Technique Tuesday - Easel Card

This week I want to share this easy card idea with you.  I first saw it on Split Coast Stampers, and fell in love with it.  I'd like to credit Beate Johns for coming up with the technique for the mechanics of the card.
I hadn't gotten around to making one until last week, and when I did, I fell in love with it. It is a card, which, as the name implies, has it's own build-in "easel" so that it stands up.  Well, see for yourself in these two cards I made:

 Cute, huh? Well, they are REALLY easy to make, and VERY addictive.  So, here's how (I'm also including a link to a picture step-by-step tutorial and video on this, as I know I like to actually see the construction process)  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/easelcard .  I recommend making a mock up first:
SUPPLIES:
* One 4 14" x 8 1/2" piece of cardstock (cs)
* One 4 1/4" square piece of cs
* Scoring tool (I love my Martha Stewart scoring tool as it has 1/8" increments, but Scor-Pal, or any other will do)
* Tape runner
* Additional cs for card inside and card front
* Stamps, Ink, Embellishments, Punches

DIRECTIONS:
1. Score the 4 1/4" x 8 1/2" piece of cs at 4 1/4" and 6 3/8".
2. Pre-fold all score lines by folding the card in half first, then folding the second score line (6 3/8") opposite from the 4 1/4" score line.
3. Place cs on table with the 4 1/4" side down. Add tape to the 2 1/8" x 4 1/4" section that is facing up.
4. Line the top of the square piece with the top of the section with the tape from step 3. This creates the easel base.
5. Decorate the card front and the inside.
Tips:  To make the easel card stand up by itself, add embellishments or an extra layer of cs to the inside of your card. In my cards, I added a punched strip to stop the card from sliding down.  Have your layer or embellishment at least 1/3 of the way into the card from the bottom up.

VARIATIONS:
Regular card size (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")
Vertical card - Start out with a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of cs and score at 5 1/2" and 8 1/4". Your card front will measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2.
Horizontal card - Start out with a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of cs and score at 4 1/4" and 6 3/8". Your card front will measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".
Other card sizes - Your easel base will measure two times the height of the card front x the height of the card front. You will score at 1/2 card front height and card front height.  For example - for a 3 x 6" card, start out with a 6" square for your easel base. Score at 3" (height of card) and 1 1/2" (1/2 of height of card).
Hope you'll try these...they are so fun to make, and fun to receive!

Now, dig out those capris...we're going to have a delightful and sunny, warm Easter weekend!  Wooo-hoo!  We're off to Buffalo to be with the kiddos.  Happy, safe, and blessed Easter to all!

Blessings and peace,
lynda