A Special Father's Day

Angela-Article-Thumbnail.jpg

Blog by Athena Zhong, Year 3 BMSc HSP Physiology and Pharmacology

Photo and video credits: Athena Zhong

These challenging times have highlighted the importance of showing appreciation for our loved ones. With Father’s Day coming up, a perfect way to cherish someone is to create a handmade card for them. I hope that this card tutorial will make your Father’s Day extra special this year.

The card we will be making is a hidden message card with a gift card pocket. This tutorial was inspired by Reny from Paper Magic. Please check out her video tutorial on her YouTube channel here.

Materials and Alternatives:

  • 30.5 x 30.5 cm (12 x 12 in) Card stock or patterned paper
  • 6 x 13 cm (2.4 x 5.1 in) card stock or patterned paper of a different design
  • Letter size blank paper
  • Markers or any other writing utensils you prefer
  • Pen or pencil
  • Scissors
  • Gift card of your choice
  • Ruler
  • Double-sided tape or glue
  • Paper trimmer (optional)

 

Instructions:

First, we will make the shirt portion of the card. Using a pen or pencil, make a mark halfway across the large card stock paper on opposite edges. Cut the card stock in half either with a paper trimmer or scissors. Taking one of the halves, mark and cut at 20.3 cm (8 in) on the longer edge. With the other half of the card stock, mark the longer edge at 1.3 cm, 21.6 cm, and 22.9 cm (0.5 in, 8.5 in, and 9 in). Fold the paper at the 1.3 cm and 21.6 cm markings and cut the paper at the 22.9 cm marking. There are now four sheets of card stock. Note: Please do not discard any pieces of card stock or paper until the card is complete.

Apply double-sided tape or glue on the card stock with the folded flaps. Adhere the two larger pieces of card stock together. Ensure that the edges line up and that the same pattern is visible on the front and back of the card.

Take the blank sheet of paper and cut it to be 17.8 x 20.3 cm (7 x 8 in). Mark 2.5 cm (1 in) from the top on both sides of the paper as pictured above. Then, cut 5 cm (2 in) slits from both sides. Try sliding the blank sheet of paper within the card stock envelope. Note: If the piece of paper does not slide in easily, trim the sides of the paper as needed.

Now, it is time to make the tie. This will be made with the small piece of card stock of a different design. Cut it to be 8.9 x 7.6 cm (3.5 x 1.5 in) and mark at 1.3 cm (0.5 in) on the longer edge of the card stock. Fold the card stock in half and cut out a scalene triangle. Additionally, cut a small triangle at the 1.3 cm marking to finish cutting the tie as shown.

Next, fold the flaps of the blank paper in a collar shape and use double-sided tape or glue to adhere the tie to the collar. Using the smallest of the original four sheets of card stock, cut the longer edge so that it is 8.9 cm (3.5 in) long. Then, cut two triangles out on the shorter edge to finish making the pocket. Once you have the pocket, adhere all but the top edge to the card so that the gift card can be placed inside the pocket.

The finishing touch is to take the thin slit of blank paper that we trimmed before and cut it to be 7.6 cm (3 in) and adhere it onto the shirt pocket. Finally, the card is complete. Remember to write your hidden message on the blank sheet of paper, slide your gift card in the shirt pocket, and deliver your handmade card to your loved one!

If you want to review the steps, check out the video below to see how they're done!

Happy Father’s Day!

To all the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and friends, we hope you have a healthy and safe Father’s Day.

Published on