May 17, 20202 min read

HCBC - Accordion Candle Card

Updated: Dec 17, 2021

Count the Good Times - Not the Candles

I was inspired by the Stampin' Up Only Challenge #248 and our Eclectic Stampers' May monthly swap theme to make a Masculine Birthday card. Ironically, a friend also looked to me to help make an memorable card for her husband's 39th birthday, so the stars aligned for this project.

Thank you very much to by long-time crafting buddy, Mary B for inspiring this card style/technique!

Card Assembly Instructions

Cut 8.5 x 11" card stock length-wise, ending up with 2 sheets that are 4.25 x 11” each.
Score in half at 5.5” to make a horizontal card base. Note: The swap cards with 20 candles each only used 2 card bases. For the 40 candle card I used 4 card bases.
When you adhere 2 card bases together, you’ll end up with 3 panels that are 4.25x5.5” wide. When I adhered 4 card bases together I ended up with 5 panels 4.25x5.5”. Check out the images below to see how I arranged/adhered the multiple card bases.
Select 5-8 sheets of designer series paper (dsp) or colored cardstock to easily create a large amount of candles. Cut the dsp into 1.75” strips. Note: If using a 6x6” piece of DSP, you’ll get 50-56 candles if you use the classic label punch.
Using the Classic Label punch, start cutting all the candles from the various pre-cut papers. Tip: If you get to the end of the 1.75” strip, I use a business card and snail adhesive to continue cutting the dsp.
I used TomBow multi-purpose liquid adhesive to adhere the candles allowing them time to dry, so that i can reposition the slightly if necessary. Tip: Lay out your candles ahead of gluing them down so you can play with the various candle patters/colors and get them into positions you’re happy with.
You can hand draw on the candle flames; I happened to have a candle flame stamp that is a part of a now retired stamp set “Blow Out The Candles”; I used a silver stamp ink.
I stamped the sentiments using silver ink and the cake with staz-on black ink and hand-colored the cake using alcohol markers. I also used a small mask to put the heart on top of the cake.