Graphic 45 Place in Time Card Series - Part 2

If you are looking for the Inspired by Stamping Challenge, scroll down.

The Graphic 45 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.

Each card will measure 5 x 5 inches and each set of the series will correspond to a card sketch. The cards for April, May, and June correspond to the sketch below. Each set of three cards will have a similar "feel" to them. The cards in this set are very feminine and romantic.

I used the same sketch for all three cards in Part II 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.

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.

April

The April card celebrates spring. I added a few flowers and one of the Graphic 45 Place in Time chipboard clocks to the corner.

Note: To achieve the 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 inch pink floral 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 floral paper to 4 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches. Cut a second piece to approximately 2 x 4 3/4 inches by inches. Combine the two pieces to form a 4 3/4 inch square. The blue dotted cardstock panel 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.

May

The May card is perfect for mom! The purple butterflies and flowers are perfect for Mother's Day. (Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May in the US.) Follow the same steps that you used for the pink floral paper above to "stretch" the butterfly paper for this card. The purple floral panel will cover the seam where you piece together the butterfly paper.

June

June is for brides! I created a vintage wedding-themed card using soft creams, blues, and pinks. I used lace and ribbon, plus a vintage pearl.

You will once again, piece the blue floral paper together to make a 4 3/4 inch square panel. The pink floral panel hides the seam.

I hope you enjoyed Part II of this card series. Tune in each week for the next "installment!"

Graphic 45 papers:
Place in Time: Cut-Aparts (April, May, June) - you will need TWO (2) sheets for each month

Graphic 45 Chipboard: Place in Time

Cardstock: Bazzill Java, Butter Cream, Jacaranda; American Crafts Black
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa
Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Little Labels); Waltzing Mouse (Fancy Phrases); StampingScrapping (Design Label Accents)
Ribbon and lace: Really Reasonable Ribbon
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Pearls: Recollections, Craft Store
Buttons: Craft Store
Markers: Copic
Die Cuts: My Favorite Things Die-namics Vertical Greetings; Spellbinders Labels One Small
Tools: Bow Easy; Sizzix Big Shot; Fiskars postage edge scissors
Adhesive: Scotch 3M tape; Beacon Fabri-tac; Aleene's Tacky Glue; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares; Scor-tape