Instructions for the BEGINNER!

1. How to make a greeting card with teabag medallion: decide which greeting card front graphic you want to use, copy it and paste it into your graphics program OR simply "open" the card front graphic in the graphics program you are using.

2. Size the card front to 5x7 (or 5.5" x 4.25" if a notecard) and place on the right side of your workspace for a tall card or place the card front on the bottom of your workspace for a wide card. Leave a 5x7 area on the left side (or top for a wide card) of your workspace - this represents the back of your card. *Look at the card template that I include with each collection for further help.

3. Put your logo or name on the blank left side (or top and upside down for a wide card) - place it at the bottom in the middle (for a tall card) of the blank 5x7 area. You are proud of your work and you want everyone to know who made it!

4.Choose a good dpi on your printer in order to create a high quality printout. I have an Epson printer and choose 720dpi to print my cards and tiles. If in doubt, do a print test to tell which dpi looks the best!

5. Print your card. This will be the front and back of your greeting card.

6. If you want to add a verse - choose a nice font and type in your verse in the same place the card front goes. After the cardstock is turned around to print the verse, it will be in the correct orientation to print on the inside of the card. *Each printer brand is different as to how you put the cardstock back in the printer (after you have printed the card front) in order to print the verse on the opposite (blank) side. Do a print "test" of your card first (using a low print setting so you don't waste ink) to determine exactly how to turn your paper when putting it back in the printer to print the blank side (to print the verse). Write this down so you will remember the next time!

7. After you have printed both sides, use a ruler and score along the inside edge on the card front - do this lightly as you don't want to "break" the paper along the score line. You can use a bone folder, dull letter opener, scoring tool, or a pen that has run out of ink (this is what I use).

8. Fold your card in half along the score line carefully pressing the crease with your finger. Use a bone folder (which can be purchased in craft stores - it is the best tool for creasing) to crease the fold line. Crease on the BACK of the card - not the front!

9. Cut the excess cardstock off along the 3 edges of your card. I just use an inexpensive paper cutter from an office supply store. I've been using the same one for years.

10. Now you can print the tiles for your teabag folded medallion!

11. Choose which tile you want to use and open it (as you did the card front) in your program. Size it - usually between 1.58" and 2". Duplicate the correctly sized tile until you get 8 tiles.

12. Print these tiles. Use a good printer setting just as you did for the card front.

13. Cut the tiles out. Use scissors (I like to do it this way) or use a ruler and exacto knife.

14. Use your folding instructions (there are several on my website.)

Read "Tips for Folding" - for tips on folding your teabag medallion.

15. Glue your medallion onto your card! WOW - you did a great job! Prepare to receive all the compliments <g>.

ENVELOPE LAYOUT INSTRUCTIONS

Envelope Instructions

After copying the envelope layout into your program, resize it (if needed) so that the rectangle area where the address and return address is measures 5.24" x 7.24".

Your greeting card should be 5x7 so the envelope should be a little bigger.

Don't worry if the sides and top/bottom is off your workspace - just make sure it is centered - you will have enough room for side flaps and a top and bottom flap.

You are using the full width and length of your 8 1/2 x 11" paper.

After you print the envelope, cut it out along the lines. Then lightly crease along the fold lines. Fold and crease the folds with a bone folder or something similar.

Place glue (I only use a glue stick - liquid glue would be messy and squish out) along the bottom SIDE EDGES - you only need glue on the very side edges! Fold this up and press.

Let your envelope dry.

You can put your card it and then apply glue stick along the top flap where a normal envelope would normally be licked.

If you are giving the card and envelope as a gift for someone else to use - use the ENVELOPE GLUE RECIPE on your envelopes!

USING AN INSERT (instead of printing your verse directly on the inside of the card)
- Some of the collections might contain "inserts" - these are for the inside of your card, where the card's verse will go. Open the insert in your program and size it about 1/4" smaller than your card (you want the insert smaller so that it doesn't show when your card is folded - if it is the same size, some of the insert would tend to show). Add the verse for your card and then print your insert. Determine the middle fold and use a ruler to score along this line and then fold and crease the insert. Cut off the outside margins. To adhere your insert to the inside of your card, I put a bit of gluestick down the center fold and a little bit to the right and left of the fold on the CARD - then I fold the insert (right sides together) and place the insert's fold right in the center of the card's fold. Make sure the folds are together tightly so there won't be a gap when you open the card. Let it dry.