Garden Party Invitation and the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog's First birthday!

FRONT OF CARD

INSIDE of OPENED CARD

INSIDE of CARD ~ SEMI-CLOSED

CARD in ALMOST FULLY COLLAPSED POSITION

Happy 1st Birthday to the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog!

This is an exciting and very busy month at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog as the 1st Birthday Celebration kicks off!

This weeks Wednesday Challenge starts it off with an invitation....and throughout the month...many projects and challenges will be presented...all dedicated to birthday celebrations!

I chose the theme "Garden Party"....and this is my invitation....a "spinner " card...that allows the basket of flowers to emerge as the card is opened...and then fold back into itself in the closed position.

I won't tell you that it was a fast card to make...
but I can tell you that it wasn't as difficult as it appears to be...
it was just a bit time consuming.... ONLY because it had numerous pieces (ie...the basket of flowers..and multiple layers of embossed and sanded Core'dinations card stock)...but the card itself is actually very simple to put together, once the pieces and die cuts are prepared.

I love how the basket of flowers pops out as you open the card...and then folds back into itself as the card is closed.... (I hope that the photos I've posted let you see this neat feature)

(This card measures 5 3/4 x 7 and requires a custom sized envelope)

If you're thinking that you might like to give it a try at home...these are the Sizzix and Nestabilties dies you''ll need:

*Sizzix XL Die: Spinner Card
*Sizzix XL Die: Basket and Blooms (used for the basket and tag)
*Sizzix BIGZ Die: Build a Flower (used for all flowers)
*Sizzix BIGZ Die: Lattice (used for lattice underlay on front of card)
*Nestabilities: Labels Four
*Nestabilities: Butterfly Die

All of the embossing ( flowers,, butterflies, lattice, label layers and green card stock inside of the card of the Core'dinations card stock were done with the Cuttlebug Victoria Embossing Folder... theDiamond Plate Embossing Folder was used on the basket and then then sanded to bring out the Core'dinations Color Core.

To simplify assembling the card, follow these steps (in this order)

1. Cut out and prepare inside of card (card stock layers only) * Cut to sizes that you'd like based on how much of the card base you'd like to show..and how much of mat edge you'd like
2 .Cut out Spinner Card Feature ...prefold on score lines as directed on pkg and set aside
3. Cut out, emboss, sand and assemble all flower parts.(I added button centers)
4. Hand cut 10-12 leaves and 6 flower stems from a piece of embossed green card stock
5. Cut out, emboss and sand 2 lattice die cuts and then cut each one in half diagonally to give 2 triangular pieces (I embossed and sanded after I cut out the die cut...but I am thinking it's wiser to emboss and sand first..THEN die cut...because this is a very fragile die cut)
6. Cut out, emboss and sand 2 butterflies from a die or punches of your choice( I used Nestabilties)
7. Cut out, emboss and sand 3 labels layers and assemble (using brads) after embossing and sanding
8. Assemble the basket of flowers, as you'd like

Now you're ready to assemble the card:

Cut card stock to 5 3/4 x 11...score and fold in half.
Card base will measure 5 3/4 x 5 1/2 (and will become 5 3/4 x 7 because the flowers extend beyond the edge of the card, forming a floral border on the right of the card, when the card is closed.

1. Stamp a Flourish style stamp randomly on the inside of the card to create a stamped background pattern
2. Layer plain (non-embossed card stock) first...then place next layer (embossed and sanded on top)
3. Assemble front of card as shown, using the 2 lattice die cuts that you've cut in half...as the 4 corners ...but do not attach the butterflies yet. *Add sentiment/greeting to smallest label
4. Fold, prepare, assemble and attach "Spinner Feature" as directed on pkg
5. Attach tag to basket (this is where I hand wrote the party and RSVP info)
6. Attach basket of flowers to "Spinner Feature"
7. Attach embossed and sanded butterflies to front of card

And DONE!

I created my own envelope from a pretty sheet of 12 x 12 paper for this custom sized card.

Don't be intimidated by this card...if you take it step by step..its really not a difficult card to make...


What to do if you don't own all of the dies I've used?
Well...If you don't have the Basket and Blooms die... you canuse some punches to create your flowers...
you can also hand cut a basket...and if you don't have a butterfly die or punch...you can put flowers on the front.
The lattice pieces can be replaced by using a piece of embossed card stock.
Labels can be replaced by using punches of various sizes...or matting multiple layers of card stock

YOU can create YOUR own variation of this fun card..

...and IF you do...please remember to come back...and leave a comment with a link to YOUR blog or gallery, where I can visit...see your card... and ooooo and ahhhhh over what YOU'VE created!