I like to craft with the paper towels I have used to clean stamps or blot watercolors. They make really interesting backgrounds, and it's good to recycle and reuse!
I recycled a paper towel for the background in this Grassy Grove Diorama card.
1. For the diorama, start with a piece of Basic Black card stock measuring 11" x 4 1/4".
Score at 1/2", 5 1/8", 5 3/4", and 10 3/8"
2. Cut a window between the 5 3/4" and 10 3/8" score lines using the frame die from Grove Dies.
3. For the paper towel background:
-Separate the ply of the paper towel. You'll use 1 ply for this background and have a second piece for another project.
-To cut the paper towel down to the size you want, it is easiest to attach it to a card stock base first. Apply adhesive to a piece of card stock cut to the size you want for your background. My piece measured 4 1/2" x 4 1/4" for this card.
-Attach the paper towel to the card stock. Trim the edges of the paper towel to the size of the card stock.
4. Cut landscape and deer out of Basic Black card stock using a die-cut machine and Grove Dies.
5. Attach landscape to the bottom of the paper towel background.
6. Attach paper towel background to the inside panel of the diorama card.
7. Fold card base along the score lines, using a bone folder to get crisp score lines.
8. Attach Tear & Tape Adhesive to the inside of the 1/2" panel. Remove the backing and attach two end panels together to form the diorama.
9. Add the deer to inside of the diorama using Mini Dimensionals to pop them up.
10. Add a greeting to the front if desired. I decided not to add a greeting as I wanted to keep it simple with the little landscape as the focus.
You can also add a light-colored panel to the back of the diorama for a greeting.
Card measures 4 3/4" x 4 1/4"
I would not mail this card unless it is included in a package as it is 3-D and would probably get crushed if shipped separately. You could leave the end panels unattached with instructions for final card assembly to the recipient. Or add thin strips of Velcro to the end panels.
Paper Measurements:
Basic Black: 11" x 4 1/4", scored at 1/2", 5 1/8", 5 3/4", and 10 3/8"
scrap for landscape and deer
Basic White as base for the paper towel: 4 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Paper Towel Background: 4 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Optional: light-colored panel for the back of the diorama measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Supplies Used:
Paper: Basic Black, Basic White
Accessories: Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine, Grove Dies, paper towel, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, bone folder, Tear & Tape Adhesive, Mini Dimensionals
