Fish on Hook Gift Card Holder

 

Create this memorable card for Father’s Day, 

or for any guy or gal who loves fishing. 

Suggestive details help this jumping fish look real, 

with stacked layers that provide depth to hide . . .

. . . a pull-out gift card slider or message. 

A simple but colorful lure hook provides the pull tab. 

Fish measures approx. 6.125” x 6.5” not including the lure pull. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A carrier base front panel

B carrier interior layers (7-9; quantity per depth test)

C carrier base back panel

D depth test strips (for determining interior layers; be

sure to cut these from the same stock as carrier shapes)

E fish silhouette base (shows thru as fins)

F fish silhouette overlay (shows as fin striations)

with eye window

G eye base inlay and pupil overlay

H fish underbelly overlay   I fish upper body overlay

J fish upper lip overlay

K pectoral fin inset with striation detail overlay

L lure shapes: hook, left and right overlays,

rivet for both front and back layers

M gift card front slider with ring reinforcement

N gift card back slider with ring reinforcement

O optional message card to substitute for gift card

2. As part of the cutting prep step, use the cut out

slider shapes and test strips to determine quantity

that will allow the carrier's slot to comfortably hold

the slider and plastic gift card. NOTE that if you are

using the optional message card substitute, use

that shape in place of the plastic gift card to gauge depth.

A) stack the slider shapes

B) place the plastic gift card on top of stack

C) stack the depth test strips, enough to equal

the height of the stack

NOTE that one way to know if the stacks are equal

is if the strips can be slid onto the card or not.

D) count the strips then add 2 for sliding allowance;

use this total number to cut the interior carrier shapes

that will be stacked to create the slider channel.

3. Identify the back (left) and front carrier panels.

4. Apply glue to one joining surface of the slider interior

shapes first pair to be joined, then layer them and adjust

so that ALL cut edges are aligned as precisely as possible.

Apply fingertip pressure all around edges, then . . .

. . . immediately place the stack under a flat heavy object

such as this thick book volume, possibly with something

else heavy on top to press the glued-up shape until

the next layer is ready to add onto the top of the stack.

This will help minimize warping or curling of the paper

when using liquid adhesive.

5. Continue to apply glue to the underside of successive

carrier shapes, then add them one by one to the assembly

in repetition of Step 4 above. Return the stack to be

pressed between each addition. When the stack is completed,

press the entire stack and allow to completely dry, usually

for several hours or over night.

6. When the interior glued shape is dry, apply glue

then position it over the backside of the back panel,

carefully aligning all matching edges precisely as before.

7. Apply glue to the upper surface of interior carrier shape

then position and attach the front panel.

Press the stack under a heavy flat weight until completely dry.

NOTE: place a plastic gift card into the opening of the channel

to keep the channel from collapsing under the weight.

8. Begin the fish assembly by positioning the striations

body layer over the top of the bas silhouette, matching

edges that align as precisely as possible.

9. Position and attach the eye inset into the cut out window.

(Apologies - this step was omitted in photo sequence

but MUST BE in place during this step.)

10. Add the lip overlay shape to the front of the assembly,

aligning and matching appropriate edges (throughout)

11. Add the upper body to the silhouette assembly.

12. Position and attach the lower body assembly,

abutting the shaped interior edge and lip edges

as well as other corresponding edges.

Press under a heavy flat weight as it dries.

13. Compete the pectoral fin assembly by positioning

and attaching the striations overlay on top,

with left shaped edges and right edges aligned,

and somewhat centered.

14. Position and attach the fin into the cut out window

and the pupil at the top of the eye cut out window.

15. Position the fish assembly over the top of the carrier

with narrow offset margin around most of the outer

edges, except . . .

. . . at the mouth front edge, where the fish and

the carrier edges should align precisely.

16. Prepare to assemble the lure pull tab which is

recommended to cut and assemble as two complete

front and back assemblies which are put together

back to back as shown.

Add the half accent shapes, one side then

the other . . .

. . . with the rivet set into the "window" near hook end.

Then reverse one to position and attach them

together back to back, aligning all cut edges

as precisely as possible. Press together, and

place under a flat weight until fully dried.

17. Complete the assembly of the GC slider by

first popping forward the holder tabs slightly

(NOTE there are no perf cuts to allow this bend

to be made too distinctly, so only barely bend them.)

This image is showing how to preview the arrangement.

Apply adhesive to the back only of the front panel,

including the pull ring, taking care NOT to apply glue 

to the backside of the holder tabs which 

must remain unattached.

Position the front and back sliders

with their backsides together, adjust so that

all outer and ring cut edges align, and join.

Position and attach the partial rings over the ring

extensions of the assembly, both front and back.

Lift the tabs slightly and slide the plastic GC

into position. This is a snug fit under the tabs,

and the slider is not much wider than the card.

18. Complete the card by carefully inserting

the non-ring end into the cavity opening at mouth edge.

Take care as the ring-end tab enters the slot so

that the tab slides into under the edge and does not

get caught and flip upward.

With the card fully inserted, position the hook through

the exposed ring, determine your desired positioning

(suggested: somewhat parallel to the mouth cut edge)

and securely glue in place at both spots where hook

and ring overlap - both front and behind.

If deemed desirable, it may be wise to instruct

the recipient to actually hold hook AND ring when

pulling the slider to the open position.

Dutch Tulips Foursome Patchwork 6x6 Card

 A foursome of simple “patchwork” style tulips creates 

a simple graphic floral card in a top-fold format. 

The front mat has separated corners and blossom cut out window 

to assist with shapes placement. 

Send some springtime cheer to someone special, 

whether they appreciate quilt making or not. 

This unique card goes together quickly, and is sure 

to delight someone for varied occasions, including friendship, 

birthday, thank you, Easter, Mother’s Day and more. 

Card measures approx. 6x6 

when fully assembled and top-folded.

(This tutorial is under construction.

Please return soon to view

the completed assembly guide.)

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes following notes

within the cut file.

2. Gather the front panel "background" panel

with matching 4 corner "patches" . . . 

. . . then center them together on the front accent "narrow

border" square panel, with triangle long edges abutted

at the corner slant edges of the center panel.

NOTE that the corners can be temp-taped in position

prior to positioning the full square front unit onto

border accent panel (then remove tape). Take care that 

the revealed narrow edge margin is even all around.

3. Position the pairs of triangle shapes that create

the appearance of leaves point to point along

the "seams" between center panel and corner patches.

4. Position/insert the tulip blossom foundation shapes

into their corresponding cut out windows in

the center panel, and attach them there.

If possible, press the assembly under a heavy flat

weight until the glue dries thoroughly, to help

prevent warping or curling when using liquid adhesive.

5. Position and attach the stem strips on the diagonal, centering

the end edges between the triangle "leaves" and

the inward ends abutted at the tulip blossom bottom edges.

6. If you are using the two-part tulip petal head variation,

first position and attach the single half over the double

half base with corresponding bottom, side and upper slant

edges aligned as precisely as possible, and glue in place

for all four blossom units.

7. Position and attach the blossom head units

over the blossom head bases for all 4 blossoms.

8. Position and attach the front panels assembly

onto the front of the folded card base.

Bear Rolled Cash Holder Gift

 Choose this whimsical way to deliver birthday (or other) 

gift cash to tuck inside a gift basket, 

stand on table next to gifts, or as a tag on 

a wrapped present. 

Bear with hollow ears is peeking over the top of 

a slotted “marquee” where a (US) paper bill has been 

rolled for safe keeping and clever gifting. 

Bear layers are cut from kraft colored (or your choice) 

card stock and glued into a stack to imitate tag board. 

Head front layer is cut with recesses for placing tiny eyes 

and muzzle with nose, giving bear some expression. 

Paws are also cut separately and overlaid for definition. 

If desired, front marquee layer can be prepared 

with “print & cut” techniques so cash holder 

can be personalized. 

Bear cash holder measures approx. 4.375” tall x 3.5” wide 

(with up to 1/8” stacked depth) when fully assembled. 

Optional shapes also included: 

1) fold-together back easel stand; 

2) back band to secure rolled bill.

Assembly of this project is essentially identical

to the Bunny Rolled Cash Holder Gift project.

Please follow this LINK to view the assembly steps

for the Bear Rolled Cash Holder Gift project.

Daffodil Patchwork 6x6 Card

 

Evoke the first rays of springtime with 

this patchwork block style card that can send 

cheery thanks or get well notes of friendship. 

It’s the perfect design for recipients who love 

quilt making, patchwork and stitching. 

Card base is presented in two parts so that it can be 

cut from a single sheet of 12x12 or 

two sheets of smaller card stock. 

Accent mat creates narrow outer contrast border. 

Front panel includes a positioning “cross” partial cut out. 

Corner “daffodil” units are assembled, then fitted into 

the corners of the “cross” guide cuts, with 

other smaller “patches” fit and attached in place.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes as described

within the cut file.

2. Begin by assembling the four tulip units.

left: the four shapes used for 1 tulip unit

center: attach triangle over bottom of 'V' leaves, and

attach left 'diamond' over double diamond petal shape

right: shows the two elements pushed together --

but that part comes later!

3. Begin assembling the daffodil blossom units

onto the front panel. Use the dashed guide lines on

the panel to position the leaves right angle edges

at the right angles of the dash line 'cross'. NOTE that

the diamond points should extend to align with

the square panel's edges. Next, position and attach 

the petals units into the angle of the leaves units.

4. Position and attach the tiny square accents

at the center of the petals units.

5. Position and attach the 'house' shaped accents

at the squared ends of the dash mark 'cross'.

6. Position and attach the center square so that its

corners touch the triangle leaves point corners.

7. Position and attach the four 'on-point' triangles

around the center square accent.

8. Finally, position and attach the center panel assembly

onto the accent panel (centered to create equal narrow

border all around.

9. Bend the card base (or join separate sections into

one panel, then bend). Position and attach the panels

assembly onto the front of the card base.