Business Card Portfolio Tutorial

When preparing for SNAP this past spring, I thought about what I might need to help keep myself organized.  I remembered from the past conference I attended how hard it was to keep track of everyone I met and whether or not I had received their business card.  I wanted a way to keep the cards visible, but I didn't want it to be really bulky.  So, I came up with this business card holder.  I got so many compliments and requests for a tutorial I immediately put it on my list, I even received this awesome fabric from Riley Blake to use to create the tutorial (don't you just love the bright colors of Apple of My Eye by The Quilted Fish?)  I wasn't expecting it to take me this long, but now, after much anticipation I finally have a tutorial for you.

Business Card Portfolio Tutorial

Supplies:

fabric- 1 fat quarter will make the front and back + scraps for pockets and embellishments

interfacing- I use craft fuse- you will need 2/3 to 1 yard

Peltex- or other material to add body to the portfolio- cardboard or chipboard would also work

Cutting:

  a. Cut 5 pieces 6"X12" for card holder pockets

b.  3 pocket pieces: (1) 4"X 7 1/4", (1) 5"X 7 1/4", (1) 5"X11", and pen holder 3"X 5"

c.  2 pieces for front and back: 12 1/2" X 16"

d. Craft fuse: (5) 2 1/4" X 11 1/2", (2) 11 1/2" X 15"

Preparation:

First fuse the craft fuse to the front and back panel pieces, centering them on the wrong side of the fabric.  Follow manufacturers instructions for proper fusing.

Take the pocket pieces (there are 3 of them) fold in half (right sides together- rst) matching up the short sides.  Sew around 3 sides leaving an opening for turning.  Clip corners, turn right side out and press.

Lay out the 5 card holder pieces and determine the positioning on the portfolio.  Take all but the outermost piece, fold in half rst and sew down the long edge.  Turn right side out and press.  Slide the craft fuse into each piece and fuse.

Take the outermost piece and fold in half wrong side together, press.  Open up the piece and place the craft fuse along the fold, fuse into place.  Take all 5 card holder pieces and top stitch.

Finally, take your pen holder piece and fold and press as you would bias tape. (in half along the length, press. Open up, bring edges into center fold, press) (sorry, I don't have pics of this)

Assembly:

 Prepare embellishments for the front cover and sew into place.  Determine the closure you would like and put pieces in place.  I am using an elastic piece and button as my closure.  The button I used in this project is from Riley Blake as well.

Take your innermost card holder piece and place it 4" from one short edge of the inside cover, edge stitch in place.

 Repeat with the rest of the card holder pieces, placing them 7/8" apart- measuring from the top of the previous piece.

Place pockets on the inside cover positioning them as needed.  Place the pockets 1" from edges to allow for seam allowances.  The pocket with the gussets is made by sewing down one edge, turning the corner, folding over the bottom edge approx 1/4" in each direction (use picture as guide) and sewing down the remaining two sides, making sure to close the hole previously left for turning.  Use the notepad you are using as a guide for placement of the notebook pocket, making sure to account for seam allowances.  Fold one short edge of the pen holder down and sew in place, use pens to create loops for holding the pens in place.  On final edge, fold raw edge under and sew down.

Now we're ready to put them together.  Take the front and back pieces and place them right sides together.  

1.  Make sure you add your closure- in this case and elastic loop.

2.  Sew around all 4 sides making sure you leave a fairly large opening for turning and putting in the stabilizer (should be at least 7 1/4" wide)  Clip corners and turn.  Press edges flat.  Cut your stabilizer or cardboard- you will need (4) 7 1/4" X 11 1/4" pieces if you're using peltex.  Slide 2 pieces in the left size, then add the last 2 pieces in the right side.  You may need to trim the Peltex to compensate for the bulk of the seams.  Once you're satisfied with the placement, sew the opening closed.

3.  Sew down the center of the portfolio between the two sides of Peltex.  This will create a binding- make sure before you sew you fold the portfolio in half and press the fold so the seam will create two equal halves.

aaaannnnndddd....you're done!

You now have your own gorgeous business card portfolio to keep track of all your new friends and contacts.

Enjoy!

XOXO,

Amy
linked up to Friday Flair at Whipperberry

Pick Your Plum- Giveaway!!

I don't know how many of you have heard of Pick Your Plum, but if you haven't yet, get ready to thank me!!  Pick Your Plum is a daily deals site where they offer everything from home decor items, to fashion, to crafty and baking goodies.  Some items can be personalized, some are ready to go and some are just waiting for your creative juices to give them life.  (***this is where I have to insert a personal warning though, I cannot be responsible for the temptation to purchase anything and everything they post, you are responsible for your own self control, I only have enough for me, once in a while***) ;)

If you're interested in finding out what the daily deal is you can go to their website: http://pickyourplum.com/
A window will pop up and suggest you sign up for their e-mail- which I strongly recommend.

BUT if you're determined to be the first neighbor on the block to be in the know, you will definitely want to follow them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickyourplum, because that's where they post the deals first (at 7 a.m. MST usually).
(**time for another tip:  if the deal is something you REALLY want, don't hesitate, chances are you're not alone and things can go FAST!**)

Pick Your Plum has been really generous and donated swag to a few of the events I've had the chance to participate in, I have loved EVERYTHING I have received from them.  AND- I've bought more than my fair share of goodies directly from them- in fact, I have a couple of projects coming up this week to show you how I've used some of the awesome stuff I've bought from them. :)

And since not all of you have been able to come to these events and get your own Pick Your Plum goodies, I have teamed up with them today to offer one Ameroonie Designs reader a chance to win your very own SWAG.  $50 worth of Pick Your Plum awesomeness, delivered right to your door!!  All you have to do is leave a comment, easy as pie.
(This giveaway is open to U.S. postal addresses only- sorry to all my international friends- I still love you! :))
A winner will be selected via random.org next week.  Prize is the sole responsibility of Pick Your Plum and will be sent directly from them to the address provided by the winner.  Winner must be 18 years or older.  Odds of winning are based on the number of entries received.

**One last disclaimer:  I have signed up to be an affiliate with Pick Your Plum.  Purchases made through my site and link will generate income on my behalf.  All opinions though are 100% mine, I genuinely LOVE Pick Your Plum and honestly do purchase and use their products**

Good Luck!  We'll chat soon!
XOXO,
Amy

Hang Time

A couple of weeks ago we had the chance to go as a family to Hang Time- a new trampoline gym in our area.  It was a blogging event, and our family was desperately in need of some "together" time, what with the pregnancy, basement and all.  So we loaded up and headed out.  At first we (the hubs and I) were uncertain of what to expect, and more than a few grumblings were heard from the back of the car on the drive.  Things were not boding well for our adventure.  But, as soon as shoes were off and the safety video was seen, our evening quickly took a turn for the Wonderful!!

The giant foam pits were a HIT!  All three of the older kids had so much fun jumping into these.  And my younger son, the source of most of the previous grumbling, didn't stop jumping for the entire 1 1/2 hours we were given to spend.

If this isn't the face of a blissed out kid, I don't know what is. :)
And guess what else?  Jumping on trampolines is Exercise!  What? Seriously, jumping on trampolines has been shown to be more effective exercise than running- like 10 minutes of jumping is equivalent to 33 minutes of running.  And WAY more fun- in my opinion. ;)

See that red, exercise face?  And the big "I'm having fun Smile?"  There's my proof. :)  Hang Time has an area for smaller kiddos with basketball hoops and trampolines going up the wall (awesome slide), a similar area for bigger kiddos (bigger area), a dodgeball arena with awesome staff who engaged my two boys in a rowdy game in addition to the pits.  There is also an arcade and food area for chilling out after all the exercise- I mean play. :)

My kids have been begging to go back, and we will, soon- it might be worth it to bounce this baby out. ;)
I have 5 passes to give away to you too!  If you're in Utah and want to give Hang Time a try, just leave a comment saying so and I'll pull a name out of a hat next week. (I'm not going to be specific on the day, because baby is unpredictable, but it will be next week for sure)

I just have to post this one more time because I love that cute face.

Have a great Monday!!
xoxo,
Amy