|
|
|
Idea of the Month Venetian Blind Card
This is an impressive-looking card that isn't as hard to make as it looks. Take a look first at the completed card. On the left is how the outside looks; on the right is how the inside looks when the "blind" is pulled up. To reveal the inside of the card, you just pull the ribbons gently outward:
Want to know how to do this? Well, read on: Supply List: 8.5 x 11" sheet of heavy cardstock Thin ribbon, at least 40" long Craft or embroidery needle Heavy cardboard measuring 5.5 x 4.25" Tacky glue (or other strong glue) Ruler Scoring tool 1/8" hole punch 2- Beads, buttons or sequins (optional) Your favorite stamps
Step 1: Cut, Fold and Punch
Cut your cardstock in half the long way so you have 2 pieces that are 4.25" x 11". (You will only need 1 of these pieces to make each card). Fold the piece in half so you have a card that measures 4.25" x 5.5" with the fold at the top. Stamp the front and inside of the card as desired at this point. Unfold the card. On the front half only, score card every 1/2", starting at the bottom of the card and working your way up (note: I'm showing the card sideways in the photo above, just to save space). You should end up with 10 score lines and 11 sections. Starting at the bottom front, accordion fold the card along each score line. The first fold should be turned up, making a valley fold. Crease each fold line well. Using the hole punch, punch a hole along the right and left edge of the front of the card in the middle of each section. Make sure you punch in at least 1/4" from the edge to avoid the card ripping later when you pull on the ribbons. When the holes are punched on the front, fold the card in half and smooth out the front to line up the front and back. Using the bottom front holes as a guide, punch through the back of the card at the bottom left and right corners only. What you want is one hole in the two bottom corners of the back of the card. In the photo above, the back of the card is shown on the left side, and the front of the card is on the right side. I didn't decorate my sample card above, but yours should already be stamped as desired. Step 2: Thread the Ribbon
Ok, follow along here. Thread the ribbon onto the needle. Threading the ribbon through the card is easiest if you refold the front of the card, bunching up all the folds so the holes line up. Start at the bottom right corner on the front of the card: 1. Go UP through the bottom right hole on the front of the card, straight through all accordian folds and out the top. Leave about 3-4 inches of ribbon hanging below the bottom edge of the card. 2. Take the ribbon across the top of the card. 3. Go DOWN through the top left hole, straight through all accordian folds and out the bottom left corner on the front of the card. Untwist the ribbon as needed before proceeding. 4. Go DOWN through the bottom left hole on the BACK of the card. 5. Go across the back of the card and then come UP through the bottom right hole on the back of the card. 6, 7, and 8. These are basically repeats of steps 1, 2, and 3 as you go around the front of the card on more time: up through the holes on the right, across the top, and down through the holes on the left side. You are basically stringing the ribbon through the card TWICE.
Step 3: Secure the Ribbon
You are now done threading. Remove the needle. Release the folds and pull the ribbon gently as needed to remove any looseness. Once the ribbon is where you want it, glue the cardboard to the back of your card, making sure the ribbon is flat and tight against the backside. It's ok to glue over the ribbon. Note: the cardboard is necessary for the card to work properly! Trim the ribbon ends so they are the same length, and about 2-3" below the card when the card is closed. Tie beads, sequins, or button to the ends of the ribbons, or simply tie a knot. AFTER the glue has dried, you can pull both ends of the ribbon outward to make the blind go up!
Click here to return to the Past Ideas page ©Linda Harrison 2002 |
|
|
