CARING THOUGHTS

A majority of the time, my cards are completely original. But, once in awhile I am inspired by another's creations, especially when it comes to fancy or fun folds. I am not terribly creative in that regard. So, I am always grateful to other cardmakers who share their good ideas.

I recently came across a cool fold presented by Tracy Bradley of www.stampingwithtracy.com. I was so enchanted with her card that I was determined to try it myself. I'm not sure if she has instructions/measurements anywhere to make a card like this. But I made up my own measurements. So, if they are different from Tracy's, well, my measurements work out well, if you want to follow along.

Once you have all the various pieces cut, it is an easy card to put together. And, it's actually sorta fun looking. Don't you agree?

I love the clean combination of blue and white. 

This card happens to be created with Pacific Point, 

which I am sad to say has now retired.

The only tricky thing about this card is that you have to be very cognizant about where you write your message inside the card. You don't want your writing to stick out on the blank white spaces on the top and bottom. Just be sure to keep it all inside the left and right flaps!

Ready for a tutorial featuring my measurements? OK! Here goes:

SUPPLIES:

Designer Series Paper

Cardstock that coordinates with the DSP (I used Pacific Point)

White cardstock

Quiet Meadow stamp set (Page 66, Annual Catalog)

Pacific Point ink (or ink to match your cardstock choice)

Die Cutting/Embossing Machine

Layering Circles Dies

Blue Rhinestones (I found these on the Clearance Rack)

DIRECTIONS:

Measurements:    Blue cardstock:    6 3/4" x 5 1/2" and scored at 2 5/8"

                            Blue Cardstock:    3 1/2" x 3 1/2" and scored at 3/4"

                            DSP:                    2 3/8" x 5 1/4"

                                                        2 1/2" x 5 1/4"

                            White cardstock:    4" x 5 1/4"

                            White circle:        1 7/8" diameter

                            Blue circle:           2 1/4" diameter

Open up the larger piece of blue cardstock, and after creasing on the score line of the smaller piece, glue this 3/4" hinge to the right edge of the "back" of the card front. I raised mine a bit from center.

With the larger piece of blue cardstock folded on the score line, add the 2 3/8" x 5 1/4" piece of DSP to it as the left side of your card "front". Add the small piece of DSP to the closed portion of the right flap.

Use a bone folder to give each of these folds a sharp crease so the card stays shut as well as possible.

Adhere the white piece to the inside of the card.

On a scrap of white, stamp a sentiment in Pacific Point that will fit inside a 1 7/8" circle that you cut with a die. My sentiment came from the Quiet Meadow set.

With a scalloped circle die that measures 2 1/4" across, cut another circle, this one from Pacific Point cardstock.

Glue these two circles together.

When you flap the smaller gate over the large gate, adhere the finished circle to the smaller flap, but so it's centered on the front of the card.

Add a few blue rhinestones around the sentiment.

I want to send a big thanks to Tracy Bradley for her inspiration on this card! 

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If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up.

- Booker T. Washington -

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Caring

Smiles.