Welcome to the April NC Demos Blog Hop!  I hope you just came from Jo Anne’s post.  Her project was amazing, as always.  Thanks so much for stopping by to see what I am sharing this month.

This month, we have a really fun theme to use to create our projects.  We are featuring favorite Online Exclusive products paired with favorite returning products from the new Annual Catalog that will be released on Tuesday, May 2.

It was really easy for me to pick the products that I wanted to use from the Online Exclusives since I LOVE the Tropical Leaf Bundle.  What’s not to love with a punch bundle, awesome scripted sentiments, and fun stamp images?!?  Then, when I looked through the retiring list, the natural pairing was easy to find – the Hello Ladybug Bundle!  Take a look at the card that I made when I combined these amazing products.

Trellis cards are all the rage right now.  They are really fun to make and definitely have that WOW factor. 

Click on the picture below to see a video with step-by-step instructions to make this card.  If you prefer written instructions, they are included below the video link.

Below are detailed instructions and pictures that will take you step-by-step through the process to make the trellis card.

• Start with a piece of Basic White card stock (8 1/2 x 11), and cut it in half on the 11 inch side.  Take one of the resulting 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 pieces, and cut it in half on the 8 1/2 inch side.  You’ll have two pieces that measure 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.
• Take the other 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece, and cut seven pieces that are 1/2 x 8 1/2.  Six of these pieces will be used to make the trellis.  Cut the seventh piece in half to get to pieces that are 1/2 x 4 1/4.
• You’ll have one more “extra” piece that measures 2 x 8 1/2.  Go ahead and cut that in half on the 8 1/2 side to get two pieces that measure 2 x 4 1/4.
• The picture below shows you what you’ll have at this point.

• A copy of the trellis template that you’ll see in pictures is attached below.  If you want to use it, be sure that you print it to full size.  You’ll know if the size is correct if the rectangle in the middle of the template measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 when you print it.

Trellis Template

• Put one of the 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 pieces on the rectangle outline on the template.  Take three of the 1/2 x 8 1/2 pieces and lay them over the numbers 1, 2, and 3, as shown.  Tack them to the 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 piece with a Post-it note (or two) or low tack washi tape.  This will keep the trellis pieces in place while you fold the top of the pieces over the back of the 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 piece.  The pictures below show the steps.

• Add a small bit of glue to the bent pieces of lattice, and attach the lattice pieces to the back of the card piece.  The pictures below show the steps.

• Put your work back onto the template.  Lay the remaining three pieces of trellis over the numbers marked 4, 5, and 6, as shown.  Follow the same steps that you did for the first three pieces to adhere the last three trellis pieces to the card.  Again, the pictures below show the steps.

• Now, you need to adhere the trellis pieces together.  First, secure one set (it doesn’t matter which side you choose) to the card piece with a Post-it note (or two) or low tack washi tape.  This will keep the pieces flat while you adhere the other three trellis pieces on top.  Take a look at the pictures below, and note that you only need a dab of glue on the bottom trellis to adhere the top trellis piece.  Make sure you’re putting the glue where the two trellis pieces will meet.

• The next step is to trim off the excess trellis pieces to make your card base look clean.  First, get out those pieces of Post-it notes or washi tape and make sure you tack down both sides of the trellis.  This will help you know where to snip off the excess pieces at the bottom.  You’ll also want to snip off the excess pieces at the top (where you folded over the pieces on the edges of the card).  You’ll end up with a clean card base.

• The back of the card needs to be cleaned up as well.  At this point, it still has the folded, glued ends of the trellis pieces.  Take the other 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 piece (from the initial paper cutting), and adhere that directly onto the back of the card base.  Now, it looks clean from the back and the front.

• To add a little more stability and more of a finished look, use the two 4 1/4 x 1/2 pieces that you have.  Adhere them to the top and the bottom of the lattice.  Make sure that you only put your glue on the lattice pieces.  You don’t want to glue your card shut!

• Add your choice of stamped images to the inside of your card.  Pay attention to where the lattice pieces are so you don’t block your design too much.

• Add  your sentiment to the bottom of the lattice.  Take one of the last pieces of card stock that you have cut.  It measures 2 x 4 1/4.  On the upper left corner, stamp the sentiment of your choice.  Measure the height of your sentiment, and cut the piece to about twice the height of your sentiment and make sure to leave the width at 4 1/4.  Score that piece in half so the sentiment is still in the upper left corner.  Adhere the piece to the bottom of your lattice.  Yes, this will be adhered over the piece that you already put at the bottom of the lattice.  It will give a finished look and more support.  Be sure to add adhesive to both sides of your sentiment piece to make sure it adheres together.

• Add your choice of stamped and punched images to the lattice.  When you add the pieces, make sure you’re only putting glue on the lattice.  Add some in front and behind the lattice to give your design more interest.
• As you can see from the picture below, I used images from the Tropical Leaf bundle and the Hello Ladybug bundle to add character to the trellis.
• The final touches include bling, of course!  Gilded Gems and Basic Rhinestones did the trick.

I hope you give this type of trellis card a try.  And, I hope you share what you make!

Be sure to hop on over to Tracie’s post.  I know she has a fabulous project to share with us!  And, check out the list below to make sure you have seen all the posts for this month.  At the end of my post, you will find pictures of the main products that I used to create my trellis card.  If you need to add any to your stash, just click on a picture to go to my online store.

Inky hugs,
Laurie

April NC Demo Blog Hoppers
Tina Lesson
Toni Campana
Jo Anne Hewins
Laurie Meier <—  YOU ARE HERE
Tracie Evans Langley

Products used to create the trellis card –
 

Tropical Leaf Bundle (English) [161249] $37.75	Hello Ladybug Bundle (English) [157699] $32.25	Basic White 8 1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [159276] $10.25
Basic Black 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [121045] $9.25	Sweet Sorbet Classic Stampin’ Pad [159216] $8.00	Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Pad [147095] $8.00
Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pad [147090] $8.00	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin’ Pad [147087] $8.00	Polished Pink Classic Stampin’ Pad [155712] $8.00
Clear Block C [118486] $7.50	Clear Block D [118485] $9.00	Simply Shammy [147042] $8.50
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $6.00	Gilded Gems [152478] $7.00	Paper Trimmer [152392] $25.00
Stampin’ Pierce Mat [126199] $5.00	Take Your Pick [144107] $10.00	Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755] $4.00

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