Heartfelt Wishes

This week our Card Camp challenge was to CASE (Copy And Selectively Edit) a beautiful card chosen by the group owner.  The card used for inspiration featured layers of die cut cardstock with a beautiful stamped floral feature at the top.  I used my favourite shaped die and a new Stampin' Up set I just purchased to create my challenge card.

 

Technique Class - Gatefold Window Card

These beautiful cards are wonderful for so many occasions and with the large range of dies on the market you are only restricted by your imagination!  Although they aren't quick and easy to make, the end result definitely makes the effort worthwhile.

 

1.  Start by making a basic gatefold card.  The easiest way to do this is to start with a strip of cardstock measuring 6" x 12" (this will give you a 6"x6" square card).  Use a pencil to mark the centre of the strip and then fold each side into the centre.  Using this method you can make gatefold cards of any size.

2.  Cut three pieces of patterned paper slightly smaller than your card blank.  My card is 6" x 6", so my patterned paper measures 53/4" x 53/4".  I used a piece of double sided paper so that I could co-ordinate the inside and the outside of the card.

3.  Place your favourite die in the centre of the inside of the card.

The cutting side of the die must be facing UP.

4.  Secure the die in place using removable tape such as washi tape or magic tape.  Remember that your die is facing cut side up, so the tape will end up being cut as well.

5.  Secure a piece of patterned paper on the front of the card over the opening.

6.  Place the card and patterned paper through the die cutting machine.  The die will cut through the two side flaps of the card as well as the piece of patterned paper.

7.  Place the die back over the patterned paper and trace around the edge.  You will cut this away later to get a lovely border.

8.  Cut the patterned paper exactly in half.  You are also going to remove a little bit of paper from the top and bottom where it joins.  This will keep the border continuous around the card.  I trimmed about 1/8" from either side.

9.  Use a small pair of sharp scissors to trim around the pencil line you drew in step 7.

10.  Using the same die, cut another window in one of the other pieces of patterned paper.  Repeat steps 7 - 9.  Now you will have a card blank, four pieces of die cut paper and a 53/4" square of patterned paper.  If you would like to ink the edges of your paper and cardstock, now is the time.

11.  Adhere the co-ordinating paper to the inside of the card.

12.  Adhere the patterned paper to the outside flaps.

13.  Now it's time to decorate!  Keep in mind that the image or sentiment you place in the centre will be visible when the card is closed.  It's a good idea to decorate the card while it's closed, that way you won't have anything overlapping and preventing the card from opening and closing properly.

14.  Add some embellishments to the front and you're done!

 

 

Photos and written instructions are copyright Beccy Muir

All rights reserved

Bear With Me

This Teddy Bear set is new in store today and contains five images with four matching sentiments.  They would be great for children's cards, Father's and Mother's Day cards, or the birth of a new baby.

 

DIGITAL IMAGE SET

Available in Store Now

The designers have put together some wonderful cards again this week to give you ideas and help inspire you to create your own paper craft projects.

 

Annie's Card

Carla's Cards

Malin's Card

Marianne's Card

Christine's Card

Gail's Card

Sock Monkeys

Every now and then I like to put the paper away and work on something a little different.  I found lots of great tutorials on how to make sock monkeys, which are amazingly simple, and thought I'd give one a go.  Each monkey is made from a pair of socks, a couple of buttons, a length of ribbon and some crochet cotton for the nose and mouth.  I was easily able to make two of them in just a few hours!

 

Cherries

This week's Card Camp challenge is to use fruit on the front of a card.  I had this lovely little bowl of cherries already stamped and only needed to add some colour with my Distress Markers before making it into a simple greeting card.

 

 

Stamps: SU "Cherish Friendship" Set

Unknown sentiment stamp

 

Birdsong Set

I love little birds.  I love watching them flit around the garden warbling their pretty songs and collecting twigs and bits of string for their little nests.  I also love how they look on cards, scrapbook pages and other paper craft projects, which is why I decided to put together another set of digital stamps featuring some little feathered friends.

 

I hope you enjoy looking through the beautiful cards my Designers have created.  Please remember to visit their blogs for even more inspiration and ideas for your own projects, and become followers so you can receive regular updates!

 

Available at Beccy's Place Now

 

Some of these images are also available as rubber stamps from

Sparkle N Sprinkle.

 

Carla's Card

Emily's Card

Malin's Card

Annie's Card

Marianne's Card

Gail's Card

Iako's Card

Technique Class - Lattice Card

Today I'll be showing you an example of a Lattice Card, which is basically a card with a window front covered with cardstock "lattice".  These cards work beautifully when you can see the inside of the card peeping out slightly and, of course, they lend themselves well to beautiful flowers and butterflies.

 

 

1.  Start with a card blank and another piece of cardstock that is slightly smaller than the front of the card.  For example, if your finished card measures 6" x 4" when closed, your extra piece of cardstock should measure about 53/4" x 33/4".

2.  Secure the extra piece of cardstock to the centre front of your card using removable tape such as washi tape or magic tape. 

3.  Using your favourite shaped die, run the open card through your die cutting machine so that it cuts through both layers.

4.  Carefully remove the tape.  You now have your card blank with a window cut into the front as well as the extra piece of cardstock with the same window.

5.  I recently purchased a lovely lattice die from Spellbinders that cuts out these great sheets of lattice perfect for Lattice Cards.  If you own a die similar to this you can use it to create your card.

6.  For those of you who don't have a die, I'm going to show you another method that involves making the lattice by hand.  Firstly, cut some strips of cardstock measuring about 4" x 1/2".  You'll need 10 - 15 depending on the size of your window.

7.  Place your card blank on your cutting mat lining up the edges with the horizontal and vertical lines so it is square.  You will use the angled markings to line up the strips.  I have a mat that has a 90 degree angle that I generally use, but if you'd like a more diamond shaped lattice you can use one of the other guide lines.

8.  Place a little repositionable glue around the edges of the window on the inside of your card blank.  The glue remains tacky when dry and will hold the strips in place while you work.

9.  Place the strips of cardstock across the window beginning in the centre.  Using the marks on your mat, evenly space the strips until the entire window is covered.  (I usually line up the corners of the squares.)

10.  Now you need to place the strips in the opposite direction, but this time you want to weave them through the strips that are already there.  Under one, over the next, etc., until you have covered the entire window.

 

11.  Trim the cardstock strips around the window. 

12.  Adhere the extra piece of cardstock over the strips to cover up the edges and keep everything in place.

13.  The window allows you to see inside the card even when it's closed, so add a pretty piece of patterned paper to the inside of the card opposite the lattice window.

14.  I added a stamped sentiment to the patterned paper that can be partially seen when the card is closed.

15.  Now decorate the front of your card with whatever embellishments you wish and your card is done!

 

Photos and written instructions are copyright Beccy Muir

All rights reserved