A Way With Words ModaScrap Shimmer Sheetz

Shimmer Sheetz-Lined Elegant Roses Gatefold – Merci!

March 12, 2017

Shimmer Sheetz-Lined Elegant Roses Gatefold – Merci!

By Judi Kauffman

This project was inspired by a jacket I saw on one of the singers at the Grammy awards show in February. It was kimono-like with elaborate embroidery and exaggerated sleeves that moved and sparkled.

I lined both sides of my Elegant Roses Gatefold card with lightly sanded Turquoise Gemstone Shimmer Sheetz to give the look of the sleeves and used soft sheer organza ribbon to echo the flowing quality of the rest of the garment.

The removable card reveals its secrets when the ‘jacket’ is untied: Leafy branches on the outside, another branch and a sentiment on the inside. I chose ‘Merci’ this time, but will switch to other sentiments and color combinations for sending birthday and anniversary wishes!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Choose cardstock in two colors – one dark and one light, and a piece of Shimmer Sheetz in a coordinating color. Tone-on-tone patterned cardstock is another option. (Shown: Blue/Purple and Light Teal cardstock, Turquoise Gemstone Shimmer Sheetz.)

2. Cut a piece of the darker color cardstock to 6” x 12”. Position the Elegant Roses Gatefold die at one end of the strip, centered and about .25” from the short end of the cardstock, and run it through the die cutting machine.

3. Poke out any little bits of cardstock that may have remained inside the die and repeat at the other end, measuring carefully when the die is positioned for the second time to ensure that the finished piece will be 11.25” long (not the full 12”). Poke out bits of cardstock that may have remained inside the die before putting it away as well as any bits that are still inside the rose patterns on both ends of the cardstock strip.

4. Use a straight edge and craft knife to cut down the sides, slicing off excess cardstock to leave the long gatefold piece with rounded ends. Carefully fold along the score lines. (It’s important to have the fold lines for the next step.)

5. To make a pattern for the Shimmer Sheetz lining, lay the die cut cardstock on a piece of lightweight paper and trace around one end. Stop just inside the fold line. Test the pattern and trim as needed before using it to cut two pieces of Shimmer Sheetz.

6. Lightly sand the Shimmer Sheetz on one side to tone down the shine. Option: Sand both sides for a less sparkly interior; don’t sand either side for maximum sparkle. everywhere!

7. Before attaching the Shimmer Sheetz, position the cut pieces to make sure they are a perfect fit. Also, punch an eighth-inch hole at each end where there is a small circle for the tie (ribbon).

8. Use a line of narrow Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape to secure the straight edge of the Shimmer Sheetz to the inside of the card. Add tiny additional snippets of tape at other areas along the curved edge.

9. Cut a 5.5” x 5.5” square from the darker cardstock. Cut a 5.25” x 10.5” piece from the lighter color, score at 5.25” and fold in half. Adhere folded piece to flat piece. Orient the fold across the top.

10. Die cut several Leafy Branches from darker cardstock. Tip: Back cardstock with Clear Double Sided Adhesive Sheet before cutting. As shown, you’ll need four branches, more if you decide to decorate a matching envelope or choose the option in step 11.

11. Add portions of three branches to the front, trimming excess as needed. Make sure that these branches aren’t visible when the flaps of the gatefold jacket are closed. Tip: Use the tracing template from Step 5 to help decide on placement. The photo below shows the card inside the jacket. Option: In the photo, the Leafy Branches are reflected in the mirror-like surface of the Shimmer Sheetz. Decorate the inside of the flaps with more branches if you want that same look when the card is removed.

12. Add another branch and a sentiment to the inside of the card. As shown: ‘Merci’ is die cut from the lighter cardstock and positioned on top of a rectangle in the same color, bordered by a piece of the same lightly sanded Turquoise Gemstone Shimmer Sheetz that was used to line the flaps of the gatefold jacket.

Tip: Add dimension to the word with snippets cut from Tombow Power Adhesive Tabs. They hold well and won’t show.

13. Cut a 20” piece of 1.25” wide soft sheer ribbon with an angle at one end. Thread it through the hole at one end of the gatefold jacket. Put the card inside, pull the ribbon through the other side of the jacket. Tie a bow. Cut a ‘V’ at each tail for a finished look. Note: Make sure that the ribbon you choose doesn’t wrinkle and is VERY soft. If you can’t find wide ribbon that will pull through the eighth-inch hole, see supply list for other options.

SUPPLIES

Elizabeth Craft Designs –

Shimmer Sheetz in color of choice (Shown: Turquoise Gemstone)
ModaScrap Elegant Gatefold Roses
A Way With Words ‘Merci’
ModaScrap Leafy Branch dies of choice (Shown: 2, 4, 5)
Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape (narrow)
Clear Double Sided Adhesive Sheet

Other –

Cardstock in two contrasting colors
Straight edge, craft knife, cutting mat
Sanding block
Tombow Power Adhesive Tabs
Nonstick scissors (to cut Power Tabs)
Eighth-inch hole punch
20” piece of soft sheer 1.25” wide ribbon*
(*Or substitute silk or metallic cord or narrow satin ribbon)

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  • Diane Lynne March 12, 2017 at 9:12 pm

    Love the gatefolds,

  • paulaj March 12, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    Again, a beautiful card with a great idea.

  • Raquel March 12, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    Very pretty Judi! The Shimmer Sheetz are perfect for this card.

  • Patricia Howarth March 12, 2017 at 11:32 am

    Hi Judi, A very pretty card, I love the detail in the gatefold flaps, and combined with the pretty shimmer sheetz looks gorgeous. I get an ‘oriental’ feel to this card and the colours are so pretty.
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

  • Jean Marmo March 12, 2017 at 9:10 am

    Simply stunning Judi! Love the colors and the way it opens!

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