Jan 27 2008
A Valentine Gift Card Holder
This little matchbook style gift card holder is something I designed way back before Christmas. With too much going on at that time I didn’t have a chance to share it with you then, so I thought I’d make a gift card holder for Valentine’s Day. Did you know that Valentine’s Day is the second biggest day of the year for gift giving? I guess all those roses and chocolates really add up!
There’s something about Real Red and Chocolate Chip that looks so yummy to me. Probably because it reminds me of chocolate covered cherries — my husband’s favorite — the kind with the liquid filling, not the creamy filling. Anyway…I just love combining these colors for Valentines. I used Chocolate Chip textured cardstock and Au Chocolate designer paper for this project. Yes, still trying to use up that Au Chocolate paper from last year. There are a couple of patterns I don’t care much for but since it’s double sided I have lots of choices and, oh my, I do love polka dots!
One thing I like about this design is the way the main image panel acts as a little flipper closure that holds so securely. I designed this to be made from an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock. In order to do that I had to cut it just a tiny bit smaller. The closed card size is 5 1/4″ x 4″. This miniscule difference isn’t even noticeable, however. The scalloped polka dot panel is actually an extension added to the card base. Here’s the how-to:
Cut cardstock 4″ x 11″.
Score on the right side at 5 1/4″ and 10 5/8″.
Cut extension piece 4″ x 1 1/4″. I covered my extension piece with designer paper and then trimmed with scallop scissors.
The photo below shows the pieces cut, scored and the card base folded:
Apply a length of Sticky Strip (red liner tape) to that little folded up edge at the bottom of the card and adhere the extension as shown in the first photo. Make your main image panel and apply Sticky Strip to the back upper half only of the panel. Close the card and position the main image panel on the front so it overlaps approximately half of the extension. If you position it too low the card won’t flip open and closed as easily.
Now, for the inside. This view shows the gift card holder open, with the front flipped back and out of the picture:
Cut pocket/liner 3 3/4″ x 7 1/4″. Score at 2″. Decorate as desired.
Apply Sticky Strip to the inside 2″ edges of the pocket. Fold pocket closed. Insert gift card.
On the front of my card I used the double rectangle punch to create slots to tie ribbon through.
Stamps: Always, Holidays & Wishes (Stampin’ Up!)
Paper: Chocolate Chip textured, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Au Chocolat double sided designer paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red
Accessories: May Arts swiss dot ribbon and SU! gingham ribbon, double rectangle punch, scallop circle punch, 1 1/4″ circle punch, 1/2″ circle punch, Fiskars scallop edge scissors, Scotch brand dimensional mounting tape
While I’m at it, I might as well show you this card, too. It’s a full size card, made from 12″ x 12″ cardstock. I was fooling around, seeing how this design would work with a 12″ length and no extension piece. I’d rather have the bottom fold come up a little further. If I’d made the finished, folded size the same as the first card it would have added 1/4″ to the bottom fold.
This is just a friendly “feel good” card (not a gift card holder) I made from the retired Simply Delightful Simply Scrappin’ kit. There’s absolutely no stamping on the front of the card. Inside, I stamped “Wishing you a very happy day”, a Hero Arts stamp I use often because it’s suitable for so many occasions.
The ribbon is some of SU!’s new striped grosgrain — very soft and pliable. There are only four colors in the catalog at this time, but I like how they’ve provided a color for each season: Bashful Blue for Spring, Wild Wasabi for Summer, Pumpkin Pie for Autumn, and Real Red for Winter. That’s one way of looking at it. I certainly won’t restrict their use to those seasons, though.
That little butterfly is something I’ve had for so long and I can’t believe, with all the things that come and go in my stamp room, I’ve hung onto my little bag of butterflies all this time. It’s made of wire with glitter-flecked gossamar wings. I adhered it with Alene’s Tacky Glue.
Well, that’s enough rambling for one post, isn’t it? I’ve got more projects to work on so I hope we’ll meet here again soon. Have a wonderful week!
Super sweet projects Leslie! I’ll have to give these a try! BTW…I nominated you for a “You Make My Day” award over on my blog!
Linda
LOVE these Leslie, I never thought to do a card matchbook. LOVE both styles and designs, you are so creative.
Have a great week, Jennifer
These are great - love the gift card holder. You have given me several things I need to try, that require scoring & I could try on my new Scor-pal I got for Christmas yet still sets in its original packaging…! I also love chocolate chip & real red btw - and I loved that Au Chocolat paper, I dug it out just the other day for a project myself!
Yummy….that’s what I thought of when I saw your gift card holder! The chocolate and red look so nice, and your holder is awesome! Thanks for the details!
I love your beautiful scrappy card as well! I love the new ribbon, swirl clip & tag, and that pretty butterfly!
Leslie, these are so adorable and look really easy to make. Thanks for the tutorial.
Pinky
I love this !! Thanks for sharing the instructions. Your site is wonderful.
100% pure fabulousness!! Girl, you are THE best!!!
I just love your cards! I am a “stalker” of your blog and you always amaze me at the great cards that you create!
BTW, I love how you did the ribbon on that card! Something I’ve got to try!
Hugs,
Joani
These are SO cute, Leslie!!! I’ll definately be trying one of these!
Mmm..makes me want to run out and buy some chocolates! I am going to have to give this one a try…thanks!
Absolument magnifique.
Great gift cards!!!You did a great job!!TFS!
Love this gift card holder, especially love the second card with the little tag on the spiral clip and the delicate butterfly!
WOW!!! Totally Breathtaking!!!!!
What a clever and creative matchbox gift card holder. Gosh, choc. covered cherries are my favorite too
Love how you used more stamps from “Always”. I love every single stamp in that set. Thanks for sharing this awesome set at your last hostess club party. I am now the proud owner of the set just because of YOU! TFS Nancy
Leslie, this is just fantastic! I need something like this soon. I hope you don’t mind if I CASE it. I will give you credit for it you can be sure.
Thank you so much!
Blessings,
Sue
That’s an adorable idea! I haven’t used my SAB dp from last year, yet. I love what you did with it.
Oh My Goodness Leslie ~ These cards are wonderful. Well, I mean the gift card holder is something I will have to CASE, cause it is TOO cute and I love the Chocolate Chip and Real Red together, especially for Valentine’s Day. The red bows adds some extra dimention that makes this card holder super cute. The other card is also wonderful…where did you get that delicate butterfly? I have some, but they are just too BIG to put on a card and send. Great job Leslie and thanks for the tutorial
The chocolate and red is so CLASSY! I can’t get over it. The most amazing card.
What a great idea! Love the way it openes and the scallop edges… TFS!
Another great idea with a tutorial Leslie!! You are just so kind to share all your secrets with us. This is a fantastic gift card holder. I totally love the colors you used:)
Dee
These are both wonderful!!! Love your design for the gift card holder!!! And what a great tutorial - thanks!!! And I also really love the scrappin’ kit card — fun!!! The new ribbon looks great with it!!! TFS!!!
How cute are these?! I am always giving gift cards (too lazy to shop! and why not let people get things they ‘really’ want?!). Love your gift card card design. Will definitely have to save this idea for future use…
Another wonderful design and tutorial! You are amazing! I have so much fun reading along with your instructions. The love of constructing things is definitely something you and I share. Both projects have their advantages - the first one’s rich colors and gift card feature, the second’s fresh and fanciful look using that Scrappin kit. And you did manage to show the versatility of the design using different approaches. Bravo! Linda
Love these matchbook designs, Leslie!
Leslie,
Here’s my case. See what you think.
Thank you so much.
Sue
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/823467?cat=12467
Wow! It’s great…..