Hello, crafty friends! Today’s card was inspired by another stunning paper pad from Scrapbook.com called “Playful”. I am a sucker for color combos, and each one of these pads offers a beautiful new palette. Even if you don’t have the pads, I encourage you to check them out for inspiration like I do.

Since I’m new (again) to blogging, I thought I’d try a step-by-step format for this post to see how it goes. Normally, I just post the finished project and tell you what I used. In my last post I walked you through a few things in a narrative style. This time, I’ll try listing each step with photos. Please let me know if that helps or inspires you in the comments. I started this blog to share my love of paper crafts with you, so I want it to be useful to you in every way possible.

Step 1: Foundation Trim & Prep

Decide on a card base size. Mine is a smooth Neenah top folding A2 (4.25″x5.5″) base.

Then, trim 1/2″ and 1/4″ strips of paper ensuring they are long enough to reach top to bottom and side to side across your card base.

Step 2: Trim & Assemble Layers

Trim a piece of embossed or textured white cardstock 1/4″ smaller than your card base. Mine is trimmed to 4″x5.25″. If you’d like, you can round the corners like I did.

At this point, you can also weave your strips of colored paper into a pattern you like.

Step 3: Die Cutting

Using an oval die, cut a window into the center of your textured white piece of cardstock. Once you find the center of your cardstock, I would secure the die with a low tack tape to ensure it doesn’t shift during cutting.

Since your die machine is out and ready, go ahead and cut out your sentiments as well. I suggest stacking four or five layers if you like a more substantial look like I do.

Step 4: Glaze Prep

Take the tape you used to secure the dies during cutting, and fold over one side to create a little tray with a handle to hold your delicate dies, and put down a non-stick mat to protect your work surface if there’s any chance of mess.

Step 5: Glaze

Add glaze or Pops of Color to your die cut sentiment and set aside to dry.

Step 6: Adhesive

Secure the back of your woven piece with adhesive strips. I think it’s easier in strips as opposed to one big piece, so you can ensure the strips don’t move around on you. (The adhesive roll I used today was awful to get the backing off of. It almost ruined my project, so I will be going back to my tried and true adhesive roll as soon as this one runs out.) You can also trim off any excess on this panel which might stick out beyond your mat window layer.

Before adding foam adhesive to the back of your window panel, add a decorative stitched border if you’d like.

Step 7: Assembly

Center and adhere your window over the woven panel. Then secure it to the card base.

Adhere your dried sentiment across the window using tiny bits of foam adhesive for any needed support across the opening.

For a final touch, add a sprinkling of jewel and star embellishments, and your card is done!

Well, that does it for me again. I really hope you’ve enjoyed the card I made for you today. If you’d like a full list of all the supplies used, please visit my gallery post. I hope to see you here again soon.

Until next time… stay crafty! – Laura Evangeline