Friday, April 25, 2008

Simple Gift Card Holder



While browsing the Cricut message board today I saw a post in the Card forum by Debbie (taz11693) showing a very cute gift card holder she had made. She gave a link to a You Tube video by Dawn Griffin showing how to create this gift card holder. Dawn used a punch called a "word window" that I do not have. In watching her video it occurred to me - I could do a design studio file to create the cut for the card slot and so I set off to do it! Thanks to both Debbie and Dawn for the inspiration on this one!

The file creates a rectangle with a special cut out to create a place to insert the gift card. After cutting - the card stock should be scored at 3 inches, 5 1/2 inches and 8 inches.



To get the proper peaks and valleys you should score on the 3 and 8 inch marks and then flip and score on the 5 1/2 inch mark - take care as there are only very thin bits of card left to score at the 5 1/2 inch position.



Once the scores are made and you have smoothed the folds with your bone folder, apply adhesive to three sides of the center section as you can see in this photo (I used a tape runner - you should just be sure that your adhesive is strong!) If you want to stamp the card you may want to do it now while it is still flat and easier to work with.



Fold the center sections together carefully and adhere - you have created a pocket for the card



The file also cuts a band to wrap around the card and hold it shut. If you are doing a group of these in various colors you can mix and match the bands for contrast. The band should be scored at the 3 and 6 inch marks but to allow enough "give" for it to slide over the card you should shift the paper about 1/8 inch to the right before scoring on the 3 inch mark as shown here



Than slide it back to the edge and score on the 6 inch mark



Apply adhesive to the short end and fold over the long end



You could leave this totally plain....(it would be better looking if you used patterned paper)



or you could add an embellishment on the band



I stamped a little greeting on this one as you can see in the photo at the start of this post. There are many possibilities and as we get in to the season of Graduations some of these holders will be very handy.

To help you all I did a file in George and also one in Plantin Schoolbook. So, even if you don't have a "word window" punch, you can make this card holder too!

Gift Card Holder - George

Gift Card Holder - Plantin Schoolbook

14 comments:

  1. You are sooooooo creative!!!! Generous, too! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  2. Cap, thanks for sharing this cute file. I always get excited when I see you have posted something!

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  3. Thanks so much for creating the pattern for this card & sharing! I've been thinking about making this card for a while now, and now you've made it quick and easy!

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  4. Thanks for taking the time to make this file. I also saw it on the MB and thought it was a cut idea if you owned the punch. You post some of my favorite cut files.

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  5. This is awesome Capadia! Thank you so much for sharing.

    Lesley

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  6. I've been looking for something like this!! Thank you!! YOu're such a great role model! You are a great designer and teacher! Thanks for always sharing!
    Alice
    P.S. Love the Casting Crowns CD that you have in your beautiful CD holder on the next post!

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  7. This will be very useful this time of year! Thank you.

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  8. Hi - thank you all for your comments.

    Alice (1derland - I love that MB name!) - the CD is actually Leann's - I posted those files for her since she does not have a blog.

    I am working on some variations of this card and will have those up on the blog soon.

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  9. As always another fantastic design! This one will come in very handy with every using gift cards now days and still allow you to give them a very personal touch.

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  10. Thank you for sharing this card. This is going to make my gift card giving much easier.

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  11. These are sweet. I work for a company that manages gift cards, and I'm totally new to the DIY movement of give card holders. Super cool. I need to do a feature on these card holders on our blog.

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  12. You are awesome! I just love, love, love your designs! TFS

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  13. Thanks soo much! Great Work!

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