The swirl cards in my last post are lots of fun to make – and I think that I will be exploring the possibilities for a long time to come!
Those first cards were landscape cards. But I know that some of you prefer a portrait layout better. But when you do that, the size of the swirls will change to accommodate the narrower width. I just needed to explore this a little bit more.
I used all Stampin’ Up! equipment and supplies for this version of it. Do you need to? Not really, as I will give you measurements too. But the SU products make everything so much easier! This card is a Christmas thank you card! Who even thinks of that?
It only came into my mind because I received a beautiful gift in the mail last week. I realized that I would be sending a generic thank you card to my friend. Well, that isn’t right! It should be a Christmas-themed notecard since she will be receiving it before the holiday!
So here it is! And Stampin’ Up! has even created an awesome thank you message in its Poinsettia Petals stamp set – so we are good to go.
Here are the cutting measurements:
| Measurements | ||
| Blushing Bride Cardstock | 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” | Scored on the 8-1/2” side at 4-1/4” |
| Silver Foil Mat | 4” x 5-1/4” | |
| Basic White for face panel | 3-3/4” x 5” | This will hold the swirl design. I chose to dry emboss this panel for some added texture. |
| Scraps of Polished Pink, Balmy Blue, and Mint Macaron Cardstock for circles. A scrap of the pink snowflake DSP from Whimsey and Wonder. | Here’s the tricky part: Use the largest and smallest circles to cut the pieces for the outer edge Use the two middle circle sizes to cut each of these circles in each color. (See the photo below.) | |
| Scrap of Silver Foil cardstock | To create a snowflake die cut. | |
| Basic White for inside panel (optional) | 4” x 5-1/4” | |
| Pink snowflake DSP from the Whimsey and Wonder Pack. | ½” x 5-1/4” | This will line the bottom edge of the inside message panel. |
If you are using the Stampin’ Up! layering circles die set, I’ve used the dies to make these designs. If you have them all nested, there are 8 plain circle dies. I pretended that they were numbered from 1-8 with 1 being the largest die. With that in mind, I used die #1, #3, #5, and #7.
If you don’t have the Layering Circle die set and you’ve swiped a compass from a kid’s pencil box, here are the measurements for the circles: 3”, 2-1/2”, 1-3/4”, and 1-1/4”.
Cut each circle in half. You don’t need to obsess over precision here – roughly half as the message strip can hide a multitude of sins!
Here’s the secret:
Turn the circles so that the half circle edge is facing up. Then glue each circle aligned to the left side of its base circle like this:
When these are complete, you can see how the “swirl” takes shape:
Here is one thing that I would do differently: When you look at the picture above, you see that the sentiment strip is larger than the card panel. I wish that I had folded these ends behind the panel instead of trimming them to size, like I did. I think that the panel looks more finished with the folded edge. But this is a matter of taste.
To assemble the front of the card:
- Emboss the 3-3/4” x 5” Basic White panel with the Textured Textile embossing folder.
- Glue each half circle to the embossed panel.
- Choose the sentiments that you wish to use and stamp (or emboss) it on a thin strip of paper and adhere, covering the seam line of the circles. (I used “Merry Christmas” from the Poinsettia Petals Stamp set.)
- Glue the Silver Foil snowflake cut from the medium snowflake die from the Stampin’ Up! So Many Snowflakes die set.
- Decorate with gems or rhinestones to add some more holiday glitz. (I used Stampin’ Up! Subtle Shimmer Sequins for this card.)
- Glue the swirl panel to the Silver Foil mat and then to the Blushing Bride card base.
To complete the inside panel:
- Stamp a message on the inner panel of the card – or directly on the inside of the card base. I used “Thank you for making this a wonderful season” from the Stampin’ Up! Poinsettia Petals stamp set.
- I cut a strip of the pink snowflake swirl DSP from the Stampin’ Up! Whimsey and Wonder DSP pack that was used in the swirl design to make a finished edge along the bottom. The strip
- Attach the inner panel to the inside of the card base.
Here is a thank you notecard that will make you look like you have this whole Christmas situation under control – and well thought out! Little will anyone know…
Which one do you like better? Today’s portrait version or the landscape lay out that I used for yesterday’s card?
Thank you so much for looking at this card today! If you are in need of any help with this design or if you are looking for a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator to call your own, please let me know. I am happy to help in any way.
I’ve assembled a list of supplies to help you with this project. Click on any button and it will take you to the product in my online store.
Well – I love both versions! Your cards are just beautiful, Susan – and your instructions are awesome! AND – your blog is fun to read, too! The trifecta!! 😊😊
Wow, Mary – thank you so very much!! Still finding my way…but between you and Amy, who could ask for better mentors and uplines!!! xoxo
So pretty! Love the fun “swirls” of designer paper. Great colors too! 🙂
Thanks so much, Amy! It’s a cool effect that is easy once you can “see” it – and the possibilities with SU’s beautiful DSP packs is awesome!
Love this idea. Thank you so much for the pictures. The visual’s helped immensely
Hi, Laura – thanks so much for stopping in to read my post! I’m glad that the visuals helped. I really searched and experimented to figure out how to do these – so I’m delighted that I was able to give you directions that made sense! Please stop by again!