Today we are going to create a Zig Zag Fun Fold Card. Think of it as a Z Fold with attitude! The card is easy to create, goes together quickly, has options, stands up like a dream, and fits perfectly inside an A2 sized envelope. Let’s look at the sample cards:
VIDEO
WHAT TO TRY A ZIG ZAG FUN FOLD? IT’S EASY!
WHAT YOU NEED
* Card Base - Cardstock cut at 11” x 4 1/4”
* Mat Layers - Cut from complimentary cardstock - cut 2 at 4” x 4”, cut 1 at 2 1/2” x 4”
* 2nd Mats - Patterned Paper or cardstock - cut 2 at 3 3/4” x 3 3/4” and cut 1 at 3 3/4” x 1 1/2”
* White or Light Colored Cardstock -cut at 1 1/2 or 2” x 3 3/4” this is for the middle panel and goes on the lefthand side of the panel
* Paper Trimmer with score blade or score board
* Bone Folder
* Stamps, Inks, Dies, Embellishments, Adhesives
WHAT TO DO
* Prepare images and greetings for card. Do any stamping needed on panels.
* Assemble first panel - adhere patterned paper to cardstock square. Add die cuts and greetings.
* Assemble middle panel. Stamp greeting on white or light colored cardstock piece, adhere to left side of patterned paper and then adhere this to the 4” x 4” cardstock panel.
* Assemble final panel. It is smaller. Adhere the 1 1/2” x 3 3/4” patterned paper to the right hand side of the 2 1/2” x 4” piece of cardstock. If making this a gift card holder place adhesive in a thin line along the top right side (long side), and bottom. If you have any 1/8” double sided tape, this is a great time to use it.
* Score and fold the cardbase. Follow the chart below. Go over score lines with bone folder. It is Important the portion of the card base to the right of the 8 1/4” score line remain on the right side. It makes up the back panel of the card.
SCORING & FOLDING CHART
* Adhere the back panel. Line it up on the card base allowing for an equal border of about 1/8” all around.
* Adhere middle panel between 3 3/4”score line and 6 3/4” score lines. Place adhesive on left side of panel only. Push down and line up with back panel.
* Adhere front panel. Once again place adhesive on left side of panel only. Line up with edges of other panels and leave a 1/8” border on the left side, at the top- and bottom.
* Add any embellishments
SEASONAL MITTENS
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Basic White
* Cardstock - Pool Party, Fresh Freesia, Basic White, Summer Splash, Bermuda Bay (retired)
* Patterned Paper - DIY
* Stamps - Festive Friends & Dies
* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pool Party, Berry Burst; Stampin’ Blends - Berry Burst, Fresh Freesia, Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty In Pink; Glimmer Brush - clear (Scrapbook.com)
* Embellishments - ? Pool Party (retired)
* Adhesive dimensionals
NOTE - Yes, I managed to get the adhesive off the back side of the second pane. I felt i\the cardstock looked a bit worn afterwards, so I adhered a strip of Fresh Fresia cardstock to the back panel.
JOY HOPE PEACE
ANOTHER GIFT CARD HOLDER
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Shaded Spruce, Real Red, Basic White
* Patterned Paper - (retired)
* Stsmps - Itty Bitty Christmas
* Ink - Shaded Spruce
* Gold Glimmer paper
* Die - Joy Hope Peace (Say It with Stamps & Dies - Photo Play)
I enjoyed creating these cards. The design is fun, a little bit different, and is perfect for displaying on a shelf, mantle, or table. The design allows for so many options. All of my samples have the 3 3/4” square layer, but you can omit it and stamp a design directly onto the 4” square of cardstock. The width of the partial panels can be adjusted a bit to accommodate a greeting of up to 2 1/4” wide. I like the option of using the back panel as a gift card holder. One of the best features is the card fits perfectly inside an A2 sized envelope. Why not give the card a try?
Thank you for stopping by. Until next time…
Stamp Happy!
Kim
NOTE - I use mostly Stampin’ Up!®️ products. Some are retired and are noted as such. Products from other companies, manufactures, etc, and those items are noted as such. I challenge you to use supplies you have on hand to create you own versions of the projects.
Do you need a gift idea for coworkers, teachers, or neighbors? Do you want a little something to add to a gift basket? Why not create some cute gift tags and package them for gift giving? Tags are easy to create and people like receiving them! Add some pretty packaging for extra holiday cheer, and you have a nice gift! I like to gift them to family and friends on Thanksgiving. They are great gifts for teachers, coworkers, neighbors, etc. Tags are a gift that get used! Let’s look at the sample projects!
VIDEO
PACKAGING TAGS FOR GIFTING
TINY BOX OF TAGS
This little box is easy to make, takes very few supplies, and can hold up to 12 tags that measure about
1 1/2” x 2 1/2”. I made these tags with patterned paper and cardstock. I just cut rectangles of each, used a corner punch to shape the corners, adhered the cardstock to the back of the tag, and punched the hole to thread the twine through. I like to make these and hand them out during the holidays as favors at parties, get togethers, or dinners. I just set the boxes out on a tray or place them in a basket and guests pick one up.
SUPPLIES I USED FOR BOX & TAGS
* Cardstock - Secret Sea
* Paper - Simple Vintage Fresh Snow (Simple Stories)
* Stamps - A Little Cheer, Sending Cheer (retired)
* Ink - Night of Navy
* Punches - 1 1/4” and 1 3/4” circle punches, 1/4” hole punch
* Twine - Navy Blue (?)
* Adhesive
WHAT YOU NEED
* Cardstock (or heavy patterned paper) - cut at 5” x 2 1/2”
* Paper Trimmer
* Bone Folder
* Scissors
* Strong Adhesive - Tear & Tape, Red Tape, etc.
* Stamps, ink, and other item to decorate the box
* Tags
WHAT TO DO
* Score cardstock on 5” side at 1/2, 2 1/4”, 2 3/4” and 4 1/2”
* Score cardstock on 2 1/2” side at 1/2”
* Fold score lines (all are mountain folds).
* Go over score lines with bone folder.
* Use your scissors and cut along score lines from bottom of cardstock to the 1/2” score lines. You will make four 1/2” snips.
* Use the diagram below as a reference. Starting on the left side of the cardstock, cuts away the first 1/2” x 1/2” square.
* Miter the edges of the remaining 4 tabs.
* Apply adhesive. Use the diagram as a guide. No adhesive is applied on the left 2” x 1/2” tab or the bottom left 2” x 1/2” tab. Apply adhesive (Ad) on all remaining tabs.
* Put the box together. The tabs with no adhesive go on the outside of the box.
TINY TAG BOX
NOTE - As stated above, this box will accommodate 12 plus tags that measure 2 1/2” x 1 1/2”. Twine or ribbon should be placed on a 1 1/2” side of the tags. The size of the box can be adjusted to accommodate a wider and taller tag. It takes just a little bit of math, but once you do it, you’ll find it isn’t hard at all.
HOW TO ADJUST THE SIZE OF THE BOX
* Measure the width of your tag, multiple the width by 2, add 1 1/2”- this is the width of the cardstock.
(Width x 2 + 1 1/2” = total width)
* Measure the height of the tag. Decide how much of the tag you want sticking out of the box. Subtract that from the height of the tag. This is the height of the box. Add 1/2” to the number.
(Height - x + 1/2” = total height.)
EXAMPLE
* A tag is 3” tall, multiple it by 2 and you get 6”. Add 1 1/2” to 6”. The total width of the box is 7 1/2”.
* The height of the tag is 4”. Let’s say we want 3/4” of our tag to show. We subtract 3/4” from the 4”. That equals 3 1/4” and we add 1/2” to that. That makes the total height measurement 3 3/4”
* Cut the cardstock at 7 1/2” x 3 3/4”
* Score - on the 7 1/2” side. Start by scoring at 1/2”, add 3” (width of tag) for the next score line - that is 31/2” - score. Add 1/2” for the next score, so score at 4”. Add 3” (width of tag), and that is 7” - score. There is a 1/2” tab left over.
-The score lines along the 7 1/2” side are at 1/2”, 3 1/2”, 4”, and 7”-
* Score along the 3 3/4” at 1/2”. This score line creates the bottom of the box.
- The score line along the 3 3/4” side is at 1/2”.-
* Assemble the box as directed on the diagram above.
SAME BOX, DIFFERENT PRESENTATION
I placed the tags in the box and placed the box in a cake pop bag. You can also use small clear treat bags. I made a topper for the bag by folding over a piece of patterned paper, and attaching it to the top. This keeps the tags contained. These packages work well for party favors, craft fairs, and the like. You can find the cake pop bags and small treat bags at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and other such stores, as well as on line.
SUPPLIES I USED FOR BOX & TAGS
* Cardstock - Crumb Cake (back of tags)
* Patterned Paper - Woodgrain, One Horse Open Sleigh, 6x6 DSP - Regals
* Stamp - A Little Cheer, Sending Cheer (retired)
* Ink - Cajun Craze
* Twine - Cajun craze (retired)
* Dies - Tailored Tags (retired)
* Adhesive
* Bags - small treat bags (Wilton)
SECTIONED GIFT TAG BOXES
Now let’s create sectioned boxes for the tags. The sections are optional. These boxes are basic boxes. I used cardstock for the bottom and top of one box, and cardstock for the bottom with patterned paper for the top of another box.
SECTIONED TAG BOX WITH LID
INSIDE
These sweet woodland tags are tucked away in a box with a simple divider that separates the differently shaped tags keeping them all nice and neat until they are needed. The divider is easy to make. The bottom of the box can be decorated with pieces of patterned paper cut to fit each section of the box. An alternative method is to cut the patterned paper to fit the bottom of the box. Determine where you need the divider and mark itwith a pencil. Place paper in trimmer with the pencil line in the cutting trough. Move cutting blade to 1/4” and cut from there to with in 1/4” of the bottom. Slide the assembled divider up through the slit made with the trimmer. Put glue on divider tabs so it will adhere to the back of the patterned paper.
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Basic White
* Patterned Paper - One Horse Open Sleigh (retired), other papers
* Stamps - Forest Friends & dies (Doodlebug Designs)
* Ink - Crumb Cake; Stampin’ Blends - Ivory, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Pretty In Pink
* Dies - Tailored Tags
* Twine - Linen Thread, Burlap Ribbon (retired)
* Adhesives
MULTI - SECTIONED BOX WITH MULTIPLE DIVIDERS
This box of tags features 5 separate sections to keep all those snowmen in order. There is an interior lid that is supported by the dividers. This lid keeps the tags in their own section. It is simply two pieces of cardstock cut the same size. Punch a hole in the center of one piece. Cut a 4” +/- piece of ribbon. Fold the ribbon in half, thread the two ends through the hole. Secure each end of the ribbon with tape or adhesive. Take the other piece of cardstock and adhere it to the backside of the piece with the ribbon handle. The interior lid is complete.
This box has two vertical dividers and two horizontal dividers. The belly band is decorated with the same image as some of the tags. The image hides the seem on the belly band.
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Balmy Blue, Basic White
* Patterned Paper - (retired)
* Stamps - Snow Stacks & dies (Trinity Stamps), Snowman Kisses & dies (Sunny Studios)
* Ribbon - Balmy Blue Velvet (retired), Essentials Pack - white twine
* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento); Stampin’Blends - Various
* Adhesive
WHAT YOU NEED
* Tags
* Ruler or other way to measure
* Cardstock for box, dividers, interior lid, belly band
* Patterned Paper
* Paper Trimmer
* Bone Folder
* Scissors
* Strong Adhesive
* 1”circle punch or other circle punch
WHAT TO DO
* Start with creating the bottom of the box.
* Place the tags you want in the box on a table. Arrange them the way you want them in the box. Now measure the length and width of your layout. These measurements will be used to determine the measurements for the box and the top for your box.
* Decide how tall you want your box. For tags, box sides of 1” or 1 1/2” usually work just fine. To determine the measurement for the box sides, measure the height of the tallest stack of tags.
* Refer to your original set of measurements, and add 2 x the box sides measurement to the length and width measurements.
EXAMPLE
If the height and width measurements are 4” x 5” and you want the box sides to be 1 1/2”tall. Multiply 1 1/2” x 2. The result is 3”. Add 3” to the height and to the width measurements. This means the cardstock for the box bottom will be cut at 7” x 8”
* Score the cardstock on all sides at 1 1/2” -the height of the box sides.
BOX BOTTOM EXAMPLE
This is an example of a box bottom. The measurements do not matter. With any measurements, the piece should resemble the photo above. Place adhesive on the tabs. (Ad stands for adhesive.) Assemble the box.
CREATING THE LID FOR THE BOX
* The easiest way to create a lid is to take the final box bottom measurement - 7” x 8”. Add 1/16th” to each measurement. If you do not care to deal with 1/16th”, 1/8” will do. The lid measurement will be 7 1/16’ x 8 1/16” (or 7 1/8” x 81/8”)
* Score at 1 1/2” on all sides
* On each long side , or on two opposite sides, mark the halfway point. The marks will be used to create notches making it easier to open the box.
* Use a 1” circle punch or other circle punch to form a notch. Put the punch about halfway along the edge of the paper, you want to punch out a semi-circle - use the notch to center the the semi-circle on the box top side. Repeat on the other side.
* Cut and miter tabs on box and lid.
* Place adhesive on the tabs and assemble the box and lid.
NOTE: If you prefer the box lid not to cover the entire box bottom change the measurement for the sides.
Go back to the original measurement of 4” x 5”. Let’s change the sides from 1 1/2” to 1”. Double the 1”, that’s 2”. Add 2” to the height and width measurements. That equals 6” x 7”. Add the 1/16” to each measurement. The final measurement is 6 1/16” x 7 1/16”. Score on all sides at 1”. Mark the center point of two opposite sides, punch the semi-circles. Assemble the lid.
SAMPLE BOX TOP
Her is an example of a box top. You can see the mark at the halfway points on two opposite sides.
Here is the same box top with tabs cut and mitered, and the notches cut out.
SAMPLE COMPLETED BOX
The top of this box does not cover the entire box bottom. The notch provides a place to grab hold and open the box. There is also a notch on the opposite side.
VIDEO PROJECTS
DIVIDERS & PATTERNED PAPER LINERS
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Basic Beige
* Patterned Paper - Christmas Spectacular (49th and Market), Other - (retired)
*Ribbon - Garden Green (retired)
* Ink - Poppy Parade
* Tags - Ephemra (Mintay)
* Twine - Essentials - White
* Adhesive - Stampin’ Seal+, Dimensionals
GINGERBREAD PEOPLE BASIC BOX
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Real Red, Basic White, Scraps of other colors for gingerbread people accents
* Dies - Nested Stitched Gingerbread People (Scrapbook.com)
* Twine - Linen Thread
* Patterned Paper - (retired)
* Ribbon - Real Red (retired)
* Adhesive
OTHER TIPS FOR BOXES
* Lining the inside of the box top and box bottom adds a nice finished touch to the project, as do the dividers.
* Packaging tags, whether in hand crafted boxes or in cello bags with a topper always adds a bit of WOW to your creation.
* Keeping the boxes together with belly bans or ribbon add a little touch of pizzazz.
* Color coordinating tags and packaging add a professional touch.
TAG TIPS
* Tag shaped dies are always great, but similar looks can be achieved with a paper trimmer and corner punches. No corner punches, no problem. Cut cardstock at 2” x 4” and you have a tag.
* Any shape die or punch can be used to make tags.
* Images with dies, such as snowmen, Christmas trees, Santa, Reindeer, cute critters, etc. make great tags
* Go through your stash, do you have any ephemeral? Is it Holiday themed? Use the ephemera as tags or on tags.
* Do you have patterned cardstock or patterned paper with designs so pretty they stand alone as a tag? Use them.
TAG PACKAGING
Thank you for stopping by this week. I know there is a lot of information included in this post. I want you to be able to make a boxes that fit your needs. I can give you measurements I use for the project I create, but those measurements It is easy. Yes, there is some math required, but it is math that makes sense. Visualize your box, or sketch it out on paper. Try this a time or two, and it will become second nature. Believe it or not, you already have the skills you need to make any box or box lid. I have confidence in your skills, so why not go make a box?
Until next time . . .
Stamp Happy!
Kim
NOTE
I use mostly Stampin’ Up!®️ products, many are retired and are noted as such. Products from other companies are also noted as such. I provide the lists of supplies I use as a reference only. I encourage you to use what you have and create your own version of the sample projects.
Welcome to Stamp Happy Holidays 2025! This is week 8! Can you believe it? We are at the halfway point in this year’s offerings. Over the past weeks project samples have featured examples for Halloween, Fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. There have been a few samples for Hanukkah and New Year’s as well. This week we begin pivoting our focus from the fall holidays and concentrating on the winter holidays. Most, but not all, sample projects will feature Christmas themes. Remember, any project can be made for any occasion. Change the colors, the images, and sentiments to suit the occasion! With that said, let’s get into today’s projects.
VIDEO
TWO CLASSIC CARD LAYOUTS REIMAGINED FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Today we will be looking at two card layouts I use frequently. I have presented both of these layouts before, but today we are going to take the classic layout and reimagine it. It is amazing how changing layout dimensions a bit gives the card just a little extra something special. Adjusting the dimensions also allows you to use a favorite layout with a wider variety of images or sentiments. Our layouts for today are the Around the Block Layout and the Cross Cut Angles Layout. First we’ll look at the Around the Block Layout. Here are the sample cards:
GLIMMER & SHIMMER TREE
CLASSIC AROUND THE BLOCK LAYOUT
WHAT YOU NEED
* Card Base - A-2 size, the card front measures 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”
* Inside Panel - (optional) white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”
* Layout Guide - (optional) printer paper, old patterned paper cut at 5 1/4” x 4”
* Patterned Paper, Specialty Paper, etc - 2 different patterns or colors; cut 2 of like pattern or color at
4 1/4” x 1” and cut 2 from the other pattern or color paper at 3” x 1”
* Center Panel - cut from paper or cardstock at 3 1/4” x 2”
* Use the 4 strips of paper to form a 5 1/4’ x 4” frame on the cards front. You can place them directly on the card base leaving a 1/8’ border on all sides, OR use the Layout Guide - adhere a 4 1/4” at the top left corner across the top of the guide. Next place a 3’ long strip on the left side of the paper- put the 1” side right against the long strip and down the left side. Now place the long strip along the bottom, and the adhere the last short strip in place. Center this piece on the card base.
NOTE - For another method of adhering the strips page down until you see the tan and blue card!
* Adhere the center panel in place if using.
* Add focal image, greeting and embellishments.
* Add inside panel if using.
GLIMMER & SHIMMER TREE
REIMAGINED AROUND THE BLOCK LAYOUT
Reimagine the card layout by changing the 5 1/4” x 4” panel to a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4” full card front panel.
WHAT TO DO
* Cut the two long strips at 4 1/2” x 1”
* Cut the two short strips at 3 1/4” x 1”
* Cut the center panel at 3 1/2” x 2 1/4”
* Simply adhere the strips along the edges of the card front, no guide needed.
* Finish your card.
AROUND THE BLOCK LAYOUTS COMPARISON
Here are the two versions of the card layoutside by side. I like them both, but covering the entire card front with those shimmery papers is really appealing to me.
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Basic White
* Shimmer Paper- Rainbow Glitter Paper - red and green (Scrapbook.com); White Glimmer Paper (retired)
* Stamp- Pine Tree Trimmings
* Ink - Versa Mark (Tsukineko), Gold Embossing Powder (Ranger)
* Embellishments - Front Porch Glossy Enamel Dots (Simple Stories)
* Dimensionals, Adhesives
*ALTERNATIVE METHOD FOR ADDING STRIPS*
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Crumb Cake
* Patterned Paper - Simple Vintage Fresh Snow (Simple Stories)
* Stamps - Holly Jolly Wishes (retired)
* Ink - Secret Sea
* Embellishments - Front Porch Enamel Dots (Simple Stories)
* Adhesive
If adhering the Around the Block Layout pieces directly to the card base is not something you prefer to do, but you want the card base to be the center of the design, ruling out the printer paper method - try this.
WHAT TO DO
* Use a piece of cardstock as a template.
* Cut the cardstock at 5 1/4” x 4”.
* Center it on the card base. Keep it in place with temporary adhesive, a sticky note, or low tack tape.
* Using a pencil, trace the corners of the template, and remove the template.
* Use the traced areas as guides for adhering the 4 strips.
* Erase any visible pencil marks.
Our next classic layout is the Cross Cut Angles Card Layout. This layout is easy to create, can save you time as you can cut out pieces for two cards at once. And it is super easy to modify. Let’s look at the samples!
CROSS CUT ANGLE CARD LAYOUT
This card layout is easy, the most difficult part is keeping the cut papers together to make the second diagonal cut- and that is not really hard at all. Let’s take a look at the classic card, and discuss how we can reimagine the layout.
CLASSIC CROSS CUT ANGLES CARD LAYOUT
For the classic version of the card layout, the first layer (or mat) 5 1/4” x 4”, is replaced with a panel made up of two patterns of paper. The papers are cut twice from corner to corner to create an x-like shape on the card front.
WHAT YOU NEED
* Card Base - A-2 size
* Patterned Paper - Two pieces with coordinating patterns, colors, etc. cut at 5 1/4” x 4” OR 1 two sided piece with coordinating patterns cut at 5 1/4” x 4”.
NOTE - Using two pieces of patterned paper will create enough pieces for two cards.
* Printer Paper -(Optional) 5 1/4” x 4” adhere the patterned paper pieces to this for easy placement.
* Other - Stamps, inks, cardstock, adhesives, etc to finish the card.
WHAT TO DO
* Place patterned paper in trimmer lining up one top corner and the opposite bottom corner in the cutting track. If you are using two pieces of paper lay one on top of the other and cut together.
* Once the first cut is made, carefully turn the papers and cut from the remaining top corner to the opposite bottom corner. You can use a sticky note, post it tape, or any low tack tape to hold the papers together if you like.
* You will have 4 pieces per card two that are long triangles and two that are more compact triangles
* Adhere the pieces to the printer paper. Arrange them as shown in the card above. Adhere this entire piece to the card front. If you prefer, you can place the pieces directly on the cardstock.Remember to leave a 1/8” border all around.
* Complete your card.
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Pool Party, Basic White
* Patterned Papers - Holiday Collection, Snow Days Collection (Scrapbook.com)
Changing up this card layout is super easy. Simply select one of the measurements for any standard card layer, follow the instructions for the classic version. The card above is an example of using two pieces of patterned paper cut at 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”. It covers the entire front of the card. It is very easy to adhere to the card base. Simply line up the pieces along the outer edges of the card base.
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Basic White
* Patterned Paper - Holidays Collection, Snowy Days Collection (Scrapbook.com)
Here is what the card looks like when using a 5” x 3 3/4” pieces of cardstock. Cut the printer paper at 5” x 3 3/4”. This card is an example of using one piece of double sided patterned paper.
SUPPLIES I USED
* Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler
* Patterned Paper - Snow Day Collection (Scrapbook.com)
There you go, easy ways to slightly modify two classic card designs. The modifications are minor, but impactful. I hope you give these designs a try. What other classic card layouts can you think of? How might you “reimagine” those layouts?
Thank you for stopping by, and for participating in this Stamp Happy Holidays Series. I appreciate it so much. Until next time. . .
Stamp Happy!
Kim
NOTE - I use mostly Stampin’ Up! products, many are retired and noted as such. Products from other manufacturers are noted as such. I offer supply lists as a reference only. I encourage you to use supplies you own to create your versions of the sample cards.
