GCA #20 - It's a Wonderful Gift!!

In keeping with the gift giving theme from last week, and knowing that many of us out there are making every effort to find cost effective ways to provide Christmas gifts, this week's GCA focuses on an cute card portfolio, perfect for any occasion!! And my third tutorial!!

I first saw this card portfolio by someone on SCS at least 3 years ago. I made some then and gave away as gifts and even had my Stampers Club make them one month. They were a hit, but then I found other new creations to try and forgot about this set. At my upline's most recent meeting, I volunteered to demo something and thought this would be perfect for the time of year it is!

These card portfolio's are quick and easy to make, and the perfect gift for someone on your list!!

Supplies you will need:

* One sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock. This is the portfolio itself.

* One piece of ribbon approx. 25" long.

* Scoring tool

* Hortizonal slot punch

* Sticky strip

* Scissors

* Stamp set of your choice

* Cardstock colors for cards of your choice

Step 1:

Score the 8 1/2 x 11 piece at 5 1/2" (along the 11" side). Turn your cardstock 90* and score at 2 1/4". Now you need to make an upside down "V". This will make folding of the portfolio easier. Starting at the 2 1/4" score mark, go down to the outside edge on each side in a "V" shape. The easiest way I have found to do this is make a template of the entire portfolio, and then I can just put that over where I need my "V" to be.

Step 2:

Using your bone folder, fold over the score lines and create nice crisp, clean folds. On the inside pocket edges, place on strip of Sticky Strip on each pocket. Regular adhesive is not strong enough for this project.

Step 3:

Using the hortizonal slot punch, or whatever you have, punch 2 holes on the outside "short" edges, keeping them in the middle of the portfolio and straight. These are your slots for the ribbon which will hold the portfolio shut.

Step 4:

This is the really fun part of creating your portfolio design and the cards to go with it!! Depending on the the type of embellishments you put on your cards, you easily put 5 cards on one side and the envelopes on the other.

Step 5:

Close it up and tie it shut with your ribbon! You're done!

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card using the different dimensions, and limitations, for your card , upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by December 12, 2008 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it!If you upload your card on SCS, or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA20(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 20) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

Now remember, your card portfolio DOES not have to be Christmas theme related. Mine is a set of 2 Thank you cards. And don't forget to decorate the envelopes too!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~