Creative Chaos in Carry-On Size ✈️ Mini Suitcase Folio

Hi crafty friends! I hope you all enjoyed International Scrapbook Day 2026 as much as I did. I don't often get a chance to participate in the fun festivities, but this year I was able to participate in several of the Mintay Papers Facebook challenges. For the #MintayFolio challenge, I made a tutorial for you to follow along.

The instructions below are the written cutting guide and in the YouTube tutorial, I will assemble the base pieces of the folio. Also, I'll share how I decorated my folio, complete with plenty of photo spots, tags, and cute embellishments.

Mintay Papers Fancy Cards Bases

1. Score the first card base (from the straight edge) at 4 1/8", 5 1/8", 9 1/4", and 10 1/8". Fold on the score lines to create the outside cover.

2. Trim from both sides so the base is 4" instead of 4 1/8". Score the second card base (from the straight edge) at 1/2", 1 1/4", 5 1/4", and 9 1/4". Fold under on the 1/2" and 1 1/4" score lines. Fold in the opposite direction on the 5 1/4" score line, and the opposite direction on the 9 1/4" score line to create the left side piece.

3. Trim from both sides so the base is 4" instead of 4 1/8". Score the third card base (from the straight edge) at 1/2", 1 1/8", 5 1/8", 7 7/8" and 10 5/8". Fold under on the 1/2" and 1 18" score lines. Fold in the opposite directions on all remaining folds, creating a zigzag fold to create the right side piece.

4. Trim from both sides so the base is 4" instead of 4 1/8". Cut the fourth card base from the scalloped edge to 4 3/4". Score at 1/2" and 3/4" from the straight edge. Fold under on the score lines to create the top piece. Cut the remaining pieces of the card base into a 4" x 4" piece and a 3" x 4" piece.

5. Trim from both sides so the base is 4" instead of 4 1/8". Cut the fifth card base from the scalloped edge to 2 1/4". Score at 1/2", 5/8", and 3/4" from the straight edge. Fold under on the 1/2" score line and in opposite directions on the other lines to create an accordion fold. This will be the bottom pocket.

6. From the remaining piece of the fifth card base, cut two pieces to 1 1/4" x 1 1/2". On the 1 1/4" side, score at 1/2", 5/8", and 3/4" on both pieces. Fold in opposite directions on all score lines to create an accordion fold. These will be the side pieces for the pocket.

7. Cut the remaining pieces of the card base into a 4" x 4" piece and a 2 3/4" x 4" piece.

Cutting the Decorative Papers

This little folio can be decorated with any paper collection. I am using the Mintay Papers Next Trip collection along with some pieces from other travel collections. Below is a basic cutting guide for the pieces you will need to cover the base flaps. However, you can add additional flaps, belly bands, or pockets and cut your papers to fit your own folio, if needed.

Outside Cover

1. Upper flap: 4" x 1 3/4", use the edge of the card base to create the scallops

2. Front flap: 4" x 4"

3. Back flap: 4" x 4"

4. Upper spine: 4" x 3/4"

5. Lower spine: 4" x 7/8"

6. Left spine: 5/8" x 4"

7. Right spine: 1/2" x 4"

Inside

1. Upper flap: 4" x 1 3/4", use the edge of the card base to create the scallops

2. Upper spine: 4" x 3/4", do not add this paper until the end to hide the brads for the folio handle

3. Lower flap: 4" x 4"

4. Left flap - front

   1. Scalloped pocket: 2 1/2" x 3 7/8", use the edge of the card base to create the scallops

   2. Right side: 1 3/4" x 3 7/8"

   3. Full panels: 3 pieces cut to 3 7/8" x 3 7/8"

5. Right flap - front

   1. Scalloped pocket: 1 1/8" x 3 7/8"

   2. Center: 1 3/4" x 3 7/8"

   3. Right side: 1 1/4" x 3 7/8"

   4. Small panels: 2 pieces cut to 2 5/8" x 3 7/8"

   5. Full panel: 3 7/8" x 3 7/8"

6. Center flap: 2 pieces cut to 3 7/8" x 3 7/8", use the edge of the card base to create the scallops

7. Center pocket: 3 7/8" x 1 1/2", use the edge of the card base to create the scallops

8. Center base: 3 7/8" x 3"

Photo Mats & Inserts

Use the cut apart cards and leftover papers to create photo mats, tags, and inserts. You can also use additional card bases or white cardstock to create photo mats to add to the pockets. I used a combination of the 12x12 cut apart page and the smaller 6x6 cut apart page to add pieces to all of my pockets.

Embellishments

While the embellishments can really make a project stand out, be thoughtful in where you place these pieces. Due to the size measurements of the folio, too many or too thick of embellishments will cause the flaps to not close properly.

Flatter pieces such as fussy cut images or the paper stickers do not add bulk and can be used more abundantly than the chipboard stickers and pieces. I chose to include minimal embellishments since the papers are filled with images.

The Decorative Closure Band

I chose not to add a magnetic closure to my folio. Instead, I created a paper band that will slide down over the top flap of the folio to keep it closed. This band is made from a strip of the Fancy Card Base cut to 1/2" x 11". I added a 3/8" piece of pink cardstock to the band on all four sides. Then, I layered some of the leftover pieces from the collection, fussy cut them, and made charms to dangle from the suitcase handle.

I hope you find this cutting guide and the accompanying tutorial helpful in making a tiny suitcase folio of your own. I would love to see your version, whether you used a Mintay collection or another brand.

Until next time, happy crafting!

~Kristine