Open the Little Garden Gates

A gatefold folio gives your story an entrance. Two doors open, and inside are pockets, notes, and whatever small world you decide to make. Think of this month's project as a journal you explore rather than turn page by page.

Finished closed size: 6 wide × 9 tall.

Open size: 12 × 9.

Allow: about one hour, plus drying.

Gather and Cut

• One cardstock base, 12 wide × 9 tall.
• One center-pocket piece, 5½ wide × 3½ tall.
• Two side-pocket pieces, each 2½ wide × 3 tall.
• One center card, 5 × 5.
• Two side cards, each 2 × 4.
• Optional: 24 inches of ribbon.
• Glue, ruler, scoring tool, and scissors.

Let's Make It

1. Score the 12-inch width at 3 inches and 9 inches. Fold both outer panels inward. They meet at the center, creating two 3-inch-wide doors over a 6-inch-wide back.
2. Open the folio. Check that the doors meet without overlapping. If the cardstock is very thick, trim only a tiny sliver from one meeting edge if needed.
3. For a ribbon closure, center the ribbon across the outside back at mid-height. Glue only the middle 4 inches onto the back panel, then cover that area with a decorative paper panel. Keep glue off the fold lines.
4. Open the folio flat again. Put a narrow line of glue on the sides and bottom of the center pocket. Position it ¼ inch from each side of the central panel and ¼ inch above its bottom.
5. Add a side pocket to the inside of each door, centered across its width and ¼ inch above the bottom. Keep all pocket tops open.
6. Allow the glue to dry fully before sliding in the cards. The center card fits behind the large pocket; the narrow cards fit in the doors.
7. Add thin labels, handwriting, or small paper pieces. Close the left door, then the right, and tie the ribbon around the front.

Make It Yours

Decorative panels for the doors can be 2¾ × 8¾. A central background panel can be 5¾ × 8¾. Glue these on before adding pockets if you want fully lined surfaces.

A Little Worktable Help

This folio has folds, not a deep spine. Keep the contents flat so the doors can close. Don't force the ribbon around an overfilled folio.

Before You Call It Finished

Remove and replace each card, then close the folio. Pocket edges should stay down and the gates should meet comfortably.

Your First Little Story

On the center card, describe a place you'd love to wander. Let each side pocket hold a detail from that imagined visit.