Matchbook-style gift card holder

Did you know October 17 is Wear Something Gaudy Day? I didn't either. At least not until this month's Creative Crew challenges. One of our October challenges was to use our gaudiest colors to make a gift card holder. Gaudiness is in the eyes of the beholder, so I thought about colors I probably wouldn't wear together and chose my palette from there: Coastal Cabana, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo and Gumball Green.

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!):
Stamps: Tag It, Gorgeous Grunge, Bring on the Cake (inside card)
Cardstock: Coastal Cabana, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Gray, Coastal Cabana, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Gumball Green
Accessories: Chalk Talk Framelits dies, Coastal Cabana ruffle stretch trim, Gumball Green stitched satin ribbon, white baker's twine, Chevron embossing folder, Brights Glimmer Brads, Brights Candy Dots, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dimensionals

I decided to make a matchbook-style card for my gift card holder. I started with a 4-1/4" x 11" piece of cardstock scored and folded at approximately 1-1/4" and 6-1/4". The measurements can be adjusted; you just need to make sure that the two end pieces overlap enough to keep the card closed.

After stamping the bottom flap, I placed a brad on each side to keep the flap closed and allow the top flap be tucked in -- be sure that the brads are placed low enough that they aren't in the way of the top flap. The gift card will be placed between the brads inside the card, so be sure they aren't too close together, either.

For the focal image on the card, I used markers to color one of the stamps from the Tag It set. Then I die cut it with one of the Chalk Talk Framelits dies and added ribbon at the top. I also cut out Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo tags, which I embossed with the Chevron embossing folder. I layered the tags on the card front and added three Melon Mambo Candy Dots.

Inside the card I stamped a sentiment on a layer of Whisper White cardstock. (Note: You can add this layer before you place the two brads, or you can make it short enough that the bottom of the layer is just above the brads.) I placed the image high enough that it is above the gift card, and I will use the rest of the layer to add a personalized message. The gift card will fit in the holder either horizontally or vertically. It can be pulled out easily, though, so if you are worried about the gift card falling out, you could adhere it to the card with a small piece of double-stick tape or a Glue Dot.

I have to say that even though this color combo may be gaudy, I really do like how the colors work together on this card. What would your gaudiest colors be?


Thanks for stopping by!