Start to Finish Birthday Card!

Well, it looks like I am posting a start to finish after all...lol. So, here's what you need for this card: One solid colored cardstock, One sheet of Patterned Paper, a scrap of coordinating cardstock in a neutral color that will be stamped on, a small length of ribbon (I'd say about 7 inches should work fine), stamps and ink, glue, paper trimmer and a craft knife.

So let's get started!! Cut your base cardstock to 8 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches. (this will fit into a standard card sized envelope when finished). For the scoring, you want to turn it so that the card is "opened" horizontally (refer to the folded photo below if you are confused) and using your scoring blade (or the back of a craft knife/bone folder if you dont have a scoring blade...or you can use an embossing stylus in the groove on your paper trimmer!) make a score line at 1 3/4 inches and again at 5 5/8 inches. Then fold on the score lines. The card flaps will slightly overlap, this is a good thing, but if it really bugs you then trim it...but you'll be on your own with your measurements if you do that!

On to the patterned paper....I like to leave a 1/4 margin whenever I matte anything, so cut two strips of patterned paper, the first one will be 2 3/8 x 5 inches and the second will be 1 1/2 x 5 inches. This will leave a beautiful margin. Adhere these two strips on the flaps using your choice of glue or tape runner.

Now for the sentiment, cut a 3 x 2 1/4 rectangle from the same cardstock you cut your base from (there should be plenty left over, even if you choose to make two cards!) Then grab a scrap cardstock from your stash in a lighter color and cut a 2 3/4 x 2 inch piece. DON'T MOUNT IT YET! Set the larger rectangle to the side, and grab a sheet of scratch paper, this is important! Grab your stamps of choice, I chose a flourish and a few small leaf stamps, I stamped the flourish on the scratch paper to make sure I liked how it stamped, and then stamped it onto the cardstock rectangle. I like to overhang my stamp so that it just drifts off the edge. Then as you can see I stamped off the leaves a few times and ultimately decided I didn't like the larger of the leaves and went with the tiny one. This also gives me a chance to lay out my design on the scratch paper, as well as get a feel for the stamp. Because I use acrylics, I test every single stamp first - they all stamp differently and require different pressure while stamping, i've learned this the hard way!! After stamping my rectangle I mounted it to the larger piece.

Next, open up the smaller side of the card and turn it over, lay the sentiment and length of ribbon on the flap and push it around until you find a great resting place for it. I wanted more of the large flower to show in the paper so mine is toward the top of the card. Remove the elements and using the craft knife, slice an opening in the fold line slightly wider than the ribbon and slide the ribbon through. You will wrap the ribbon around the small flap and tie a nice little knot. I find that to tie a better looking knot, when you pull the ends of the ribbon, just hold your right hand still and pull with your left only (using your right hand to steady the card and ribbon.) Then just fuss and fiddle til you get the tails pointing where you want.

After your knot is tied if you want to slide it to one side or the other, open the card flap and the ribbon will slide easier without munching the edge of the cardstock.

I use Zots/glue dots to adhere sentiments around ribbon, in this case, I used a zot in the top and bottom left corners of the sentiment and one on the right side of the knot on the ribbon itself.

Trim your ribbon tails and fold your card back up, you are done!! Wasn't so bad was it??