March 3, 2007

I'm Loving This Card!

As soon as I saw this card by Michelle Giraud (flaxychick on Splitcoast) I knew I had the template for my Mom's 85th birthday card. Thank you Michelle! Today I spent a delicious morning -- ok, it extended into the early afternoon -- making this card. I let my hubby do the grocery shopping and take my Mom out this afternoon. This is the first time I've been in the house without my Mom in ages, and it is so relaxing not having to worry about her or being "on duty." She has developed mysterious "tremors" and is spilling her medication, food, drinks, etc. The worst is when she gets up to walk -- even with her walker, she is shaking way too much. The neurologist is doing tests, but it is just a question of time before she falls. My husband and I have been discussing nursing home. I think it will be up to my Mom to decide which is worse -- having the so called "safety" of being in a nursing home or taking her risks with us. Anyway, as usual I digress . . . This is the card being held closed (note how I erased of my thumb on top -- after I took the pic, I could see some blue ink on my nail!) This is the card opened up. It's a bit hard to see the detail in this card, but each panel has some type of embellishment. (if you click on the picture, you'll see a larger version). The front of the card has the word "Happy" going up the front and the inside has almost all of the other words from Stampin Up's Happy Everything set. For the first time in ages, I used eyelets in a card, thanks to the Crop-a-Dile. I am definitely a dork when it comes to "tools" -- and of course, I couldn't get this tool to work at first. Every time I tried to set an eyelet, it would leave a crushed mark on the eyelet. Ruined a lot of eyelets that way. But, I was determined, and fiddled around with the settings, and finally got it to work. I'm now an eyelet lover! I also used the Crop-a-Dile to punch holes in the card to thread the ribbon. Unfortunately, the tool left a darkish mark on the front of the card. Luckily, the ribbon hides most of it. Punch some scrap paper before taking any chances with this thing! If you are like me, you learn by seeing, not by reading, so I thought I'd post a few pics of the pieces of this card so that you can see how to pull it together. Very easy. This is a standard A2 (5 1/4 x 4 1/4) card, folded at the center. I then took the front of the card and made a score down the center and folded as shown. Then I took another piece of 8 1/2 by 5 1/4 cardstock and scored and folded as shown: Finally, you put the cards together as shown, adhering the 2 cards together to make one long card. So cool! Supplies used to make this card: All Stampin Up unless otherwise noted. Stamps: Petal Prints and Happy Everything, and TAC Squiggles (love that set). May Arts White Polka Dot organdy ribbon; non SU green ribbon; Bold Brights eyelets; non SU white brads; Non SU White Shimmery Paper; Ballet Blue, Summer Sun cardstocks; Ballet Blue, Summer Sun, Garden Green classic ink and markers; White Craft ink; Looks Like Spring Punch; Prima flower; Crop-a-Dile; Genesis Paper Trimmer; Japanese Screw Punch; and Mono Multi Glue.

15 comments:

  1. Very pretty! "Happy Birthday" to you mom. TFS.

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  2. I love this card because you can either make it a theme card connecting the pages or just have lots of fun putting in different details on each page! Very pretty, thanks for the extra pictures on how this is put together; I might have to try one for my mother-in-law for Easter.

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  3. Amazing. Thanks for the photos. Makes it easy to do. Happy Birthday Mom.

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  4. So pretty, Joan!! I am sure your Mom will love it.

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  5. I am in awe... You're mother is sure to love it!

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  6. THANK YOU!!! Superb directions!!! Will use this layout in my Tech Club and make one for my Mom next month (she will be 93). Love your card, too.

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  7. Absolutely cool card! I love your color theme, so spring!! The folding is amazing, so is your decoration. Yes, the eyelets take some getting used to, my diningroom table has the marks to show for my trials LOL...

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  8. Beautiful! She'll love it and all the thought you put into making it. Thanks for sharing it with us. My grandmother's bday is soon and I'll be using this card as my inspiration.

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  9. Another beauty Joan! I saw that card on that blog too, but I like how yours turned out. The stamping is excellent, and I like the ribbon threaded in the layers. Thanks for showing the additional pictures on how to put it together. I'll have to bookmark this one.

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  10. Thank you so much for the pictures. I am definitely a "visual" person. And from one parental caregiver to another, here's a BIG HUG ((( )))

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  11. I love this card. It is so pretty and so unique. I love cards that have different folding techniques as I get so bored with the same card all the time. Thanks so much for sharing it with us and making the directions so easy with the pictures. I think I'd like to try a card for my mother using this template.

    I am sure that your mom will love it. I hope she has a Happy Birthday.

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  12. Oh my gosh! This is so cool. I have seen these but not with the one panel being bigger so that it looks like a card and then folds out. I love this! I am in a swap for something similar that I have to get done ASAP! Thanks for the instructions, at least I know I can come back here when I am ready to try one! Awesome Joan!

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  13. Oops! I forgot to post my name on the above comment!

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  14. Joan thank you so much for sharing this sample and directions and the link to the orginal card. I sat right down and started one for a friend's birthday last night, and I'm so please with the results...so far. This has become my favorite new fold.....for the moment. LOL Have a great day.

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  15. What a great card, Joan! I hadn't seen one of these before, and I love the idea as well as your execution of it!

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