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Aunt Annie's Crafts

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Greeting Card Case

What you will make -

Follow the instructions in this project to make a storage case for holding greeting cards. Make a special gift by combining this case with your handcrafted greeting cards. The printable patterns in this project make up into three case sizes, including cases sized for the cards featured in the Greeting Card Tutorials. The case can be made in either of two styles—one pocket or two pocket. The one pocket version has one place to insert your cards with envelopes and a cover that folds over the top. The two pocket version is made of two identical halves that fold over each other.

As an added bonus, checkout this simple technique for making a see-through card holder.

Here's what you need -

Computer cardstock or paper (white or colored)
Scissors
Optional supplies: Cardboard, wrapping paper, stickers, markers, paper punches

Ruler
Empty ball point pen
Glue, craft quality is best

This project is rated AVERAGE to do.

How To Make the Greeting Card Case

Read all of the steps before starting.

Step 1: Choose a pattern and print it

Choose the stationery case size and style that you want to make. For the single pocket style, download and print one case pattern and one cover pattern of the size selected. For the two pocket style, download and print two copies of a case pattern. Each copy is one-half of the card case. It is best to print on cardstock, but if you don't have any, print on paper.

Important: Compare the size of the card case to the size of the cards and envelopes you plan to store in the case. Be sure the inside rectangle on the pattern is bigger than the cards and/or envelopes. Just lay an envelope over the rectangle and compare. If the stationery case pattern is too small, enlarge it and print again.

There are patterns for three sizes of card cases. The Standard Card Case is sized for the 4¼" by 5½" cards made in the Greeting Card Tutorials or cards made from letter size paper folded in quarters. The A4/C6 Card Case works with cards made from A4 cardstock or paper, and the third case fits small business envelopes (#6¾—3 5/8" by 6½").

Greeting Card Case

Case - Cover

A4/C6 Card Case

Case - Cover

No.6¾ Env Case

Printable pattern for No. 6 3/4 envelope case

Case - Cover

Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.

All of Aunt Annie's project patterns are designed to be printed on standard letter size paper (8.5"x11" or A4). When printing from Adobe Reader you may need to select Auto-Rotate and Center or Choose paper source by PDF page size to ensure the best fit.

Step 2: Stiffen Paper (optional)

If you printed on paper, it will need to be stiffened or transferred to lightweight cardboard (see how to transfer a pattern). To stiffen the paper, glue another piece of computer paper to the back of the pattern or glue it to cardstock. Be sure the glue completely covers the pattern. Get it into the corners and along the edges.

Tip: If you printed on cardstock, you can glue wrapping paper or other decorative paper to the back of the patterns. This is an easy way to decorate your card case.

Step 3: Cut

Cut out both patterns on the solid black line. If you are making the single pocket style, cut the glue tab on the case pattern on its center black line.

Try to make the cuts very straight. The case will go together better with straight edges. It is easier to make straight cuts with a craft knife and ruler. Careful, craft knives are very sharp and should only be used by adults.

Step 4: Score

Turn the case and cover patterns with the printed side up. Score all the dashed lines with an empty ball point pen or other blunt tool, place a ruler along the dashed line as a guide.

Step 5: Fold

Working from the outside, fold over on all the scored lines. Crease firmly. Make a sharp crease by running your thumbnail firmly along the fold.

Step 6: Join the two patterns

Glue the two card case patterns (for the single pocket style, the case and cover patterns) together on the middle hinge. Let the glue dry before going on to the next step.

Step 7: Glue

Unfold the top and bottom flaps. Apply glue where they overlap the side flaps. Fold over and stick in place. Hold until dry. Be sure the corners are square and even. If you place something in the corner, like a pad of sticky notes or a stack of business cards, it will be easier to form a square corner.

Be very neat with the glue, making sure there is no glue inside of the case pocket(s).

Step 8: Decorate and Use

You can decorate the outside of the case with stickers, markers, paper cuts, stencils, etc. Use your imagination!

Put cards and envelopes in the case, and fold the case in-half. You are done.

How to Make a See-Through Card Holder

Make this simple greeting card holder that showcases your handmade greeting cards. It's quick and easy to make this holder for one or two cards.

Here's what you need -

Stiff clear plastic or vellum—report covers work well
Ruler
Scissors or craft knife

Decorative tape or electrical tape
Empty ball point pen
Permanent marker
Optional supplies: Contac® paper, brayer

Steps for making a card holder -

Get a card or envelope of the size you will be putting in the card holder. We'll use it to size the case.
(optional) If you are using vellum, fold the vellum to the depth of the card to create two layers.
Put the card inside of the folded vellum or report cover. Position it against the fold and ¼" (.5 cm) in from the edge.
Use the ruler and marker to draw a line ¼" (.5cm) from the other side of the card. Draw two horizontal lines—one at the bottom of the card and the other 1½" (3 cm) below the card.
Cut through both layers on the ¼" line. Cut the top layer on the first horizontal line and cut the bottom layer on the second line. Cut inside the marked lines so they don't show on the case.
Tape the the sides of the two layers with the decorative tape—this forms a pocket for holding the greeting card. You can use Contac® paper in place of the tape. Cut a ½" (1cm) strip of Contac® paper of a color or pattern that coordinates with your card.
Fold the extra 1½" of the bottom layer over to form a flap for the holder. Score the fold line with an empty ball point pen to aid in folding. With report covers, making a sharp crease can be tricky. Rolling the fold with a brayer will help.
You are all done! Place your beautiful handmade card in the holder for all to admire!

Back to Top

Before you start -

Make a place to work.
Read all the directions.
Get everything you need to do the project.
Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.

Are you ready?
Okay, get started!!!

Tip: Decorative paper and paper punches are an easy way to decorate the card cases.

Two pocket card case made with two different cardstocks

Tip: A solid color pocket and decorative pocket makes an interesting card case. The printed pocket is made using a white cardstock printed with Aunt Annie's Huichol-inspired ePapers in blue.