May your joys be bright.....

Hi!   I'm back with you today to show you a very elegant card with a surprise inside.  Our current theme at the Card A Day Blog is WEDDINGS, and for some reason I was inspired to use soft blues for my colorway.  This card has a very special fold for the inside, which you'll see as we go along.

I started this particular project with a paper hunt.  This actually didn't take as long as I thought it might since I already knew the color and the theme, and I knew I wanted to use very subtle prints in coordinating patterned papers if I had them.  I found exactly what I needed in the very first paper pack.  I applied one of the papers to the card front.

Once I had the papers I decided to see if I had any pretty images or punched bits that I might put to good use.  I found a perfectly sized piece with a nice punched lattice edge.  My lovely daughter helped me by finding the perfect sentiment which I printed in a matching blue ink.  I then punched out two flower pieces from the same paper as the card front.  I shaped the pieces, inked on a little extra color and added tiny pearls for the flower center.  I also inked the lattice and the edge of the sentiment piece, and layered them with foam tape.

Here is an angled shot so you can see the dimension:

Then I went to work on the inside of the card.  I cut an 8" square from the second patterned paper, did a bit of fancy folding, and ended up with a lovely insert.  I added a punched floral border to the top, using pearls for the flower centers.  Here is the card before it is fully opened.  As you can see, it is a variation on an accordion fold.

And this is what it looks like when opened up all the way.  The paper is light enough to write on directly without using an insert and covering up the pretty paper.

I don't remember how I came across this particular fold, but here is a link to the directions I used.  It's easy to do and packs quite a punch for the recipient.  Perhaps you'll try it sometime!

This may be one of my favorite cards.  It was so simple and quick to make and does look very elegant.  I made this card a 4 1/4" square so that it will fit into a standard A2 sized envelope, but a custom envelope can be made as well if desired.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask in the comments section.

Thanks so much for visiting!  Here are the main supplies used:

     Design Paper:  K and Company
     Punches:  Tonic Studio (flower) and Martha Stewart (lattice edge and lacey floral border)
     Ink:  Stampin 'Up "Bashful Blue"
     Adhesives:  Scotch ATG and Quick Drying Tacky Glue and Tombow Mono Dots
     Pearls:  Recollections and Ruby Rock-It

'Til next time.....

Big HUGS!!
CHRISTINE