Simple Gift Card Holder

While browsing the Cricut message board today I saw a post in the Card forum by Debbie (taz11693) showing a very cute gift card holder she had made. She gave a link to a You Tube video by Dawn Griffin showing how to create this gift card holder. Dawn used a punch called a "word window" that I do not have. In watching her video it occurred to me - I could do a design studio file to create the cut for the card slot and so I set off to do it! Thanks to both Debbie and Dawn for the inspiration on this one!

The file creates a rectangle with a special cut out to create a place to insert the gift card. After cutting - the card stock should be scored at 3 inches, 5 1/2 inches and 8 inches.



To get the proper peaks and valleys you should score on the 3 and 8 inch marks and then flip and score on the 5 1/2 inch mark - take care as there are only very thin bits of card left to score at the 5 1/2 inch position.



Once the scores are made and you have smoothed the folds with your bone folder, apply adhesive to three sides of the center section as you can see in this photo (I used a tape runner - you should just be sure that your adhesive is strong!) If you want to stamp the card you may want to do it now while it is still flat and easier to work with.



Fold the center sections together carefully and adhere - you have created a pocket for the card



The file also cuts a band to wrap around the card and hold it shut. If you are doing a group of these in various colors you can mix and match the bands for contrast. The band should be scored at the 3 and 6 inch marks but to allow enough "give" for it to slide over the card you should shift the paper about 1/8 inch to the right before scoring on the 3 inch mark as shown here



Than slide it back to the edge and score on the 6 inch mark



Apply adhesive to the short end and fold over the long end



You could leave this totally plain....(it would be better looking if you used patterned paper)



or you could add an embellishment on the band



I stamped a little greeting on this one as you can see in the photo at the start of this post. There are many possibilities and as we get in to the season of Graduations some of these holders will be very handy.

To help you all I did a file in George and also one in Plantin Schoolbook. So, even if you don't have a "word window" punch, you can make this card holder too!

Gift Card Holder - George

Gift Card Holder - Plantin Schoolbook