Myako Valentine Frame Easel Tutorial

This card: Miyako's Valentine Frame was previously (2/13/12) posted on my blog here. I have received a couple questions how to make the easel back. This is the front of the photo:

And, here is the back:

To make a generic frame: (4-1/4 x 5-1/2" used in the example), cut out the frame size. Test punch the boarder/corner punch edge's to be used. Be sure the extra excess is taken into account since some have 1/8" and up to 1/4" excess.

To make the easel (measurement is only applicable to the 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" base frame). My easel is 5/8" smaller than the card base. You can make it any size that would be appropriate.
1. (2) 3" x 4-1/4" card stock
2. Score on the 3" side @1-1/2".
3. On the 3" side- cut away 1/2" from the 1-1/2" score line down to the right side: about 1/2" from the bottom on both pieces .
4. Cut away about 1/4" to "0" from the right side to the 1-1/2" score line on both pieces. Adjustments can be made to cut more for the slant if desired once card is completed.
5. Apply sticky tape to right side on one piece in the area as shown. Connect the second piece. this will provide stability to the easel.
6. Apply sticky tape to the left side edge and also to the right of the 1-1/2" score line on BOTH pieces.
7. Remove sticky tape - apply to the card base.

Hope this information is helpful and a happy crafting day to you!!!

Pushing the Envelope Tutorial

Thank you all for your patience in waiting for the "Pushing the Envelope" tutorial. The original post on 3/5/2011. The tutorial will provide the BASIC steps to make this type of album. Left Photo: To prepare to make this book: (2) 6-1/2" x 5" chipboard pieces (2) 7-1/2 x 6" patterned paper (2) 6-1/4" x 4-3/4" solid/pattern paper for inside cover (2) 4-3/4" x 12" solid/pattern paper for spine, scored 1-1/4" along 12" side (7) envelopes of your choice - A2 size used for this tutorial (7) 20" long cut ribbon of your choice 1/8" Hand Held circle punch Keep in mind, these are basic measurements. If the envelopes used are larger in size, increase to adjust the covers accordingly. COVER: Right Photo: Adhere the 7-1/2" x 6" piece to the chipboard. To make the corners, apply adhesive to the edge, then fold up the corners (as shown in the photo), repeat on all 4 corners. Left Photo: to achieve crisp sides, use a bone folder or simply lift up the side and rock forward (see yellow arrow), apply adhesive, secure. Right photo: finished front and back cover results. Set aside - do not apply inside cover yet!!!

SPINE: Left Photo: Crease and fold the 4-3/4" x 12 strips. Connect the two strips (see yellow arrow)

Right Photo: There are a total of 7 mountains for the outside and 8 for the inside. Note: The total amount of folds will also depend on how many envelopes are being used for the album.

Left Photo: Make a template 2" x 4-3/4" using chipboard. First hole is 1-1/8" from the top, following (3) 1/8" holes on the edge 1-1/4" apart. Note: if envelopes are larger/smaller in size, center the template for the same results. Place the template on the 3rd fold line which will the 1st mountain fold, mark holes - continue marking on all mountain sections.

Right Photo: Fold crease to punch holes using a 1/8" hand held punch. Repeat process 6 additional times.

Preparing the Envelopes

Left Photo: Fold the envelope flap inside (see yellow arrow)

Right Photo: using the template previously made for the strips, center template on envelope, mark holes.

After punching the envelopes, the envelope side results are as shown. Note: the 1/8" punch should be ONLY punching half way (or 1/16" in).

Connecting the Envelopes to the Spine

Left Photo: A needle with larger holes will be good to thread ribbon of your choice.

Right Photo: After threading needle, push through the center hole of the spine and envelope (see yellow arrow). Leave about 7" of ribbon as a tail.

Left photo: After threading ribbon through the center hole, from the inside of the envelope, thread through the bottom hole and through the bottom of the spine (see yellow arrow)

Right Photo: Bring needle up to the top spine hole, thread through top envelope hole as shown.

Left Photo: Before the spine attaching process is completed, outside of the spine should be as shown

Right Photo: Thread through the center envelope hole and through spine ensuring the tail will be on the opposite side of the original tail (see yellow arrow). Tie a double knot to secure ribbon.

Finished attached envelope results:

Attaching Cover to Spine

Left Photo: adhere spine extension to the cover (see yellow arrow)........position it 1/4" from the edge

Right photo: Adhere the solid/pattern paper on top to hide the extension.

Results of finished project side view

Whew.........................this tutorial took a bit longer than expected. I do hope it is clear, if not, please, let me know.

Kimono Tutorial

There are A LOT of photos ( a total of 26!) taken to make this Kimono. Washi is suggested due to the lightness of the paper. FYI: SU solid paper will be difficult to fold as it is more dense and thicker. Try SU DSP, which may work since it is thinner. Use copy paper to practice....................here goes:
Left Photo: Start with a 6" x 6" Square piece of Washi.
Right Photo: Fold diagonally, crease as shown.

Left Photo: Open, fold diagonally, crease as shown
Right Photo: Open, fold bottom corner to center, crease and unfold

Left Photo: Fold top corner to the fold line created (above right photo). Pencil line is marked to show the fold line.

Right Photo: Unfold, then fold top corner to the crease line just created on the left photo. Pencil line is marked to show the fold line. The center of the 6x6 is lightly marked with a pencil.

Left Photo: fold right side, match edge of top corner as shown

Right photo: fold back the "wing", matching the edge to the side

Left Photo: repeat for the left side

Right photo: Fold up the bottom point to meet the center

Left Photo: fold top edge toward the center (that's why there is a pencil mark for the center line) - see pink arrow
Right Photo: unfold, take top corner to fold up toward the top

Left Photo: fold down the top corner - this is the kimono collar

Right Photo: to create the sleeve, this is the side view. Do a "pleat fold" - this is the Kimono sleeve. Note: The width is 1-1/4".

Left Photo: view after "pleat fold"

Right photo: make a triangle, fold down the corner - see green arrow

Left Photo: Origami verbiage called the next fold a "swivel fold and squash fold" Translation: fold back the left side toward the center.

Right photo: See green arrow - press down the triangle.

Left Photo: repeat fold for the left side

Right Photo: Pull out Kimono bottom at an angle and fold - see green arrow

Left Photo: Pull out the inner layer - see green arrow (this is the small piece)

Right Photo: Fold toward the side - See green arrow

Left Photo: Fold bottom corner of sleeve up
Right Photo: Flip Kimono over, this is what it should look like.

Left Photo: 3/8" wide grosgrain ribbon is a added embellishment. Tuck under the fold with a mini glue dot.

Right Photo: Complete grosgrain to the right side with a mini glue dot. Finish it off with a single knot also attached with a mini glue dot. KIMONO IS COMPLETE

Thank you for your patience...................let me know if there any questions. I look forward to everyone making this Kimono.

Embossing folders used for previously posted Kimono Cards - please e-mail me for the info.