Double Diamond Stand-Up Card

This unusual card style is perfect for our holiday projects. It has plenty of space to show off your bouquet and add your own creativity to it!

Step 1

You will start with a base that is 6″ x 11″ preferably 100 lb./300 gsm cardstock in your color choice. You will also need (4) 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4 squares of cardstock for your first layering and (4) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares for your top layer; which can be a patterned DSP or a plain paper you have embossed as I have done above.

Step 2

Now, for the scoring. Along the 6-inch side, score at 3″. Turn your paper to the 11-inch side and score at 3″ and 8″. To create the folds that bring the card together…fold your paper in half length-wise and “notch” at 3 1/2″ and 7 1/2″. Next, open up the cardstock and along the 11-inch side, make notches at 4 1/2″ and 6 1/2″, then turn 180-degrees and do the same at 4 1/2″ and 6 1/2″ just like the template shows.

Using your Leaf Tool and small ball Stylus, score to connect those lines as shown above. Refer to my FB video to see how this will fold in to form two Diamonds!

Step 3

You will also need to trim two pieces of the same 100 lb./300 gsm cardstock for the bridge and place holder for your Oval center piece. Those both measure 1″ x 2″. You will score one piece, along the 2-inch side at 1″ and one piece along the 2-inch side at 1/2″ – 1″ – 1 1/2″ as shown. Refer to my FB video LIVE to see how these will be placed on the card.

Step 4

The larger of the Ovals measures 4 1/2″ x 3 1/2″; for the other ovals, just use what you have in the set that come next. I did 3 layers, but you could use only two and you can change the shape to Round or Square.

Have fun developing your own creativity with this card style.

Hexagon Tower Box & Double Flap Box

On THE GARDEN CLUB LIVE this week, I demoed how to do two very interesting, but easy boxes. The first is this Hexagon (Stepper Wrap) Tower Box which is perfect to add treats to for a special recipient–this on is for my daughter for Mother’s Day. She is an exception mother and I’m so proud of the mom she has become.

Here are the patterns with the measurements:

1. The base is 8″ x 10 1/2″. I cut this from 100 lb./270 gsm paper for stability. With the 10 1/2″-side up, you will score at 1 1/2″ – 3″ – 4 1/2″ – 6″ – 7 1/2″ and 9″. Fold and burnish all score lines.

2. For the “Hexagon” boxes, cut from the same cardstock, (5)five pieces 3″ x 9 1/2″. With the 9 1/2″-side up, you will score at 1 1/2″ – 3″ – 4 1/2″ – 6 – 7 1/2″ and 9″. Turn the paper with the 3″-side up and score at 1 1/2″. Fold and burnish all score lines.

Along the bottom row, cut up between the lines up to the middle score line. Trim away the 1/2″ along the bottom and trim the “tab” along the upper half as shown.

3. For the Lid, cut from the same cardstock, 3″ x 9 3/4″. With the 9 3/4″-side up, you will score at 1 3/4″ – 3 1/4″ – 4 3/4″ – 6 1/4″ 7 3/4″ & 9 1/4″. Turn the paper with the 3″-side up and score at 1 1/2″ Fold and burnish all score lines.

You will repeat cutting up the bottom score line to the mid score line, again, trimming away the piece at the bottom as shown to create a tab.

4. For the DSP you will need the following:
Base: (14) 1 1/4″ x 7 3/4″ – I cut 9 of my main pattern paper and 5 of a contrasting one, but your choice!
Boxes: (25) for the outside of the box – 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ ; (30) for inside of the box – 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″

Follow the instructions on my FB site, Susan’s Garden Club to construct box. I decorated the top with a beautiful Peony; a replica of the one my grandmother gave me 54 years ago! Let dry completely, then fill with Lindt Truffles!

Now, The Double Flap Box:

All in one with a bi-opening Lid is a perfect little box for our resin jewelry or a treat. Fun to make and to decorate with our beautiful paper flowers. I did a red Peony with some white Forget-Me-Nots.

1. The base is 5″ x 10 1/4″. I cut this from 100 lb./270 gsm cardstock. With the 10 1/2″-side up, score at 2 1/8″ – 3 1/8″ – 7 1/8″ and 8 1/8″ as shown. Turn the piece to the 5″-side and score at 1″ and 4″. At those one-inch sections, cut up to the score line and create “tabs” as shown. You will also cut, from the same cardstock, (4) Four pieces that measure 5″ x 15/16″ (that’s 1/16″ smaller that 1″). With the 5″-side up, score these pieces along at 1″ and 4″. Fold and burnish ALL score lines. Glue two these pieces which will create the sides of the box. Repeat with the remaining two pieces.

Follow my instructions on my FB page to form the flaps and the box.

2. For the DSP, you will need the following:

(2) 2 3/4″ x 1 7/8″

(2) 2 3/4″ x 3/4″

(4) 1 7/8″ x 3/4″

I also die cut a couple of ovals and used foam tabs to adhere to half of the box so I could add paper flowers to.

I hope you have fun with these two boxes; I did!

Letter Box for Mother’s Day

This sweet letter box is perfect to hide some treats for your mom, sister, aunt, daughter, or special friend who might be celebrating Mother’s Day. It’s easy to create and adding your favorite paper flowers will certainly put a smile on her face!

Product List:

100 lb/280-300 gsm cardstock- 12″ x 12″ for the box and scraps to make your templates.

Double-sided patterned cardstock (DSP)

Glue

Let’s Get Started

1. Transfer the measurements I’ve given on a 6″ x 6″ square cardstock to create a template.
2. Cut out 2 pieces of cardstock, 6″ x 6″ and trace around this template to form the front & back of the box.

3. Repeat this to make a pattern for the patterned cardstock, but this time, it will be on a 5 3/4″ x 5 3/4″ square piece of scrap cardstock. Cut two pieces of Double sided Paper at 5 3/4″ x 5 3/4″ and trace around the template.

Other pieces you will need in the Double Sided Patterned Paper are as follows:

(2) 1 1/4″ x 5 3/4″

(2) 1 1/4″ x 2 3/4″

(2) 1 1/4″ x 2″

(2) 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″

3. Next, from the same cardstock as you chose for your letterbox, cut the following:

These (5)five pieces will create the sides to your box. Score, as indicated with “black” lines, all five pieces.

4. Fold and burnish on all the score lines. Then trim as shown (watch the video on my FB page, if necessary.)

These boxes will be a great hit and after you’ve made a few, you should be able to do other letters of the alphabet if you choose. Keep in mind, the letter needs to be in block style so you have angles, not curves to go around.

Reference for Flowers

stc-flower-season-reference-compressedDownload

Note Card Gift Box

In the spirit of giving…I have created this lovely little Note Card Box perfect for your A2 (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″) cards. Easily goes together and you can watch my video on it at my FaceBook page, Susan’s Garden Club-January 19th, 2022.

STEP ONE

You will need an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock and a 3″ x 8 1/2″ piece, preferably 100 lb./270-300 gsm.

Score the 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece at 4 3/4″ and 6 1/4″ with the 11-inch side up and score on the 8 1/2″ side up, at 1″ and 2 1/2″. Cut away the areas marked in red.

Make sure you burnish all your score lines.

Score the 3″ x 8 1/2″ piece as shown, again cutting away any areas marked in red.

On this piece, also “mitre” the tabs as I did on my video for ease with attaching it to the main piece.

STEP TWO

Inside Panels of Patterned Cardstock:

(2) 4 1/2″ x 2 1/4″

(2) 4 1/2″ x 1 1/4″

(2) 4 1/2″ x 5 3/4″

(1) 1 1/4″ x 5 3/4″

(2) 1 1/4″ x 2 1/4″

Outside Panels of Patterned Cardstock:

(2) 4 1/2 x 5 3/4″

(1) 1 1/4″ x 5 3/4″

(1) 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ (this was my embossed piece that I did to hide the ribbon)

30″ Ribbon

I also did an Oval to show off my flower bouquet.

I love making gifts for friends and family and this is an easy project that I know you’ll love too!

“Let Your Smile Change the World, but Don’t Let the World Change Your Smile!”

Tri-Fold Card & Hershey Kiss Gift Box

An easy card and a little “Kiss” box was featured on my Garden Club LIVE today. The Tri-Fold Card is another interesting way to display a beautiful bouquet for a special birthday or just to send to a friend or family member that you’re thinking about. The Kiss Box is just in time for upcoming St. Valentine’s Day. A little extra effort to put a smile on a child’s (or grandchild’s) face!

LET’S GET STARTED

For the Tri-Fold card you will need a 6″ x 12″ piece of cardstock; I like using 100 lb./270-300 gsm paper and pattern cardstock for the panels.

Score on the black lines and cut on the red line. Make sure you burnish fold lines to give you a crisp fold.

Panels:

(1) 4 1/4″ x 5 3/4″

(1) 1 3/4 ” x 5 3/4″

(1) 1 1/2″ x 3 3/4″

(1) 3 1/2″ x 3 3/4″

(4) 3/4″ x 1 1/2″

(2) 3/4″ x 1 3/4″

Adhere panels with glue to allow for some “wiggle” room. Additionally, I die cut a rectangle to add a quote or message and circle to hold my bouquet.

The Hershey Kiss Gift Box has a few more score lines, but fairly easy to do. I used 100 lb/270-300 gsm cardstock, patterned cardstock, and a piece of acetate, if making a window.

Score along the black lines and cut along the red lines as shown on LIVE today.

Use a small die to cut a window between the 1 3/4″-3″ mark. Also you will need a circle punch to cut a half circle where the Tag (or Gift Card will be).

Panels:

(1) 4 1/2 x 2 3/4″

(1) 4 1/2 x 2 1/4″

(1) 4 1/2′ x 1″

(For the Tag, it should measure 4 3/8″ x 2 3/8″ to fit properly or the pocket will hold a standard Gift Card!)

Have fun making these cute gift boxes and Tri-Fold Cards.

Pretty Side Panel Fold Card

This care style is easy and unique to show off our paper bouquets–with an added gift of a bookmark to give to your avid readers!

Start off with a trimmed 7″ x 10″ cardstock, preferably 100 lb/280 gsm. Follow the template and the verbal directions on my LIVE video (January 5th, 2022).

The “black” lines are SCORED and the “red” lines are CUT, using a craft knife.

The folds are as follow: At the 1″ mark-Mountain; 2″ mark-Valley; 5″ mark-Mountain, 6″ mark-Mountain, and finally 7 1/2″ mark-Valley.

Panels:

(1) 4 3/4″ x 6 3/4″ (mark on three sides 3/4″ to cut a “C” shape

(1) 4 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ (mark on three sides 1/2″ to cut a “C” shape

(1) 3 3/4″ x 4 3/4″

(1) 3 1/2″ x 4 1/2″

(2) 2 1/4″ x 6 3/4″ (one on on front side, one on the back)

(1) 2″ x 6 1/2″

Bookmark:

(1) 2 1/2″ x 1 1/2″

(1) 2 1/4″ x 1 1/4″

(1) 1 3/4″ x 6″

(1) 1 1/2″ x 5 3/4″

I hope you try this stunning card; can’t wait to see your bouquets.

*PinkFresh Studio Glimmer Plates:

Heart Grid Hot Foil, Luscious Vines Hot Foil, Solid Hot Foil Plate, I also used the Inna Alphabet to use on the bookmark.

Treat Boxes & Chocolate Chip Shortbread

The holidays are coming up quickly and I have designed a quick project for you do make to help with the stress. There are so many people in our lives that just giving a little treat would put a smile on their faces and warm your heart.

My shortbread recipe is easy and I’ve stepped it out for your success! Happy Holidays!

The Box

Trim a 12″ x 12″ 100 lb./300 gsm cardstock to 12″ x 6″. With the 12″ side up, score at 2 1/4″ – 5 3/4″ – 8″ – 11 1/2″. Turn to the 6″ side and score on one side 1 1/2″ all the way across. On just the smaller panels, score at 1″ as shown.

Cut up to the 1 1/2″ and cut out the areas in “Red”.

Burnish all score lines. (For construction, follow my video on “Susan’s Garden Club” FB page.)

Cut panels from Patterned :

(2) 3 1/2″ x 6 1/8″ Tags

(2) 2″ x 4 1/4″

(1) 2 1/8″ x 3 1’4″

You will also need 3/4″ ribbon to tie the tags together.

Chocolate Dipped/Chocolate Chip Shortbread

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) at room temperature

2/3 cup Confectioners’ Sugar (Icing sugar)

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

1/8 tsp. salt

2 cups All-purpose Flour

3/4 cup Mini Chocolate Chips

Directions: Cream the butter and sugar together thoroughly. Add the vanilla extract and salt and beat for 30 seconds to combine. Add the flour and chocolate chips and beat just until combined.

Using a 1-gallon Freezer plastic bag–add the dough and roll to fill all areas of the bag…it helps to leave the bag unsealed while you’re rolling it and every once in a while, lift the plastic to smooth out any wrinkles.

Seal the bag and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. (You can also freeze the dough for later use.)

Preheat oven to 325F-degrees (163C-degrees)Remove bag by cutting up the middle and to the sides, then flip over on a cutting board as shown.

Cut the dough as shown–you should get 24 bars. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets (12 per sheet) and bake the 2 sheets for 9 minutes, then switch positions in the oven.

Ignore my dirty oven LOL!

Bake another 9 minutes (18 minutes total)

While the cookies are cooling, heat the Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers in the top of a double boiler. (You can make one using a saucepan with 1-inch of water in it and add a heat-proof bowl on top with the wafers.

Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers

Shake off excess and place cookies on a wax paper lined sheet to set.

If you have tempered your chocolate (cooled it to 87F-degrees (31C-degrees) you should have a shiny coat of chocolate!

I package my cookies in Yunko 100-pack Cookies Bags/Translucent Plastic Bags for Mini Loaf Cakes, Chocolate, Candy…etc. which I get on Amazon.

Create your treat boxes and decorate with festive flowers to add the special touch!

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FRONT STEP UP CARD

I love these “easel-kind-of-cards”! They’re not only fun to create, but are very practical when displaying our paper garden delights. Today, on my LIVE (Susan’s Garden Club FB page), I demonstrated how easy these are to go together. Here is a recap of the measurements for the base and for the layers.

1. For the Base of the card, cut one 5″ x 7″ and one 5″ x 7 1/2″ from 100 lb/300 gsm cardstock.
2. On the 5″ x 7 1/2″ piece, with the 5-inch side up, score at 1″ and at 4″ down to 2 1/2″, then turn the card to the 7 1/2″ side up and score at the 5″ mark just to the previous score lines as shown. Also, score across at the 7″ mark to give you a 1/2-inch tab. Cut on the “red” lines and remove those extra pieces. Fold mountain fold on the score lines, including the tab.
3. On the 5″ x 7″ piece, with the 5-inch side up, score at 1″ and 4″ down to the 5 1/5″ mark, then turn the card with the 7″ side up and score across the piece at 5 1/2″ and at the 4 1/2″ mark, only score just to the previous score lines. Cut on the “red” lines. Fold and score, mountain fold, valley fold.
4. Watch the video to see how I joined these two pieces.

For the Layers in patterned cardstock:

Back of Card—

Pattern: (1) 4 3/4″ x 6 3/4″ – score at 1″ and 3 3/4″ down to 2″, cut away this section.

Plain: (1) 4 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ – score at 1″ and 3 1/2″ down to 2″, cut away this section.

Front of Card—

Pattern: (1) 2 3/4″ x 5 3/8″; (1) 1 1/4″ x 4 3/4″; (2) 3/4″ x 4 1/4″

Plain: (1) 2 1/2″ x 5 1/8″

*I would recommend stamping on the back plain card before you glue it down

Easy Flip Top Gift Box and a Pop-Up Presents Card

First up is this Flip Top Gift Box; so easy to make and will hold a present for someone special. Here are the measurements:

Use (1) 12″ x 12″ cardstock (100 lb./300 gsm)

Score at 2 1/2″ and 9 1/2″, then turn 90-degrees and score at 2 1/2″ and 5″

Cut (1) 10″ x 12″ cardstock (100lb./300 gsm)

Score at 2 1/2″ and 9 1/2″ on the 12″ side up

Score at 1/2″ and 3″ on the 10″ side up

Patterned Cardstock:

(1) 6 7/8″ x 6 7/8″

(2) 6 3/4″ x 6 3/4″

(3) 2 1/4″ x 6 3/4″

Follow my instructions to create the box and cut the sides with my video!

Next, the Pop-Up Presents Card:

I made a 5″ x 7″ card, but you could adapt this to a 6″ x 6″ card as well:

( 5″ x 7″–Cut a 10″ x 7″ cardstock (I used 100 lb./300 gsm) and score at 5″

Insert: Cut 9 3/4″ x 6 3/4″ cardstock (I used 80lb./217 gsm) and score at 4 7/8″

Fold insert in half and burnish with a bone folder.

On you paper trimmer, place the fold at the top and cut the following:

With the folded insert at 2″, cut down 1 1/2″

Move card to 3″, cut down 1 1/2″

Move card to 4″, cut down 1 1/4″

Finally, move card to 5″, cut down 1″

Place the insert on your score board and score to connect the cut lines as shown on my video.

Add patterned cardstock and embellish with ribbon if desired:

3″ x 1″

2 3/4″ x 1″

2″ x 1″