Cute Cards and Matching Tote

Today's craft is a a set of cute note cards and a matching tote to store them in.  One of the best features of this craft is that it only uses one piece of patterned paper.  The rest of the craft can be made with solid card stock. I was able to use many of my paper scraps from a previous projects as accent pieces. This project can be given as a gift or you can keep it so you always have a hand-made unique card to give to a friend.

Materials:

• Paper cutter 
• One 12 x 12 piece of solid colored card stock
• Six 8-1/2 x 11 pieces of colored card stock (in the same color or a coordinating color as above)
• One12  x 12 piece of patterned card stock or paper (two sided is fun but optional, make sure it coordinates with the solid card stock colors)
• Colored card stock that coordinates with your pattern for accent pieces (I was able to use scraps from another project; some were solid and some had patterns)
• White card stock
• Scissors
• Scorer (or ruler and butter knife)
• Quick dry adhesive
• Pencil
• Corner punch (optional)
• Brads or staples
• Stamps, ink pads, or decorative stickers
• 
  

Part 1: Cut the Patterned Paper

Cut your patterned piece of card stock like the template below.  To do this, cut it into vertical strips (4 in., 1/2 inch, 1/2 inch, 3-1/4 inch, and 3-3/4 inch.)  Then cut each strip into specific pieces as shown.  You may label each of the pieces with the appropriate letter. (Use a pencil and write lightly.)

I marked mine with the letters and laid them out like this to make them easier to find later.

Part 2: Make the Tote

Step 1: Cut vertically at 8.5 inches from the left side. Set the smaller piece of paper aside.

Step 2: Using the larger piece of paper, trim one inch from the bottom. Discard.  You should now have an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper.

Step 3:  Cut two one inch wide strips off the small piece of paper. They should be 1 x 11.  Discard the extra piece. When you are done, it should look like this.

Step 4: Get the 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.  With the 8.5 inch side at the top, score paper 1.25 inches from each side.

Step 5: With the 11 inch side at the top, score 4.5 inches from each side. 

Step 6:  Cut the short score marks at the top and bottom of the paper.  

Step 7:  Fold the other score marks and glue the tote like this. I used a quick dry adhesive.

Step 8:  Cut a piece of white card stock that is 4 3/4 inches by 4-1/4 inches.  Corner punch its edges and piece A if you like.  Glue piece A to the the white card stock.  

Step 9:  Glue to the front of the tote.  Glue the E pieces to the front of the 1 x 11 solid card stock strips you made earlier.  Attach them to the bag using brads or decorative staples.

Feel free to add any embellishments you'd like.  I did 3-D butterflies.  You could also add a stamped image, quote, or stickers.

Part 3: Making the Cards

I have included a picture of each card and a materials list.  I suggest cutting the materials for one card and making it before moving on to the next one.  This way you won't get all the pieces mixed up.  Most cards have a piece of white card stock for a stamped image.  You can substitute your own stamps here (depending on the size) or add stickers or embellishments.  

Card 1:

Materials:

The paper labeled as C from part 1

1-3/4" x 3-1/4 inch card stock in a color that coordinates with the tote and paper C (to back stamped image)

Note card or 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock folded in half

1-3/4" x 5" card stock in white (to back paper c)

1-1/2" x 3" white card stock (to stamp image)

ribbon

Put materials together as seen below.  Substitute your own stamps or use decorative stickers.

Card 2:

Materials:

The paper labeled as D from part 1

1-3/4" x 3-1/4" inch card stock in a color that coordinates with the tote and paper D (to back stamped image)

Note card or 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock folded in half

2-3/4" x 5" card stock in a color the coordinates (to back paper D)

1-1/2" x 3" white card stock (to stamp image)

ribbon

Put materials together as seen below.

Card 3:

Materials:

The paper labeled as E from part 1

Note card or 8-1/ " x 5-1/2" card stock folded in half

3-1/2" x 2-3/4" card stock (to back paper e and stamped image)

3-1/4" x 2-1/2" card stock  (to back paper e)

3" x 2-1/4" white card stock (to stamp image)

Put materials together as seen below.

Card 4:

The paper labeled as F from part 1

Note card or 8-1/ " x 5-1/2" card stock folded in half

3-1/2" x 4 -3/4 card stock (to back paper F)

2-1/4" x 3 1/4" card stock (to back stamped image)

2" x 3" white card stock (to stamp image)

Ribbon

Card 5:

The paper labeled as G from part 1

Note card or 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock folded in half

1-3/4" x 2-1/4" card stock (to back stamped image)

3-1/2" x 4-3/4" card stock (to back piece G)

1-1/2" x 2" white card stock (to stamp image)

Card 6:

The paper labeled as H from part 1

Note card or 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock folded in half

3-1/2" x 4" White card stock

Ribbon

Card 7:

The paper labeled as I from part 1

Note card or 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock folded in half

1-1/4" x 3-1/4" card stock (to back stamped image)

1" x 3" card stock white card stock (to stamp image)

embellishments (optional)

Card 8:

The paper labeled as J from part 1

Note card or 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock folded in half

3-1/2" x 4" card stock (to back stamped image)

3-1/4" x 1-3/4" card stock(to back stamped image)

3" x 1-1/2" card stock (to stamp image)

Card 9:

The paper labeled as K from part 1

Note card or 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock folded in half

2-1/4" by 4" card stock (to back piece K)

2" x 2-1/2" card stock (to back stamped image)

1-3/4" x 2-1/4" card stock (to back stamped image)

1-1/2" x 2" White card stock (to stamp image)

Now your project is complete.  Enjoy crafting!