Whiff of Joy Aperture Card by Jeanette

Hi Everyone! Today I want to show you how I make my aperture cards. I am sure there are many different tricks but this is what works the best for me!
You will need:

• 2 colored images ( I used Willow with Christmas candle and Christmas Candle)
• cardstock measuring 6”x12”
• cardstock in contrasting color and designer paper
• Nestabilities dies (you will need 3 dies that are 1 size in difference. I used the dies in my small & large long ovals set)
• cutting machine (cuttlebug)
• strong adhesive tape (I use score-pal)
• fishing line or dental floss
• removable scotch tape
• liquid glue (Scotch Quick dry adhesive)

1. Score your cardstock at 6” and fold to create a 6”x6” card. You will need to cut a square of contrasting paper to 5 7/8” x 5 7/8 “ and a square of patterned paper to 5¾”x5¾”.

2. Adhere all three layers together. Notice how I added my largest nestie die to the top of my paper to guide me as to where to put the tape.

3. Take your largest sized die and center it to the front of your card. I used a ruler to ensure I was centered and then I added some removable tape to keep my die in place. Please make sure you have removable tape because regular tape will rip your paper.

4. Run the card through your cutting machine with the card in this orientation. You may have to pass it through a second time to make sure that the die cuts through all layers of paper.

5. This is how it will look. Take the ovals that you cut out to use in step #6. You will need the one in your original and contrasting cardstock – not the one made of patterned paper.

6. Using a die one size smaller than the first one and using the cut out pieces from #5, cut them to a smaller sized oval. You will also need to cut an extra oval of this size from your contrasting cardstock.

7. The ovals should sit inside your oval with a slight space all around.

8. Adhere a piece of score-tape along the center of your oval cut-out of original cardstock. Place a length of fishing wire onto the tape making sure that you leave a little bit extra on either end. See the arrows. Adhere the contrasting oval pieces to each side of the original.

9. Place your images on either side of the oval. I cut mine with another oval die one size smaller than the one I had used to create the cut-out.

10. You need to create a frame for the front of the card. I wanted a very plain one and since I had used the largest of all my ovals, this is how I created mine. Place your oval die onto your cardstock and draw around the outside of it with a pencil. Use removable tape to keep the die in place and then run it through your cutting machine. Then cut along your pencil lines with scissors and you should have a thin border.

11. Place two pieces of Score-tape cut to size at the top and bottom of your frame. See the arrows. Place your image oval in the center of the frame and adhere the two ends of the fishing wire to the Score-tape. This tape is very strong so you can be sure the wires will stay put.

12. Now add liquid adhesive to the rest of the frame. The reason I use the liquid at this step is that it is more forgiving when I position the frame to the card. Meaning if it isn’t exactly where I want it, I can move it a little bit.

13. Center the frame onto the front of your card. The oval should hang freely and be able to rotate.

I added some patterned paper to the inside of my card and decorated the front with some beautiful gemstone flourishes.

I hope this was a useful tutorial for you and I hope you give this fun card a try!