Decorative File Folders
Dress Them Up With Scrapbook Papers

"These decorative file folders are very simple to make."

They look so pretty, that I love to use them, which helps keep me more organized. That's the theory anyway! You can take your plain old manila file folders and turn them into beautiful, decorative office supplies. What a great gift idea for that hard to buy for business man or woman.

I made these folders especially to match my Painted Wooden File Box. Tailor yours to fit your decor. Because my box is antique looking, I wanted the folders to have that same look. Although it is a pretty straightforward project, I do have a couple of tips that I hope will help you.

To make these decorative file folders you will need folders in your choice of colors. I used plain manila, but you could start with colored folders, and add papers to coordinate.

I made these folders especially to match my Painted Wooden File Box. Tailor yours to fit your decor. Because my box is antique looking, I wanted the folders to have that same look. Although it is a pretty straightforward project, I do have a couple of tips that I hope will help you.

To make these decorative file folders you will need folders in your choice of colors. I used plain manila, but you could start with colored folders, and add papers to coordinate.

• a selection of 12x12 scrapbook papers
• glue stick - I like the blue kind so I can see where I missed
• scissors
• stamp pad and cotton balls (optional)
• ribbon (optional)
  

  
  Making Decorative File Folders

  
  These file folders were made to coordinate with my Painted Wooden File Box. Because it had an antique look, I wanted the folders to look antiqued too. The only part of the original folders that showed, were the tabs at the top. To give them an old look, I dabbed a cotton ball on a brown craft ink pad, then dabbed and rubbed it on the tabs. I left it light enough so I could still write on the tabs.
  
  

  

  
  After selecting coordinating papers for your file folders, put your folders in order, the way you would like them in the file (i.e. left tab folder in front, then middle tab, then right tab, and so on).

  Open up the top folder and glue the front panel.

  TIP: Be sure when you open it up, that you don't accidentally glue the inside front panel. Double check - I speak from experience ;)

  Be sure to glue the edges thoroughly. In the middle I glued lines horizontally and vertically. You don't have to completely cover the whole thing.
  
  

  
  

  
  Center one sheet of scrapbook paper over the glued area. Line up the paper with the topmost part of the panel and one side to get it straight. Once it is on straight, press down firmly across the whole surface, especially pressing down the edges.

  TIP: Select your favorite paper for the front file, as it will be the one you will see the most, especially in an open file box.
  

  
  

  
  Close the file folder and trim off excess paper that hangs over the edges.
  
  

  
  

  Decorative File Folders: Step 2
  
  

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