Growing in Unity #1

Hello everyone!  I'm happy to be one of this week's Unity Stamp Company Growing In Unity Gals.  Remember to come back all this week and comment so you can have a chance at winning a great prize from Unity!  Two people will receive 25 random stamps from Unity.  That is a fantastic prize! 

I wanted to start the week off by sharing a card I made for my great aunt's 90th birthday which was yesterday.  We threw her a big party and had a grand time!

For her card, I chose to design a free-standing three-dimensional card so she can display it easily for the next few days or weeks.

Here's a quick tutorial of what you need to do if you want to recreate the card.

Cut a background piece to 4.25"x6".  Hold the paper landscape and score .75" from each end (so at 0.75" and at 5.25").  Round two top corners if desired.  Stamp with a background stamp if desired.  I used Numbers, etc. and a copper ink. 

Cut cake layers to 5"x 2", 5"x2.75", and 5"x3.5".  You may need to adjust the second measurement depending on the border punch you select.

 

Holding each piece landscape, score .25" from each end. On the largest piece, cut in 1.25" from the left and right and down 2".  On the medium piece, cut in .75" from the left and right and down 1.25".  This will remove a rectangle from each upper corner, leaving you with your layers.  Quick tip: if you have a large square punch, you can use that to make a perfect 90 degree angle.  For me, that was easier than fussing with my paper trimmer.

Use the border punch across the top edge of each cake piece.  Alternatively, you could use an embossing folder to add texture, stamps to add pattern, or select patterned papers. 

 
To assemble, fold back the side flaps on each cake layer.  Apply strong adhesive (ATG or red line tape are good bets) to the front of each of these flaps.  Line up the pieces on one side, fold them back, and fold the other side over top to meet.  You'll be staggering the tabs so that each layer is 1/4" closer to the back of the card than the next.  The card will fold flat to fit in an A2 envelope. 

Start by adhering the smallest layer so its score line meets the edge of the background paper.

Match the score line on the second layer to the edge of the first layer. 

The third layer should fit against the score line on the background paper.

Fold all three pieces over along the score lines. 

Use plenty of adhesive on each tab.  Then fold the background layer over to meet the three layers and press firmly to secure the adhesive.  

You can add candles or other embellishments as you desire.  This could also turn into a wedding card if you so choose just by swapping out the background stamp for another design and using the couple's wedding colors.  What will you create?

Don't forget to leave me a comment so I can enter you in the drawing for the grab bag of 25 random Unity stamps! Then, visit Karen's blog for her GIU posts and fantastic projects this week! 

Kathryn
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Proud Operation Write Home Alumni
Cards shipped to OWH in 2014: 21
Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 829 blank and 301 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695