Handcrafted cards with hidden messages are ideal for sending to friends, or just a clever way to create a card with a bit of a difference.
This card making idea would be a perfect way to send a card to a loved one, with a romantic card message hidden inside.
Begin by cutting out a piece of black 11 x4 ¼ inch card stock. Use a scalpel and metal edge ruler or paper trimmer to ensure a straight line.
Fold the card in three equal places as shown in the above picture (please note that the above picture is the same black card as in picture one, it just looks brown in the photo). The centre fold should have the fold coming towards you when folded and the outer folds should fold away from you.
Next fold the black card stock in half so the centre fold is facing you and cut a slit as shown in the picture. You will need to use really sharp scissors to do this.
Make two more slits making sure the spaces between them are even.
Then cut two pieces of white card 2 ½ x 4 ¼ inches in size using a scalpel and metal edge ruler.
Thread the strips of white card through the slits you have made in the centre of the black card stock.
Make sure you thread one piece the opposite way so that it looks like the picture above. Don’t worry, if you get this wrong you can simply remove the white card and re thread it.
Once in place, you may find the white card slips out. If this happens use a small piece of double sided tape or a dry adhesive behind the black panels to secure the white card stock in place.
Using a rubber stamp, stamp the ‘Happy Birthday’ wording onto some white card then mount it onto black card leaving a small border. You can of corse change the card message to suit any occasion you need.
Use double sided tape you attach the birthday wording to the inside of the card.
Now, when you fold the middle of the card towards you and place your thumbs on the black folds and pull, you will open up a centre piece of the card where your surprise card message can be written.
To decorate the outside of this handcrafted card, select a piece of your favourite scrapbook paper and cut two panels by 2 ½ x4 inches.
Use double sided tape to attach the panels to the front of the card. You should be left with a small black border around the edge of each panel.
Select a sheet of patterned scrapbook paper and rubber stamp a butterfly image using a quick drying black ink such as Stazon.
You will need to stamp the image twice and carefully cut out both rubber stamped images.
Cut a piece of mirror card stock that is bigger than your butterfly image.
To make a topper for this handcrafted card use a dry adhesive and place the first butterfly onto a piece of white card that is slightly smaller than the gold card so there is a border.
Place a small piece of double sided 3d foam along the body of the first butterfly then place the second butterfly on top. This will make your butterfly 3d.
Next, find the centre of the card and attach the topper only to the left hand side of the card using double sided tape.
Your handcrafted card is now finished and you should be left with a wonderful card to give to a loved one with a hidden surprise message inside.
I wish you would have put the sizes of each piece in your instructions.For example how big is the brown piece or the part with the butterfly or the little rectangles you stamp the words on.I’m sorry I don’t mean to be difficult but i’m pretty new at this.
please help
angel
@angel:
Hi Angel
If you mean the brown piece as in picture 2, this is actually the same piece of card that is in picture 1 and is a ‘piece of black 11 x 4 ¼ inch card stock. It just looks brown because of the lighting in the photo. I have changed the instructions so other card makers don’t get confused which would be easily done.
The part with the butterfly I have deliberately left out the measurements as it is unlikely that many people will have the same rubber stamp as me so they will have to judge the size of this with whatever rubber stamp image they are using. It really can be as big or small as you like.
Again with the little rectangles once you have made the card you will be able to measure the height and width so you can then select the appropriate sized wording or simply hand write your card message.
I hope this helps Angel but please email me if you’re still stuck
I think your card is really beautiful, but English is my second language and I read the instructions 3 times before I could understand. For example, one time you mention black paper and then in the next picture the paper is brown and then black again. What is a mirror card stock? Would you please make it a little bit simpler. Thank you and I congratulate you for your talent.
@Iris O. Call:
Hi Iris
Thank you for your comments they are much appreciated. The second picture is actually the same black paper as in the first picture. It just looks brown in the photo. I have changed the instructions so other people don’t get confused. Thanks for pointing this out
Mirror card stock is any card that is shiny and reflective.
Hope this helps
Happy card making!
I love your card…it’s beautiful. I have the perfect butterfly stamp for this technique TFS
hi, i love your all three cards very much , they r just awesome & beautiful.I really appreciate your talent & efforts to make these wonderful cards. i have one request to u please make videos of how to make these cards ,since i m a beginner i am not able to follow all your instruction properly, I will really appreciate if u can make video. and thanks for making and sharing such a beautifull cards with us. thanks a lot again.
@apeksha jain:
Hi Apeksha,
Thank you very much taking the time to write.
I do plan on making some card making videos in the near future so watch this space
Vicky, I thought when I looked at the picture, “oh that’s a cute idea with the extra bit on the front”, but when I looked at the directions, you blew me away! It is fantastic! You may have just given me my card making mojo back (which I lost with a fractured wrist, ankle, shingles, and depression!) Thanks so much.
Love this card, can’t wait to try it, thanks so much for all your brilliant ideas
hi Vicky this is an excellent card i to am a visual person and videos would be great when you get around to do the videos would they be on your site or YOUTUBE ??? i would be grateful if you could let us know when you do the videos and could you do this card please cheers Susan
Hi Vicky, these cards are just amazing, thanks for sharing them with us. I will definitely get down to trying them, even just keep them as future samples, thanks for the inspiration. Luv xxxxxx
Thank you so much for your hard work and such a great site. I love the nice and easy instructions for all your cards and think if some people started with reading the basics you have provided it would help them a lot. I really appreciate all the hard work involved.
Thanks Vicki x
Hi Jemma, Thank you so much for your kind words. It is lovely to get good feedback on the cards I make. It inspires me to make more!
This is really looking good and different
please elaborate ” when you fold the middle of the card towards you and place your thumbs on the lack folds and pull, you will open up a centre piece of the card ” ,, its urgent
Hi Sam
I’m not entirely sure what you mean. Can you let me know which step you are stuck on? Just count the pictures and tell me which one your not sure about.
Thanks
Vicki
I too do not understand the above mentioned step. I have counted the pioctures and it is picture number 11. Could you please explain that step?