Make it Monday: Gift Card holder for any occassion

Today, I have a little something for you to make that is easy.  I currently have them on my Etsy Shop, but it is so easy until I would love to share it with you, so you can make one for Valentine's day. 

Psst...spouses and kids, this means you :)

Gift card holders are great for when you want to present nice and fun and quick.  There are many ways to make it, but I think you will like this one. 

This is a modified version and a combo on how I make my 3x3 note cards, and a You Tube video I learn from Dawn, who is a Stampin UP! Demonstrator.

You will need the following Ingredients (materials)

Ingredients:

With a diagonal Pocket
(c) P. Lynne Designs

• 1 12” x 12” sheet of solid cardstock.  Get the good stuff.  There is a difference between cardstock and construction paper.  Construction paper is a rough, course paper, mostly used in elementary schools.  Paper trimmers do not like it, and in my opinion makes a project look tacky.  You can get most cardstock paper for $.69 and up ($.49 if using 8.5” x 11”).  You can yield 3 card holders with one sheet.

(c) P.Lynne Designs

• Adhesive (glue).  You can use a double-sided tape runner, wet white glue (Like Elmer’s), or glue stick.  Since this is something that most likely will be thrown away after the recipient gets it, you can use a glue stick.  Be careful, because not all glue sticks are the same.  Sorry, but the dollar store is not your friend on this buy.  Go to a place like Staples or a craft store to get you glue stick.  They still will cost a dollar.

(c) P. Lynne Designs

• Paper trimmer (optional).  I say optional because not everyone is a crafter, or like the paper trimmer.  I use one, because I cannot cut a straight line even if they pay me a million bucks (OK scratch that), but I still like it because I can get it cut in one swipe.  If Paper trimmers are not your thing, and I do not blame you if it isn't, here are some other options on how to cut your gift card out:

(c) P. Lynne Designs

• Scissors (pencil-not pen), craft knife, and ruler or a die cutting machine (electronic or manual).  For scissors, just line up your ruler to cut every 4 inches.  Draw with pencil a line at 4 inches (this is for width only).  Cut with scissors.   With a craft knife, you do not need a pencil, but you will need some sort of self-healing mat underneath your project so you would not cut your surface.  Line up the ruler like you are about to draw a line, take your craft knife and cut down the paper.

I mention die cut machine, because this is go if you are making more than one.  This is also a little advance for a person who is just starting out, I will advise you to follow the instructions on your particular machine.  I have 2 electronic die cutting machines (technically 3, one is out of commission so to speak) and 2 manually operated die cutting machines. But if I have to make one of something, I will take out my paper trimmer every time.

• Extra squares.   This is for mating.  You will need 2 squares (the first slightly smaller-usually

  

  Two Squares for matting (Optional)
  (c) P. Lynne Designs 

  1/8 of an inch, no more than ¼ of an inch; the second is smaller than the first one). You do not have to mat the front at all, if that is your preference, but you will need a shape of some sort for the front.  A simple circle with the words, “For you” or in the case of V-day, “To you my love” If you know how to cut a heart out from scratch, that’s great (for me, (laughing very loudly at one’s self)).   If you do not have any punches, don’t worry about it, any little embellishment will do.

Martha Steward Score Board
(c) P.Lynne Designs

One other thing… I forgot to mention scoring the paper.  This is another purpose for having a paper trimmer.  You will need to score the paper every 4”.  You can also purchase a scoring board, which allows you to score and to fold with ease. 

Put it all together…

1. Take your 12”x 12” sheet of paper, and the size you want is 4” x 12”. 
2. Score every 4” (4” and 8” lines on the score board) to get 3 panels. Fold. 

To make pocket…

Cut in half to make a pocket
(c) 2015 P.Lynne Designs

• On the last panel, you want to either cut diagonal (corner to corner) or cut in half (2” from the last score line).  Fold and apply glue to the second panel. Set aside for the moment.

• Decorate the front cover:

At this point you are finished, but if you want to make it a little more festive, e.g. holiday, personalize

Gift card holder with Writing
(c) P.Lynne Designs

it for a birthday, anniversary, or a giveaway, let your imagination run wild.

You can mat the front and place a shape on it, like the one I have on my Etsy shop, print a picture of the person you are giving it to, or write on it

Well, that is it for now.  Be sure to check back each week or so for a new project, Etsy listing, or a post.   T.

Gift Card Holder with Wooden Embellishment
By Kaiser Scrapbooking.
Card Design by P.Lynne Designs (c) 2015