DIAMOND CRIMP VALENTINE...

This tutorial has been a long time coming!  I actually wrote it back in December along with the Love Bandit Test Tube Valentine to be part of my Valentine Stamp Camp.  Due to time constraints, I had to put it off until tonight and instead use it for my Technique Thursday Class.  I don't usually share all the directions for Technique Thursday projects as this is a benefit of attending my classes.  However, I am making an exception this time since it was originally for the stamp camp and I promised to share this card on my blog to some who asked over a month ago.  So, the FREE tutorial for Diamond Crimp Valentine are at the end of this post.

To make this card, we learned two new techniques - the Diamond Crimp Panel and Ruffled Punch Border/Flower.  With the Ruffled Punch Borders, we learned how to make a flower or use as a border for a Medallion piece.  We used the ruffled border along with the Diamond Crimp Panel to make this Diamond Crimp Valentine.  Enjoy!

DIAMOND CRIMP VALENTINE SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sweetheart (C #120780, $15.95 - W #120415, $21.95), I {Heart} Hearts (C #118571, $18.95 - W #117010, $26.95) 
• Card stock – Very Vanilla, Real Red, Pretty in Pink
• Ink – Real Red Craft, Real Red Classic
• Punches – Pinking Hearts Border (#117649, $15.95)
• Accessories – Iridescent Embossing Powder
• Tools – Paper Cutter/Scorer, Crimper, Heat Tool

DIRECTIONS FOR DIAMOND CRIMP:

1. Cut card stock 4” x 5 ¼”. Mark the center edge of all four sides. The center is 2” on the short sides and 2 5/8” on the long sides. Mark with pencil so you can erase.


2. Then score from a long side to a short side (shown as dotted line in picture). Repeat along all dotted lines shown in picture above.

3. Fold the four sides in towards the center, creasing with bone folder.


4. Place it folded into your crimper. Be sure to keep it folded.  If needed, use Dotto to hold the further side closed.

5. Run it though the crimper and don’t worry if it hasn’t totally crimped in the center.  You can run through the crimper again if there is not enough definition for you.


6.  Unfold.  This is the finished piece (below left).  I turn it over and use the back as I feel this side looks better (below right).

7.  Normally, I would use a smaller center piece to show off the crimped center as well, but I needed a bigger piece to fit the heart.  So I cut a piece 3.5" x 4 5/8".  Then as with the beginning piece, mark the centers of each side and instead of scoring, this time you will cut on the dotted lines from each marked spot to form center diamond.  Attach to the center panel.

For my normal center pieces, I begin with these measurements:
Mat:  3" x 4"
2 ¾ x 3 ¾ 

RUFFLED PUNCH BORDER DIRECTIONS (originally shared by JanTink):
1.  Cut a strip of cardstock or DSP 3/4" x 11" or 12".

2.  Use the Pinking Hearts Border Punch to punch one side of the cardstock or DSP.

3.  Place the end of one strip into the rollers of your paper crimper, squeeze and run the whole strip through the crimper.  Repeat one or two more times.

4.  Apply adhesive along the outside straight edge of your piece of cardstock RIGHT UP to the edge.

5.  Trim your beginning edge so that you starting with a complete scallop.  Now start adhering the crimped scalloped strip, using the crimps to gently bend the strip, pinching up the crimps on the side being adhered to help it curve around the punched shape.

6.  At some point, you may find it is easier to work from the front for better viewing of what you are doing.

7.  Work the strip all the way around.  End by matching the first scallop and the one that will overlap behind and use a glue dot to stick the last scallop to the back of the first one.  Trim off the excess.

8.  Push the ruffles into the adhesive well - this will flatten them somewhat as well.

9.  If desired, you may adhere another punched shape to the back of the ruffled shape to help keep the ruffles in place; push the edges of the punched shapes together.