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

IN A CARD MAKING RUT? GIVE THIS A TRY!

Hi Stampers!

Have you ever found yourself in a card making rut? You pull out cardstock, ink, stamps, and maybe a bit of patterned paper. You create the card base, stamp, maybe even do a bit of die cutting, put it all together, and call it good. The card looks nice, but you feel it looks just like the last ten cards you’ve made. What to do? What to do? We are going to answer that question today, and it all begins with the cards. Let’s take a look:

VIDEO

CHANGING THINGS UP

When it comes to card making we all have our comfort zones, but sometimes the comfort zone starts feeling boring. Not to worry. It is easy to put some zip and zing back into your cards. Here are a few things I do when I feel I am in a rut.

1. Use the supplies I have on hand in a different way, or a way I’ve not used in a while.

2. Add metallics - spatter some gold, mat a greeting with metallic cardstock, add a strip of gold or silver glimmer paper, use metallic embellishments, etc.  (I sometimes forget about my metallic supplies.)

3. Use something new with something you have had for a while. Most of us have more supplies than we need, but a new stamp or die set, a new embellishment, or a new ink color can jazz things up a bit. The new item might remind you of something you have, but have not used in a while. 

4. Try a new to you technique. Trying something new gives you a fresh perspective, and energizes your creativity.

5. Get out those embossing pastes (and similar products). Yes, they can be messy and you need to have a plan for clean up, but it is so worth it. 

6. Clean your crafting space.  As you go through drawers or bins, or clean off a shelf, you just might run across a supply you forgot you had! And you just might find that card making rut is long gone.

USE YOUR GO TO SUPPLIES IN A DIFFERENT WAY

Embossing folders are an easy way to add texture and dimension to any card. I use them often, but rarely do I add to the embossed panel. I tried something different with this embossed panel. Instead of embossing on plain cardstock I embossed an ink blended panel. After embossing I used a sponge dauber and a bit of brown ink to lightly go over each leaf.  Next I used a glitter brush (clear) to highlight areas of the leaves and add a bit of shine.

(Supplies - Glitter Brush - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies Stampin’ Up!)

GLITTER BRUSH

ADD METALLICS

(Supplies - Hello dies - Scrapbook.com; Gold spatters - Gansai TAMBI; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

GANSAI TAMBI GOLD WATERCOLORS

SOMETHING NEW & SOMETHING OLD

I have had Distress Oxide inks for two or three years. For some reason I don’t use them much. I bought a great set of leaf dies, and I realized those inks would help me create lovely fall leaves. I love the results!

(Supplies Leaves dies - scrapbook.com; Greeting - Dare 2 B Artz; Blended inks - Tom Holtz/ Ranger; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

LEAVES DIES

TRY A TECHNIQUE YOU SAW DEMONSTRATED

Oh my goodness! How did I not think of this? Just spread glitter glue (Stickles, Pops of Color, etc.) over a stencil! Let it dry, and you have a great background. Trying something new is invigorating!

(Supplies - Stencil -The Crafter’s Workshop; Greeting - Scrapbook.com; Embellishments - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

GLITTER GOLD

TRY A (DIE) CUT AND PASTE

I had these die cut leaves sitting on my table. I almost put them in my leftovers bin, but for some reason I did not. Instead I pulled out a stencil, and right there beside the stencil file sat this prism paste! So, I used it, and I loved the background with the leaves.i was so excited.

(Supplies - Leaves - Scrapbook.com; Prism paste - Sizzix; Greeting - Trinity Stamps; All other supplies -Stampin’ Up!)

PRISM PASTE

TODAY’S CARDS

When you find yourself feeling like you are in a card making rut try mixing things up a bit. Use your supplies in a different way, try a new technique, use supplies you might have forgotten you have, add something new to your stash and pair it with something you have. If you feel you are still in that rut - clean your craft space! I promise you will have a renewed enthusiasm and be out of that rut!

That’s all for today. Until next time …

Stamp Happy!

Kim