Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Eyelet Border Card with the Gypsy


I love to use border punches but it can be tricky to get them perfectly lined up for a nice card edge.  Some border punches are not sized to fit neatly on a card front.  With Design Studio or the Gypsy, I can create card blanks with "punched" borders that are a perfect fit and save my hands from all that punching!  I started making bordered cards this way a couple of years ago and I have learned a few helpful tricks along the way.


I had my Gypsy along on the trip to Virginia so I worked on a few of these designs while I was flying back and forth.  I decided to make a design using only the preloaded Gypsy cartridges.  This is the image I used.  The keywords identify it as "watermelon, half circle or grapefruit" - I thought of it as a lemon slice!


I added a group of seven of the images to the mat.  I prefer to make borders with an uneven number of images so there will be an obvious centerpoint to the design.  On the Gypsy the kerning I applied was -.12 and the scallops were evenly spaced when the kerning was applied.  In Design Studio you usually need to fix the kerning by nudging a few items in order to get even spacing.


I then changed the length of the group to 5.5 inches so it would make a border for an A2 card.  On the Gypsy the sizing can be locked to stay proportional or unlocked to allow the height and width to be individually adjusted.  Design Studio does not have this proportional sizing and there is no way to lock the aspect ratio when you change one dimension.  I generally use the lower right "handle" to get the size as close to my intended size as possible and then type in the final values.


To create the base of the card I needed to use this square from the Gypsy Font cartridge.  There is not a perfect square on the Gypsy Wanderings cartridge (I discovered this on another project - it doesn't really matter since both of the Gypsy cartridges are preloaded on the Gypsy so you will have a square).


I used one guideline rectangle to figure out the sizing for the card with the "punched" border.  I placed the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch rectangle on the mat, added the border section and then added a rectangle adjusted to the width to fit with the punched border.  The border and this rectangle are then welded to create the card base.  The guideline rectangle should be moved to another page or deleted before the design is cut.

I am using Design Studio screen shots to show you the steps but you can not cut this design from the computer - it uses the Gypsy cartridges so can only be cut with the Gypsy.  You can click on any of the screen shots to see a larger version.


 I set up a 12 x 12 mat to cut two card bases with eyelets borders at once.


I cut the card base from Core'dinations Gemstone cardstock in opal.  I used multi cut 2  times to be sure that the eyelet sections would be cut cleanly.


I scored the card at 4 1/4 inches on my Scor-Pal  to create a neat fold in the heavy cardstock.


Once I had the card base cut I could quickly pull together a card by adding a layer, a sentiment and some gems.


I added some glittery striped cardstock from the DCWV "Linen Closet" stack.


The "Thanks" sentiment is from the Gypsy Wanderings cartridge.  I cut the top layer in the same opal Gemstone cardstock and the shadow layer in a darker tan cardstock.


The card was quite simple but also shiny and pretty- it just needed a little something more...


 I added some Creative Charms small gradient gem stickers in blue along the eyelet border.  I put one more on the tail of the "s" just for fun!


I can use this same card base cut over and over.  I can even prepare some of these bases when I am not very busy and then have them on hand to decorate.

There are many more images that will work to create a punched border effect for your cards.  I think I gave enough details about how to create your own file that you should be able to make one of your own.  If you have trouble and want me to post the file (after I "clean it up" a bit!), please leave a comment and let me know you need it.

Link to Gypsy file added 9/30 - 


A2 Eyelet Edge Card


There are just a couple of days left to purchase the Creative Charms Deal of the Month for September  - this deal comes in a boy or girl version and includes $24.00 worth of product for just $7.99 - here is a LINK to the page on their site.  New deals for October will be announced soon...

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22 comments:

  1. I am new to using the Gypsy. I've tried to follow your directions about welding the border to the rectangle, but became somewhat confused with the additional rectangle. Any chance you could make a video on this? It would be very helpful! I just love your designs! Thank you.
    Jeannie

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  2. Diane, thank you for the instructions to make a border card. I am a newbie and this is so helpful.

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  3. Please would you post the file as I am a new owner of the Gypsy and am working my way through things but a completed example would be good to refer to. Hoping you will post the file. A faithful follower to the end!

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  4. You're brilliant! Here I have been using the X, and Y coordinates to evenly space objects, and it never occured to me to use kerning (I used that for letters only before)! Thanks!

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  5. WOW you are so creative; I can't believe how you thought this up! I am new to the design world, if you could post the file it sure would get me started. Thank you for sharing, you're the best!
    mhalford6 @aol. com

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  6. I love all your ideas--thanks so much for sharing them

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  7. Very pretty card. I'd love to have the cut file!

    I enjoy your postings.

    Betsy
    agp@vom.com

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  8. I visit your blog every day for inspiration, and I am never disappointed. I think you are brilliant!! I would love to have your gypsy file for the bordered card that you shared on Wednesday. Thanks so much for all of your inspitation. Janice
    janicewest999@gmail.com

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  9. I really like this card; it's very "stylish"! Thanks for sharing.

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  10. SUPER idea - I'm so glad you are so willing to share your talent!!!! I know if I would take the time I could learn all this, but I don't do it - but, I will some day!! Heard that before haven't you? LOL! Thanks for a great idea!
    jackie

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  11. This is super cute! Will have to try to add a border to one of my cards very soon. Thanks for the inspiration - as always!
    JeanH

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  12. Diane, I don't know how you come up with all these wonderful ideas, but I am sure glad you do and even happier that you are willing to share with us. Thank you. I have a gypsy but I find my self not using it much for designing. At my age, I just don't see so well and find the screen to small to enjoy designing on it. Am I the only one that has that trouble?
    Marcie

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  13. That is so fantastic! Thanks for such a great tip! I enjoy your blog so much!

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  14. I LOVE making my own borders too. There are so many options to choose from. I have used this one before but as a double scallop. Your card turned out GORGEOUS!

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  15. This is a beautiful card and a great tutorial, who would of thought a melon could look so good lol. Thanks for sharing how you made it.
    Kim xXx

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  16. Wow, what a great border. Can't wait until I own a gypsy!

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  17. You are amazing! I am going to include a link to this post as part of this week's Fab Five Friday.

    Thanks again for sharing your talents with us!!

    Linda K.

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  18. Lovely card. Thank you for the instructions on making the border. I will definitely give this a try.

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  19. I would love to have your file. This is so cool, but being new I'm not sure about some of your direction.

    Thanks,
    Cindy
    cgarner@machlink.com

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  20. What a creative idea! I love it!!! :) TFS!

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  21. What a nice project! I'm looking forward to creating this on my Gypsy -- Thank you for the instructions and inspiration!!!!

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  22. Thank you so much for this file! I just got a gypsy this weekend and am procrastinating on making thank you cards for my 1 year old's recent birthday! I need to get on it now!

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