Two nights ago (laying awake in the middle of the night as one does!) it occurred to me that instead of stitching on cardstock 3x4 or 4x6 to personalise/embellish my Project Life spreads I could simply stitch the page protector pocket.
I am very much in love with the transparent look, especially after I discovered I could cut up the Project Life Designer Dividers into 3x4 inserts (and which Becky Higgins herself thought was a great idea!) and achieve a coloured and see through insert with one product.
In one simple cut at the 4" mark as they are already 3" wide.

I often include sequin pockets also. That's one there on the left next to the diy 3x4 designer divider insert.
Not able to get my idea of stitching pocket page protectors into action straight away turned out to be a good thing. The idea continued to percolate away as I attended to other tasks higher on my 'to do' list.
A few concerns came to mind fairly quickly.
1. Will the page protector tear when I stitch it?
SOLUTION: Be careful when piercing, use as sharp as possible piercer/needle and dont pierce the holes too close together
2. How do I get around the mirror reverse image - clearly this page is going to be turned for next weeks spread, what will it look like from the other side?
SOLUTION: Only stitch symmetrical images or letters. I formed a list in my head of possibilities - letters - A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, X, Y upper case, i, l, m, o, t, u, v, w, x lower case with m and u not having the extra stroke. Images I thought of - umbrellas (doesn't matter which way the handle faces), houses, some animals depending on the image - a cat as typically drawn by a child is my best example, crosses, stars, sun, clouds, raindrops, baby onesies, some transport - planes, cars, toy wagon, hearts, xoxo, arrows (the direction of the arrows may need some thought for the next weeks spread possibly), again anything symmetrical or symmetrical with any extra components that you don't mind which way they face.
My mind jumped ahead to Christmas - trees, snowflakes, holly, bells etc and jumped backwards to Valentines Day - hearts, rows of xxxxx's and ooooo's.
I decided to go super simple as I tested out my theories and honed my skills.
I also wanted to try 2 options -
1. a dedicated page protector to be a stand alone feature - I chose a Project Life Design I page protector for this option. It has 3 4x4 vertical pockets.
2. a full 12x12 divided pocket page protector - I chose a 12x12 WeRMK divided page protector with 4 4x6 horizontal pockets and 4 3x4 vertical pockets (in the Project Life range it is known as Design A).
PROJECT ONE:
I went with I {heart} you with each component in its own pocket which would then be stitched enclosing sequins. This would be used as a special insert in a special album. One that is in my unfinished projects list. (Ali Edwards has inspired crafters everywhere with tackling those unfinished projects).
As an aside, I am sharing all photos of my unfinished projects progress on instagram using hashtag unfinished projects #unfinishedprojects

Materials needed: page protector, darning style needle, embroidery thread (I used Sullivans brand in 2 shades of coral, no surprises there! DMC is readily available in Australia, I have purchased from Spotlight in the past), stitching template, piercing tool and piercing mat (these are included along with some thread/floss plus needle in any Amy Tangerine stencil kit).
USEFUL TIPS: Your needle could double up as a piercer and your mouse pad from your desktop computer may work as a piercing mat. A whole host of items can be used for a stitching template or perhaps you could freehand pierce. I have heard of crafters googling their image, printing it on their home computer and piercing right through the image to get the outline and any internal details. There are any number of stencils and templates to choose from, stamped images could be utilised also. I'm sure there are other sources - let your imagination run wild and like me you will look at everything around you in a different light lol (and as a possible template!).
I needed to keep in mind when choosing an image that I have a relatively small space to worth within. Keeping a good space between the stitching and the seams of the divided page protectors is important, I didn't want to compromise the strength of the seams especially on the next example.
Once you have your supplies organised, simply line up the stencil, pierce and stitch.

This page protector needed some extra special touches.
It is after all going into a special album.
I decided on sequins, both white and slightly transparent and stitched them into the pockets using my sewing machine. I stitched 3 sides of the pocket leaving the tops open to add the sequins. I added the sequins and then stiched the top of the pocket closed.
USEFUL HINTS: Don't put all the sequins into each pocket then sew all 3 like I did.
I quickly worked out to sew the pockets from the 3rd one down on the bottom, then the middle then the top - I folded over the top two so that a. it would fit into my sewing machine and b. the sequins didn't come showering out.
Stuff and stitch one pocket at a time.


and a full view of the completed Design I page protector, now a personalised page insert!

To keep those ends/tails secure ... just keep stitching. In total I stitched each image what would equate to at least twice, I overstitched so that I could safely cut off the ends close to the project.
I didn't want knotted ends showing anywhere, therefore I did not knot the thread at any stage. I also put the tiniest dab of glossing accents at the trimmed ends so that a frayed look doesn't emerge sometime in the future.
To secure your machine stitching ... just keep stitching. Rather than go forwards and backwards at the start and end of your work ... just continue/keep stitching a little way further.
I most certainly attempted the most difficult handstitched page protector project first.
Upside: the next came together super fast and super easy.
I will definitely be doing this version often!
PROJECT TWO:
This time I wanted to attempt stitching a pocket of a 12x12 page protector.
I chose one I use most often and have the most of - I figured if it didn't work out as well in reality as it did in my head then it was an acceptable loss/waste. In addition, I considered that I could utilise the rest of the page protector in other experiments/projects by cutting it up.
I decided on hearts.
I couldn't find a stitching template (ready to use type) in my stash in the sizes I wanted.
I do however own a whole bunch of punches.
I have a few heart ones.
I punched one large and 3 small hearts - only one would be needed as a template but I wanted to be sure I liked the look of my design and more importantly that it would fit within the confines of the pocket and still look good. Once happy with the placement, I pierced and stitched.
And this idea was bought to reality.
Hearts punched from cardstock and total 'picture' is assessed:

Holes are pierced:

Stitching begins:

I found it useful to hold the 'tail' with a piece of washi tape.
Remember to secure by ... just keep stitching (past where you began). Trim tails. Adhere a dab of glossing accents if you have it.
And.... done.

USEFUL HINTS: Choose an outside or inside pocket. This would have been much easier to access if it were a pocket located either at the start or the end of the row ie the 1st or the 4th in the row pocket.
As a result of choosing a middle located pocket, the page protector did get bent a little - I have inserted cards into the vacant 4x6 pockets (they were the most crinkled/folded over during the sewing process) and the page looks fine using sturdy cardstock.
It wouldn't look fine if I wanted to use, for example, a vellum piece in one of those pockets.
I will share the significance of this large heart with 3 smaller hearts when I share the full spread - this is actually Week 8.