Use Cardboard To Make A Billfold or Wallet!

 by Creativeman
Contest WinnerFeatured
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This is an easy instructable...how to make a billfold out of cardboard.

Step 1: Tools And Materials I Used

One piece of thin cardboard. Then I used scissors for cutting the paper needed, glue of course, clamps to hold while gluing, paint brushes, and finally, some high gloss polyurethane varnish, water based. For the driver's license compartment, I used a piece of plastic,3 and 7/8ths by 2 and 7/8ths in.
For the edging "leather" I used kraft paper, cut to 3/4in in width. Interior compartments are made of a heavy cardstock.

Step 2: Cut The Cardboard

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I used a thin piece of corrugated cardboard to hold down the bulk. The size of the piece is 4x9 and3/8ths in.

Step 4: Make Credit/Debit Card Pockets

I used a colored cardstock here,again to hold down total bulk of the bill fold. I wanted space for three cards, so needed three pieces of cardstock. See pictures for descriptions on how to glue these and leave enough space for the cards.

Step 5: Make Driver Licence Compartment

Here. I cut cardstock into 3/4 inch strip and long enough to make a border completely around the compartment. I salvaged a piece of plastic from a package I had on hand, cut to the dimensions of 3 and 7/8ths by 2 7/8ths in.

Step 6: Make Driver License For Intended User

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In this instance, Micky needed a driver license to drive in California! (It's a Micky Mouse Billfold!). I used my license with a picture of Micky, then added the information by typing it out on the computer, cutting and pasting with a minimum of glue, then took a picture, printed it out and trimmed to fit.

Step 7: Paint The Puppy

I wanted to achieve a leather look, so chose colors that would accomplish that. A first coat of burnt sienna (acrylic) paint is used, and allowed to dry. I then sideloaded my brush and painted around the perimeter with a darker shade, asphaltum. Stitching is added by making dots with a marker, then joining the dots with a liner brush. Each stitch has a highlight of lighter paint, and a shadow, made with black paint. See Pictures!

Step 8: Voila! One Virtually Free Billfold of Cardboard!

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You could actually carry this if you wanted to. Kids can have fun with it too, use monoply money, phony driver licenses with their pictures on them, and old, outdated credit cards. (with the numbers sanded off!). Paste their pictures on your license with just a dab of white glue....type out the drivers information on the word processer and cut and paste (literally) unto the license. Take a picture or scan and print out the driver's license.
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sabu.dawdy says: Dec 31, 2012. 1:02 AM
this is an awesome ~ible
Creativeman (author) in reply to sabu.dawdyDec 31, 2012. 8:49 AM
Thank you!
McGrep says: Jan 26, 2011. 11:27 AM
Very polished and deceptively leather-like. Such a great final product considering all materials are paper and cardboard based (besides the paint). I must try this.
yo homie GEEE says: Sep 7, 2010. 5:24 PM
hey, i am ish-new and i want to find out what to do in this site...... any suggestions? WOW this is a awesome wallet......... i love the little license pouch, i have not made it yet but i looked it up on google images........ AWESOME! catch you later!
no swear-man says: Jul 12, 2010. 6:44 AM
sweet this is awesome
DebH57 says: Sep 8, 2009. 3:13 PM
Hoo Hoo 2 in the finals! Look at you!
Creativeman (author) in reply to DebH57Sep 9, 2009. 5:20 AM
Stranger things have happened...I guess? Cman
mastermakoko says: Sep 5, 2009. 6:15 AM
how do you hold the money? i want to make this because my old leather wallet is peeling to my credit cards... so how do you hold the money?
Matt21497 says: Aug 26, 2009. 5:45 PM
This is really cool looking!
Creativeman (author) in reply to Matt21497Aug 26, 2009. 8:10 PM
Thanks Matt. Cman
vhcl says: Aug 20, 2009. 4:13 PM
WHAOOOOO!!!!! I though that was actual stitching until I read this step.
abbyadams says: Aug 20, 2009. 3:11 AM
Can I make this from old record album covers?
JohnMac says: Aug 7, 2009. 3:42 PM
This looks so realistic, great job.
Creativeman (author) in reply to JohnMacAug 7, 2009. 3:47 PM
Thanks JM. Cman
Uthman says: Aug 6, 2009. 10:09 AM
Absolutely awesome =) I would paint the inside too
Creativeman (author) in reply to UthmanAug 6, 2009. 6:18 PM
Thank you. Cman
Creativeman (author) in reply to CreativemanAug 7, 2009. 2:48 PM
Done! Cman
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Rishnai says: Aug 6, 2009. 10:47 PM
Awesome job painting!
Creativeman (author) in reply to RishnaiAug 7, 2009. 7:17 AM
Thank you. Cman
computer_freak_8 says: Aug 6, 2009. 8:40 AM
Nice! This is pretty cool.
Creativeman (author) in reply to computer_freak_8Aug 6, 2009. 6:19 PM
Thanks. Cman
Creativeman (author) in reply to computer_freak_8Aug 6, 2009. 9:49 AM
Thank you. Cman
thejimdandy says: Aug 6, 2009. 3:32 PM
Beautiful paint job man. Like many of the other commenter I thought it was leather. Awesome! Well done Creativeman _
Creativeman (author) in reply to thejimdandyAug 6, 2009. 6:18 PM
Thanks. Cman
Uthman says: Aug 6, 2009. 10:07 AM
Disneyland is actually located in Anaheim, CA
=))
snownight says: Jul 30, 2009. 8:38 PM
Best Instructable ever??? Yeah...Fo' Sho'
Creativeman (author) in reply to snownightJul 30, 2009. 9:01 PM
Thank you snownight! Cman
snownight in reply to CreativemanAug 4, 2009. 8:21 PM
I appreciate your acknowledgement of my comment. You are very welcome!
scoochmaroo says: Jul 31, 2009. 1:00 PM
Creativeman (author) in reply to scoochmarooJul 31, 2009. 2:35 PM
Thanks scooch:...checked it out, lots of naysaying nabobs of negativity on that site! what's up with that? Cman
scoochmaroo in reply to CreativemanJul 31, 2009. 5:02 PM
It's good for the print screen for your personal memoirs ;) Most people who review things are jerks with too high opinions of their opinions. (er. . . instructables company excluded. . . ?) Someone at an awesome website (besides ours!) thought your project was awesome enough to do their own write up about it! That's awesome! awesome.
Creativeman (author) in reply to scoochmarooJul 31, 2009. 7:17 PM
Thanks scooch....I get it....Cman
berky93 says: Jul 31, 2009. 6:14 PM
that looks awesome! I think it may be time for me to make a new wallet soon. I've been using a rubber band for a while (it really works well though!) I dont think I'm going to make it out of cardboard, as I tend to completely shred paper/cardboard ones, but you've definitely given me some good inspiration. good job!
Creativeman (author) in reply to berky93Jul 31, 2009. 7:16 PM
Thank you!..Cman
imonsei says: Jul 30, 2009. 11:50 PM
hehe. are you perchance a tabletop player? the details with the painting of the stitches give you away :D (if im correct that is)
DaveNJ says: Jul 29, 2009. 6:14 PM
C'man - great job! That really looks like leather. Great idea for the stitching too.
Creativeman (author) in reply to DaveNJJul 30, 2009. 9:01 PM
Thanks Dave. Cman
LuminousObject says: Jul 28, 2009. 6:45 PM
I just saw the picture before I saw the title, and I thought it was actually leather. Great job. I need a new wallet.
Creativeman (author) in reply to LuminousObjectJul 29, 2009. 8:05 AM
Thanks. Cman
beyondimagination in reply to CreativemanJul 29, 2009. 3:49 PM
definitely one of the better looking cardboard wallets
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