Aperture
Not Sure How to Use Aperture or Window Cards? This Section Will Show You How To Make Different Styles of Cards and how to use Acetate …
In this section you will find tips and hints as well as instructions on how to use Aperture Cards. You will learn how to make a Peek-a-Boo or a Shaker Card as well as ideas for Window Cards for Birthdays or Mother’s Day. You will also find tips on cutting and folding and other techniques…
How to Make A Peek-A-Boo Card
Techniques Used in Card Making
Basic Card Making Techniques
Just about all the cards and accessories you need are available in craft shops such as cards with apertures but it is still best to know how to cut your own. You may want a style or design that cannot be done without a few cuts or adjustments so these basic card making techniques can be invaluable when it comes to making your cards look professional. If you cut a line which is not quite straight then you will notice it and so will your customers, you need to be professional about everything.
Scoring then folding
If your card or paper needs to be folded then it is advantageous to score the line first to give you a professional finish to your folds.
• Turn your work over so the outside is facing down then mark where the score line is to be with two pencil marks.
• Then line up your metal ruler with the marks. If you have not got a scoring tool then use a blunt point to score your lines. An item such as an empty ballpoint pen will work well to draw down the line so that you can see an indent in the paper.
• You then need to fold the paper or card with both hands an press it down firmly. If possible use the side edge of a bone folder to press the edge firmly.
Cutting
You need to use the right tools to get a clean professional cut. The craft knife you choose needs to be sharp and you need a flat clear surface to work on with a flat metal ruler.
• Mark where you want to cut on the paper of card with two or three pencil marks, depending on the size.
• You then need to line up the metal ruler with your marks. Hold the ruler firmly in place, this is easier to do standing, and then draw the knife along the line towards you.
Tearing
If you want to add a bit more depth and character to your work then you may wish to tear your paper rather than cut it with a knife.
• To gain a relatively straight line with ease then you must tear along the grain.
• If you want an uneven tear then simply go against the grain.
• For a straight edge with the bonus of a torn effect then tear your paper using a ruler.
Aperture Cutting
An aperture is the hole that is in the middle of the card; apertures are not always used but are an effective technique to use for great cards.
• Mark out the aperture required using a ruler, pencil and set square.
• Line up a metal ruler and cut the first line using a sharp craft knife, always place the ruler over the piece you are keeping.
• Repeat the process on the other sides ensuring that you only cut where you need to and no further.
• When you have completed your cutting the middle section should just fall away. If it does not the always cut the extra pieces and never rip them as this gives a poor finish.
My name is Karen and I run two crafting sites, a craft information site with more tips and techniques on card making and also a UK craft shop – Criss Cross Crafts, why not pay us a visit.
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Video Tutorials
Here are some more Videos that will show you some of the above techniques.
The first couple of minutes of this video are a little bit chatty but once you get a couple of minutes into it you will learn the techniques you need to create an aperture card.
Acetate Aperture Card Video Part 1
Acetate Aperture Card Video Part 2
Links
Here are Some links to sites with Aperture Design Decoupage La Pashe and Moonstone Treasures and for Encaustic artwork Encaustic.com -
If you prefer not to make your own and wish to purchase aperture cards these can be bought in any good craft shop or online craft store usually quite cheaply. However you won’t get quite the same satisfaction that you get from crafting a card from scratch yourself, although if like me you are not that great at cutting out acurately then it may be better to buy them.
Acetate Aperture Mini Book Video
Easy and Simple Window Card
Other Ideas
Aperture cards are also ideal for sending someone hand made artwork or encaustic art in the aperture or cross stitch which works really well in 
apertures too.
If you have dried flowers these also look very effective as do stencilled flowers. Perhaps you want to make an aperture card with a decoupage embellishment or teabag design.
If you are handy with a computer then you could print off designs from any craft CD that you may have and use these in your aperture cards too. For Christmas you can make the aperture look like an old fashioned window with Acetate and card strips to give a lead lighted effect perhaps with a Christmas design inside such as a fireplace and Christmas tree or Santa’s toyshop or an old fashioned sweetshop.
Whatever you decide to make just have fun with it and experiment. If you don’t want to spend much money you could take a photo of your children or family and place that in the aperture and embellish the card with peel offs and glitter or ribbon, this is especially nice to give to grandparents and if you can dress everyone up to give a Christmas feel you can personalise all your Christmas cards for friends and family.
Aperture Cards – Send Something A Little Different
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Churchill]Vicki ChurchillAlthough every hand made card has its own style and unique qualities sometimes it is nice to try something new and a little different.
When making my own handmade cards I tend to use decoupage because I can sit and watch TV one night and do all the cutting out and piecing the decoupage together then the next night I can make the cards up.
I recently started to have a look at aperture cards and found that they can be extremely versatile and you can really come up with some interesting and varied ideas.
An aperture card is a card that has a template cut out of it. These designs can be as simple or as complex as you like.
You can create your own aperture cards by cutting the aperture yourself however if you are new to card making I would start off by purchasing some ready made aperture cards and have a few practice runs to see what you can come up with.
One of the most effective ways of making an aperture card interact is by turning it into a shaker card.
Sparkly Shaker Card using a Hole Punch
Step 1 – turn the aperture card over so you are looking at the back of the card. Place double sided tape around the template or simply cover all sides of the card. You will then need to place acetate over the back of the card securing it with the tape you have just attached.
Step 2 – carefully place 3d foam all around the aperture, take care not to leave any gaps or the contents will fall out.
Step 3 - removed the backs of the foam pads, although you may think this is
Glass Beads for Shaker Card
looking messy and unattractive don’t worry this will all be hidden. Gently pour glitter, confetti or very small beads into the cavity you have just created.
BIG TIP - you will not need to add many beads or glitter, remember you need enough space for them to move around giving the ’shaker’ effect. This is something you will be able to judge better once you have created a few aperture cards.
Step 4 - fold over the extra piece of card making sure that it is the correct side so the card opens the right way, a beginner may find marking this side with an x before you begin helpful
Step 5 - turn the card over and admire what you have created. You can decorate the front of your card as normal.
When I first started to make aperture cards I would look at the card and think what can I do with this but after a while you will get ideas and come up with some wonderful new ways to make exciting cards.
Once you have mastered it you can then have a go at designing your own aperture cards.
Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in [http://www.vickiscardmakingideas.com]Card Making Ideas providing you with excellent tips and ideas for [http://www.vickiscardmakingideas.com/an-introduction-to-scrap-booking/]Scrap Booking and [http://www.vickiscardmakingideas.com/aperture-cards/]Aperture Cards including where to find the best bargains. Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Aperture-Cards---Send-Something-A-Little-Different&id=585321] Aperture Cards – Send Something A Little Different
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