Have you ever come home from the store realizing that you forgot the very thing you went to the store for in the first place? Well that’s what happened here, and that’s how this project was born. We just filed our income taxes last week. I was ready to check that chore off my list, as soon as I stored all my tax paperwork into a file folder and on the shelf. Of course, I forgot to get the folder while at the store, so rather than run back to the store to pick one up (average time: 20 minutes,) I decided to make my own storage folder (average time 1 hour… if you don’t include 30 minutes for photos – plus 1 hour for posting)….you do the math and tell me, couldn’t I have run to the store and back, and been on with the rest of my day? Any excuse for DIY!
Have you seen the new type of tube that comes with a roll of wrapping paper? Well, that’s what I used to make this file folder. It’s not a joined tube, like that of a paper towel roll. The new type is just a strip of un-joined, rolled-up cardboard. Must be cheaper, I guess.
Supplies:
1 cardboard un-joined tube from a roll of wrapping
Duct tape
String
Cloths pins or any type clip you can find (i.e.: chip clips, paper clips)
Stencils and craft sponge (optional)
Craft paint (optional)
How to make the folder
Unroll the wrapping paper tube and fold one bottom up ¾ of the length of the tube.
Put one clip on each side to hold the fold in place.
With the top ¼ of the tube, fold in the corners and fold it over the other section to form an envelope.
Apply tape to secure
Apply duct tape to sides, bottom, and fold flap.
I put the stencils on first, but I think it would be easier to put the tape on first before stenciling.
Once you have tape where you want it, you can opt to apply stenciling to the folder; you can print out labels from your computer; you can hand write the file name; or do nothing more.
Apply stencils:
Measure and mark the center point of the flap both height and width, using a pencil.
Draw light pencil lines across for a guide.
Figure out what the center letter of your wording is and place it on the center mark and start to apply your stencils.
Tie with string
Wrap and tie with string for safe keeping and you’re done!
Sometimes, I’ll do just about anything to avoid another trip to the store, how about you?
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