Tutorial - 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!

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