Step One

Open the CD and capture the largest size image.  It is explained on the CD how to do this.

Import the image into your Word Processing programme and re-size up to your chosen size.  Print two copies.  One copy onto the 200gsm cardstock and the other copy onto the sheet of 160gsm thin card.

Print your backing sheet onto the 120gsm paper.  If your printer has the facility of edge to edge printing, choose this option.  If not, you will have a join in your backing strip.  Alternatively you could use a sheet of coloured paper.

Step Two

Using one of the sheets of 280gms cardstock, cut a strip of card 6cms wide x 29.7cms long.  Fold the strip in half lengthways using a scoring board, and if you have a bone folder run it down the spine to create a sharp crease line. (Fig.A)

Portrait orientation cut three strips of backing paper 2cms wide x 29.7cms long. (Fig.C)  I used a deckle edge blade in my cutter.  You will need an extra strip if your printer will not print edge to edge.  If you have to join strips to get the required length, make sure your join is at the bottom of the strip and match the pattern. 

Darken the bottom edge of the long strip on a matching inkpad and ensure that the long strip is glued on top of the bottom make-up piece.

Hold your embossing tool at an angle and run it down the cut edges of the spine.  This will create a slight bevel and soften the hard cut line.

Glue the strip underneath the front of the spine so it protrudes approximately 0.4cm beyond the spine.  Repeat at the back of the spine.  (Fig A)

The two remaining sheets of A4 280gsm cardstock (Fig.B) will be glued inside the spine.  Before gluing, run the embossing tool down the edge which will be glued to the spine.  To fix the spine to the A4 sheets I used double sided tape inside the spine and butted the A4 sheet up to the fold/crease line.  I repeated the process with the second sheet to form the back of the card.

Step Three

Fix the backing strip (Fig.C in step 2) to the front of the spine.    I have shown an enlarged view of the decorated spine to illustrate how it fits to the body of the card. 

Step Four

Cut out the image printed on the 200gsm sheet of card, run a gold inkpad around the edge of the image and position it on the card.  Add your sentiment.

I cut out the Indian Chief printed on the 160gsm card, mounted it on 1250microns mount board and triple embossed it, before fixing it to the image on the card.  If you have not done any triple embossing there is a tutorial in the Hints and Tips section of the Joanna Sheen Forum.  Alternatively you could decoupage the Chief or using foam pads raise a single extra image.

You will need two A4 sheets of paper for the insert Stick a narrow strip of double sided tape to the inner edge of the inserts, butt them up to the spine and fix.  When closely butted to the spine they look like an A3 sheet which has been creased down the middle and fixed.

Sheila Weaver