I love a man in a kilt

But what about giving a man you love a kilt .. gift card holder.  That's todays project and it's super cute. 

  

This was originally a birthday card present but needing more pictures, I created a valentine one.  If you've every been to Scotland you would have seen kilts of all colours, patterns (not just plaid) and styles (dress,utility, mini). I figure that means you can make this gift card holder with any DSP you want.

Start with a base piece of cardstock 9 3/4" x 2 3/4" - then score on the long side at 1 1/4" and 5 1/4". 

Make 2 sets of inserts for the inside: coloured layer is 4" x 2 1/2" and the white layer is 3 7/8" x 2 3/8". 

You will also need layers for the fold over pocket piece.  Coloured layer is 2 1/2" x 1" and the dsp layer is 2 3/8" x 7/8". This could also be cardstock but I like to bring a little of the plaid into the inside.

Place both layers down before adhering the pocket.  You want to make sure the tear and tape is all the way to the edge - or hang it over the edge and just fold it back on itself. Once you fold up the pocket, you can add the small plaid layer and any embellishments.

 

To make the kilt for the front, start with a piece of dsp that is 6 1/2" x 4 1/2".  If orientation of the paper matters, the long side is the top.  Score on the long side at:

1/2"   1"   1 1/2"   2"   2 1/2"   4"   4 1/2"   5"   5 1/2"   6"

The outside edges will be folded under to cover the back of the flare because you can see it from the inside. The rest alternate up and down:

The pleating is easier to show than explain I think so I made a little video, using a bigger piece of cardstock so it's easier to see.  You are basically keeping the score lines but manhandling the sections in between to get a little shape.  As I say in the video, practice on a piece of paper you don't like first and then on the good piece. 

 

Once you have the pleats done you adhere the kilt to the front.  You need enough adhesive to catch all the pleats.  When placing down the kilt, start with the bottom corners and make sure you have the tucked under piece secured in the adhesive and the lay down moving up. The flared corners will overhang the cardstock by about 1/4" but the top will line up with the sides. 

The paper is designed to go past on the top and you can trim this off before applying the belt. You can give the bottom a trim if needed as well.  Apply double tear and tape on the belt to hold it down over the pleated edge.  Put down one strip, peel the backing and then overlap the second strip. 

  

The sporran is just free hand cut - I do it in one piece and fold the flap over (then trim as I never cut evenly) but you could also do 2 pieces.  The tassel is free hand from the bakers twine and the "button" can be any embellishment or brad.

And there you have it, a kilt - not a skirt!  Although with different paper and a little different embellishing, you could make a skirt. Or maybe the bottom of a wedding dress? Have fun playing with the possibilities.

If you need help or clarification, feel free to reach out. Happy crafting.

Tracey

if one gate is good ...

 ... then three gates are better! 

I love the look and fun of this three panel gatefold card.  And you have so many options of how you can do it.

Choosing whether to have even panels, gradient panels or variable panels is mainly personal choice but could be made to accommodate a certain size stamp, sentiment or pattern on DSP.

The base is a standard size card base - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" - it is just scored differently.  Score it at 2 1/8" in from each end on the long side (instead of down the middle).  

For each of the different panel patterns, the choice of an thin border or a thick border is generally personal choice, however, the thick border is a little more forgiving lining up the layers if your cuts are not perfectly square (and really, who's are?).

 

 

The cards will not always lay completely flat, getting the sides of the base burnished really well will help this.  During assembly of the card, setting a clear stamp block on part of the card will help hold the base down (just easier this way).

 

Choices for decorating your panels are many - designer paper, stamped panels or embossed cardstock.  Just keep your decorations contained within each panel so they don't interfere with the opening and closing of the card.

  

I would love to see what you come up with.

Happy stamping!

Tracey

When the moon hits your eye ...

For whatever reason, when I think of an accordion, I think of the song That's Amore. And the movie Moonstruck - oh, I love that movie. I once burst into song in the office because of one of the sorting folders that looks like an accordion - you know which one I mean?  Alas, that has nothing to do with the book / card we are making, it's just a fun thing that happens for me - continual soundtrack based on life experiences playing in my head.

I originally saw this project years ago when a friend demo'd it at our monthly SU demonstrator get together.  I remember thinking it would be fun to try but then forgot about it until a couple weeks ago when she did a facebook live showing it.  Perfect timing! While it is designed as a photobook, it made the perfect group card I needed for a lady who was leaving for another job.  I frequently need cards big enough for the entire office to sign.  Even though I am retired now, I still like to make the cards for the wonderful people I used to work with. 

I think this project would work for so many things: all your kids yearly school pics or pics with Santa, document a holiday like a road trip or maybe Christmas, sports photos, new baby's book of first for a new mom or a brag book for a grandparent / aunt / uncle, year in review book, and more.  What ideas do you have for this project?

The video showing the making of the multicolour project can be found on my youtube channel - paper pusher tv. 

Enough rambling, let's get making. The size of this project is customizable - how many spots do you need? Are you using both the front and back of the pages? With three inserts - as shown in the pics and the video - you will have 4 full squares and 6 split squares on the front and 3 full squares and 6 split squares on the back. Each extra paper you add will add 1 full square and 2 split squares on each side. These multi colour pages show best how they go together and let you see how the front and back squares are arranged.

 

 

Let's start with the covers.  You need 2 pieces of  DSP 6"x6" and 2 pieces of heavy cardboard or chip board that are 4 1/1" x 4 1/2" each. Use a strong adhesive (tear and tape, tombo white glue, or such) to adhere the chip board in the centre of the paper.  Miter the corners (as in the pic) to cut down on the bulk and make for a smoother fold.

         

  

Set the covers aside until assembly time.  Now on to the page inserts. Each page is 8 1/2" x 8 1/2". Each page gets scored the same - at 4 1/4" both ways (make a plus) and then from corner to corner in one direction.

Line up the pages so you understand assembly before adding the adhesive.  Once lined up - adhere the pages together.

   

Now it's time to adhere the covers.  If you have chosen DSP where direction makes a difference, make sure to line up the cover the correct way up - and make sure the front and back are going in the same direction.

You also need to decide on where the ribbon will tie. Whichever way you decide, just make sure you only adhere the ribbon to one cover. The ribbon will need to be about 24" long and one that ties well.

If you are adhering it so it ties in the centre of the front cover - adhere the ribbon between the back cover and the pages.  You can choose to leave the front cover plain or add a label and work the ribbon into the design.

 

 

If you want the ribbon to tie and the side (so the front cover is fully seen) then adhere the ribbon under the front label (I drew a line on the tear and tape backing so it was easier to see).  In the video I screwed this up - just couldn't focus as I tried to keep a very large project in a small area to show on camera.  The solution is actually pretty easy.  

 

Now it's time to decorate the pages. As mentioned in the video, layout everything - especially photos - before you cut and adhere.

These pages were made for signing but could be pictures, DSP or any combination.  More details on that in the video.

These books / cards are fun to make and there are so many ways you could finish them. I sense many more in my future. I would love to see any you make.

Happy crafting!

Tracey