Card Spotlight: Bear Hug

I wanted to use a gatefold design for a card--but I wanted to do something "different". My difference turned out to be adding an embroidered applique to the gatefold design.

For this project, the materials list is:

--Bazzill textured cardstock (one 12" x 12" sheet in Burnt Orange)
--embroidered applique
--decorative paper
--white cardstock
--Tsukineko Dew Drop Ink in Pearlescent Orchid
--Tsukineko VersaMagic Chalk Ink in Jumbo Java
--Colorbox Queue Ink in Black
--adhesive

For the gatefold card, I trimmed a piece of 12" x 12" Bazzill cardstock down to a 6" x 8" piece.



Using my Scor-Pal, I scored the cardstock at 2" and 6" to create the two flaps that will make up the gatefold card.




I made the teddy bear embroidery applique using my Brother E-100 Applique Station. After the bear was complete, I used an iron-on adhesive backing so that the threads would not unravel.



As the bear is going to be the focal point of the card--as well as serving as the opening/closing tab, I decided to use a piece of the same colored cardstock to make a backing mat for the applique. This serves two purposes: (1) It keeps any of the unsightly backing threads and stitches from being exposed; and (2) It adds another layer of stiffness and durability to the card closure. I simply traced around the embroidered applique shape with a pencil to create a mat backing. Then that outline is cut out with a pair of scissors. I then ran the applique through my Xyron 510 to apply a layer of adhesive to the back and adhered it to cardstock mat.




I used a set of alphabet stamps called "Ransom" to stamp the greeting on the front of my cardface. I used an overstamping technique. First, taking a Tsukineko Dew Drop ink in Pearlescent Orchid and stamping the greeting with the gatefolds held closed. Then I went back in with a slight off-set on the same stamp block and used some Colorbox black ink to re-stamp my greeting. I used my ATG714 to apply adhesive to half of the back of the embroidered applique cardstock backing and adhered it to the left side of the gatefold centering the bear at the center line of where the two gatefolds meet.




To complete the inner card, I used a piece of decorative paper from the DCWV Once Upon A Time Mat Stack, trimmed slightly smaller than the 4" x 6" card middle. I inked the edges of the paper with some Tsukineko VersaMagic Chalk Ink in Jumbo Java. Then I took a piece of smooth white cardstock and inked the edges with the same chalk ink. I used my ATG714 to adhere both papers to my card base.




I really like the combination of an embroidered element with cardmaking. It adds visual and textural interest. Don't be afraid to explore adding other craft elements (e.g., embroidery, needlepoint, tatting, mosaics, woodcrafts, etc.) to your cards.

Create--and keep crafting!