Here's a free photo tutorial featuring the Circles Card Thinlits for the Sizzix Big Shot. I'm calling it a porthole flip-fold card, for obvious reasons... basically there's a window that goes all the way through to the back of the card. This would be really cool to use with our Clear Translucent Envelopes!
Here's the card, opened... you can see the basic Circles Card Thinlit base, with extra openings. It's waaaaaay easier than you'd think, actually! So uncomplicated, actually, that you could mass-produce these quite easily. Maybe with a snowflake in the center for Christmas?
To begin, you'll need the following: 6x6 cardstock, or a 5.5x8.5 inch regular card base (either one works). You'll also need a coordinating color of scrap cardstock for the porthole. I used Blushing Bride for the base, with Primrose Petals as my darker color. You will also need the Circles Card Thinlit die as well as the Circle Collection Framelits. The Magnetic Platform for the Big Shot is super nice and practically foolproof; however, you can just use the Multipurpose Platform that came with your machine, if you don't own the Magnetic Platform yet.
You'll also need Baker's Twine, Mini Glue Dots, and some sort of punch or embellishment to hang in the porthole (I used the Buttefly Punch and the Small Butterfly Punch, with some Basic Pearls for accent).
Oh wait! We can't start without one last thing. Be sure to grab a handfull of chocolate, just in case. Chocolate always makes photo tutorials go more smoothly. I think it's so important to have the correct tools, don't you?
Start by cutting your basic Circle Card Thinlet die cut on the Big Shot. Take the card out and fold on the score lines like you normally would.
Use the Circles Collection Framelits circle that is the fourth out from the center--start with the smallest circle and count up four sizes. That will be the perfect size for a generous window, without being so large that the remaining cardstock gets flimsy. With the card CLOSED, run it through the Big Shot again with this fourth circle centered in the circle window of the card.
It will cut not only the window in the flip-fold part, but also carve out a half-moon shape from the back of the card. That's what will cause your porthole to go all the way through the card. Cute!
Next we're going to cut two circular frames to go around the front and back of our porthole. Use the fourth and fifth sized Circles Collection Framelit--remembering to count from the center, smallest circle.
With the leftover circles from the insides, I punched out two large and two small butterflies. Cut a piece of Baker's Twine, linen thread or clear fishing line about four inches long. Use the Mini Glue Dots to stack your punches and adhere them firmly to the twine.
Use the Mini Glue dots to stretch the twine tautly between the top and bottom middle of your porthole. The more snugly you can pull it, the more spin you'll have for your butterfly. When you have it how you want it, trim off the excess twine from the top and bottom.
Use the circular frames you cut earlier to cover the glue dots and twine ends, front and back, to provide a nice, finished look to your porthole. Then, finish the card by embellishing and stamping however you'd like.
Now don't you wish you had the
Thinlits Circle Card die andMagnetic Platform???
Well.. whatz ya waiting for..... call me and we'll get it ordered!
