tuesday card tutorial

here's a step-by-step idea for creating a fun card that holds a little gift inside (kind of a new twist on the gift card holder....)

#1: cut paper and fold to create a simple card, any size you like (you can even use an existing greeting card or note card). i wanted the back of mine to be a different paper than the front, so i sewed two pieces together on my sewing machine.

#2: take two coordinating pieces of paper and cut 3" x the width of your card (mine turned out to be 3" x 4.25")

#3: score along the 3" side at these measurements: 3/4", 1.5", and 2.25"

(the space between each score should be about 3/4")

#4: accordion fold your pieces with the middle score being a mountain fold

#5: open your card and run a piece of double stick tape along the inside at the top and bottom edges (you can also use red-line tape or glue if you like)

#6: place your folded pieces on top of your tape, matching up the edges with the card edge

#7: fold down the top of the card onto your folded pieces, matching edges. press to make sure your tape is sticking firmly!

#8: i wanted to place a ribbon for closure, so i used a square hole punch to make an opening (punch several in a row, overlapping your holes to make a rectangle....it's not exact, but that's okay!)

#9: tuck something special from your secret stash inside your card holder....don't forget the pretty confetti and tissue paper!

#10: run a ribbon through your punched opening and tie a ribbon to close!

#11: now give it to someone special!!

i'm sorry for the small photos....too many to post!

please click on images for a better view.

making a gift card holder

this is the video version of a gift card holder tutorial that i posted last year. these card holders are really easy to make, and you can create them in a jiffy!

here's a better look at the holders that i created in the video....one thing that i forgot to mention is that rounding the corners of the outside flap gives it a nice finishing touch!

have fun!!

for a larger format, you can watch the video here at you tube!

how do you make a gift card pretty?

i think that a big part of the fun in gift giving is in the gift wrapping. but trying to come up with a creative wrapping idea for the ever popular gift card was a challenge. usually when you purchase a gift card, a generic holder comes with it...so i decided to modify it a little using some scrapbook paper.

this is basically an envelope, but made with double sided cardstock.  for the front, i used the lettering from my "holly jolly everything" cards and tied a ribbon around the card to keep it closed.  the little holly charm that's attached to the ribbon was made using shrinky dinks.  i'm putting together a little tutorial that gives the cutting and scoring information...i'll post it tomorrow!