Airplane easel birthday card

 

Crafting Joy: A Beautifully Designed Handmade Birthday Card

Birthdays are a celebration of life, love, and the joy of making memories. What better way to express your heartfelt sentiments than with a handmade birthday card? In this post, we delve into the beauty of creating something unique—a new design that brings creativity and warmth to someone's special day.

The Inspiration Behind the Design

This handmade card was born out of the desire to blend elegance with a personal touch. Its design harmonizes vibrant colors, textured layers, and thoughtful embellishments that evoke the essence of celebration. The idea was to craft a card that's not just a greeting, but a keepsake—a little treasure to remind someone of how cherished they are.

A Peek into the Details

The card features a minimalist yet sophisticated aesthetic. Using a combination of die cuts and unique fold, it captures a balance between modern artistry and classic charm. The simple interactive design is easy to and fun to create.

The finished size of this card is 5 x 7. To create the easel, fold the base card in half and cut the outer edges at 1 or 1 1/4 inches. Fold the center panel in half to create the easel. And then decorate - just remember to only attach layers to the center panel.

I hope you have as much fun as I did making this card.

Happy crafting, 

Kathie K.

Bay Window Fun-fold Card Tutorial

 

Hello fellow card makers,

Thank you for visiting my blog! I have another fun-fold card for you. I call this a bay window fun-fold card - there maybe other names for this design as well. I made it into a Thank You card but this design would work for any sentiment. The card lays flat into a standard A6 (6 1/2 x 4 3/4) envelope. To create this card you will need a scoring tool or board, rectangle cutting dies, cardstock, stamps and die cuts to decorate.

Here's how you make this fun card:

• Cardstock:
• Card base: cut one piece 4 1/2 x 6 1/4; cut a second piece 4 1/2 x 6 3/4
• Front panel: cut a piece of brick background or white 4 3/8 x 5 3/8
• Inside panel; cut white piece 4 1/2 x 4 3/8

                Note: I stamped the brick pattern on white cardstock and inked the edges.

• Scoring and cutting:
• Largest card base piece: score at 1/2", 7/8" and 6 3/8; first score line fold into a mountain or away from the front; second and third score lines are valley folds; burnish each fold
• Adhere the brick piece to the scored card base between the second and third score lines; wait of few minutes for the pieces to bond and then score through both layers so you may need to make a few passes, at 2 3/8 and 4 7/8 - both will be mountain folds - this creates the bay window
• Using rectangle dies, I used two different sizes but your windows can be the same size if you prefer, cut windows between the score lines on each panel
• Attach the two card base piece together: fold the 1/2" flap over the edge of the smaller card base piece and glue to the back, then glue down the next scored section (less than 1/2 inch) to the front. Once you do this step, the bay window form
• Open card and adhere the inside white panel as close to the fold as possible but do not cover the fold line - see below

Your card is now ready to decorate. I used several die cut sets from my stash to create the hanging pot, shelf, planters and pots. You will need to create a die cut that will act as the stopper for the bay window. I used a large planter and added leaves; I placed foam dimentionals on the back so the small flap on the right side of the card can slide in (see first picture). The card folds flat and fits nicely into the A6 envelope.

Here are a few other design ideas:

• Die cut or stamp a Christmas tree and presents for a Christmas card
• Decorate with furniture die cuts for a congratulations on your new home card
• Place pet (dogs, cats, etc) dies in the window for a Miss You card

I hope you give this fun-fold a try - its so much fun to make and the seasons and sentiments are endless. If you would like to purchase this card or see my other card designs, please visit my Esty shop.

Happy card making,

Kathie K.

Center Panel Easel Card Tutorial

 

Hello card makers,

I have another fun-fold card tutorial for you. This is a center panel easel card - this was made for a birthday but can be used for any sentiment.

For this design I created my own patterned paper using a stamp set and embossing folder from my stash,. This card is an A2 (5 1/2 x 4 1/4) size but the fun-fold can be easily converted to a larger size. 

Here's what you need and how to make this card:

• Card base - cut 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 and score at 4 1/4 and fold in half; on the front panel starting at the score line, cut 1 1/4 on each side to form two flaps; fold the center panel in half towards the score line - this makes the easel
• Mat and layers - cut two pieces in a coordinating color 1 1/8 x 4 1/8 and two pieces of patterned paper 1 x 4; adhere the patterned pieces to mat pieces; adhere those to the flaps on the card base; adhere the flaps down to the base of the card - the only loose piece is the center folded panel 
• To make the center easel, cut two mat layers 2 x 2 7/8 in the coordinating color and glue down to each side of fold line on the center panel; cut one piece of patterned paper 4 x 2 3/4 (I used a brick embossing folder and rubbed on ink so it would resemble a brick wall); adhere the larger patterned paper piece to the section closest to the edge of the card so the card can still bend into an easel

• For the inside (shown above), cut a piece of white or vanilla cardstock 2 7/8 x 2 1/2 and stamp with coordinating color and stamp set; cut a piece of patterned paper 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 and a smaller piece of cardstock with your sentiment - I used a rectangle die to cut out the sentiment; add dimension to the sentiment and adhere to the patterned paper - this makes the stopper or ledge for the easel; adhere both pieces to the card base like shown above.
• Decorate your card with die cuts and/or stamped images to finish it off. This card will fit into a standard size A2 envelope.

This is such a fun card to make and one your friends and family will love to display! I hope you give the center easel card a try. If you would like to purchase this card, please visit my Etsy shop - you can also see all of my handmade creations,

Happy card making!

Kathie K

Gnome birthday fun-fold card tutorial

 

Hello card markers,

I have a very fun birthday card for you today. It's a super colorful gnome themed card with a fun-fold page. This card is great for birthdays but can be used for other occasions too. This card has lots of layers and die cuts but is quite easy to make.

The tutorial below is for a card with a finished size of 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (A2) but it is easy to convert to large sizes if desired.

Here's what you need to create the card:

• Card base - cut one piece 5 1/2 x 10 1/4 and one piece 5 1/2 x 4
• Score the large piece at 1 1/2, 3, 4 1/2 and 6 - accordion fold burnish fold line
• Score smaller piece on short side at 3 1/2 -fold to create a flap
• Adhere the smaller piece to the larger piece - I glued the flap to the back, however you can also glue to the front as it will be covered by a stamped piece
• Mat layers: cut two 5 3/8 x 1 3/8, cut four 1 3/8 x 1 3/8, and cut two 2 3/8 x 1 3/8 
• Background paper - I made mine own so I could match the color of cardstock I used for the base, mat layer and die cuts; cut two 5 1/4 x 1 1/4, cut two 2 1/4 x 1 1/4, and cut four 1 1/4 x 1 1/4
• Adhere the background paper to the mat layers
• To make the shutter cut-out, cut between the first three score lines. The first cut. measure down 1 1/2" from the top edge cutting from the first score to the third. Repeat the same cut from the bottom edge. The cut out section now becomes a mountain fold with the top and bottom sections remain valley folds.
• Adhere the mat and background paper pieces to the sections of the card base.
• Flap panel - cut mat layer 5 3/8 x 3 3/8 and white piece 5 1/4 x 3 1/4 - I used the same stamps and colors that I used to create the background paper. Stamp you sentiment and gnome; adhere die cuts - I used mushrooms and grass.
• Add other die cuts to the front panel including the gnome, mushrooms, grass, and birthday sign.
• To finish off the card, cut a white piece 5 3/8 x 4 1/8. This panel can also be stamped like the other panel and will be used for you personal message.

I used several leaf stamps to create the background - I created a one-sheet wonder piece and cut to the dimensions mentioned above. I used several gnome stamps sets and die sets to get the look I wanted. This card is a great way to use what you already have in your stash.

I hope you can give this card a try - lots fun to make and to receive. If you would like to purchase this card, please visit my Etsy shop - you can also see all of my handmade creations,

Happy card making,

Kathie K

Lighthouse on the beach fun-fold card

 

Hello stampers and crafters,

This is one of my favorite cards - it's fun to make and can be used for many ocassions. The z-fold design really makes the beach scene come alive.

This card is easy to make - here's how:

Cut a piece of navy cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 and score along the 8 1/2 side at 2 1/8 and 4 1/4. To create the scene, you will need two white pieces 5 3/8 x 2 and 2 pieces 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 (one piece is for the back). Sponge on sand color on the right side of large pices and sun set colors on the top. Cut four wave images - these will be layered to create a more realistic beach scene.

Add the last wave image to tbe first panel, add rocks, lighthouse and fence. For additional interest, I added a stone fence to the large panel. To finish the card, stamp images in the last large white pieces and adhere to the back.

I hope you give this card are try. If you would like to purchase this care, please visit my Etsy shop - you can also see all my handmade creations.

Happy card making!

Kathie K

Under the Sea Pop-up Diorama Birthday Card

This card definitely has the "wow factor". The pop-up diorama along with the seahorses, fish, coral and shells really make this a special card. The style of card can be used with any theme - here's how you create the pop-up diorama.

1. Cut the cardstock for the card base - 5 1/2 x 8
2. Cut another piece of cardstock for the diorama  - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2
3. Cut another piece 5 1/2 x 4 3/4 for the diorama insert
4. Score diorama piece at 1/2, 4 1/4, and 4 3/4; score insert at 1/4 and 4 1/2
5. Bernish score lines and fold to make a box.
6. Glue back flap of diorama box to the outside of cardstock base - for this card, I wanted the lighter card base color to be the background of the diorama scene
7. Glue the left small flap to card  - tip: lay card completely flat and line up the flap to the fold line on the card base; close card and glued edge will be in the correct spot.

The pop-up diorama is created when the card is opened. From here, you can add as many die cut pieces and embellishments as you like to create your own scene.

I hope you give this fun fold a try - your friends and family will love it! If you would like to purchase this card, please visit my Etsy shop - you can also see all of my handmade creations.

Make today a crafty day!

Kathie K.

Heard it through the grapevine

 Hello crafty friends,

If you like to color, this is the card for you. I find coloring to be therapeutic and really enjoy my creations coming to life through. My favorite medium to color is Copic markers using the Big & Bold stamps from The Colorado Craft Company.

This card has that Wow factor using very little supplies. Here's what you need:

1. 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 white base
2. 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 white top panel
3. white pieces for the die cut
4. Copic friendly black ink pad - I use Momento Tuxedo black
5. Copic markers - the colors I used are E53, E55, E57, YG03, YG17, YG67, BV00, BV01, BV02, BV11, V17, BV08, V09, and V15
6. Grapes Big & Bold stamps and dies set

To make the card, I stamped the grapes on a piece of Basic White cardstock and colored before die cutting. Since this is the center focal point of the card, I wanted it to have a little dimension. I die cut the image and then using the same grape die, but a white piece (no stamped image) and glued the two pieces together.

The image will be larger than the card base so some of the edges will need to be trimmed. I stamped the sentiments, die cut and popped them up on the card. To had a little sparkle, I added a few sequins in coordinating colors. 

And that is it - super easy and super fun to color.

I hope you enjoy make this card as much as I did. 

Make today a crafty day!

Kathie K.