February 17, 2014

Side Step Cards

Hi, everyone.  This is Charlotte C.  I hope you all had a love-filled Valentine weekend.  Thank you, Sheila, for inviting me in.  All my good wishes for a speedy recovery go out to you.
I had occasion to make some side step cards recently and wanted to share some info about them with you.  I’m sure some of you have created these too.   The birthday card I made, when I saw it a long time ago online, I actually wrote what cuts from Sweet Treats were used and just followed that.  No originality on my part there.  Why reinvent the wheel?
For both cards the card stock base is cut at 5 1/2 by 8 1/2.  When folded, they are A2 size.  The big difference is the length of the cut and where to score for the fold lines.   This picture shows the cut (solid) and score (dashed) lines.  The first score line is always a mountain fold, then valley, etc.


For the dresser card, measure in 2 3/4”  from the long edge and cut from 1” to 5 1/4”; score one side of the cut line at 1”, 2” and 5 1/4” only up to the cut line.  Score the other side at 4 1/4” only up to the cut line.  When folded, the part that’s scored at 4 1/4" becomes the actual “dresser.”   I did not have a fancy punch to create the opening between the “legs,” so I used a Spellbinders label die and just placed it enough on the base to create the opening and ran it through my Big Kick (yep, Kick; the predecessor to the Big Shot).  Drawer sizes are 3/4" x 2”.  I placed the brads on before adhering to the card.  Whether you choose to make the dresser/drawers section on the right or left really doesn’t matter.  On my card, the dress and hanger are from New Arrival.   

For the birthday card, I again measured in 2 3/4” from the long edge.  However, how far in from the edge can vary – depends on your plan for decorating.  You will see in the above photo of the cuts/score lines that I came in only 2”.  Anyhow, you will cut from 1” to 6 3/8”; score the wider side at 1”, 2”, 3” and 6 3/8 only up to the cut line.  Then score across the entire width at 4 1/4".  The little celebrate circles are from Art Philosophy and the stamp is from CTMH.

I used a Martha Stewart gift punch to decorate the birthday card envelope.  Love that punch and I always try to use it if I’m delivering a card with a gift.

 Just a few “me” things.  I did ink the edges of the cards, mats and embellishments, which is something I don’t always do.  I cut two layers for each drawer and glued them together as one to give them a bit of heft and I adhered them with foam tape.  I needed the drawers to be “open” a bit for the lace and ribbon to spill out.   I cut 3 or 4 of each of the embellishments for the birthday card and glued them together as one, again for more heft.   No foam tape on that card.  I find by gluing several layers (use the blackout feature) of the die cut together I get a sturdier, more substantial piece and oftentimes don’t need to add pop dots or foam tape.  Also used some Glossy Accents and Wink of Stella (love that stuff).

Thanks for joining us today.  Have a great day.  (I'm seeing two sizes of type on this when I preview the publish version.  I wonder why.)


2 comments:

Karon said...

Wonderful cards, Charlotte and I love the dresser one. Great tutorial. TFS

Unknown said...

Charlotte I love your step cards!!! Great tutorial too!!!