Tutorial - Venetian Blind Cards

Venetian blind cards are a fun and quirky way to send a surprise message or image to someone special. With the slide of a paper "curtain" your big reveal moment can be sent in an envelope! 

Today's card is A2 sized, but you can make whatever suits your purpose. The measurements aren't all that important except to remember that the "blind" needs to be big enough to cover the "window" you cut in the front of your card. 

You'll need a card blank, some patterned paper, an image and sentiment, another piece of card stock that is slightly smaller (or the same size if you prefer) as your folded card blank and a piece of string or ribbon about 12" long.

1. Choose a rectangular or square die that is slightly smaller than the image for your card. Alternatively, cut a rectangular shaped window with a craft knife and ruler.

2. Use the die to cut a window from the single piece of card stock. Keep the window toward the bottom of the card stock so that you can add a little awning or valance at the top of the card. Trim a piece of patterned paper to slightly wider than your window and 47/8" long. 

3. Use the window as a template to mark the correct position on the card blank (your folded card). This will help you position the image so you can see it through the window when the blind is drawn up.

4. Adhere the image and sentiment to the card blank, making sure it fits over the area you marked in step 3. Set aside.

5. Score your blind every 3/8" so that you have 13 sections between each score line. NOTE: It doesn't really matter how many sections you have, but it should be an uneven number. The width of the score lines, in my case 3/8", will determine the folded up width of your blind. Adjust the measurements to suit your own project.

6. Concertina fold the patterned paper, ending on a mountain fold.

7. If you have a cropodile or similar heavy duty hole punch, now's the time to use it! My little punch wasn't up to the job of punching all those holes at once, so I used an eyelet tool and hammer to get it done.

8. Starting at the top of the blind where you have a valley fold, thread the string through all the holes.

9. Your string should form a "U" shape along the bottom of the patterned paper. Thread it back up through the holes on the other side, then tie knots in each end of the string to prevent fraying and to stop it from threading back through the holes.

10. Turn your blind over and apply adhesive along the top section between the two holes (indicated by the professional scribble I added in the photo below). Use good strong glue or double-sided tape as there will be quite a lot of pressure applied to this area when the strings are drawn up. Take care not to apply any adhesive to the strings.

11. Adhere the blind to the top of the window, flush with the edge of your cut.

12. To make the valance, cut another piece of patterned paper approximately 1" tall and a little wider than your blind. Use a decorative punch to add a fancy edge.

13. I used a combination of glue (again with the scribble) and foam tape to apply the valance across the top of the blind . Again, take care not to glue the strings or they won't draw up.

14. Use foam tape or glue to add the blind panel over the front of your card blank. The window should line up over your image and sentiment. Add any extra decorations as desired.