Look Out World: Here Come the Graduates Vintage Style Card with Gift Card Pocket

Hello, Friends!  It’s June, and all across the US, young men and women are donning caps and gowns, marching solemnly across the stage, turning their tassels, and grasping their diplomas. Look out World!  With this momentous occasion in mind, Petaloo is  spending the coming week celebrating Dads & Grads!  I dug into one of my favorite retired Graphic 45 collections to create this colorful graduation card with a hidden gift card pocket.

I just love this sentiment from Graphic 45’s retired Come Away With Me Collection.  This soft and feminine 6″ x 6″ top fold card gets loads of gorgeous texture, color and dimension from these Penny Lane Sea Green Mini Wild Roses.

My bow cluster is created with Peony Delicate Stitched Satin, burlap string and 2 of the larger Mini Wild Roses.  These come 7 to a pack, so I had enough left over to add as embellishments on the ends of luggage tags.

I don’t know about you, but I just love this combination of dots, stripes and florals!

Look Out World Hidden Gift Card Pocket

Although this looks like any other ordinary top fold card, if you remove that teeny tiny brown binder clip on top of the focal image….

…you’ll find a hidden gift card pocket inside.  How fun is that?  Here’s how to make it:

1.  First, mat the focal image on a piece of brown cardstock that measures 4.25″ tall x 8.5″ long.
2. Next, score the paper on the long side at 3 1/8″ then again at 6.25″.  You will have a 2.25″ piece on the right hand side of the scored paper.
3. Now, crease on all the score lines and fold the paper strip so that the small piece is on the inside.
4. Then, line the inside of the panel with designer paper.
5. Now, glue a contrasting pattern to the small flap and punch a thumb hole with a circle punch.
6. Next, use 1/8″ Scor-Tape on the top and bottom edge of the short piece.
7. Remove the liner and press in place.  There’s your pocket!
8. Add a Pocket & Tag to the left hand side.
9. Now glue the focal image to the front “cover.”
10. Then add the chipboard piece to the lower left hand corner.
11. Finally, place adhesive in the center of the gift card holder and glue onto the card.

A Peek Inside

Turn a postcard into a pocket by gluing just the sides and bottom edges to the card.  Fill the pocket with 2 tags cut from the 12×12 collection.  These are great for holding small photos of the graduate.  Photos of the graduation ceremony would also fit nicely into this pocket.

You could also write words of wisdom onto the tags for a real personal touch.

The bottom half of the card is decorated with more pretty papers.  Then I created a little folio, tied it with ribbon and added it to the card.  This is a great spot to tuck in senior pictures or other special memories from the happy day.

A Fond Farewell

The other reason I chose a travel themed collection for this card is a little bit sad.  This is my last post as a member of the Petaloo Design Team.  As you know, Petaloo is now owned by Floracraft, and the parent company has decided to close down the Petaloo blog and disband the design team.

Life is a journey with lots of destinations along the way.  A little more than 2 years ago, I literally danced for joy when Cheryl, the owner of Petaloo, asked me to guest design for a month.  At the end of the month, she asked me if I would like to stay on as a permanent designer.  Would I?  You betcha!

It has been such an honor to design with gorgeous Petaloo flowers, stick pins,  and trims for the past 2+ years.  Cheryl has been a dream to work for: supportive, kind and generous.  My Petaloo teammates have been a joy to work with and I’ve been blessed to forge some friendships that will endure even after this gig is over.

You will continue to be able to purchase Petaloo flowers in retail shops and online in stores such as Scrapbook.com, JoAnn’s, and A Cherry on Top. Thank you so much for being on the journey with me.  

All good things must come to an end, and I exit with a heart that is filled with gratitude for the wonderful experience I’ve had designing for Petaloo.  As the sentiment on the post card in my project says, “The Best is Yet to Be!”

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope I’ve shared some tips and tricks that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Cheerio,

kathy