Simple Card Portfolio

Sorry for the late post today - I'm not feeling so hot... and I promised a photo of our little birthday boy, but it'll have to wait another day. The party was a blast, however, and he was so excited about all the people coming to his house! Ah, to be two again...

Here is a nice gift idea - and one that can be as detailed and extravagant as you'd like, or as simple and quick as you'd like. The one here is pretty simple, as I had my team make it at our meeting last weekend and we were short on time. It's a card portfolio, designed out of a single sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" cardstock.

Above you see the outside. It is held closed by a 2 feet strand of Whisper White narrow grosgrain ribbon.

On the inside, you can see that the ribbon helps to hold the cards in place. This would also look lovely with the pockets wheeled in a coordinating design. Again, this one is very simple, but I'd like to make another more involved one... ah, if I only had time to create all the things in my head! *sigh*

And here are the matching cards. We only made two, but this portfolio would easily hold a few more, depending on how many layers you put on them. ...and don't forget! You should always include matching stamped envelopes, as shown here!

The recipe for this particular project is below, but here are some general directions to make the portfolio: Again, it is a regular 8-1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock that is scored in half at 5-1/2" and then down the long side at 2-1/4". You then cut an upside-down "V" shape out of the center up to the 2-1/4" score line so you can fold the pockets up and the portfolio still closes nicely. Put some Sticky Strip along the outside edges of the pockets to hold them secure - leave the inside edges open. With the portfolio closed, use a Crop-a-Dile to poke a hole through the whole thing about 1" above the pocket on each side (see the first photo above for a visual). Then open it back up and weave the ribbon through so the long pieces are above the pockets on the inside. Voila! Simple portfolio. Now dress it up, and enjoy!

Project Recipe:
Stamp Set: Happiness Always (Hostess Level III)
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Pacific Point
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Ruby Red
Accessories: Whisper White narrow grosgrain ribbon
Tools: Key Tag punch, Crop-a-Dile, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals