Nothing says “impersonal” quite like the folded piece of shiny paper that accompanies most gift cards. Why not ditch the “To,” “From” and “Amount” lines this year in favor of something a little less cold. Deb Zadnik, creative director of Cleveland-based Pulsar Paper, shows us how:
Supplies:
One 8 1/2-by-11-inch off-white cardstock sheet (two cards are created from one sheet)
Two to three 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheets of Christmas-pattern scrapbooking paper of choice
Small, brown craft bags at 2 5/8 by 4 inches
White cardstock tags
Red pigment ink pen
1/4-inch holiday ribbon of choice
Circle cutter (or circular lid to trace)
12-inch paper trimmer with scoring blade or Xacto blade and ruler
White chalk ink
Adhesive (tape runner recommended)
Sand paper (optional)
Holiday sentiments stamp
Stamping ink in desired color(s)
4 1/2-by-5 1/2-inch envelopes
Step one:
Using trimmer, cut blank cardstock sheet vertically at 4 1/2 inches (in half).
Turn cardstock lengthwise, and trim to 10 1/2 inches in length. Change blade in trimmer to scoring blade and score card in center of 10 1/2 inches, at the 5 1/4-inch mark. (Scoring blade will not cut through cardstock; it allows for a crisp fold line.) Fold card. Repeat these steps for number of cards to complete. The fold should go at the top of the card. Finished cards will be 4 1/4 inches wide by 5 1/4 inches long.
Step two:
Cut pattern paper of choice for background to 4 by 5 inches. Using the tape runner, adhere pattern paper to front of card, leaving 1/8-inch border around of white cardstock. Using circle cutter (or circular lid), cut 3 1/2-inch circles from a different pattern paper. Use trimmer to cut circles in half. (If desired, take sandpaper and distress the edges of pattern papers before adhering to add texture to cards.) Adhere 1/2-inch circle to front of card (as shown in photo). Using paper trimmer, trim the third pattern paper into 1/2-inch strips and trim length to 4 1/4 inches. Adhere to the bottom of card (as shown).
Step three:
Decorate the brown craft bag. Color the edges of the bag with white ink. Wrap the ribbon around the bag and thread through-white cardstock tags before tying knot. Trim away excess. With red marker, write sentiments on tags. Using tape runner, adhere the bag that will hold gift card to the front and center of card, creating a “pocket.”
Step four:
Open card. Add ink to holiday sentiment stamp and press with even pressure in center of card. Allow the ink to dry before closing card. Be sure to clean off stamp when stamping is completed. Don’t forget to sign the gift giver’s name, and add the gift card to brown bag “pocket” on front. Finally, put it in the envelope, and you’re done!
Supplies:
One 8 1/2-by-11-inch off-white cardstock sheet (two cards are created from one sheet)
Two to three 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheets of Christmas-pattern scrapbooking paper of choice
Small, brown craft bags at 2 5/8 by 4 inches
White cardstock tags
Red pigment ink pen
1/4-inch holiday ribbon of choice
Circle cutter (or circular lid to trace)
12-inch paper trimmer with scoring blade or Xacto blade and ruler
White chalk ink
Adhesive (tape runner recommended)
Sand paper (optional)
Holiday sentiments stamp
Stamping ink in desired color(s)
4 1/2-by-5 1/2-inch envelopes
Step one:
Using trimmer, cut blank cardstock sheet vertically at 4 1/2 inches (in half).
Turn cardstock lengthwise, and trim to 10 1/2 inches in length. Change blade in trimmer to scoring blade and score card in center of 10 1/2 inches, at the 5 1/4-inch mark. (Scoring blade will not cut through cardstock; it allows for a crisp fold line.) Fold card. Repeat these steps for number of cards to complete. The fold should go at the top of the card. Finished cards will be 4 1/4 inches wide by 5 1/4 inches long.
Step two:
Cut pattern paper of choice for background to 4 by 5 inches. Using the tape runner, adhere pattern paper to front of card, leaving 1/8-inch border around of white cardstock. Using circle cutter (or circular lid), cut 3 1/2-inch circles from a different pattern paper. Use trimmer to cut circles in half. (If desired, take sandpaper and distress the edges of pattern papers before adhering to add texture to cards.) Adhere 1/2-inch circle to front of card (as shown in photo). Using paper trimmer, trim the third pattern paper into 1/2-inch strips and trim length to 4 1/4 inches. Adhere to the bottom of card (as shown).
Step three:
Decorate the brown craft bag. Color the edges of the bag with white ink. Wrap the ribbon around the bag and thread through-white cardstock tags before tying knot. Trim away excess. With red marker, write sentiments on tags. Using tape runner, adhere the bag that will hold gift card to the front and center of card, creating a “pocket.”
Step four:
Open card. Add ink to holiday sentiment stamp and press with even pressure in center of card. Allow the ink to dry before closing card. Be sure to clean off stamp when stamping is completed. Don’t forget to sign the gift giver’s name, and add the gift card to brown bag “pocket” on front. Finally, put it in the envelope, and you’re done!
