Embossing Folder Storage

For the last several days I've been working on a new project - storing my embossing folders in a couple of  3-ring binders.  I got the idea from this u-tube video.  She used 12" X 12" page protectors and the FUSE tool.  I decided to make mine with the 8 1/2" X 11" size so they would be easier to handle.  I ended up with TEN A2 embossing folder pockets ON EACH SIDE of the sheet protector - easy to flip through.

As you can see I added pictures of each embossing folder to the front of the pocket so it would be easier to see what each one looked like.  I just found the embossing folders on-line & printed the pictures.

For EACH page of 20 embossing folders (front & back), I used 11 sheet protectors - a fairly heavy weight sheet protector so hopefully it would last awhile. 10 of them were used to prepare the actual pockets for the A2 folders like this:

1.  Using the fuse tool with the pointed end, fuse & cut on a line 5" up from the bottom of the sheet protector (see line 1 in the picture above).
2. Lines 2, 3, & 4 indicate lines to be hand-cut with scissors (or use a paper cutter).  Line 2 is about 5 7/8" from the right-hand side of the page.  Line 3 is right along the fused edge at the bottom of the sheet protector, and line 4 is 5" from the right edge.  This results in 2 pockets that are approx 5" x 5 7/8" and fused on 2 sides.
3. So, we get 2 pockets from each sheet protector - with a fair amount left over - making a total of 20 pockets from the 10 sheet protectors.
4. Don't throw away the leftovers!  They will make great shaker cards, or smaller sized pockets!

Next make a pattern to use when assembling these pages (see picture below):

1. On an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper, set vertically, draw a horizontal line 6" from the bottom.
2. Now draw a vertical line 4 1/2" from the right side.
3. Then 3 more vertical lines 1" from the previous, going to the left. 
4. NOTE: This placement works well for most A2 folders, but I discovered that Sizzix folders are wider so I needed to make a small adjustment for them. 

To actually assemble the page, use the fuse tool with the wheeled sprocket end on it:

1. Slip a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" chip board into the last sheet protector, and then slip in the pattern on top of that.
2. Starting with the lower right corner, place a prepared pocket with the open edges on the left and on the top, lining up the right edge & lower edge with the page protector.
3. Then run the fuse tool along the first vertical line from the right - starting at the horizontal line and continuing to the bottom of the page.  This attaches the pocket to the page - with an opening at the top to slip the embossing folder in & out.  (As mentioned earlier, this placement works well for most A2 folders, but some, like SIZZIX, are a bit wider so need an adjustment.  The prepared pockets are okay, but fuse closer to their left edge (a bit to the left of the line for the first - each subsequent one is positioned a bit more to the right, so that by the time you get to the last one, it lines up with the edge correctly).
4. Check to make sure the pocket is attached firmly and slide an embossing folder inside to make sure everything is okay.
5. Repeat this process, adding another pocket - this time about an inch from the right-hand side of the sheet protector but still lined up with the bottom of it - and using the 2nd line from the right for the fuse line.
6. Repeat several more times, moving progressively to the left.  The fifth pocket gets attached right along the left edge of the sheet protector.
7. NOW, repeat the process with the top row, lining the bottom of the pocket up near the horizontal line (making sure there's a little space between rows). This time, the pockets extend a bit beyond the upper edge of the sheet protector.  That doesn't matter.  Just fuse all the way to the top of the pocket.  Repeat for all 5 and you're half-way done!
8. Now, remove your pattern, turn the whole thing over, and slip your pattern in the other side.  
9. Repeat the process, but this time there are a few more things to watch out for:

   1) Be careful as your fuse line crosses the bottom edge that it doesn't catch in the pockets from the other side. 

   2) Be careful as you fuse the pocket to the far left edge that you don't catch a pocket from the other side.

   3) When working the top row, place a piece of chip board across the top of the pockets from the other side & tape in place with painter's tape.  This keeps them from getting fused where you don't want them fused, but the chipboard can be easily removed when you're done.

   10. Now fill the pockets and tape a picture of the embossing folder to the front of the pocket. (I left the chip board in the pocket for added stability.)

I did a similar thing for my 5"X7" folders and my other embossing folders - except that I didn't try to overlap smaller or narrower folders.  Here's a picture of one of those: 

This pocket has a 2.5" x 12" embossing folder, two 2.5" X 7" border folders, and 4 little 2 3/4" X 2" folders.  Rather than putting more pockets on the other side, I slipped my large A4 folder into the sheet protector itself (so didn't use a chip board insert for this one).