TUTORIAL: Accordion fold card

We made Simple Greeting Card in my last post. Let's try a new twist and make the card more fancy.

Let's add some accordion pleats!

They are so much fun to make and sure to impress your recipient.

Initially I thought of doing an accordion card with some accordion flowers (using the accordion flower tutorial right here!). But then a friend asked for a 'lovey dovey' one so I went with hearts instead.

Let's begin!

You will need:
Design Template 
White cardstock 
Black cardstock
Patterned cardstock red/pink
Scissors/Craft knife
Golden marker
Foam tape
Scotchtape
Needle and a golden thread
Glue

Cut 5.5" by 14" rectangle from white card stock for the card. Mark and score at 2.5", 2", 2.5" and 1.5". Do not fold/crease yet.

Cut a piece of rectangle 1/4" larger than the card from black cardstock for the cover. Center and adhere card onto cover.

Crease card and fold along the scored lines to create your pleats. Set card aside.

Print design template and trace heart pattern #1, #2 and #3 onto patterned paper and cut with normal scissors and a few with pinking shears. I created my own patterns on red and pink cardstock.

For this effect, simply splatter white and red acrylic paint using a toothbrush.

Remember how we painted this tote?? I painted the stripes in the same way. But before applying masking tape to paper, tape it on the back of your hand and remove. Repeat. This will prevent the paper from tearing when you remove the masking tape.

You will be layering the hearts in a bit to create two sets consisting of three hearts each.

Fold heart #2 and #3 along the center and open. Repeat for the second set.

Now layer the hearts with the largest at the bottom, followed by heart #2 and then heart #3.

Using a golden thread make a stitch in the center, flip and tape off the ends. Repeat for the other set. This is how it should look:

Adhere one set on first panel, and second on third.

Trace "Love" from template onto red cardstock. Cut and adhere with foam tape. See photograph below. Using golden marker, dot around Love. 

Cut 3.5" by 2" piece of rectangle (or larger, depending on the size of your message) from black cardstock. Using golden marker and ruler, draw lines onto strip. Dot around three sides. Add your message and adhere onto inside of card.

Cut a few more hearts and adhere onto inside of card.

And that's about it!

Now go on, brighten someone's day with LOVE. (updated)

x 

TUTORIAL: Simple greeting card

We are in the midst of wedding season!
So how many cards have you made?

I was asked by a friend to do a tutorial on greeting cards. I thought it would be fun to do a series. Start with the basic, then show how to make it accordion, pop out etc, etc.

Are you read to make one?
Let's get started.

Supplies:
textured/glossy cream cardstock - 6 inch by 14 inch and 2.5 inch by 1.5 inch
golden textured cardstock - 5.5 inch by 6.5 inch and 3 inch by 2 inch
purple ribbon - 1.5 inch wide and 14.5 inch long
purple marker
embellishment
foam tape
glue
thread and needle

Start by folding the 6 inch by 14 inch cream cardstock in half.

Wrap your ribbon around the front and push it back so it sits close to the fold. Turn the ends of the ribbon 1/4 inch inside, then fold 1/4 inch again and stitch the ends together.

This is how it should look on the outside:

And when you flip it open:

Knot your thread and using a running stitch in the center..

Pull, so that the ribbon bunches up like so:

 
Now push your needle and thread through the ribbon all the way  back to the beginning.

Do this once more, this time going in the opposite direction.

Bring the needle and thread out on the wrong side.

Tie a knot, pull and cut your thread. Don't worry if your stitching looks untidy. It will get covered up in the next step.

Adhere your embellishment to the center of the ribbon. Add glue under the ribbon so that it stays put.

Write your sentiment on 2.5 by 1.5 inch piece of cardstock and center and adhere it to the front of 3 inch by 2 inch cardstock.

Place your foam tape on the back and secure it to the front of the card.

Secure your 5.5 inch by 6.5 inch  cardstock to the inside base of your card.

Add your sentiment to the inside of your card and you are ready to brigthen the day of your special friend!

If you like, you could edge the border of cream on golden cardstock with a purple color pencil.

Happy crafting!