christmas Magic Gifting Gala paper and attach it to the lower right edge of the panel, as shown, to create a tuck spot on the panel.

For the tag, use a G45 Large Black Tag. Cut 1 1/2" from the bottom of the tag and round the corners. Trim Time to Flourish December Montage paper to 6 1/4" x 3 3/4" and round the corners. Attach the paper to the front of the tag. Trim the ""Christmas Cheer" sentiment from Christmas Emporium Santa Express paper and attach it to the left side of the tag as shown.

Flip all the pieces over. Trim Children's Hour December Montage paper to 7 5/8" x 7 5/8" and attach it to the back of the larger piece of cardstock. 

Trim Christmas Magic Merry Memories paper to 5 7/8" x 5 3/8" and attach the paper to the back of the smaller card. 

Trim Time to Flourish December Montage (reverse) text print paper to 6 1/4" x 3 3/4" and round the corners. Attach the paper to the back of the tag. Trim a postage image from St. Nicholas Christmas Cheer paper and attach it to the left side of the tag as shown.

Place all your items into the pocket.

Close the right-hand flap. Attach the "Happy Holidays" ephemera card from the Winter Wonderland collection to the flap.

Close the left-hand flap. Attach the ephemera card shown, from the Winter Wonderland collection to the flap.

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 Time to Flourish 8x8 December Flourish (reverse) paper to 7 7/8" x 7 7/8" and attach to the back panel. Trim the poinsettia border from Children's Hour December Collective paper to 7 7/8" long and attach it to the top of the panel.

And, you are FINISHED with the December folios!

For all 24 Folios....

If you missed the January Folios Tutorial, click HERE. 

For the February Folios Tutorial, click HERE. 

For the March Folios Tutorial, click HERE.

For the April Folios Tutorial, click HERE.

For the May Folios Tutorial, click HERE.

For the June Folios Tutorial, click HERE.

For the July Folios Tutorial, click HERE.

For the August Folios Tutorial, click HERE.

For the September Folios Tutorial, click HERE.

For the October Folios Tutorial, click HERE.

For the November 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. UPDATE: If you make your folios lumpy and dimensional like mine, all 24 folios will NOT fit into this box. You will either have to make two boxes, or adjust the dimensions to make this box a rectangle size.

Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Midnight, Natural; red, green unknown

Designer paper: Graphic 45 Children's Hour, Place in Time (original and DCE), Time to Flourish, Seasons, Winter Wonderland, Christmas Magic, Christmas Emporium, St. Nicholas

Chipboard: Graphic 45 St. Nicholas, Place in Time

Banners: Graphic 45 St. Nicholas
Stickers: Graphic 45 Time to Flourish

Ephemera cards: Graphic 45 Children's Hour, Time to Flourish, St. Nicholas, Winter Wonderland, Christmas Magic

Tags: Graphic 45 Square Black, Large Black, Regular Black

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts, Petaoo, Prima, floral supply
Glitter: gold, and clear
Dies: Spellbinders Standard Circles Small and Large; My Favorite Things Stitched Circle Stax, Cherry Lynn Design French Pastry Doily 

Tools: hot glue gun, scoring board and bone folder, corner rounder

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