Graphic 45 Card Series Part 3

The Place in Time Collection contains wonderful images that are perfect for card making. I have decided to make one card for each month, using the monthly Cut-Aparts. I will present these in a five-part series.

Part I - January, February, March (Click HERE for the printable tutorial)
Part II - April, May, June (Click HERE for the printable tutorial)
Part III - July, August, September  (Click HERE for the printable tutorial)
Part IV - October, November, December  (Click HERE for the printable tutorial)
Part V - Storage box (Click HERE for the printable tutorial)

Each part will be available as a printable tutorial once they are released to the Graphic 45 Blog. Click the links above to print Part I, Part II, and Part III.

Each card will measure 5 x 5 inches and each set of the series will correspond to a card sketch. The cards for July, August, September correspond to the sketch below. Each set of three cards will have a similar "feel" to them.

I used the same sketch for all three cards in Part III of this series, but each card is unique. I used the papers and images from the monthly cut apart sheets and added a few embellishments and a sentiment to each card. Please notice that I did not use banners or flowers for every card. I interpreted the sketch differently to fit the themes of the cards.

Cut List: I do not provide you with a cut list for the cards because you are working from a sketch. If you wish to figure out the exact measurements of the layers, simply copy the image into a photo editing program or a text editor and print it at 5 x 5 inches. You can then measure each layer. The beauty of working from a sketch is that you can customize the card to meet your own specifications. (My measurements may not match the sketch exactly.)

Measurements: I try to keep to the standard of length x width for my measurements. Length means from the top of the card to the bottom. Width means from the left to the right.

Cardstock Mats: You will notice that all of my cardstock mats are 1/16 inches. To achieve this, cut your printed paper to size, and then increase the size of your cardstock by 1/8 inch. For example, if your printed paper measures 2 x 4 inches, then cut your cardstock mat to 2 1/8 x 4 1/8 inches. This will give you a 1/16 inch mat on all four sides. I work in 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 inch increments for all of my projects. This makes measuring a snap!

Images: I trim my images from Graphic 45 paper, and then I use the Perfect Layers tool to achieve a 1/16 inch mat. You can use a paper trimmer, but I find it easier to use a craft knife and the Layers ruler.

July

The July card celebrates summer. I did not want to make a "4th of July" card because I wanted my international friends to be able to "play along"!

Note: To achieve the 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 inch striped panel, I had to combine two pieces of the printed paper. You will notice that the back of each Cut-Aparts sheet has three printed designs. None of them is wide enough to cut a 4 3/4 inch square. You have to get creative!

Cut one piece of the striped paper to 4 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches. Cut a second piece to approximately 2 x 4 3/4 inches by inches. Make sure that your stripes will line up properly before you cut your second piece of paper! Combine the two pieces to form a 4 3/4 inch square. The strip of stars paper will cover the seam.

I attach some of my elements with dimensional tape to give them "lift." When gluing ribbon to the cardstock, or when gluing buttons to ribbon, I always use Beacon Fabri-tac. It "grabs" the fabric qualities of the ribbon and seems to hold up to handling and mailing.

The inside of each card is decorated to match the month. I lined both the top and bottom with cream cardstock and then cut a few elements from the Cut-Aparts sheet to decorate. You could stamp a sentiment inside if you wish.

August

August is one of those months that does not have a national holiday in the US. I decided to create a card that would be perfect to give as part of a larger gift. This would be perfect to give with some homemade jam or another summer treat!

Follow the same steps that you used for the striped paper above to "stretch" the striped paper for this card. The ribbon will cover the seam.

September

September is back to school time! I love this image of the child looking all glum. So cute! This is a perfect card to give someone who has done an A+ job at school.

You will once again, piece the plaid paper together to make a 4 3/4 inch square panel. The ruler paper strip hides the seam.

I hope you enjoyed Part III of this card series. Part IV and Part V are both finished and ready to share, so stay tuned!!

If you have any questions, email me at stengelgloria@gmail.com.

Graphic 45 papers:
Place in Time: Cut-Aparts (July, August, September) - you will need TWO (2) sheets for each month

Graphic 45 Chipboard: Place in Time

Cardstock: Bazzill Butter Cream, Jacaranda, Cajun; American Crafts Black
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black
Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Little Labels)
Ribbon and twine: Really Reasonable Ribbon; Stampin' Up! (red grosgrain)
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Buttons: Craft Store
Scrabble tiles: unknown
Die Cuts: My Favorite Things Die-namics Mini Tabs Quartet; Spellbinders Labels Eleven; Papertrey Ink banner
Tools: Sizzix Big Shot; Fiskars postage edge scissors; Carl star punch, apple punch

Adhesive: Scotch 3M tape; Beacon Fabri-tac; Aleene's Tacky Glue; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares; Scor-tape