Cottage Cutz Window Frame Card

This is the third in my series of posts on Cottage Cutz window dies. This one is called Window and Flower Pot (4x4). This die like the other two cuts each piece separately. You can use it in your Cuttlebug or other cutting device over and over cutting many colors and pattern papers. I've enhanced mine still further with the use of various pieces from my stash.

I really love how the Art Impression stamped kids look peering out from these windows.

Just like when using the other window designs from Cottage Cutz, after cutting the window frame, you must judge where to cut the card base. You use the frame and the Art Impressions kid to adjust and trace the inside of the frame height from the bottom of the card. Slightly enlarge this square and cut it out.

Glue the window frames on both the inside and outside of the card.

Then begin to decorate. The curtains are cut twice and glued back to back before applying to the window frame inside the card.

These card can be used for birthdays and other times too!

Here are some results:

I have found some more window dies, when they come I will be sure to show you the possibilities!

Window With a Canopy Card

I'm really enjoying my work with Cottage Cutz metal dies. Here is the second of three that I ordered and made examples with. As it did in my last Cottage Cutz blog post, Window w/Canopy (4x4) cuts each piece separately. These are such fun to improvise for each new card. Here are designs I have come up with so far. I put this die through my Cuttlebug several times to have each piece in various colors. I can play with the many variations of this window design and from other pieces in my stash including bits of lace for embellishments.

 The card were made using 4x51/2" card bases.

Front of card 1

Inside of card 1

Outside card 2

Inside card 2

Outside of card 3

Inside card 3

Spring Window Card

I've discovered a set of metal dies that are just so cute! These unique and creative dies are from Cottage Cutz. The one I used for this post is the Spring Window (4 x 6") and it works well on a 5 x 6 1/2" card base. I've added the Art Impression front and back stamps of kids, who love looking in and out of windows! The highly detailed window die creates an almost 3D effect. It's easy to customize each project since each piece cuts separately.

I used Art Impressions Peter UMQ1524, Becky UMT1519 and Annie UMT1518 for the little kids peeking from the windows.

To get the front and the inside of the card each piece was cut twice using my trusty Cuttlebug.

During a visit with my friend Diane, I discovered that the pieces to the Cuttlebug Quilling Kits work well for card embellishments. I used the floral petal cutting die from the Daisy Kit for a cute valence inside the card, over the window.

Here are the steps I took using my Cuttlebug and dies to create this adorable card.

Gatefold Cards for All Types of Occasions

I wanted to make use of my many scraps of card stock and printed paper. I also wanted to make a different type of card. Gate cards filled the bill!

A gate card is a bit different from basic cards. Instead of having a single fold, a gatefold card has two folds, each forming a flap that meets in the center on the front of the card. In addition to decorating the two cover panels and the inside of the card, sometimes a closure or overlapping panel is created to sit on the front of the card to hold the two cover flaps together.

This type of card is versatile and can be used for many occasions.

Here are two different versions of the gatefold cards, one is 5 1/2" square and the other is a 4" x 5" card.

Let look into the larger square card (fits a 5 1/2" envelope):

Cut card stock 5 1/2" x 11" and score 2 3/4" from each end. Fold ends to meet at the middle.
Cut 2 outer panels of printed paper or card stock at 2 1/4" x 5" and select or create a piece for the top closure. For this card I chose one of the many square designed in the Graphic 45 collection of Song Bird.

Each of my paper cuts were inked on the edge, so as not to show any white but also to give them a bit of vintage look.

For the center area inside the card to write on, I used a printed paper for the base cut at 4" x 4 3/4" and the white for writing on is cut at 3 3/4" x 4 1/2" and adhered to the center of the printed paper and that in turn is glued to the center panel of the card inside.

In my last post, I talked about the stickers and pens used with Starforms...here is an example in this square format:

In the following card, I used a Starform fan shape as the center closure at the front of the card:

For the smaller 4" x 5" gatefold card (fits a normal A2 envelope):

Cut card stock 8" x 5" and score at 2" from each end. Fold ends to meet at the middle.

Cut 2 outer panels of printed paper or card stock (I used Graphic 45 Song Bird) at 4 3/4" x 1 3/4" and select or create a piece for the top closure. For this card I chose one of the many square designed in the Graphic 45 collection of Song Bird.

Again each of my paper cuts were inked on the edge, so as not to show any white but also to give them a bit of vintage look.

For the center area inside the card to write on, I used a printed paper for the base cut at 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" and the white for writing on is cut at 3" x 4" and adhered to the center of the printed paper and that in turn is glued to the center panel of the card inside.

I love all the different looks that can be achieved with this style of card!

Accordion Fold Card

This passed Wednesday was the second anniversary of my blog. I would like to thank all my followers for all the great comments and awards for the work I have done, which I enjoyed so very much!

For the latest on the health front:
First the dermatologist last week found nothing!
Wednesday at the Mayo I had blood work and a sonogram. I found that the blood work was all good and so was the results of the sonogram!  I am fine and can now jump up and down! Oh and go shopping!

I've been looking through the Just Cards 3D magazine in which my Becky's Magic Garden Card (Page 107) is plublished and I found a number of lovely cards with instructions to try out. I made my own versions of Just for You by Genice McNellie on Page 27.

This accordion fold card has so many creative applications.

For these cards I adhered the graduated size panels to the card, but straight on due to the stamped design style and also to accommodate the use of an A2 size envelope. I didn't use brads in my version of this card. My Asian stamps could stand on their own design wise.

Here are the cut used to make these cards, in case you don't have a copy of this magazine:

10 1/2" x 5" for base
  Scored at 1 1/4", 2 1/2", 4 1/4", 6" 8 1/4"
3 squares: 3 1/3", 2 3/4", 2 1/4"
3 squares: 3", 2 1/2", 2"
3 squares: 2 3/4", 2 1/4", 1 3/4"
Belly Band: 1 1/4" x 11"

Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what I did:

Accordion folded piece and three sizes of panels.

Floral stamped white panels.

Flowers are colored with Tombow markers and the panels glued in size order.

Finished open floral card.

Closed finished card.

Have fun designing your own accordion cards with this easy design.