Here is this weeks card tutorial.
anyone is welcome to add their own tutorials as well!
Sweet Apron shaped card.
this is a modification of a purse shape card. Hope you like it!
Supply list:
double sided cardstock (you'll need 3 cuts- a 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", and 2 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" cuts)
strip of cardstock for lace (your choice of color) cut to 1" x 12" (my example shows a 1 1/2" x 12" but a 1" looks better)
24" ribbon length to match
eyelets
scrap cardstock to make template with, and pencil
Required tools:
scissors
border punch of your choice (I used a variety of Fiskars and Martha Stewart border punches)
stapler (I used Tim Holtz tiny attacher tool - love that thing!)
paper piercer (or stick pin)- optional
fine tip pen (optional)
eyelet setter/hole punch (I used crop a dile)
adhesive
first step is to create your template. I drew this one myself, you may be able to find purse shape card templates online somewhere that you could modify. Here are the measurements for mine-
I wanted the finished card to fit inside a A2 envelope. If you intend to mail your apron card keep in mind what kind of envelope you will put it into- and remember to make allowance for your 'lace' border.
the two points on either side of the apron bottom are 5 1/4" apart from each other
the two points on either side of the apron top are 3 1/2" apart from each other
the 2 'tabs' at the top of the apron are 3/4" wide each and are 2 inches apart from each other
the apron measures 3" from the lowest part of the waistband to the lowest part of the apron hem.
how to- cut a piece of scrap cardstock to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2
then make a mark for each measurement I noted above, then basically you are connecting the dots. You will obviously have to sketch into an apron shape a bit.
Once you have your template made you are ready to make your apron cards!
How to:
First fold your largest piece of paper in half to create a card shape, and lay your template over the card so that the two tabs of the apron are flush with the FOLD of your card. then holding the template in place cut out your card shape- do NOT cut the the fold line except between the two tabs. (if you prefer you can trace template with pencil and then cut it out.
Then using same template also cut out 2 more apron shapes from your 2 other pieces of double sided cardstock.
so you should have one apron shaped card, and 2 apron shapes. ONE of the 2 apron shapes will be the FRONT of your apron. Choose this piece and then if desired you can faux stitch like this
pierce a line of holes along the hem of your apron front paper, and then use a fine tip marker to draw on your stitches. allow the tip of the marker to fall into each hole as you go will really make the stitching look real. (if you prefer you can actually sew this paper instead with your sewing machine)
set aside.
now use a border punch to punch the entire 12" length of your cardstock strip.
then find the middle of your punched strip and pinch together a small portion of paper on the edge that is NOT punched like this
see how the angle of the 'pinch' makes the 2 ends of the paper angle 'up' forming a slight 'v' shape? We need to make this paper CURVE because it's going to be attached to the CURVE of our apron hem. as you add each pleat, or pinch, your paper will curve a little more like this
continue the length of your punched border.
Now, to attach the paper lace to your apron. You need your apron folded card shape- open so you are working on the 'front' of your apron and then find the middle pleat of your punched and pleated strip and hold it against the middle of the bottom hem of your apron and staple in place like this
then find your next pleat, line it up and staple in place
continue along on each side until you have the whole front hem of your apron card adored with 'lace'
Depending on how much you pleat, you should have some left over 'lace' on either side of your card- trim this with scissors.
oh wow, this is really starting to look cute now isn't it? but wait, what about all those horrible staples? that looks pretty tacky.
not to worry, remember that sweet little apron FRONT you cut out, and faux stitched, and then set aside? The time has come to use it! Add glue to the backside of your apron FRONT cut out and then adhere in place over your 'laced' folded apron card.
oh yeah! that's cute. that's stinkin' adorable! I feel kinda like a little girl playing with paper dolls again. this is fun. what's next?
a pocket!
if you like, you can create a pocket for your apron. I free hand cut mine from the scraps after cutting out the apron shape. but you can also use square, oval, or circle punches to punch a coordinating paper - then snip the top portion of the shape off, and fold down about 1/8" from your cut line to create the pocket shape. If desired you can also do faux or real stitching on your pocket.
After you have your little pocket designed, wrap it around a pencil, pen, your pinkie finger, anything like that to form the paper a bit. like this
then apply glue to the inside edges of the pocket and adhere to your apron front where you like. using the same tool you did to shape the pocket to hold it's shape while you press the glued edges down to the apron front will help the pocket say pocket shaped.
if you are really ambitious you can craft some sweet little something to stick in the pocket!
On the home stretch now...
when you open the card you still have the other side of the staples showing don't you? Not to worry- remember that other apron shape you cut out! time to glue it in place to hide the staples
now use hole punch and eyelet setter to set eyelets in each 'tab' on the front of your apron card like this
then cut your 24" of ribbon in half.
fold a 12" piece in half and push the folded portion through the eyelet from the backside like this
Now you have a loop on top and two tales under, bring the tale around the side of the apron and pull through the loop. gently pull to tighten.
repeat on the other side
and you have just created the cutest little apron card ever!
you can definitly do lots of modifications to this to make it your own.
Try doing the lace treatment to the back side of your apron card as well for a more complete look.
Try attaching the ribbon ties differently.
Try distressing the paper a bit with ink to give you apron a more aged look
or try cutting half circles in the sides to create 'arm holes' turning your apron into a little girls sundress.
Use real lace instead
make a pink one, and use pink tulle to create a ballerinas Tu Tu
leave the ties loose, or tie in a bow in the back!
before you know it you'll be making dozens of them!
note: all double sided pattern paper used to make these apron cards is from the new 'quite contrary' collection of papers from My Minds eye, in stores now.
note: thanks to my DD for taking all of these photos. She is taking photography in school this semester and begged me to let her take all of these close up shots. Pretty good job I think.
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