We had a huge snow storm here over the weekend....so if you're from around here I hope that your back doesn't still hurt from shoveling :) I feel extremely bad for the people on the east coast. They had to call the army in to help with the snow!
Today's card uses the stamp set FOREVER BLOSSOMS (page 16 in the new mini catalogue). You can also buy the matching dies. I received this set at onstage along with petal pink and old olive Stampin' Blends. It was my first time using these. I didn't have any because to be quite honest with you, I found them pricey. They are however fun and easy to use and blend. I see some in my future!!! A reminder: Whenever you use blends put a piece of paper underneath your paper as they bleed through. The blends are alcohol markers so there is no need to use Stazon ink.
I made a Gate Fold Card. I first stamped the large floral image onto white card stock and then coloured it in with light petal pink and light old olive blends. It is hard to see in the picture but I went over the middles of the flowers a second time. I tried using both the light and dark but for my card the two lights worked best. I used a 4 !/2" X 2 3/4" piece. I stamped the image with black. My black was pretty dry so it turned out to be more of a grey colour and I think that this is best.
I looked on Pinterest and different people used different colours which I tried out, I also tried putting black stamen but it was too much.
With black stamen. I water coloured around the stem using a fewdrops of pool party ink. The first time I did not
water it down enough and it turned out too dark
for my paper.
In regard to the ribbon that I used I choose to use the Whisper White 1/4" Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon. After different combinations, I decided to colour it using the dark petal pink blend on both sides. I tried the Petal Pink Metallic-Edge Ribbon but it was too dark for my card. Remember: When using blends put a piece of paper under your work as stated before they bleed!
Putting it together:
1 piece of Pool Party paper 8.5" X 5.5" scored at 2 1/8" and 6 3/8"
when folded makes a regular 4.25" X 5.5" card
1 piece of white paper 2.75" X 4.5" when finished stamping and colouring cut into three 2.75" X 1.5" pieces
1 piece of white paper 4" X 5.25 for the inside to stamp your sentiment
2 pieces of designer paper 2" X 5.25" the striped paper that I used came from my stash
-try to find something that does not compete with the stamped image - you can always make your own by stamping on white using small images or ink splattering or use a sponge randomly over the paper
3 pieces of designer paper 7/8" X 1.5" if you placed your flower image more to the middle then the width would be greater
-these pieces are used to cover up the back of the white coloured pieces so that the ink doesn't show through
-it adds a nice finishing touch
-remember to measure before you cut!
Fold your card along the score lines. Before using your bone folder make sure that the folded card is even at the top and bottom. When you bring the other side over make sure that it meets in the middle.
Stamp the sentiment and adhere the paper to the inside.
BEFORE you adhere the designer pieces add a piece of ribbon down the side of the left piece. I did mine at about 1/8" in from the side. I said before as I learned from experience - lol.
With the other pieces of ribbon, remember that you are going to tie a bow so give yourself enough length. You can always cut it off but you can't add it! I used approx. 7" for the left side and 11" for the right side. Adhere the ribbon straddling the half way mark which on this card is 2.75". Attach it to the back using a glue dot. On the left side piece put the ribbon that will form the bow under the other ribbon and attach it to the paper with a glue dot. This ensures that it will stay straight when tying it and also the lengthwise ribbon hides the glue dot.
Adhere the 2 designer pieces to the card making sure that they are even with the opening. In other words, just leave a border at the top and sides. I used double sided tape to make sure that the ribbon would be secure.
Adhere the top and bottom pieces of the cut stamped image (make sure that they are in the right order) 1/4" in from the right side and top and bottom. The middle piece will then be 1/4" from the top and bottom piece. Make sure that the ribbon is going straight under the middle piece. Also make sure that you don't put glue on the back of the pieces past the opening. You don't want to glue you card shut - lol.
Then adhere the three small pieces to cover the back of the three cut white paper pieces to cover the ink bleed. For the middle one again when adhering it make sure that you have the ribbon coming out straight between the two pieces.
Tie the ribbon into a bow and you have your card!
It might sound complicated but as you start to do it you will see how easily it comes together.
The sentiment inside is from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure. It is called Sending You Thoughts and is free with a $60 order until March 31, 2020 
Gate Fold cards can be used for any occasion. Some people use them as invitations to weddings or parties. Some people also decorate the inside two panels.
It is easy to make this card is different sizes.To figure out where your scores should be divide the card width by 4. For a 3" X 4" it would be 6 (width) divided by 4 which equals 1 1/2". Therefore your score lines would be 1 1/2" and 4 1/2" (simply 1 1/2" on each side).
Happy card making and don't forget about Sale-A-Bration.
Mary
If you live in Canada and would like to order something from me or become a member of my team please go to merrycreations.stampinup.net.
If you questions about anything, you can contact me at marydek@yahoo.com
