Free Project Inspiration: A Mixed-Media Solution to the Ordinary File Folder

Mixed-Media Solution to File Folders Project

Project by Sarah Donawerth

If you’ve ever been anywhere near my desk, you’ve seen the piles of paper that are organized, alphabetized, and littering every spare surface. I have a pile for paid bills, pending bills, auto insurance, life insurance, medical bills, banking statements, business cards of industry contacts, articles I want to read, catalogs for browsing, knitting/crochet patterns — and that’s only scratching the surface. Don’t get me wrong, I know where everything is, but it takes up a lot of space to have everything stacked up like that. My artistic side kicked in when I looked at my current organization system and the mixed-media solution I came up with is this large folio full of file folders. I now have slots for each of my piles, so that I can corral the papers and take back my desk.

 

Supply List:

 

Directions:

  1. Stamp Da Vinci text onto front color in permanent black ink.
  2. Stencil doily onto paper from Stationer’s Desk paper pad with texture past. Let dry.
  3. Cut out doily from paper and glue to center of folio. Stamp “Files” onto Stationer’s Desk label and adhere to center of doily.
  4. Stencil X’s onto top and bottom of folio, beginning with a burgundy color, then layering off-white paint on top.
  5. Punch holes in top and bottom of the spine of folio and file folders. Align the holes and run ribbon through, knotting tightly on outside of the folio.

 
Mixed-Media Solution to File Folders Project

Sarah Donawerth is a blogger, crafter, and writer from Lake Forest, CA. She has been published in Jewelry Affaire, Bella Grace, Somerset Apprentice, Stuffed, GreenCraft Magazine, and Somerset Home. She enjoys knitting, crochet, crafting, violin music, puppies, and “Downton Abbey.” Follow her as she crafts whatever her heart desires at: sarahdonawerth.com.


Posted: Tuesday, February 9th, 2016 @ 11:24 am
Categories: How-To Project Tutorials.
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3 Responses to “Free Project Inspiration: A Mixed-Media Solution to the Ordinary File Folder”

  1. Barbara says:
    February 9, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    Nice! I love it. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

  2. Cathy says:
    February 10, 2016 at 4:48 am

    The moment I saw your folder I absolutely loved it. How inspirational the colors, stenciling, organizational ideas are. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent with us.

  3. Sami Thompson says:
    February 12, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    Charming & clever! I hate to deal with paperwork, mainly because I’m terrible at keeping up with it. (Boring file folders put me to sleep.) But this is such a wonderful idea – and the directions are clear & easy to follow.

    I’m inspired enough to “fancy-up” some file folders & see if it helps me overcome my paper-stacking habits. Thanks for sharing such a great idea.

Jordan How-To Project Tutorials ,,,,,

Mixed-Media Solution to File Folders Project

Project by Sarah Donawerth

If you’ve ever been anywhere near my desk, you’ve seen the piles of paper that are organized, alphabetized, and littering every spare surface. I have a pile for paid bills, pending bills, auto insurance, life insurance, medical bills, banking statements, business cards of industry contacts, articles I want to read, catalogs for browsing, knitting/crochet patterns — and that’s only scratching the surface. Don’t get me wrong, I know where everything is, but it takes up a lot of space to have everything stacked up like that. My artistic side kicked in when I looked at my current organization system and the mixed-media solution I came up with is this large folio full of file folders. I now have slots for each of my piles, so that I can corral the papers and take back my desk.

 

Supply List:

 

Directions:

  1. Stamp Da Vinci text onto front color in permanent black ink.
  2. Stencil doily onto paper from Stationer’s Desk paper pad with texture past. Let dry.
  3. Cut out doily from paper and glue to center of folio. Stamp “Files” onto Stationer’s Desk label and adhere to center of doily.
  4. Stencil X’s onto top and bottom of folio, beginning with a burgundy color, then layering off-white paint on top.
  5. Punch holes in top and bottom of the spine of folio and file folders. Align the holes and run ribbon through, knotting tightly on outside of the folio.

 
Mixed-Media Solution to File Folders Project

Sarah Donawerth is a blogger, crafter, and writer from Lake Forest, CA. She has been published in Jewelry Affaire, Bella Grace, Somerset Apprentice, Stuffed, GreenCraft Magazine, and Somerset Home. She enjoys knitting, crochet, crafting, violin music, puppies, and “Downton Abbey.” Follow her as she crafts whatever her heart desires at: sarahdonawerth.com.