Aloha, all!
Oops! This was supposed to go live two weeks ago! But since I’m busy getting ready to move from Hawai’i to Florida (more on that soon), I thought I’d go ahead and let it post a few days after Halloween!
Finally I’m getting to show you some Pinwheel Tower Cards. For Halloween this year, I’ve made two of them, each a different size. This is the one I’m calling the “Short Pinwheel Tower Card.” That’s because it’s, well, shorter than the other card! But more about that later.
What’s a Pinwheel Tower Card?
As popular as this style of card is right now, there are dozens and dozens of tutorials available on how to make these. The only thing that makes my card any different from many of them is the size of the cardstock that I use to make the cards. In both of my designs, the measurements help ensure that you will be able to fit them into a standard invitation or A2-sized envelope.
The basic design begins with a piece of cardstock that forms one “wing” of the pinwheel PLUS an inch (or other measurement) for each of the sides of the pinwheel. So, in the card above, the “wing” is 2-3/4″. And each of the 4 sides of the pinwheel is 1″. On each of these 1″ sides, you adhere another piece of cardstock that’s 4-1/4″ x 2-3/4″ The length of the card, then, is 2-3/4″ + 4″ (1″ for each of the 4 sides).
For this card, when the card lies flat, the center section is 2-3/4″ wide and the whole section shows. Then on the left there is a 1-3/4″ piece of that section showing. On the right is a 1″ of that section section showing. 1-3/4″ + 2-3/4″ + 1″ equals 5-1/2″, which is the length of this 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ card.
So watch any video about Pinwheel Tower cards to see how to construct them. But just use these measurements for a card of those measurements: 6-3/4″ wide by 4-1/4″ high, scoring at 1″ intervals.
The Sides of This Short Pinwheel Tower Card
As you’ve probably read by now, I just love the Cute Halloween Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up! So I took my favorite designs and made them all a part of this card.
As you go around the “pinwheel,” these are the views that you see. The one that shows the Basic White Cardstock with the “Happy Halloween” and the bat image (from the Banner Year Stamp Set) is the side on which you might write a note.
There’s “Trick or Treat” for the cats and jack-o-lanterns. “Happy Haunting” for the ghosts. A bat to go with the bat print. and “You Put a Smile on My Face” for the smiling skulls.
Arranging the Papers
One thing that I do like to do with cards using the Pinwheel Tower card is to make sure that, if I lay the card flat on any one side, the papers that show look good together. It’s hard not to have that happen with the Cute Halloween papers. But with some other papers, it may make a difference. My suggestion is to use a light adhesive that’s easy to remove to set all the papers on your card. Then fold and refold to see how they all look together. THEN apply a firm adhesive once you’ve got everything just as you want it.
Adding Embellishments
These cards tend to be on the thick and heavy side if you use too much in the way of cardstock. That’s why I try to use as much Designer Series Paper (patterned papers that are lighter than cardstock) for my layers. Adding embellishments – even ribbon – can increase the thickness of the card. Possible problems are that the cards do not lie flat because they’re too thick OR that the cards are so heavy that they require extra postage.
The card that I’ll share next time does have some embellishments. But they don’t add a lot of heft to the card. So check it out!
Here Are the Measurements I Used for This Card
Now that I’ve thoroughly confused you, here’s something that might helpl. It’s a list of the measurements that I used for this “Short Pinwheel Tower Card.”
Short Pinwheel Tower Card for A2 Envelope (4-1/4” high x 5-1/2” wide)
Cardstock Main Color (for my project, I used Basic Black)
- Card Base: 4-1/4” x 6-3/4”. Score along the 6-3/4” side at 1”, 2”, 3” and 4”
- Card Sides: 4-1/4” x 2-3/4” (3 pieces)
Monochrome Patterned Paper
- 4” x 2-1/2” (4 pieces) (for my project I used Pumpkin Pie from the Regals Designer Series Paper set)
- 3” x 1-1/2” (3 pieces)
Patterned Paper – a variety of coordinating prints (for my project I used 1 piece each of the Skeleton, Bats, Cats/Pumpkins, and Ghost pirints)
- 3-7/8” x 2-3/8” (4 pieces)
Patterned Paper – Coordinating print (for my project I used the Black and Pumpkin Pie Stripe Print)
- 3-7/8” x 2” (4 pieces)
Basic White Cardstock
- 3” x 1-1/2”
Questions?
Just ask. I’m traveling most of the month of October 2021. So the best way to get to me is by using my e-mail address: robin at RobinsCraftRoom.com. I’ll be checking my e-mail a couple of time a day, so hope to be able to get right back to you.
While I’m traveling and not (sob!) stamping, I hope you’re having a good time making Halloween cards!
