I’m in love with so many WPlus9 sets that it was hard to pick just one or two sets to feature as guest designer last month. I decided to use the New Home stamp and die set paired with an older set, Friends for all Seasons: Fall. Lately, I’ve needed cards for new home buyers. I have two nieces who have recently purchased their first homes. It’s fun to create a custom, tailored card for new homeowners that matches their new digs!

 

I have seen so many beautiful cards made using the New Home set by WPlus9. I knew I wanted to add a twist – an element of surprise – to my card so why not add a scene inside the door? This diorama card design will take you right into this beautiful new home, giving you first just a peek before the big reveal!

To make this card, I used the following products:

  • New Home stamp and coordinating die sets
  • Friends for all Seasons Fall stamp and coordinating die sets
  • Neighbors stamp set (for the “enjoy your new home” phrase only)
  • Neenah 110lb Solar White cardstock for the card base
  • Neenah 80lb Solar White cardstock for the card front and die cuts
  • Copic Sketch Markers in various colors
  • X-Acto Knife
  • Rectangular die (similar to the Bar Stitched Rectangular die)
  • Double sided ¼” adhesive tape
  • LePen Fine Tip black marker
  • 6” X 6” pattern paper piece

To create this 5” X 7” card, I started by cutting and scoring two card fronts and a base out of the Neenah cardstock. I like to make the base from the heavier weight cardstock so that it creates a sturdy box. I cut and scored the following pieces:

  • From 110lb cardstock: a 10-1/2” X 7” rectangle, scored from the left side at ½”, 5”, 5-1/2” and 10”.
  • From 80lb cardstock: a 5” X 7” rectangle, scored from the left side at ½”.
  • From 80lb cardstock: a 4-1/2” X 7” rectangle to back the card front (to cover any Copic marker bleeding on the inside)

I reinforced the score lines using a bone folder so that they are nice and crisp folds to make the box shape. When you line up the card front score line with the ½” score line on the base and fold at the scores, the card will appear like this from the side when it is eventually adhered together.

I stamped the door image on the card front piece with the scored line at the top. Using an X-Acto knife, I cut the door opening on three sides, leaving the right side attached. Sometimes you must clean up your opening with a small scissors if the knife is not sharp enough (like mine).

Copic markers will bleed through the card front so I needed another piece to cover and finish the inside panel for a clean, professional look. I layered the stamped door piece over the other 4-1/2” X 7” rectangle, matching up the bottom edge, and marked the door opening. I cut out the door opening using a punch several times. You could use a rectangular die or X-Acto knife, too.

I layered the card front on the flattened card base and marked the door opening on the base front panel. Using a rectangular die, I placed it over the marked opening, making sure the entire door opening will be within the die cut area. I die cut the rectangle out using my die cutting machine and tools.

Now it’s time for the fun stuff…creating the interior and exterior scenes!

 

Exterior Scene
  • I colored the stamped door in blue shades.
  • I added siding to the exterior using a straight edge ruler and a fine black marker and added shading below each siding piece with Copic Sketch C3 and C0 markers for a dimensional look. I realized later that the stamp set came with siding lines to make this step even easier! No ruler or marker needed. ?
  • I stamped and die cut elements to fit both spaces from the New Home and Friends for All Seasons: Fall sets like the planter, shrubs, the “New Home” phrase, bear and balloon bouquet.
  • I colored in a grassy area at the base to “ground” the scene and added a stone pathway to the front door to highlight the entry.
  • I added dimensional foam under the bear image to bring him forward for more interest.
  • I added blue cardstock beneath the New Home phrase to make it stand out on the white siding background.
  • All elements were adhered in place and the card front was set aside while I worked on the inside scene.
Interior Scene
  • I added a 6” X 6” pattern paper sheet (cut down to 4-3/8” X 6”) to the inside panel of the box to mimic a bright and cheery wallpaper. You could use images from the sets to create your own custom wallpaper, too.
  • I stamped, colored and die cut various elements from both sets including the bear, bench, and planters. The New Home set has cute planters and benches that work inside and outside.
  • I needed furniture to fill the space, so I used the bench from New Home and cut off the back. I colored it in like woodgrain to look like a dining or entry table using my black marker and Copics. I added flowers in a planter to make the table arrangement.
  • All elements were adhered in place making sure my bear image was in front and centered with the door opening.
  • I stamped the “Welcome, Enjoy your new home” phrase to the outside panel of the interior box while my box was still in a flat position.

I adhered my box edges together to create the dimensional box shape and added the card front by matching of the score lines at the top. I like to use a heavy duty double sided ¼” adhesive tape when creating these cards. It holds the box in place perfectly and is clean and easy to use with no glue mess! 

I love when you open the door, you get a peek at the inside of the home.

When you open the card front, you get a full view of the interior space!

The diorama card folds down to fit inside a 5-1/4” X 7-1/4” standard sized greeting card envelope for easy mailing and/or delivery.

This is a card with layers and surprises. You could color the exterior and interior to match the recipient’s new home. You could add a pup or kitty, art on the walls or anything that will remind the person of his/her new, home-sweet-home! Thanks for visiting today. I had a great time creating this card and I hope it inspires you to do the same!

If you’d like to see more of my work, check out the WPlus9 blog today that is featuring a card I made using the Neighbors stamp set!

You can find me on my Instagram as @BobbiHartDesign and on Facebook as BobbiHartDesign.

Bobbi Hartmann Lemanski, Bobbi Hart♥ Design,

Adding h♥art into every design