Magnifique Gift Card Holder Tutorial

My first tutorial!!  I recently created this cute gift card holder and loved it so much that I shared it as my "Make & Take" project at my September Close to My Heart Open House.  I promised those in attendance that I would share the instructions on my blog - so here they are (better late than never!).  And as fate would have it, Tresa Black is having a 'tutorial' party on her blog Fabulously Artsy this week - so I'll be joining her party with this post!   [EDIT 10/11- Darn, I missed the deadline (by minutes!??!) for Tresa's Tutorial Party! That's what I get for leaving my post to the last minute!! That's OK - I had fun putting this together anyway and learned a few things about creating tutorials in the process, as well!!]

My gift card holder was inspired by Karin Menghini at Two Friends Stamping!  Thanks Karin!

Instructions for Gift Card Holder:
1) Start with a piece of cardstock measuring 4 1/4" x 7".  Score along the 7" side at 2.5" and 5.5".  (I score my cardstock using the track of my paper trimmer and a bone folder or embossing stylus).

2) Fold cardstock on score lines as shown.

 3) Cut two pieces of patterned paper.  The top piece measures 4 1/8" x 2 1/4".  The bottom piece measures 4 1/8" x 1 1/4". 

 4)  Adhere patterned paper to cardstock as shown.

 5)  As I used a dark coloured cardstock, I added an extra piece of colonial white cardstock inside my gift card holder in order to be able to write a message to the recipient.  This piece measures 4 1/8" x 2 1/4".  Adhere to the inside of the top flap of the gift card holder as shown.

 6)  Using the piercing tool and your self healing mat, make a hole in each top corner of the bottom flap of the gift card holder.  Insert a 'bitty brad' in each hole to secure your gift card pocket. 

 7)  Stamp a sentiment for the outside of your gift card holder.  I used a 1 3/8" circle of colonial white cardstock on which to stamp my sentiment, and matted it with a chocolate scalloped circle. 

 8)  Create a 'belly band' to wrap around your gift card holder to hold it closed.  I used a piece of chocolate cardstock which measured 1" wide by 9.5" long.  I then adhered a piece of patterned paper measuring 3/4" wide by 9.5" long onto the chocolate cardstock.  I wrapped the cardstock strip around the gift card holder to determine the appropriate fold lines and then secured the ends using my stapler. 

 9)  Adhere your sentiment piece over top of the belly band in the center (ensure you cover your overlapping ends and staple). 

 10)  Stamp an image that coordinates with the image on your sentiment piece inside the gift card holder.

 Here is the completed gift card holder shown open & with gift card inside:

Front of Gift card holder shown closed with belly band:

 And the view from the back (note that your belly band also covers up your brad prongs on the back!)

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack
Tag the Occasion acrylic stamp set
Antiqued Copper Bitty Brads
Cardstock: Chocolate, Colonial White
Inks: Sky, Pacifica, Chocolate

Very easy to make & you could change it up with your papers/stamps for any occasion!  If you make one using my tutorial - please be sure to comment here & leave a link to your project (or Email Me a photo)!  I'd love to see what you come up with!!