FLOATING GATE FOLD CARDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST🎄

Hi Stampers!

This is the first week of my Stamp Happy Holidays series for 2025! This year will be a bit different. There will still be plenty of ideas for treat holders, tags, gift card holders, and of course cards!  If life gets really crazy and busy, we’ll even talk about super quick and easy projects I call “Christmas In A Hurry!” My projects will include samples for various holidays that will be celebrated over the next few months! For example, today’s cards are Floating Gate Fold Cards. The samples cover Halloween, Fall, and Christmas, plus we’ll make a Hanukkah themed card together. Of course the Floating Gate Fold Card can be used to create a card for any holiday or occasion! So, let’s get started! Here we go with STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2025! Here are the sample cards for today!

VIDEO

FLOATING GATE FOLD CARDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - cardstock cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”

* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Patterned Paper - for flaps - cut 2 at 5 1/4” x 1 7/8” (optional- cut 4, 2 for front of card and 2 for inside card)

* Floating Mechanisms - white cardstock (or color of choice) - cut 2 at  4 1/2” x 1/2”

* Other - stamps, inks, die cuts, other cardstock, embellishments, adhesive, etc to complete card - you will need a focal image and images and / or sentiments to be the “floating” pieces.

WHAT TO DO

* Prepare focal image and images/ sentiments for floating pieces, put aside.

* Score card base along 8 1/2” side at 2 1/8” on each end (or at 2 1/8” and 6 3/8”), and crease score lines with bone folder

* Score each mechanism along 4 1/2” side at 1”, 2 1/2”, and 3 1/2” and crease score lines with bone folder.

* Adhere the patterned paper strips to the outside (and inside if using) of the card.

* Open card and put inside panel in place - no adhesive. Place the “floating” images on the inside panel anywhere you like as long as they do not go above or below the card base and have enough space between 

them to pass with out touching. Many place one image at the top left edge and bottom right edge. The”floating mechanisms should be placed near the center of the image. Use a pencil to mark this point on the top left flap and bottom right flap (or where ever you are placing the floating image(s). 

* With the images lying in place do any stamping you plan to do. 

* Adhere the inside panel to the card

* Adhere the floating mechanism to the upper left area of the card. Look at the mechanism - there should be a 1” section, a 1 1/2” section, followed by two 1” sections.  Fold the single 1” section toward the center of the piece, place adhesive on it. Center the piece on the pencil mark and adhere it on the gate fold flap right along the top of the score line, press into place. Fold last section of the mechanism inward, apply adhesive, with gate fold flap open, press mechanism inward place on the inside panel. 

* Add the floating mechanism to the lower right area in the same manner as for the top. This time the single 1” area will be to the right as opposed to the left.

* Close card and adhere focal image to card front. Remember to put adhesive only on one side of the image, so as not to glue the card together. 

NOTE: I use mostly Stampin’ Up! Products, some are retired and are noted as such. Products from other companies are also noted as such. I encourage you to use supplies you gave on hand to create you very own versions of the cards. 

HALLOWEEN FLOATING GATE FOLD

INSIDE

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Granny Apple Green, Basic White, Basic Black

* Patterned Paper - Hey Pumpkin (Doodlebug Designs)

* Stamps - Spooky Treats, Tricks & Treats and dies (both retired)

* Ink - Gorgeous Grape

* Adhesive and dimensionals

NOTE - Focal panel card stock is cut at 4 1/4” x 3”, the patterned paper layer is cut at 4” x 2 3/4”.

FALL FLOATING GATE FOLD CARD

INSIDE

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Crushed Curry, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps- Nuts About Squirrels, Banner Year (both retired). Peeking Yorkie  an d dies (Catherine Pooler)

* Dies - 3 1/2” circle die, 3 1/4” circle die (Spellbinders)

* Punches - 1 1/2” circle, 1 3/4” circle(retired)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Balmy Blue,Early Esspresso; Stampin’ Blends - Crumb Cake, Petal Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Timid Tiger, Daffodil Delight, Darling Duckling, Poppy Parade

* Blending Brush - use to put a bit of Balmy Blue for Sky on focal panel 

* Adhesive, Foam Tape (Scrapbook.com)

NOTE - I used the 3 1/2” and 3 1/4” circle dies to create the base for the focal panel.

CHRISTMAS FLOATING GATE FOLD CARD

INSIDE

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Real Red, Basic White, Granny Apple Green

* Patterned Paper - Real Red (retired), Candy Cane Lane (Doodlebug Designs)

* Stamps - Pocket Full of Sunshine, Brightest Glow (both retired), Snowmen Peekers and dies ( Pink and Main)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Real Red; Stampin’ Blends - Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty In Pink; Glimmer Brush - clear (Scrapbook.com)

* Dies - Pocket Framelits (retired), Holly and Berries (unknown), Layering Ovals - 2 3/4” and 2 1/2” (retired)

* Adhesive, Foam Tape (Scrapbook.com)

NOTE - My focal panel is build around a pocket shape die cut. The die is no longer available, but there are several available through various companies such as Pink and Main, Papertrey Inks, Lisa Horton,  Taylored Expressions, etc. The jean pocket shape is easy to create with just a paper cutter and a ruler. The instructions are below.

CREATING THE POCKET WITHOUT A DIE

WHAT TO DO

* Cut cardstock 3” x 2 1/2”

* Along the bottom of the cardstock (the 2 1/2” side) mark the midpoint (1 1/4”)

* At the bottom left measure up 3/4” and mark. Do the same on the right side. 

* place piece in paper trimmer line up midpoint and one of the 3/4” mark in cutting trough and cut. Do the same on the other side. 

* Use a fine tip black marker (or any color)to add stitching. 

VIDEO CARD

HANUKKAH FLOATING GATE FOLD CARD

INSIDE

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Azure Afternoon, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - DIY

* Stamps - Celebrate the Miracle (retired), Kibitzing Sampler (Paper Smooches - retired)

* Inks - Azure Afternoon, Balmy News, Crushed Curry

* Dies - 3 1/4” circle die (Spellbinders), 3” circle die Stylish Shapes

* Punches - 1 3/8” circle, 1 3/4” circle 

* Embellishments - Gold Pearls (retired)

* Adhesive and Foam Tape (Scrapbook.com)

FLOATING GATE FOLD CARDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The Floating Gate Fold Card is a truly fun, fun fold card! The card takes just a little bit longer to make than other cards, but it is worth the extra time. I hope you give this fun fold card a try!

This wraps up the first week of Stamp Happy Holidays for 2025! Thank you so much for joining me. I’ll be back next week with another Holiday project! Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

THREE EASY EASEL CARDS - FAST & FUN!

Hi Stampers!

Have you ever made an easel card? What is an easel card? Basically, it is a top fold card base with a score line across the center of the card front.  Inside the card there is a “stopper” made from stacked cardstock strips or other items. The card front can be pushed up past the stopper, and can be displayed as an easel. 

Today we’ll look at three versions of an easel card. The card base is identical for two versions, the dimensions for the third are different, but the process is the same. Let’s take a look at the sample cards:

VIDEO

THREE EASY EASEL CARDS - FAST & FUN

NOTE: I encourage you to use the supplies you have on hand to create your own versions of the sample cards. I use mostly Stampin’ Up! products. Some items are retired and noted as such. Products from other companies are noted as such.

FULL PANEL EASEL CARD

(FRONT)

(STANDING)

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - cardstock cut at 11” x 4 1/4” score at 2 3/4” and 5 1/2”

* Front Panel - Cardstock same color as card base cut at 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”

* Inside Panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Layer for Front Panel - patterned paper or cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Stopper - cardstock or patterned paper strips, 3 cut at 1/8” x 4” adhere together in stack- can use 1/4” x 4” strips as well, can also use a 4” piece of ribbon, somewhat flat embellishments, etc

* Items to Finish Card - stamps, inks, die cuts, embellishments, adhesive, etc.

WHAT TO DO

* Fold cardbase on score lines, both folds are mountain folds

* Adhere inside panel to inside card

* With card front folded decide where to place inside greeting - toward bottom of card - stamp greeting

* Create stopper and place on inside panel

* Decorate front panel, place adhesive on bottom half of card base, and line up card front and adhere to card front.

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock- Pretty In Pink, Basic White, Basic Black, Polished Pink (retired)

* Patterned Paper cut- (retired) - I took the top right corner of the paper and diagonally folded it down. 

* Stamps - Simply Said, Heartfelt Hello (retired)

* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento)

* Dies - The Three Flamingos (Pink and Main), Stylish Shapes 

* Stopper - Pretty In Pink Bordered Ribbon (retired)

* Adhesive, double sided tape, dimensionals

HALF PANEL EASEL CARD

(FRONT)

(STANDING)

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - cut cardstock at 11” x 4 1/4” score at 2 3/4” and 5 1/2”

* Patterned Paper cut- cut at 5 1/4” x 4” then cut in two pieces

* Inside Panel (optional) - cut cardstock at 5 1/4” x 4” cut this piece along the 5 1/4” side at 2 5/8”

* Die Cut Base for Focal Image (optional) - can be a circle, square, anything you like - you can also put the focal image and / or greeting directly on the card front.

* Stopper - see items listed for full panel card

* Supplies to Finish Card - Stamps, inks, dies, adhesives, etc

WHAT TO DO

* Fold cardbase on score lines, both are mountain folds.

* Adhere patterned paper to each section of the card base

* Prepare inside panel if using.

* Fold card front to see where to place greeting, and add it to card

* Assemble (if needed) stopper, adhere stopper in place

* Assemble focal panel for front of card.

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Basic White, Basic Black, Pretty In Pink, Pear Pizzazz (retired), Polished Pink (retired)

* Patterned Paper (retired)

* Stamps - Rhino Ready (retired)

* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento)

* Dies - The Three Flamingos (Pink and Main), Mini Birthday (Moonstone)

* Adhesive, dimensionals

CHRISTMAS VERSION - HALF PANEL EASEL CARD

(STANDING)

For this week’s Christmas card I chose a half panel easel card.

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Lost Lagoon, Holly Express Pattern Collection (Scrapbook.com), Basic White

* Patterned Paper cut- Holly Express Patterned Collection (Scrapbook.com)

* Stamps - Santa & Reindeer & die (Crafter’s Companion). North Pole (Scrapbook.com)

* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Stampin’ Blends - Real Red, Shaded Spruce, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Petal Pink, Bubble Bath, Ivory, Wild Wheat (retired)

* Embellishments - Shimmer Star Foam Stickers

* Adhesive, dimensionals

MINI SQUARE EASEL CARD

(FRONT)

(STANDING)

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - cut cardstock at 8 1/2” x 4 1/4” score along 8 1/2” side at 2 1/8” and 4 1/4”

* Front Panel - cut cardstock at 4 1/4” x 4 1/4”

* Layer for Front Panel - cut patterned paper or cardstock at 4” x 4” 

* Inside Panel (optional) - cut white or light colored cardstock at 4’ x 4”

* Stopper - element of your choice

* Stamps, inks, die cuts, embellishments, adhesives, etc.

WHAT TO DO

* Follow instruction for the full panel easel card. This card is a smaller and square version of the original!

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Highland Heather

* Patterned Paper - Simple Vintage Flower Shoppe (Simple Stories)

* Stamps - Four Season Floral, Stylized Birthday, (both retired) Round We Go

* Ink - Highland Heather

* Embellishments - Thistle Rhinestones (Trinity Stamps)

* Adhesive

EASY EASEL CARDS

There you gave it, three different ways to make an easel card. There are other options to try as well. For example, you could cut the cardstock at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” and score along the 8 1/2” side at 2 1/8” x 4 1/4”. To add a full panel cut the cardstock at 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”, measurements for the inside panel will be the same. Of course, you can make the square mini easel card any size you like as long as it’s square. Use the full panel or don’t. It’s up to you. Once you get the hang of easel cards you will find there are countless options and ways to make every easel card your very own special creation.

That is all for today! Be sure to check in next week when I begin my Stamp Happy Holidays series for 2025! This series will run through mid December, featuring cards and projects totally adaptable for autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s - whatever you celebrate! 

Until next time . . . 

Stamp Happy!

Kim

STAND ALONE FUN FOLD THAT IS SUPER EASY TO CREATE

Hi Stampers!

Today we will take a look at the Stand Alone Fun Fold Card. Some call this fold an inverted gate fold. Okay, I sort of see the reasoning for that name, but I prefer the stand alone fun fold moniker, because I feel it is a better description of the card. It truly stand up lol on its own making it perfect to display on a shelf or table. I like this fun fold, because it is easy to make, can be created in portrait or landscape orientation, uses scraps of patterned papers or cardstock, and it fits in an A-2 size envelope. Let’s take a look at the sample cards:

VIDEO

STAND ALONE FUN FOLD THAT IS SUPER EASY TO CREATE

WHAT YOU NEED

STAND ALONE CARD - PORTRAIT

* Card Base - Cut cardstock at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” score on 8 1/2” side at 2” and 3 1/8” on each side,  or 2”, 

3 1/8”, 5 3/8”, and  6 1/2”

* Front Panels - cut 2 at 1 3/4” x 5 1/4” ; for center panel cut 1 at 2” x 5 1/4” (can be patterned paper or other Cardstock)

* Back Panel - cut 1 at 2” x 5 1/4” (white or light colored cardstock)

* Optional - cut 2 more pieces of patterned paper or cardstock at 1 3/4” x 51/4” to place on back side of side panels

* Stamps, dies, inks, adhesives, embellishments to finish the card

STAND ALONE CARD - LANDSCAPE

* Card Base -  Cut cardstock at 11’ x 4 1/4”. Score on 11” side at 2 3/4” and 4 1/8” on each side, or 

2 3/4”, 4 1/8”, 6 7/8”, 8 1/4”.

* Front Panels -  cut 3 at 4” x 2 1/2” (use patterned paper or cardstock)

* Back Panel - cut 1 at 4” x 2 1/2” using white or light colored cardstock 

* Optional - cut 2 panels at 4” x 2 1/2” from patterned paper or cardstock for back side of side panels

* Stamps, dies, inks, adhesives, embellishments to finish the card

 NOTE - Most of my supplies come from Stampin’ Up!®️. Many are no longer available and are noted as such. Supplies from other sources are listed as such. I encourage you to create your own versions of these cards using items you already have in your stash. 

THE CARDS

(PORTRAIT VERSIONS)

THANKS SO MUCH CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Coastal Cabana, Petal Pink, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - Whale of a Time (retired)

* Stamps - Ocean Friends & dies (retired)

* Inks - Calypso Coral, Cajun Craze, Granny AppleGreen

* Adhesive, Dimensionals

* Embellishments -random dots (?)

GLADYS’ BIRTHDAY GREETING

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Shaded Spruce, Basic White, Basic Black, Pretty In Pink, Bubble Bath, Lemon Lolly

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps - Round We Go

* Dies - Gladys (Tom Holtz / Sizzix)

* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento)

* Adhesive, Dimensionals

* Embellishments - random dots (?)

THE CARDS

(LANDSCAPE VERSIONS)

HELLO TURTLES

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Azure Afternoon, Pool Party, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - Whale of a Time (retired)

* Stamps - Sea Turtle, Four You, For You (all retired)

* Inks - Pool Party, Granny Apple Green, Azure Afternoon; Clear Glitter Brush (Scrapbook.com)

* Embellishments - same random embellishments (?)

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

HIBISCUS CELEBRATION

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Crushed Curry, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps - Timeless Tropical & dies, Round We Go (both retired)

* Inks - Strawberry Slush; Stampin’ Blends - Strawberry Slush, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight

* Embellishments -random (?)

* Dies - Stylish Shapes

* Adhesive and dimensionals

SNOWMAN CHRISTMAS

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Cloud Cover, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - Candy Cane Lane (Doodlebug Design Inc.)

* Stamps - Snowmen Peakers & dies (Pink & Main), Itty Bitty Christmas (retired)

* Inks - Cloud Cover; Stampin’ Blends - Timid Tiger, Bubble Bath, Cloud Cover, Pool Party, Seaside Spray (retired), Color Lifter; Stampin’ Write Marker - Basic Black

* Embellishments - Candied Snow Sequin Mix (Picket Fences)

VIDEO CARDS

MERMAID 

(Portrait)

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Basic White; Jewels Smooth Cardstock (Scrapbook.com)

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps - Mesmerizing Mermaid & die,  Best Fishes (both from Crafter’s Companion)

* Ink - Night of Navy; Stampin’ Blends - Timid Tiger, Strawberry Slush, Summer Splash, Pool Party, Petal Pink, Gray Granite, Crumb Cake

* Punches - Circles 1 3/4” and 2” 

* Adhesive, dimensionals

NOTE - Measurements for the patterned paper strips:

Cut 2 at  1 1/2” x 5” and cut one at 1 3/4” x 5”

SAIL BOAT - LANDSCAPE

(Landscape)

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Timid Tiger, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps - Let’s Set Sail, Best Day (both retired)

* Inks -Timid Tiger, Night of Navy, Summer Splash, Poppy Parade

* Adhesive, foam tape

STAND ALONE FUN FOLD CARDS

I enjoy creating cards using this fun fold. My cards tend to be bright, sometimes a bit whimsical, but once in a while I make a card that is a little fancy. This fun fold is perfect for whimsical, elegant, simple or elaborate styles. (Most card folds are.) It is the perfect card for display, you can use up some paper scraps, use your wonderful die cut images, or stamp an image on the main panel - so many options! To top it all off - it fits perfectly inside a regular A-2 size envelope! Why not give this fun fold a try? I am sure your cards will be gorgeous!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim