ADD A LITTLE SPRING TO YOUR CARDS - IT’S EASY!

Hi Stampers!

Do you ever want to add a little more dimension to your cards, but you don’t want it to add to the cost of postage. Would you like to add a little something inside, but don’t want the hassle of a pop up element? Why not try a spring? They are easy to create and you have the supplies needed sitting right in your craft space. Let’s look at the sample cards:

VIDEO

CREATING THE SPRING

This is a basic pattern for the dimensional spring. The width of the cardstock can vary depending on the size of the image or greeting. 1/2” -3/4” is a good starting point. The spring can be cut into two or three springs. 

You will need

  * Cardstock - any color will work. Use scraps pieces.

  * Paper trimmer 

  * Scoreboard or trimmer with scoring blade

What To Do

  * For a basic spring cut a strip of cardstock 3 1/2” - 3 3/4” long x 1/2” wide (or any width you like). 

     If the cardstock is 3 1/2” long the glue tab will partially cover the under side of the first section of the 

     spring. If it is 3 3/4” long the glue tab will cover the entire under side of the first section of the spring.

  * Score as shown in the diagram above.

  * Fold as shown in diagram

  * Apply glue to top of end piece and slide this tab under first section of spring

  * If the spring is too wide, cut it in half - cut across folds.

  * Glue the spring to the image or greeting, then adhere to the card.

FORMULA FOR CUSTOMIZING SPRINGS

It is easy to customize the spring by using the formula  - section width x 5. and score the halfway point of the second and fourth sections. Here is an example:

* Section Length = 1/2”

* Length of cardstock - 1/2” x 5 = 2 1/2” 

* Width - your choice - let’s make it 1/2” too 

* Cardstock will be 2 1/2” x 1/2”

* Score every 1/2” (1/2”, 1”, 1 1/2” and 2”)

* Now score at the halfway point of the second and fourth sections - half of 1/2 is 1/4 so the halfway point between 1/2” and 1” is 3/4”. Move on to the section between 1 1/2”and 2”. Moving over 1/4” from 1 1/2 puts the score line at 1 3/4”.

* Fold as shown in diagram above - the M V M M V M pattern.

NOTE 

* I understand the spring construction and customizing the size might seem confusing and overwhelming. Watch the corresponding video. Make one. Make another one. You will get the hang of it. After you make a few customizing the size will make sense.  

* As for the glue tab - some people prefer it be shorter than the first tab, for various reason - to easily identify the first tab (far left) section from the glue tab, some feel it adds less bulk and makes the spring easier to manipulate late.  To me, it makes no difference. I gave you both options so you can decide for yourself.  Either way you will get the same result. 

FOR THE CARD

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - A-2 size- 8 1/2’ x  5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Mats & Panels for Portrait card 

   Larger one - Cardstock for mat - 4 3/4” x 2 1/2” Patterned Paper - 4 1/2” x 2 1/4”

   Smaller one - Cardstock for mat - 4 1/4” x 2 1/4”

* Mats & Panels for Landscape Card

   Larger one - Cardstock for mat - 3 3/4” x 2 1/2”. Patterned Paper - 3 1/2” x 2 1/4”

   Smaller one - Cardstock for mat - 3 1/4”x 2”  Patterned Paper - 3”x 1 3/4”

* Cardstock for greeting and images

* Spring (s)

* Inside panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”(optional)

*Stamps, dies, inks, markers, adhesives, etc

WHAT TO DO

* Adhere patterned papers to mats. 

* Adhere larger matted panel to left side of card base centering between the top and bottom. 

* Adhere smaller matted panel with its left side about the center of the card. It will overlap the other matted panel a bit. 

* Adhere the “spring(s)” to the back side of the focal image and / or the greeting and adhere to card

* Stamps inside of card or stamp inside panel and adhere to inside.

* Add spring to image for inside the card and adhere in place.

SPRINGY SANTA

PORTRAIT VERSION

The springs give the image and greeting a lot of dimension without a lot of bulk. Simply push down on the image and greeting and the card will slide right into an A-2 size envelope. I used one spring on the image and two on the greeting.

LANDSCAPE VERSION

INSIDE - SPRINGY SANTA

Using a spring to an image inside a card is a twist on a pop up image. The spring give the image dimension like a pop up image, but it adds virtually no bulk.

POLAR BEAR HOLIDAY

PORTRAIT VERSION

The greeting and bear image each have one spring adhered to them. There is a mini glue dot holding the bear’s ear to the greeting.

LANDSCAPE VERSION

I put s bit of glue along the bottom of the bear image to attach it to the greeting. This “grounded” my bear and kept it from looking like it was hanging in space.

VIDEO CARDS

PORTRAIT VERSION

INSIDE - SNOW GIRL ON SPRING

LANDSCAPE VERSION

INSIDE - SNOW GIRL ON SPRING

These cards were created using  SNOW MUCH FUN stamps, dies, and patterned paper from Doodlebug Designs. All other supplies are from Stampin’ Up!

SNOW MUCH FUN PAPER

SNOW MUCH FUN BUNDLE

TODAY’S CARDS

So there you have it, an easy, lightweight, and thrifty way to add dimension to the inside or outside of your cards.  The springs are a good alternative to a pop up when you just want to add a little something extra to your card. 

That’s all for today! Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

TWO OPTIONS SAME - RESULTS! MAKE THIS FUN FOLD YOUR WAY!

Hi Stampers!

Today we’ll look at an easy fun fold, but it is a fun fold with options. Make one cut and create two card bases or change the size of the cardstock, do a bit of trimming, and you will have one card base. Either method produces identical card bases. Three to four panels are needed for each card - you decide. The panels can be cut from patterned paper or cardstock.  The panels need to be trimmed to create a diagonal edges, and of course there are different ways to accomplish that. As usual this fun fold has more than one name. I call it a Diagonal Z Fold. Others call it a Diagonal Tri-fold.  Let’s take a peek at the sample cards:

VIDEO

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - For 2 card bases use one 8 1/2’ x 11” sheet of cardstock. For 1 card base use use a piece of cardstock cut at 5 1/2” x 11”

* Panels - Patterned paper - three pieces, can mix and match however you like. Cut them as follows:

Panel 1 cut paper at 3 1/2” long x 2 3/4” wide

Panel 2 cut paper at 4 1/4” long x 3 1/2” wide

Panel 3 cut paper at 5 1/4” long x 4 1/4” wide

* Inside Panel - (optional) cut white or light colored cardstock at 4 1/4” long x 3 1/2” wide.

* Bone folder, ruler, pencil, scissors or paper trimmer

* Stamps, ink, adhesive, embellishments, etc.

WHAT TO DO

* Prepare card base(s)

   For 2 card bases 

   - Use an11” x 8 1/2” piece of cardstock in landscape orientation

   - On left hand side measure 3” up from the bottom and mark

   - On right hand side measure 3” down and mark

   - Place in paper trimmer, line up the marks in the cutting tray, and cut

   - Two card bases are ready for scoring

  For 1 card base

    - Use a piece of cardstock cut at 5 1/2” x 11” in landscape orientation

    - On left hand side measure 3” up from the bottom and mark

    -  Place paper in trimmer, line up mark an top right corner in cutting tray, and cut

    - One card base is ready for scoring

* Score card base (s)- see instructions below

* Fold- 4 1/4 score line is a valley fold, the 8” score line is a mountain fold

* Use bone folder and go over folds to create crisp folds.

* Cut diagonal side on panels

    - Line up smallest panel on front flap, center it with about 1/8” border on left and right side

    - Push panel up so there is a 1/4” border at the bottom, hold in place and flip to draw a diagonal line using the top of the card for a pattern, then cut on line with scissors or paper trimmer, or once lined up, hold in place and cut along card top with scissors. Repeat this process with the remaining panels, including inside panel if using.

* Add images, greeting, and embellishments to finish card

MAKE TWO CARD BASES WITH ONE CUT

Both card bases below were created using one 8 1/2” x 11” sheet of white cardstock. 

SPOOKY BOO!

( Patterned Paper - Scrapbook.com, Ghost Die - Catherine Pooler; All other supplies - Stampin’Up!)

CANDY CORN TREAT

(Patterned Paper  - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

The following card bases were created using one 8 1/2” x 11” sheet of dark red cardstock.

DECK THE HALLS

( Patterned Paper - Bo Bunny; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

WARM & COZY

(

(Patterned Paper - green - Scrapbook.com; Embellishments - Simple Stories; All other - Stampin’ Up!)

MAKE THE CARD BASE ONE AT A TIME

HELLO AUTUMN

(Hello Die, Patterned Paper - scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

FALL HELLO

(Hello Die, Patterned Paper - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies- Stampin’ Up!)

VIDEO CARDS

ONE CARD BASE CARD

JOY CARD

(Patterned Paper - Scrapbook.com; Embellishments - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TWO CARD BASES FOR TWO CARDS

These two card bases were created in the video from an 8 1/2” x 11” piece of cardstock. I added the patterned paper and all after the video.

HOLIDAY CHEER

(Embellishments - Simple Stories;  Greeting - Waffle Flower; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

HOLIDAY CARD

(Snowman image - Doodlebug Design; Greeting - Waffle Flower; All other - Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

I think it is great when we have options! It is great there is more than one way to create today’s card base, but the methods produce the exact same card base, not a similar one, but the exact card base! It is good there are different ways to make the diagonal cut on the panels. I feel the options that come with this card design allow more people to successfully create the card - the exact card, not a card with a similar look! That is a big plus for this design.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time …

Stamp Happy!

Kim

THE “FUN FOLD” CARD THAT BOGGLED MY MIND

Hi Stampers!

Have you ever come across a card fold that makes you ask, why did they do it like that?  It hasn’t happened to me often, but there is one fun fold that truly boggles my mind. That fun fold has several names; Quick Fun Fold, Easiest Fun Fold, Minute Fun Fold, etc. Let’s call it the Fast Fun Fold. I like alliterations. Every time I see the Fast Fun Fold I think, “Why?” Now, don’t get me wrong, the results are lovely. It always seemed to me there is an easier way. And, yes, there is an easier way to get the same look. So today I thought we’d look at two ways to get the same (or nearly the same) results, and I’ll share the pros and cons of each. Let’s look at the sample cards:

THE ORIGINAL VERSION

FAST FUN FOLD (MY WAY)

As you can see, the card has a partial front. The original version achieves this with a score line and a folded flap that is glued down. That is what boggled my mind! Why score, fold and glue down, when trimming off 1 1/4” from the right side of the card front give the same look?  Honestly, this card is a great example of why I enjoy card making. We can create cards our own way, and do what works for us as individual card making. 

VIDEO

WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock - for card base one piece cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” plus cardstock needed for greeting, images, etc

* Patterned Paper - Pattern 1 cut one at 5 1/4” x 1” and another at 5 1/4” x 1 5/8” 

                                Pattern 2 cut one piece at 5 1/4” x 1”

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

* Other - stamps, inks, dies, markers, adhesive, embellishments, and other items needed to finish card.

WHAT TO DO

* Score card base at 4 1/4” along 8 1/2” side, then score at 1 1/4”  or cut at 1 1/4”.

* Fold along the 4 1/4” score line and go over with a bone folder

* If you chose to score the cardstock at 1 1/4”fold the flap toward the left and adhere the flap to the card base. 

* Adhere the piece of pattern 2 paper on the  adhered flap or along the right side of the card front. Leave an equal border on all sides.

* Adhere the narrowest piece of patterned paper to the far right of the card front- the right hand side of inside the card.

* Adhere the remaining piece of patterned paper to the left side of the card, leaving an even border on all sides.‎

* Add greeting and any images you like.

* Stamp greeting on inside panel.

CUTTING / SCORING & ASSEMBLY

Fold the card base on the 4 1/4” score line, go over the fold with your bone folder.

With the 1 1/4” score line to the right, fold it back (toward the left). Go over the fold with the bone folder.

Open the fold and but glue on the back of the folded piece. 

Press the flap down to adhere to front of card, and the card base is completed.

Time to add the patterned papers and the inside panel.

The first panel is one of the 5 1/4” x 1” pieces. It goes on the glued down flap. Leave a border on all 4 sides of the patterned paper.

Place the other 5 1/4” x 1” pieces to the right of the center strip. It actually is adhered to the inside part of the card. Add the 5 1/4’ x 1 5/8” pieces to the left side of the card front.

Stamp a greeting on the inside panel or leave it blank. Adhere it to the inside of the card toward the left.

An alternative to the card base above is to score the card base at 4 1/4 as usual, then cut 1 1/4” from one end along the 8 1/2” side. Decorate as above.

Add a greeting, images, embellishments, etc to finish the card.

WHICH IS WHICH?

Can you tell which card is the original version and which one is my version?

MERRY SNOWMAN

(Patterned paper - Simple Stories; Greeting - Waffle Flower; Snowman -Pink & Main; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

COZY SNOWMAN

(LANDSCAPE)

(Patterned paper, multicolor - Scrapbook.com; Patterned Paper, pink with dots - Simple Stories; Greeting- Waffle Flower; Snowman - Pink & Main; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

BIRDS IN WINTER

(Patterned paper - Scrapbook.com; Greeting - Waffle Flower; Embellishments- Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

BIRTHDAY FLORALS

(Patterned papers - Scrap ok.com; Greeting - Waffle Flower; Embellishments - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

*(The original card fold samples are all on the left. My versions are on the right.)*

THE ORIGINAL VERSION

PROS OF THE FAST FUN FOLD

1.  Super easy to create

2.  Uses the entire card base, no scraps

3. The fold leaves a nice clean finished edge.

4. It is possible to use some larger scraps for the pieces of patterned paper panels.

CONS

1. The card requires a score line a fold and gluing down the card (extra steps).

2. The fold leaves a bit of a bump in the center of the card, if items on dimensionals or certain embellishments are placed on that fold, it could be an issue for mailing.

3. The landscape version does not stand up on its own. *

FAST FUN FOLD - MY VERSION

My version of this Fast Fun Fold card is not actually a fun fold card. It is more like a fun cut card or a partial front card.

PROS

1. It is a very easy card to create

2. Requires fewer steps than the original.

3. The 1 1/4” strip cut from the card base can be used to match a greeting or for another project.

4. It is lighter than the original, no need to be concerned about additional postage - unless you heavily embellish it.

5. It is possible to use some larger scraps of patterned paper for the panels.

CONS

1. The cut edge looks nice, but does not have the same finished look as the folded option.

2. This version does leave a scrap of cardstock that measures 1 1/4” x 5 1/2”.

3. The landscape version does not stand up on its own. *

* I have seen a solution for this issue. One card maker simply added a piece of acetate to extend the card front and allow it to stand, but keep the look. I think it would be easy to turn the landscape version into a gift card holder by adding a pocket to the inside. My own personal solution is to just not make it a landscape card. 😁

VIDEO CARD

TIMID TIGER CARDSTOCK

BASIC WHITE CARDSTOCK

EARLY ESPRESSO INK

SWEET BOO PAPER PAD

FAITH STAMP

FAITH DIES

ENAMEL DOTS

How do you feel about this card fold? Which version do you prefer?  I think either one looks great. This is what I enjoy about card making, there is no one way. Finding another way to create a card can lead to other discoveries and new card ideas. 

 

That’s all for today. Until next time. . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim