ShareThisWith December's gift-giving behind us, it's time to think about offering thanks for all those presents. For me, the final holiday task is to write a "thank you" note to everyone who gave me a gift. You may also want to make a "thank you" card for the hosts of the holiday parties you attended.
Often, the people who gave us presents are not there to be thanked when the gifts are being opened, so a special card helps to convey your appreciation. Nothing is more special than a custom card that you create for each gift received. It's also a valuable tradition to pass on to your children, helping them learn the importance of sending a personalized "thank you" card to the friends and family who gave them gifts.
A long, accordion-folded card is easy to make, but packs a lot of dramatic appeal when opened. It arrives folded and closed, looking fairly ordinary, but spurs excitement as it is unfolded and all of the layers are revealed. This card consists of two layers: the background piece and a narrow strip embellished with hearts, both of which are accordion-folded and woven together.
To begin, fold a long strip of paper into equal sections. Mine has eight sections, but that can change depending on the length of your paper. If you don't have a long strip of paper, shorter strips can be overlapped to create one long card background. Decorate the background with a simple geometric pattern like dots, checks or stripes, all of which can be easily created with punches or a paper trimmer. Cut a square hole out of each mountain fold in the base.
Accordion-fold a long narrow strip of colored paper into equal sections and add a small tab onto each valley fold. Embellish the colored strip with tall, thin hearts that are placed to stand up with the tips resting on the table. Weave the narrow strip into the card's background by tucking the tabs into the holes.
Once you have created the card base, woven with the narrow strip, you have mastered this dimensional card style and can easily change the theme by replacing the hearts with other shapes. Try candles or party hats for a birthday card, bandages for a get-well card or stars to congratulate a superstar.
Although this card is simple to make, the visual impact it has when opened is so wonderful, your friends are likely to call to thank you for their card!
(Contact Sandi Genovese at sgenovese1(at)cox.net.)
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