Crate 365 :: The Page Protector Reinvented w/Janna Werner

 

Upon reviewing your feedback to last Tuesday's inquiry, we want to personal thank you for taking the time to share your ideas with us. We strive to bring you relevant, original projects with a story in hand and techniques to spare with Crate Paper front and center. That will always be a constant. We look forward to applying your ideas as we go about renovating Crate Paper's blog this upcoming October. Thank-you CP Fans! 

And congratulations to Erin Whelan - she has won an assorted prize pack of Crate's Fall/Winter releases!! Her feedback touched on areas repeated over and over again by almost all those whom commented..

 

Erin Whelan said:

"Your variety of projects thus far have been great. That being said I do enjoy tutorials that include a video or step by step instructions. I like learning mixed media techniques, anything art journalling related and new ways to use products. I'm also interested in Project Life type spreads and mini books. Thank you for asking your readers what they would be interested in viewing! It means so much ;)"

We'll be contacting you shortly, Erin! Watch your inbox :)

Now, take a moment to check out this week's Crate 365 with Janna Werner! 

~

Hello everyone, this is Janna Werner. Today, I would like to share how to create a fak multi-pocket layout for your Crate 365 albums. I recently saw this technique on the internet and just knew I had to try it - if being successful and happy with the result - share it with you. As I am writing this post, you already know that I was successful and happy with the result ;)

So, what exactly is fake about this page?

it seems as if this was a normal Crate 365 page protector with several pockets. But, it aint actually, it's a complete layout with a 12" x 12" white cardstock base. I used my sewing machine to create fake pockets: ten at 3 x 4 and one at 6 x 4.

Ok - now why should you create a layout like this if you could easily fill a premade page protector with multiple pockets instead? There are several reasons:

1. You ran out of page protectors that have pockets..all that is left is the standard plain 12 x 12 page protectors which you think is quite boring.
2. You would like to create your own segmentation but don't want to cut-up a page protector, nor sew on it.
3. You would like to have a white border around all your elements, but don't want to cut out eleven pieces of white cardstock, plus the photos and other papers (who has that much time, right?!)
4. You just need to try this technique.

Now, let's take a closer look at how to create this type of page.

In this first step, you'll need scratch paper, a ruler and a pen. Think about what segmentation you would like to have on your page. The good thing is, you can create it any size you want - no need to stick to 3 x 4 or 4 x 6! And yes, you could do this without a ruler as well, but most likely you'll get a better idea of your page design when the lines on the scratch paper are straight.

As soon as you are happy with the look of the 'pockets', you can start transferring the pattern onto the 12 x 12 cardstock - just keep in mind to not push the pen too hard when drawing the lines onto the cardstock as this might leave marks on it after erasing the lines later.

To create straight lines, consider using a triangular ruler - this makes the process easier and is less time intensive. After drawing the lines, use a sewing machine and sew along them. Try to stay on the lines to achieve a straight look. Erase the pencil lines when you're done. And, a quick fun tip: I used white thread, but you could also use colored thread!

More than likely, your sewn lines won't be a 100% straight, therefore, you'll need to cut the photos and papers separately so they'll fit into the "pockets". Make a mark on the papers and photos so you'll remember which pocket they're assigned to.

After filling the pockets with photos and paper, it's time to decorate the page. I chose papers, tags and stickers from the Maggie Holmes collection, and also, The Pier and DIY Shop collections. This time around, I added journaling directly onto my photos.

Here are a few detail shots of the page:

And this is what the page looks like when it is in a plain 12 x 12 page protector...

You can hardly see the difference! I really, really love this technique and will use it many more times - now let me know what you think of it: yes, or no? Have you tried it before? Do YOU have any fun tips to share on how to create a fake page protector page? Let us know :)

Have a great day, wherever you are...

Comments

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

Gorgeous!! LOVING how she put this together!! And CONGRATS to Erin!!!

[Jeanette]

Janna! This is really inspiring! Falling in love with how this is all put together on one white cardstock. Got to try this...

[Kim Thomas]

You are a very clever girl! This is a really good idea to remember for PL girls. Thank you for the inspiration. Take care. :)

[baersgarten]

this is a pretty cool idea, Janna! I have tons of 12x12" protectors and I could put them to use in my Project life Album. I'll give a try :)

[Carol Peixoto]

It is really hard to find page protectors with pockets here where I live (Curitiba, Brazil). What I do is I take a 12x12 page protector and I use my sewing machine to make the pokets. It is tricky and I need to be carefull not to ruin the plastic! This idea sounds great! I'm gonna try it for sure! Thanks for sharing!