Paper engineering: It’s hip, it’s hot and it’s a perfect workshop or demo for independent retailers. The trick? Showing customers just how easy it is to achieve a cool three-dimensional effect on cards and layouts. The solution? Tools, like templates, make it fast, fun and very simple to do!
Totally templates |
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Celebrate!
Designer: Susan Cobb
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Susan’s Tip: This was my first time using the Fold-It Ribbon Swirls template, and I must admit it is really fun and easy, and takes less time than it looks like it would! I used the Loop-de-Loop large shape on the template to assemble a flower, then layered it over the base and added tails. Gluing two contrasting patterned papers back to back gives a colorful look, and makes a very sturdy flower when it’s all assembled.
Supplies:
- Fold-It Ribbon Swirls template
- Citrus Use ‘Em for Anything papers
- Citrus Creative Kit
- white cardstock
- one 5" x 6 1/2" blank white card
- X-acto® knife (for scoring corner and adding brads)
To Make the Folded Flower:
Use the template to cut an orange base and two tails, then mat each one on white cardstock. Glue pink swirls paper and blue textured paper back to back, then trace and cut out five large Loop-de-Loop shapes. Make two holes in each piece, then bring the rounded ends of one piece together and insert a mini flower Brad Buddy™ and a mini brad. Add remaining “looped” pieces to the brad, beneath the first. Attach the flower to the orange base and tails.
Kathy Jo
Designer: Laura Nicholas
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Laura’s Tip: Sanding the edges of the paper gives these Scandinavian Hearts a soft, almost quilted look. I recommend sanding before weaving—that way you won’t shift the pieces of the heart. Use a fine-grade sandpaper here…an emery board or sanding block works well.
Supplies:
- Scandinavian Hearts template
- Use 'Em For Anything Bright papers
- Bright Brad Pack
- Cardmaker's Citrus Ribbons
- white cardstock
- navy cardstock
- fine-grade sandpaper, sanding block or emery board
- clear tape
- 3/8" circle punch
- small Zots™
To Make the Woven Heart:
Trace and cut one Flower Heart shape onto light blue paper and one on striped paper. Cut out and sand the edges. Punch a hole in the center of one piece. Place the two pieces overlapping to form a heart shape with the punched piece on the bottom and on your right. Weave the pieces as shown on the template. Repeat to make a second heart. Add a yellow brad to the center of each and Zot™ a bow of orange sheer ribbon above each heart. Place clear tape on the back of the woven heart for security.
Gratitude
Designer: Laura Nicholas
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Laura’s Tip: I used the Fold-It Bows template to make three matching bows to accent the torn seam of the papers. I’ve discovered it’s easier to make identical bows with a template—this is hard to do with ribbon. I chose a tapestry-style patterned paper to give the bows the look of fabric.
Supplies:
- Fold-It Ribbon Bows template
- Vintage Busy Scrapper
- Cardmaker's Thank You Card Quotes
- white brads
- brown ink pad
- foam tape
- brown chalk
To Make the Folded Bows:
Trace and cut out four Claire bows from the tapestry paper. Begin folding on the left end, folding the end forward on the first fold line. Fold the end under on the next fold line. Repeat on the right end. Cut or punch a hole in the center for a white brad. Repeat with the other three bows.
