Tutorial - X-Fold Cards

I have a fabulous X-Fold card tutorial to share with you today that I think would be best used as a little photo book or special birthday or Christmas card. It has lots of little spaces to hold embellishments, pictures, sentiments or stamped images. The addition of a ribbon means it can be tied closed or held open for display.

1. Start with four pieces of card stock measuring 4" x 4". For a larger or smaller card, simply adjust the size of your squares.

2. Score one piece of card stock at 2", turn it 90 degrees and score again at 2" so that you have four even sections (see the photos below and the template above).

3. Score a diagonal line in one of the four sections - it doesn't matter which one. Start from the top outer corner and score toward the centre of the card stock as shown below. In the diagonally opposite corner, you will be creating a tab to hold adhesive. Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut through the score line until you reach the centre of the card stock. Use a pencil to draw in a simple tab that's about 1/4" wide, then trim away the excess card stock.

4. With the tab piece on the desk, fold along the diagonal score line until the card stock is flat.

5. Apply adhesive to the tab section then fold it over to secure it to the piece below. This will form a three sided box.

6. Now fold along the diagonal score line again, this time in the opposite direction so the fold is between the other pieces of card stock. See the photos below.

7. Repeat steps 2 - 6 for the other three pieces of card stock so that you have four, three-sided boxes.

8. Using glue or strong double-sided tape, adhere two of the boxes together so that the diagonal score lines are flat on the bottom.

9. Secure the third box to the second box in the same way, making sure the diagonal score line is on the bottom.

10. Secure the fourth box to the third, again keeping the diagonal score line on the bottom of the card. DO NOT adhere the fourth box to the first or you won't be able to open and close your card.

You should be able to fold the card in on itself...

11. Collect the embellishments, images and patterned papers you'd like to add to your card as well as a piece of ribbon about 16" long.

12. Add a strip of double-sided tape horizontally to the centre front and back of the card. There is no need to add the tape over the "spine" where all the folds meet.

13. Secure the ribbon around the card with the loose ends on the opening side.

14. The ribbon can be tied to hold the card closed or open for display.

15. Add your papers, sentiments and embellishments to the different sections of your card. Don't forget a front and back cover too!

Stamps:

Hot Tip Tuesday

Every now and then I feel inspired to create an off the page project like an altered book or canvas, and most time I like to add words to my creation. It's often the case that the chipboard letters I have in my stash are missing a letter or two that I need to complete my title. Instead of rushing out and purchasing yet another packet (and ending up with two hundred letter X's) I will attempt to construct the letter I need using what remains in the packet. In the photos below, I've shared my technique for creating an "e" from pieces of other letters that always seem to be in excess...

I firstly construct the "bones" of the letter -  in this case I've used a "c" and part of a lower case "q", which I was able to cut with a sturdy pair of scissors. The letters are glued to the canvas and allowed to dry thoroughly.

Next, I apply texture paste over the joins. I use a palette knife to get a nice flat surface.

Shaping tools are useful to push and shape the texture paste around my new letter.

After allowing everything to dry thoroughly, I give the letter a light sand to remove any rough spots. Once the gesso, paint and mediums are applied, you won't see any difference between my newly created letter and all the other letters on the project.

Dog-Gone Cute

We're back at Deanne's place today where she's sharing her collection of cute cards featuring the fuzz-balls from the new Paw Prints digital stamp set. Deanne has created three uplifting cards complete with happy sentiments and dewy-eyed dogs. The patterned papers she used have a fabulous masculine vibe, but could be used for just about anyone.

Deanne has kindly included a colouring guide for each of her three projects.

Don't you just love the dog themed paper on the card above?! The little bit of glitter on those bones and paw prints add the perfect amount of sparkle to the project... and just get a load of those eyes! Oh my!

Deanne's Blog

Colouring Techniques

A few more examples from the stamping demonstration I gave at The Crafty Chain, using the new Eucalyptus clear stamps. This time we were discussing various ways to add colour to stamped images.

Watercolour

White pencil on dark brown card

Copic markers

Stamps:
Eucalyptus clear stamps

Stamping Techniques

There are so many fun and fabulous techniques for stamping, all it takes is a little know how, some tools and a couple of hours to play. The new Eucalyptus clear stamps are great for a range of interesting techniques, some of which I've posted below. I prepared most of these for a demonstration at one of our fabulous local stores, The Crafty Chain.

The two photos above are examples of alcohol lift using inks, Yupo paper and an alcohol lift ink pad.

Applying watercolour markers directly to the stamp.

The four examples above are of stamping into or with paint and texture paste.

Emboss resist.

Stamps:

Eucalyptus clear stamps

Creating With Anesha

We're heading over to Anesha's place today to see two fabulous creations she made using the Eucalyptus clear stamp set. The first is a decorated notebook that would make a lovely gift for a friend or co-worker. Anesha coloured the image with Inktense pencils to give a lovely vibrancy to the leaves and flowers. She has kindly included a reference chart for anyone interested in the colours she chose.

The second project she created is a pretty Thank You card done in pinks and greens... one of my favourite colour combinations. The image has been stamped, coloured and fussy cut and then mounted over a collection of gorgeous die cuts. 

Anesha's Blog

4 Days To Go...

May Challenge Winners

Congratulations to the May Challenge Winners!

Gail S., Colinda and NanaConnie

You are the randomly chosen winners of last month's challenge.

If you already have a Beccy's Place store account, I'll be adding a $20.00AU credit very soon.

If not, please email me at beccy@beccysplace.com to claim your prize.

June Special Offer

Clear Stamps

Digital Stamps

June New Releases

June has arrived, which means it's time for some new designs!

Clear Stamp Set

Available in Store Now

Eucalyptus

digital stamps

Available in Store Now

Paw Prints

digital stamps

Available in Store Now

June Challenge

Create a card or paper-craft project using any Beccy's Place image, upload a photo of it to your blog or other hosted site, and submit a direct link below. The challenge runs from now until midnight on the 30th of June 2019 (AEST).

To keep things interesting, I'll be adding an additional optional element to the monthly challenges. This month we're leaving the designing to chance with a coin-flip challenge. As always, keep in mind that the additional challenge is just an optional extra!

PLEASE READ THE CONDITIONS CAREFULLY

BEFORE ENTERING THE CHALLENGE

• Entries that don't meet the conditions will be deleted from the challenge.
• Your project must be created during the month of June 2019 and entered into the challenge during the active challenge period. Due to an automated system, late entries cannot be accepted.
• Each month I will include a re-mastered digital image from my library of freebies as well as a bonus challenge, such as a card sketch, bingo grid, etc. You DO NOT have to use the image or bonus challenge on your project, but you MUST use a Beccy's Place image, either free or purchased, to be eligible for entry.
• You can enter as many times as you like and you can submit your card to any other challenge you wish.
• At the end of the month three winners will be chosen to receive a $20.00AU store credit for any digital stamps at Beccy's Place.
• To redeem the store credit, winners must have a Beccy's Place customer account. (Please note, you do not need an account to enter the challenge. It is acceptable to create an account in the event that you win. Accounts can be closed at any time.)
• Store credit won during any Beccy's Place challenge is only redeemable for digital stamps.
• Entries can be uploaded to the challenge from any hosted site including blogs, online galleries, Google photos, etc. If you do not have access to a hosted site, please feel free to email your photos to me and I will add them from the Beccy's Place Guest blog.
• Beccy's Place designers may enter the monthly challenge but are not eligible to win prizes.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER