Chalkboard Easel Card by Tricia Miller afdish@beyondbb.com

Inspired by a gallery item on SCS posted by bbscraps

Stamps: Yippee-Skippee!, Woodgrain; CS: Basic Black, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Costal Cabana; Ink: Soft Suede, Versamark; White embossing powder, Petite Curly Label punch, Boho Blossoms punch, white bakers twine, rhinestones, Candy Dot Base Brads, embossing buddy, white colored pencil (optional)

Supplies:

1. From Basic Black CS, cut to 4 1/4 x 11

2. On both ends cut piece that is 1 1/2 x 3 1/4, centered so that it leaves 1/2 on the sides.

3. Score at 5 1/2, fold and crease

4. Stamp and heat emboss sentiment with white embossing powder (keep in mind placement in regards to areas that will be covered by wood pieces)

5. Cut 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 piece of Soft Suede CS (optional add smidge to 4 1/4) 6. Stamp with Woodgrain background stamp using Soft Suede ink 7. Cut (2) 5 1/2 x 1/2 pieces 8. Turn remaining paper 90 degrees and cut (2) 1/2 strips (will be about 3 1/4 long; if you added the smidge they will be a bit longer

9. Using piece of Basic Black CS you removed from card base in step 2, cut (2) pieces at 2 1/4 x 1/2 (these will be used later to strengthen back legs of card)

10. Cut piece of Basic Black CS to 3 1/2 x 3 3/4, and score along 3 1/2 edge at 1 3/4, then flip piece over and score along same edge 1/2 from each end, crease accordion fold style

11. Cut (2) pieces of Whisper White CS at 3 1/2 x 1 1/8 12. Adhere Whisper White pieces to Basic Black on the side where center folder sticks up, butt them against center fold ridge and center (optional to stamp or write message on Whisper White for inside of card. 13. Flip over at place sticky strip on 1/2 areas

15. Make garland: - punch out (4) pieces using Petite Curly Label - punch or poke small hole in two corners of each label - punch out (4) of the smallest flower in Boho Blossoms punch - snip in a little between each petal - give flowers little dimension using ball tool - attach flowers to labels - add small rhinestone to center of each flower - string labels onto length of white bakers twine

16. Adhere Woodgrain pieces to front as shown (best to attach long pieces first, then dry fit shorter cross pieces and trim if necessary before attaching; good to trim to a itty-bit longer than the space and ease into space for snug fit, otherwise you run risk of having a gap)

18. Using embossing buddy, chalk up the black board to desired look (optional, using white colored pencil to doodle on black board)

17. Use piercing tool to create holes in upper corners for the brads (I use the old piercing pack template as shown for placement of hole)

19. Adhere the small black pieces cut in step 9 to the inside of the back legs of the card base (the Woodgrain pieces provide the strength for the front legs)

20. Feed the ends of the bakers twine into holes made in step 17, arrange garland to drape just how you want it and tape ends of bakers twine to back of card

21. Insert brads into holes, fold down one prong pointing downward, clip off half of other prong then fold upwards to secure (I placed rhinestones onto the Candy Dot Brad Bases to make these brads)

22. Remove backing of sticky strip from center accordian fold piece and place inside with Whisper White pieces facing down, line edge up centered about 1/4 up from bottom edge of cutout in card base, hold unattached flap down as you close the card to attach it in the right spot

This is how the inner piece looks from the side. It keeps the easel sitting up nicely when the card is opened.

The Whisper White panels can be seen by flipping the easel over. This is the space for the optional message on the inside of the card.

DONE! The card flattens easily and will fit into a standard card envelope.