"Joy-fold" Card with Stampin' Up's Aviary Stamp Set

I recently created this card (with 8 layers) using the "joy-fold" technique. Splitcoaststampers offers a tutorial. I decided to use bright, cheery colors: concord crush, real red, tangerine tango and pretty in pink. The sentiment is layered with an oval punch and designer label punch. When you lift the "my friend" tab, the panel with birds swings open. A message can be written inside.


The card is embellished with basic pearls and 5/8" pretty in pink satin ribbon. I also used the Elegant Lines Textured Embossing Folder and Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, which are exclusive to Stampin' Up! and just came out in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog.

Designer Fabric "Yo-yo"/Ruched Circle Tutorial

S T E P S

Use a 1-3/4" Circle Punch to make a cardstock template if you want to create the same size Yo-yo in this tutorial. Place the circle on the back side (unprinted side) of some Candy Cane Christmas designer fabric and trace around it. Cut out the fabric circle.

Tip: You can also use your Big Shot and Circles #2 Bigz Die to easily die-cut circles from fabric.


Thread a needle and tie a knot on the edge of the fabric circle. Run the needle in and out of the edges. This is called a "running stitch" or "straight stitch."


Continue stitching all the way around the fabric circle. Pull on the thread to gather the fabric edges.


Tie a knot on the back to secure.


Use one tip of your paper snips to gently poke a hole through the center of the Yo-yo/Ruched Circle. Be careful not to cut the thread holding the fabric together. Insert a glimmer brad or other type of brad.


You can use Yo-yos/Ruched Circles to decorate a card, cloth napkins, blouses, sweaters, towels, hairclips or anything else you can think of! I am planning to use these to accent some Holiday Mini Catalog card swaps.