The file folder nightmare continues

Are you tired of seeing these file folders again and again? I'm actually getting tired of working on them, because they have turned into a living nightmare.  When I started this project, I had NO idea it would take as long to work on this project.  Of course, I didn't take into account all the photos I would need to take each day, the amount of time it would take to edit the photos, or the time needed to write each post.

I began today by cutting the file folders in half.  Some have background decorations on them, some do not.  The folder halves on the left will go to friends I don't have to mail to, while the others will probably go in the mail.  I say probably, because I may not get them finished in time to mail any.

Using the same concept I use for my scrappy journals, but this time using more textural materials, here is the front of the first page.  Each side took about an hour to make, so that means I have close to four hours wrapped up in one folio.  Luckily, I cut some tags a few weeks ago, so they were ready to be colored, decorated, and sewn on.  The pocket will hold another tag, but it will be smaller and also handmade.  I used a bar code from an old baggage/luggage sticker to cover the name on the file folder.

For the inside left, I used another tag, this time one I stamped, then added an image.  I spritzed a sheet of vintage sheet music with my handmade shimmer mists, then added a piece of colored card stock over it. The word "toys" came from a book.

Since this book will go to a cat lover, I found an image of a cat and the PURRfect sentiment.

I wanted to show the cat, but realized the sewing looked bad. Why?  Because I tried to sew the image from the back.  I wanted the gold I used in the bobbin to show on top and the red to be underneath.  Unfortunately, I have no way to adjust the bobbin tension, and the gold thread is very thin.

I got a bit frustrated with this side, after spending so much time on the other three sides.  That's why I used a lot of stickers after I

determined my inspiration image, which is this "6."

I also tried to vary my stitching, too, which took longer than I anticipated.  Note the lace was dyed when I made my Staz-on reinkers and alcohol backgrounds earlier this month.

This is one completed folio, consisting of four pages.  I have 20 folios after I cut the 10 file folders in half.  You do the math.  That means a total of 80 pages I will need to decorate before Christmas.

This is day 22 of
AEDM and I finally got one decorated folio consisting of four pages finished with only 76 more pages to go!