Poker Themed Step-Ups Thank You Card

I made this card for the organizer of an annual board gaming convention. He enjoys card games like Poker and Tichu so I thought I would make a thank you card with that theme. This was also the perfect opportunity to use my new Friends Forever Step-Ups Framelits Card, by Sizzix and Stephanie Barnard.

Making the Card

1. Cut the base card from black cardstock using 660144 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 23PK - Card, Friends Forever Step-Ups; fold as instructed.

2. Use the decorator die to cut black and white striped paper for the front; adhere.

3. Adhere cards in arrangement shown - this is how I used dimensional tape:
10 - one thickness, adhere to back step
J - double thickness, adhere to 10 card
Q - adhere directly to front step
K - double thickness, adhere to Q
A - adhere directly to front of card

4. Cut 4 copies of "thanks" from white cardstock and one from red/orange cardstock. Line up and glue layers together to form a thick stack with the red/orange layer on top. I used Multi-Medium Matte as an adhesive. Adhere across gap in card as shown.

5. Cut poker chip and poker chip stack from white and red/orange cardstock using SVG Cuts Game Night Kit. I resized the colored layer (called green in their file) to 2.5" width (this may vary with software by a small amount - just be sure to line up the base layer with the top layer to check that the widths are correct, i.e. the round poker chip layers should match perfectly.

6. This is the really fun part! If necessary, attach the pointed tip to the Photo Sleeve Fuse tool. Plug in and let warm up for about 10 minutes. Using the medium decorator tag die from 973 Elizabeth Craft Designs Tags Pivot Card, measure out an amount, somewhat larger than the die, of a heavy weight page protector (or pocket page). You will use this to make a shaker tag. Tape down the die at the bottom and carefully trace around all but the bottom end with the Fuse tool. It should cut through the plastic in an outline shape of the tag, sealing the edges. The bottom end will be left open so we can put some shiny stuff inside.

7. Either use a stamp for your sentiment or type one up on your computer then print it out on white cardstock. Be sure to keep the sentiment around 3/4" x 1 3/4" in size so there will be some space around it inside the pocket. Use the tag die to center and cut out the sentiment. Carefully put the tag inside the pocket, then fuse around the tag's hole (top of tag). If the plastic does not stick to itself, use some glue to seal around the edges. Add sequins, star glitter, or whatever small shiny bits you would like inside the pocket. I glued a few to the tag so they wouldn't all float to the bottom. I did this very carefully with tweezers, although you could do this before putting the tag inside the pocket.

8. Carefully fuse the bottom closed using the tag die again (line it up and tape it down from the sides or top to keep it from moving). Thread two pieces of twine through the hole as shown.

9. Adhere tag using a strong glue (I used Glossy Accents; Multi-Medium Matte will probably work as well). Adhere round poker chip with dimensional tape (I actually used fun foam to pop it up, cut in a circle using the poker chip as a template) and the poker chip stack with tape or glue. Adhere sequins and/or glitter where desired to finish the card.

10. Optional: I didn't want the card to open too far so that the cards would line up. To do so, I used a small length of black ribbon adhered to the bottom insides of the card (i.e. I strung the ribbon from card front to card back from the inside).

Supplies

• Cardstock: Black, White, Red/Orange, Black&White Striped
• 660144 Sizzix Framelits Die Set 23PK - Card, Friends Forever Step-Ups
• 973 Elizabeth Craft Designs Tags Pivot Card
• SVG Cuts Game Night
• LF690 Lawn Fawn Scripty Thanks
• Mini Deck of Cards
• Photo Sleeve Fuse, American Crafts
• Heavy Weight Page Protector (Office Supply Store)
• Sequins, Star Glitter (Silver, Gold, Red, Translucent)
• Twine: Red/White, Orange/White
• Dimensional Tape

SVG Cuts Valentine's Day Chemistry Box Card

This is the card I gave my hubby for Valentine's Day. The box card design is basically from SVGCuts Hearts Aflame Kit (with slight modifications). They have awesome designs that may be cut with most (if not all) electronic die cutters on the market. I imported this one to Cricut Design Space so I could cut it with my Cricut Explore machine. The cute characters are from the Lawn Fawn Science of Love stamp and die sets.

The card looks complicated but is actually rather easy to assemble. Amazingly, it closes flat!

Flattened Card

Making the Card

Note: I recommend reading the full instructions and watching the video (at the bottom of the SVGCuts Hearts Aflame page) first before making the card. I planned out the pieces, including stamping and embellishments, then adhered everything before assembling the main card.

1. Import SVGCuts Hearts Aflame files to whatever software program you are using. Check the sizes to be sure they imported correctly; they are listed in the file "Hearts Aflame Box Cards Menu.pdf" that comes with the kit. For Cricut Design Space, you will have to resize everything. I cut a bunch of extra hearts at smaller sizes on different papers as well. To do this on the Cricut, you will have to either edit the SVG files to remove everything except the hearts then import/resize, or locate the hearts on the mat and place papers accordingly (if you don't want to waste good paper, use scrap paper for the stuff you don't want to cut, i.e. the card parts themselves).

2. Optional: ink around some hearts and labels as desired. I used Distress Ink, Worn Lipstick, for the pink (don't remember which blue ink I used). Add Washi tape to labels and writing space (photo further below) as desired.

3. Stamp Lawn Fawn Science of Love characters, beakers, test-tube, and heart vapors on watercolor paper using black waterproof ink. Color with your favorite watercolor paints or pencils (I used Inktense pencils). Die cut each. Optional: add Wink of Stella Clear Glitter to the "chemicals." Add highlights with a white gel pen.

Note the stamped hearts in the background, behind the beakers.

4. Optional: add Stickles (red glitter) and/or Glossy Accents to some of the hearts. Stamp hearts in background on some of the larger hearts.

5. Adhere extra hearts where desired. Adhere characters and chemistry items to card as shown using dimensional tape. Assemble card as shown in the video at the bottom of the SVGCuts Hearts Aflame page.

Under Front Flap

I did a 2nd generation stamp of the test-tubes and hearts just under the sentiment. At the top right, you can see a small heart with red Stickles (topped with Glossy Accents).

Writing Space; note Washi on back and sides.

The above image is the back of the box card. You may write your message here before adhering or after - the box will flatten so it isn't difficult. I really enjoyed making this card!

Supplies

• SVGCuts Hearts Aflame Kit
• Cricut/Cricut Design Space or Other Digital Die Cutting Machine
• Cardstock: Light Blue, Light Pink, Dark Pink, Red
• Watercolor Paper
• Watercolor Pencils or Paints (I used Inktense Pencils)
• Lawn Fawn Science of Love Stamps and Dies
• Waterproof Ink: Black
• Enamel Dots
• Dimensional Tape
• Optional: Washi Tape, Wink of Stella Clear Glitter, White Gel Pen, Stickles, Glossy Accents

SVG Cuts Wreath Shaped Card

This card was made with the SVG Cuts Silent Night wreath card files. Below I explain how I changed them slightly to fit a 5x5 envelope plus used the interior file for the decorator paper on the front. Once the initial changes are made, it is surprisingly easy to create multiple copies at the same time.

The Silent Night set also includes a beautiful 3D church, gift bag, ornament, and 3D light bulb. Although they look complicated, the sets are actually very easy to assemble. SVG Cuts offers free assembly videos with clear instructions, usually found at the bottom of each set's page.

Making the Card

1. I used Cricut Design Space and my Cricut Explore to cut the designs but you could easily use Cricut Craft Room with older Cricut machines, or Sure Cuts a Lot or other SVG compatible electronic cutting software with other machines. I followed the instructions at cricut.com for importing SVG files (you can click on help to see the list of videos; the one you want is titled "Cricut Design Space: Uploading Vector Images"). Upload the files: card_base_back.svg, card_base_front.svg, interior.svg, and wreath.svg.

2. Open files: card_base_back.svg and card_base_front.svg. Ungroup the card_base_front from the cut/dashed line. Change the cut line to a score line (Layers menu, click scissors and then choose score tool). Drag the card_base_back to the card_base_front so that the tab is covered and the score line is now the center of the card (you may want to move the score line off then move it back after welding). You may have to arrange the card pieces so the back is on top in order to line them up. Weld the two parts together. Move the score line to the center of the card and group. Use the Edit menu to change the height to 4.86 and width to 9.56 (they may be a tiny bit off but should be close). Cut kraft cardstock. Fold in center, aligning the wreath outlines. Note: the inside of the card was face up on the mat when cut.

3. Open the interior file. Edit the size to height 4.6 and width 4.5; you may check the size against the card file if you didn't get the sizes above, just turn off the eye on the card (or delete it) before cutting. Cut the patterned paper. Adhere to front of card. It should leave a nice kraft outline as shown.

4. Open the wealth file. Edit the size to height 4.19 and width 8.65. Change the cut lines of the leaves to score lines as you did the center line of the card. Cut light green cardstock. Using a blending tool, ink the edges with Bundled Sage Distress Ink. Slightly curve the holly leaf edges. You may use your fingers or something thin like the handle of a small paint brush. Adhere one wreath to the card as shown. Adhere the other wreath on top, offsetting them a bit. Adhere the extra leaves as shown.

5. Tie a bow using red and gold ribbon (I cut them the same length then tied them both as one). Glue half pearls as shown. I usually use Glossy Accents as glue for these; it holds really well.

Optional: You may cut the envelop for the card from paper, just check the size against the card for proper sizing - make the envelope center a bit bigger so the card will slide in easily. Remember it will be a bit bulky with the leaves, bow, and half pearls. I have a die that cuts 5x5 sized envelopes so I didn't use the file.

Notes: I actually keep all the card parts in one file; I turn off the eye icons for items I'm not cutting. This way I only have to open one file for each card project.

Supplies

• SVG Cuts Set, Silent Night
• Cardstock, Kraft, Light Green
• Patterned Paper or Cardstock (I used Recollections Warm Wishes with Treatments)
• Distress Ink, Bundled Sage
• Ink Blending Tool
• Ribbon, Red, Gold
• Half Pearls, Red