One Page Book with Pockets with Kirsten Varga

Hello! Kirsten here back with another bookmaking adventure! This month I am making a cute little book with pockets from one piece of paper and no sewing! Follow along with my step by step photo tutorial!

My one piece of paper is a sheet of lightweight mixed media paper that is 12"x18". I used my favorite brayer to apply black paint to one side and a blend of pink and purple to the other.

I chose the StencilGirl® Wildflowers Botanical Mask (L910) stencil and paints 

in shades of red and iridescent white to layer onto the black side of the paper.

I am very happy with the texture and depth of color that was achieved! 

Make sure the paint has dried completely before you move on to the next step.

Fold the paper in half along the long edge with the pattern on the outside.

Rotate the paper so the fold is at the top and then fold up the bottom edge to form the "pocket".

Flip over and repeat. You now have a "pocket" on the front and back.

Unfold the paper (not the pockets) and place it pattern side down. Fold a short side over about 3/4".

With that little edge still folded over fold the entire sheet in half 

with the pattern and pockets on the outside.

Our goal is to accordion fold the paper so the next step is to fold the top layer down to the bottom fold.

Then flip it over and fold the top (with that little folded edge) down to the bottom.

Below is what the result should be. An accordion folded paper with a little folded edge on the right.

Carefully flatten the paper patterned side up (with the pockets still folded). Make one cut along 

the middle fold from the top perpendicular fold to the last perpendicular fold.

The result is shown below. 

To form the book, first fold it in half pattern side out and then push in to form a "+" shape.

Flatten it and then glue the little folded edges together.

I also added a small line of glue to the other open flap.

Close the book and see which side works for your cover.

Try different configurations until you find one that works for you!

Now your book is ready to be decorated!

I chose to fill the pockets with handwritten love declarations from books

written by Jane Austen paired with some found photos of couples. To make these I used 

some Kraft cardstock and glitter paint pens along with some classic photo corners.

Happy Creating!

STENCIL USED: 

Wildflowers Botanical Mask - L910

SUPPLIES:

Lightweight Mixed Media Paper 12"x18"

Acrylic paint in black, reds, purples, iridescent white

Brayer

Paintbrush

Bone Folder

Ruler/Craft Knife

Glue

Kraft Cardstock

Glitter paint pens

Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga

Build Your Own Bouquet Stencils by Wendy Brightbill

Build Your Own Bouquet 

A Floral Stencil Collection  

Wendy Brightbill loves painting flowers and still life paintings. She wanted to design a collection where people would be able to create their own floral bouquet paintings. 

"I recommend starting with the vase stencil and building from there. Use any of the stencils in this collection or any other floral stencils from your stash!" Wendy says. "The idea is to layer the stencils in your painting to create dimension. Use with acrylics for mixed media still life paintings, or with cold wax medium and oil paint."

Wendy shares more tips on how to use these stencils below.

Vase with Bouquet Stencil 

"As a still-life painter, I wanted to take all the shape elements that I regularly use in my still life vases and put them into an easy-to-use stencil. This stencil is perfect for beginners who would like some support for painting the shapes and lines of a vase. It’s also great for anyone wanting to save some time and use a shortcut for painting a vase. Use this 9" x 12" stencil (L798) as the foundation for building your own floral bouquet. Layer with any other floral stencils to create a one of a kind bouquet. Perfect for use with acrylic paints and other mixed media materials." 

Bouquet Greenery Stencil 

"This 9" x 12" stencil (L796) is perfect for layering into your still life paintings. Use in combination with other floral stencils to build your own floral bouquets. This stencil would also be perfect for use in art journal pages or any other mixed media projects. It’s a quick way to add leaf details to any still life painting, or as organic shapes to an abstract piece."

Wildflowers Lace Mask

"This delicate lace mask of wildflowers is perfect for layering into your still life paintings. When used as a beginning background, it almost looks like the shadow of a bouquet. This 9" x 12" (L799) mask is perfect for using as a background in your art journals or any mixed media project." 

Daisy, Daisy Stencil

"This 9" x 12" daisy stencil (L797) is perfect for layering into your build your own bouquet paintings. Layer with other floral stencils to create a one of a kind bouquet, or use as a background for your art journal pages. Perfect for gelli plate prints or for adding daisies into your still life paintings." 

Let's Paint!

Protea Line Mask

"Create a graphic statement with this protea line mask (S789). This 6" x 6" mask with stencil is perfect for layering with other floral stencils to build your own bouquet. Use this mask as the details for the center of a flower, or as a background element to your mixed media paintings." 

Hyacinth Stencil

"This hyacinth 6" x6" stencil (S788) is perfect for layering into your still life paintings. Use in combination with other floral stencils to build your own floral bouquets." 

There are more flowers in StencilGirl's stencils by Wendy Brightbill and you can get them all right here.