Pocket Pages are great for the scrappers who like to include memorabilia with their layouts. They can be used to hold anything from Cards to trip brochures to extra photos.

Supplies you will need:

* Cardstock (to match your one page layout you want to make a pocket page for, thus creating a two page layout in the end. If you want to make two pocket pages, you will need two sheets of cardstock)
* For the Pocket: Cardstock, vellum, transparency, corrugated paper, etc.
* Ribbon, yarn, decorative shoelaces, eyelets, brads, jute, etc. - this will be what you use to "tie" your pocket onto the page. See Note below.
* Paper Trimmer



Note: If you are going to use ribbon, yarn, shoelaces, or jute to "tie" your pocket on, you will want to use a hole punch to make the holes to weave these through. You may even want to consider using eyelets to strengthen those holes or use hole re-enforcers that you can buy in the office supply section of places like Walmart, etc.

If you are going to be using eyelets to "tie" your pocket onto the page, you will need additional tools: hammer, hole punch, eyelet setter, mat, or a quiet eyelet setter. The funny looking pliers looking thing in the photo an old grommet setter that I like to use to set eyelets with now.

If you are going to be using brads, you may want to use a Push Pad under your cardstock to keep from bending your paper, etc. If you don't have a Push Pad, you can use an old foam mousepad as it is basically the same thing, just not as thick.

Step One: Sizing up your pocket page.

Depending on what you want to put into your pocket, you will need to decide on how deep of a pocket you want. If you put too much into a pocket you run the risk of the pocket tearing away from the page, so be aware of how full your pocket is getting.

For the purpose of this article, two pocket pages are being made to hold Christmas cards that were received. Start by finding your tallest card. Lay the card on top of the cardstock or specialty paper that you are using to make your pocket from. Then using a pencil, lightly mark approximately center way of length of your card.



Step Two: Cutting your pocket.

Once you have your cardstock or specialty paper marked, use your trimmer and cut on the marked line.



Step Three: Tying your pocket to your page. Decide on what you want to use to tie your pocket to your page - ribbon, yarn, jute, eyelets, brads, etc.

For the purpose of this article, brads are used to "tie" the pocket to the page. If you decide to use brads, place your Push Pad (or a foam mouse pad) under your cardstock/papers and push your brad through. If you have difficulty getting the brad through the cardstock or paper, use a needle to poke a hole then put the brad through.

Put a brad (or hole if you are using a different item) in each corner as well as one in the bottom center. If your memorabilia is small, you may wish to put a few more brads, eyelets, etc. in the bottom row to keep the items from slipping out.







Final Product Examples:

This is the finished pocket page before anything is put into the pocket.



Finished Pocket Page with cards in pocket



Finished two pocket page layout.



I left the pockets plain, but you can dress them up with embellishments, maybe a simple title such as Christmas Cards (year), etc.

See more of Laura's work in our gallery.