Are you ready to take your card-making skills to the next level? Today on the Graphic 45 blog, our talented Brand Ambassador, Nikki Sher, is here to inspire you with a stunning Stair-Step Card Set using the vibrant and whimsical Flight of Fancy paper collection! Whether you’re an experienced card maker or just starting out, Nikki’s creative template and the G45 step-by-step instructions will help you create beautiful, dimensional cards that are sure to impress. So grab your scissors, adhesive, and favorite Graphic 45 papers, and let’s get crafting with #G45LeveledUp!

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#G45LeveledUp – Stair-Step Card Set featuring Flight of Fancy

by Nikki Sher

“Hello Graphic 45 Friends!

It’s Nikki Sher back with my second blog post! For this month, I was asked to Level Up a previous Graphic 45 Kit. And let me tell you, it was so hard to choose! In the end I went with the Stair-Step Card Set designed by Carla La Vera. I think what drew me to this project was that I loved the intricate designs on these cards – they just looked like fun to make! And I also love the Live is Abundant collection from Graphic 45 so much – I even used it when I submitted to be a Brand Ambassador!

For my #G45LeveledUp project, I decided to use the Flight of Fancy Collection. I think this paper is a great collection especially for cards! It’s so bright and cheerful. Who wouldn’t want a card with this paper?

First, I began by making the cards. You can use the wonderful Square Cards with Envelopes made by Graphic 45 or cut your card bases. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any of the Square Cards on hand, so I had to cut my cards. Carla La Vera gives you great step by step directions in the original kit on how to cut the cards bases (linked below) but I did end up making a few adjustments to her measurements.

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Once my card bases were ready to go, I started picking my patterned papers. This is always the fun part! Again, I made a few adjustments to the original measurements. This is simply a personal preference. Using Carla’s original diagram, please find the adjusted measurements below:

Main Card Front and 2 Inside Pieces (3 pieces total – all different patterns): 3 ½” x 5”

A & E: 1 ¼” x 3”

B & C: 1 3/8” x 1 ¾”

D: 1 ¼” x 1 ¼”

F: 1 3/8” x 3 ½”

Once I had the Main Card Front piece attached, I started adding in the 2 Inside Pieces and then all the small pieces. I wanted to make sure that I repeated a few of the patterns so I made sure that piece’s A & C matched, B & E matched and the Main Card Front, D & F also matched. This kept a nice fluidity and coordination to the cards and that way I wasn’t easily overwhelmed with which paper to choose.

Finally, it’s time to embellish! I wanted there to be a fun pop up element on the inside of the card, so using the “Let Your Spirit Soar” patterned paper from the 8×8 Collection Pack, I cut out all the postcard pieces and started adding them inside the cards, attached to section E. This way, when the recipient opens the card, they have a fun sentiment on the inside! I also added some cream cardstock to the inside of the cards. This way I would have a nice area to write a little something to the recipient.

For the front of the cards, I used a mix of the coordinating Chipboard Tags & Frames and the Ephemera Assortment. I also made sure there was a sentiment for the front of every card. Using multiple layers of foam tape, I adhered my chipboard and ephemera pieces in place. And for the finishing touch, some Crystal Stickles – we need a little sparkle, don’t we?

I absolutely love the way these cards came out and I can’t wait to send them to friends and family. Thank you, Carla, for the inspiration! Does this inspire you to look at your past kits? What do you think you could alter or update to make it just a little different?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about #G45LeveledUp project. I hope I’ve inspired you to create something today and as always, please stay happy, healthy and crafty!