Berries Wreath Quilt Block Card

 
Traditional and classic album block becomes a unique card 

for a quilter or fan of folk, featuring graceful center circle and 

“overlapping” half circle stems plus compass point straight stems. 

At the ends, twelve clusters of round berry trios add 

a splash of red In between three different leaf shapes 

complete the floral composition. 

Following this traditional coloration often seen on 

vintage Baltimore album appliqué quilts, 

the card is perfect as a Christmas card that can be 

displayed year ‘round. The front panel mat includes 

cut outs for separately-cut berries and leaves, 

with guide marks for placing stems. 

Card measures approx. 5.5” x 5.5” when folded.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A card base (shown as top-fold; can also be side fold)

B front panel with shape cut out windows and

guide mark dashes

C berry trios cut from 2 coord. colors (12 sets)

D straight short stems (4)

E leaves: small, med. & large (4 sets)

F one-piece half-circle arc stem

(separate arc shapes

also available in cut file; cut 4)

G center whole circle stem

2. Prepare the card base by bending back on

cross-perforation. Position the front panel onto

the front of the folded card base with narrow offset

margin all around.

3. Position and attach each of the berries into

the appropriate window shapes in

the front panel.

4. Position the short straight stems in the N-S-E-W

positions using the inward end "U" shaped guide

marks and the parallel dash marks near berries

to carefully align so that ends will not extend beyond

where the circle stem shape will eventually cover them.

5. Position the one-piece arc shape over center of

panel where partial arc guide marks indicate, with

stem ends ending exactly at berry openings, and attach.

NOTE 1: stem ends will be one layer above berries;

if you wish to have berries be on a taller strata,

cut addition sets of the stem-end berry circles and

attach in place over first layer that was placed into

the window in Step 3.

NOTE 2: if cutting the separate half arc shapes instead,

position these separately, possibly tack-gluing at centers

of ends only until correct positioning is confirmed;

at "intersections" where whole circle will overlap, outer

left side curve has a small irregularity where the right

side curve of the adjoining half arc will abut and fill in.

6. Position the whole circle stem over center of card

where guide marks indicate, and attach.

7. Position and attach the various leaves into

the corresponding cut out windows.

Here is the completed card.

Tis the Season Framed Phrase

 Large frame decoration to capture Christmas cheer 

is composed of separately-cut top, bottom and sides 

frame members which join at corners, 

with “rolled” inner rim and wrap-over walls for strength. 

Center panel has strategic cut-in guide marks for 

main letters of phrase words ‘Tis the Season’ 

(or retain the normally-weeded areas when cutting out letters) 

to assist with placement. 

Within the plaque layout a large square area can hold 

a separate 4.5” x 4/5” (or slightly larger) design element 

such as “Mistletoe Wreath Card” 

(front panel only) separate design. 

The center panel with words can be used 

separate from the frame for vinyl decor or scrap booking. 

Requires 12x12 cutting capacity and stock.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A top and bottom walls (with miter wrap-over corners; 2)

B side walls (with end connector tabs & notch flange; 2)

C front panel with guide marks cut in

D duplicate square to match 3 hand-cut from chip

E 'Tis the Season individual letters to attach

(refer to Step 3 for an option to retain the areas

"weeded" from around letters when cutting to use

as precise positioning guide.

F opt. accent side wall & rim wrap-over (4)

2. Please access this LINK to view and follow 

steps 5-15 in a similar frame project.

NOTE that this frame is sized to largest possible

with 12x12 cutting capacity. The linked project is

somewhat smaller, but assembly is the same.

Shown here below is the wall member folding step

to show the relative long size.

3. Locate and identify the dash line positioning guides

on the front panel. Here, pointing fingers are highlighting

the left mid edge and bottom edge for the cap 'S'.

Align the cut out letter with the intermittent position

perf cuts and attach in place.

The other guide marks will assist with positioning of

other individual letters.

--OR--

Plan for and retain the "weeded" negative areas from

around the phrase letters to use these . . .

. . . in tandem with the positioning guide marks

to provide full positioning assistance.

Here, the weed cut out is positioned and anchored

in place with temp tape.

Individual letters have adhesive added to backsides,

then are fitted into the openings and pressed to attach.

Work quickly so that the frame does not inadvertently

get glued to front panel. Then gently peel the frame

away to leave the letters in place. Re-apply pressure

to all letters and edges.

Repeat the process for the other words.

4. NOTE that the completed mistletoe sprigs with offset

base can fit in the open space, as desired.

See how the sample project has a triple berry cluster

rotated to fit neatly between tops of 's' and 'o'.

If planning to include the dimensional bow from the

wreath card file, DO NOT attach it until end of assembly.

5. Layer the front panel over the reinforcement panel

and attach with permanent double-sided tape.

(Avoid using liquid adhesive which may cause

undesirable warping or uneven appearance.)

6.  Refer again to the LINK for the similar frame phrase

project to insert and attach the reinforced front panel

(see Steps 13-15).

7. If desired, prepare the four outer wall overlay accents

by bending back on long perforation line to 90 degrees.

Position and attach by applying dry double-sided tape

to edges and next to perforation then centering on each

side wall so that angled rim edges align with frame's

miter edges at corners.

If there is any overhang of accent sides at corners,

use sharp scissors to carefully trim away excess.

8. Position and attach bow.

Mistletoe Sprig Wreath Card

 

Classy wreath slightly-asymmetrical design is 

focal point of this square card. 

Three short sprigs (stems plus colored overlaid leaves) 

are placed in a circle to create the wreath ring, 

with three primitive berry sizes placed as clusters or singles. 

Slightly offset foundation mat can assist positioning,

or use the stems & leaves base alone to build upon. 

Dimensional miniature bow with streamers 

can accent the center top. 

Recipient will be sure to feature it in their holiday decor – 

or keep it for yourself to display. 

Wreath component can be used separately, 

such as decorative addition to 

“Framed Phrase Tis the Season” separate decor design.

Card measures approx. 5.375 x 5.375" when folded

(shown as top fold).

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A card base (shown as top fold)

B sprigs offset base - cut to match card base

C sprigs size-match base - cut to match card base

D sprigs #A - 3 stem bases, 3 sets of leaves 1-5

E sprigs #B - 3 stem bases, 3 sets of leaves 1-3

F sprigs #C - 3 stem bases, 3 sets of leaves 1-5

(see illustration below for detail of shapes, coloration)

G berries - 1 set

H dimensional bow: loops main section,

wrap-over knot, streamers

(NOTE that the loops wrap-over shape has been

modified in the final cut file to omit part of wrap tab)

I color copy print of layout graphic from cut file

Here is detail for the three sprigs with leaves

identified and leaf coloration from 3 coord. greens.

2. Identify the registration + mark that is cut into the offset base

and the sprigs same size base. When these are lined up,

the narrow offset margin will match up with the asymmetrical

sprigs layout . . .

. . . as can be seen here.

Apply glue to stem matched size base backside,

then position and attach to offset base.

3. Here is one sprig unit for leaf A.

When the leaves are overlaid and attached to

the sprig base, only the contrast stem . . .

. . . should be visible.

Complete 3 sets of each of the A, B & C stems.

4. Prepare to position and attach the sprigs to

the sprig base by selecting one of the #C completed

sprigs, then studying the color placement diagram . . .

. . .to position it precisely over that position of stem base

and attach in place.

5. Next, select a #B sprig to place clockwise next

to the first sprig, overlapping as it is attached in place.

6. Continue in the same manner to position first A,

then continuing in reverse C-B-A order until all units

are positioned. NOTE that the final A will overlap 

the beginning #C sprig, or its tip leaf can be lifted slightly

with spatula or equivalent tool so that #C overlaps #A.

7. Position and attach the various berries according to

the color chart.

8. Position the completed wreath unit onto the front

of the card base, centered in each direction,

and rotated as preferred.

9. Prepare the dimensional bow by bending forward

at the connector perforation lines near center knot

and near sides.

Also bend the knot wrap over section back.

NOTE that the extra tab extending from the wrap-over

knot has been eliminated in the final cut file.

10. Use a rod tool such as this narrow dowel to add

back-curl to the center only of the loop extensions.

11. Carefully curl the first loop section over (without

bending in a crease at loop fullness) and align

perforation lines and center punch hole; attach 

hole punch half tab in place.

12. Repeat for the opposite loop.

13. Wrap the knot around the glued end tabs

and glue in place. NOTE the extra tab has been

eliminated.

14. Position centered, near top of wreath.

Here is the wreath (including offset base) positioned

as the added decoration to the "Tis the Season"

framed phrase project.

Cash Envelope Cut from Border Prints

 

If you have a creative mental block when it comes to how to use
those attractive border specialty prints in your favorite 
card stock pad, here is one useful suggestion. 
Simple assembly quickly yields the full impact of

eye-catching print art.

 

Center the flap tip of this one-piece (USA) paper bill 

gift holder at the very edge of a border print and cut. 

Complete “mountain” folds on all three perforation lines 

to define flap, back panel, pocket backing with 

short pocket front. 

Double-stick tape ends of pocket closed, insert cash, 

then fold front flap around to tuck tip into curved slit. 

Something beautiful and impressive is 

just as quick as that! 

Envelope measures approx. 3.125” wide x 

6.875” long when closed. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Select border and cut the folder shape.

Since most border prints have a centered "top edge"

design layout, center the cut shape as close to

the top edge as far as possible, and centered

on the cutting mat.

Here is the cutting result of the sample folder.

2. (In this image, the folder is shown from backside.)

Bend the shape back on all perforations.

3. Locate the guide dash marks on the pocket

front section near side edges, then apply

adhesive along edges but not beyond guide marks.

4. Fold the pocket front panel back into position,

check to align side cut edges, then attach.

5. Tuck paper bill into pocket, then . . .

. . . fold the pocket upward. Fold top flap

over into position to tuck the flap's point . . .

. . . into curved slit, flexing flap just a bit if necessary.