Two Techniques in One for Easter!

I think I'm enamored!  I just had to try another Dahlia-fold cross, plus another technique I learned this month. . .the Braided Edge (aka Basket Weave; aka Lattice Edge), and I rolled them both into the same Easter card.  I have decided to enter this card into the 2 Cute Ink Digital Stamps Challenge Blog.  Jump on over and take a look at all the wonderful cards that have entered this month's March Challenge:  http://2cuteinkchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/03/challenge-133-easter-theme-new-digital.html

My cross on this card is more like a Greek Cross with all arms of equal length, rather than the more familiar Latin Cross with the descending arm longer.  The Latin Cross is also known as the Western Cross and represents the cross of Christ's crucifixion.  I forgot that we punched a 2-1/2" Circle for the descending arm of the cross and three 2" Circles for the top and side arms of the cross.  My circles are all 2" Circles, thus ending up with a Greek Cross.  With this little circle size change, it had my wondering why I had so much more room at the bottom to add a sentiment, but after reviewing my first cross card, I realized what I had done differently.  Oh well, there is never a mistake in cardmaking just a little creative deviation!

Below is a tutorial I found on Pinterest by Francine Davis on how to make the Dahlia folds for each petal.  A Dahlia-Fold flower uses eight 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" circle punched petals, depending on how large you want your flower.  The size of the circle determines the size of your flower. . .smaller or larger.  It's usually easier to assemble your petals into a flower if you cut a ninth circle to adhere them to.  A cross uses only four punched circles.  The Latin Cross (the traditional cross style) uses one - 2-1/2" Circle for the longer descending arm and three - 2" Circles for the top and cross arms.  A Greek Cross, as in my card below, uses four - 2" circles as all arms are of equal length.

Dahlia-Fold Petals Mini Tutorial

Next I moved on to prepare my braided-edge card base.  Below is a link to a pdf file of the pattern template used for my card.  There are actually seven patterns on this sample template, which can be printed out on 8-1/2" x 11" printer paper:

http://stampingimperfection.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/braid-template.pdf

Next is a video link that shows step by step how to prepare and make your braided edge:  http://stampingimperfection.com/braided-card-tutorial-template/

After I completed the braided-edge on my card base, I prepared by card front panel by embossing it with Stampin' Up's Elegant Dots folder, and then I added a horizontal ribbon band to act as a base for my Dahlia-Fold cross, burying the raw edges of the ribbon to the back of my card panel.  This panel was then adhered to my braided-edge card base.  

I wanted even more embellishing, so I added a ribbon tie at the base of my braided weave, tying it through the weave.  Next, I added a folded liner to the inside of my card to coordinate with my cross color and contrast with the white card front.  I made my liner large enough that it also peaks out around the card edges to add even a bit more color.  This liner is purely optional as the card is equally pretty with an open braided effect as well.  

To finish my card, I added a layered Easter sentiment and a fancy pearl embellishment to the middle of my cross.  If this embellishment were a brad, it would need to be attached prior to adhering the card front panel to the card base in order to bury the brad prongs.  Take a peek below at my second Dahlia-Fold Cross where I branched out and applied even more creative ideas.

Below you will find the finished inside of my card with a little embellishing to coordinate with the front design and a lovely verse from Stampin' Up's Suite of Sayings.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up Products: Cardstocks--Whisper White, Coastal Cabana (retired); Pattern--2013-2015 DSP Stack/ Coastal Cabana (retired).  Stamps--Indescribable Gift (2016 Occasions).  Ink--Coastal Cabana (retired).  Punch: 2" Circle.  Sizzlit Die: Lots of Tags (retired).  Stash:  7/8" Satin Dot ribbon; Fancy Pearl.  Techniques: Braided-Edge (aka Basket Weave, aka Lattice Edge); Dahlia-Fold.  Size: 5-1/8" x 5-7/8".