Tutorial: Mortarboard Card with Punch Art Tassel

Melon Mambo mortarboard, the fashionista choice for 2011.

Remember the Grad Cap Gift Box & Card set?  It was one of the Sizzix Petal Cone Bigz L Die projects we introduced on the Stampin’ Addicts 2011 Occasions Mini Blop Hop.

Well, to create that project, first you need to make this Mortarboard Card.

THE CARD BASE

The card base itself is a 4″ square card.   

Of course, black is the traditional color for mortarboards, with white and red coming in a distant second and third.

But this year’s grad in our family is one stylish young lady–and what color is hotter right now than Melon Mambo? 

Once you choose the right mortarboard color for your grad, it’s time to consider the card’s inside.  May I suggest a 3.25″ square of Whisper White, layered on mats of Daffodil Delight (3.5″ x 3.5″) and Basic Black (3.75″ x 3.75″)?  Inscribe your congratulations–and a  few words of wisdom–for the new grad and you’re done.

As soon as you add the tassel.

(Click on the image for a separate view of the tutorial picture.  Then, to zoom in for a close up, click again.)

This tassel is worth the hassle.

THE TASSEL

And here’s how to create the tassel:

• Punch/Die Cut.  Use punches and dies (3/4″ Circle punch, Round Tab punch, Sizzix Tasteful Trims Bigz XL die) to create these shapes from your desired colors of cardstock.  Score the Round Tab punchout so it folds in half easily.

• Sponge.  Sponge the front of your ‘tassel’ element (and, if desired, the ‘cord’ element) with ink for some shading. 

• Snip and Pierce.  For the tassel, cut the Round Tab punchout with your paper snips to create ‘strands’; fold it in half and punch a small hole for an eyelet.  For the cord, trim the ‘cord’ element down to five and a half pillows.  Fold the end pillow back over the adjacent pillow and punch a small hole for an eyelet.

• Complete.  To connect tassel and cord, set an eyelet through the folded tassel and the folded end of the cord.  Adhere cord to button with your preferred adhesive.  Mount button/cord on a Stampin’ Dimensional.  Before adhering button to center of the mortarboard, position tassel at the desired angle (about 4 o’clock).  Stand back and admire your work!

Tips and notes:

• If you’ll be using the mortarboard card as part of a Grad Cap Gift Box & Card set, choose textured cardstock for your card’s base.  This introduces contrast between the ‘mortarboard’ and the ‘cap’, which is especially helpful when you’ve chosen black or white for your grad cap set.

• The folded-back end of the cord (hidden under the tassel) is a clasp to hold the mortarboard card shut.  If you’re just sending the mortarboard card in an envelope, it’s not so important–but if you’re using the card on top of the gift box (as presented in the blog hop), the clasp helps keep the mortarboard flat.

• The mortarboard in this tutorial is done in Melon Mambo (which is substituted with Basic Black in the original project.) and Daffodil Delight sponged with Crumb Cake ink.
  
  
  

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