AN IMPRESSIVE CARD FOLD THAT’S LOTS OF FUN & EASY TO CREATE

Hi Stampers!

Last week my card layout featured a gate fold card. This week the card layout is identical to last week’s, but the inside of today’s card is totally different! Today’s card is one of my favorite fun folds. It is one that always impresses the recipient no matter how many times they have seen the fold. Today we’ll build on the gate fold by adding a mechanism inside. This turns the gate fold card into a shutter card. Let’s take a look at the sample cards:

I absolutely love this fun fold. I promise, it is easy to create. The inner workings of the card require several steps, but none of the steps are difficult. After you create one or two of the cards a lot of the steps will just come naturally. In the “What To Do”section, I have tried to include as many tips I could think of, and I covered some in the video. So let’s give this a try! I promise it is worth it.

VIDEO

LAYOUT # 2613

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WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock

- card base cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” score at 2 1/8” and 6 3/8” on 8 1/2” side (or 2 1/8” on each end)

- inside panel - cut at 3” x 5 1/2”

- mechanism - cut 2 at 4” x 3 1/2” score along 4” side at 3 1/2”

- one piece of white or light colored cardstock at 2 3/4” square

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

- cardstock for focal panel , focal image, etc.

* Patterned Paper

- front panels - cut 2 at 5 1/4” x 1 7/8”

- inside panel cut at 5 1/4” x 2 3/4”

* Die or punch for window - diameter or width about 2 1/2” (I used 2 1/2” and 2 5/8” circle dies)

* Dimensionals or foam tape

* Strong adhesive for mechanism tabs - tear n tape, red tape, Stampin’ Seal +, etc. Liquid glue will work just give it a little time to dry before opening and closing the card

* Tools - ruler, pencil, scissors

* Stamps, inks, embellishments, and other supplies needed to finish your card.

WHAT TO DO

* Cut and score cardstock, cut patterned paper, cut or die cut pieces for focal piece.

* Construct the mechanism pieces - find the center point of the pieces

  1. Place one of the mechanism in the trimmer with the 4” side at the top and the score line to the left, move it to the 2” mark. Close the trimmer arm, place the pencil in the cutting slot and make a mark and inch or so long somewhere close to the middle.

  2.Turn the cardstock so the 3 1/2” side is at the top of the trimmer with the score line at the top. Slide the cardstock over to the 1 3/4” mark, close the arm, and mark with a pencil as for the 4” side - where the two lines meet is the center point.

  3. Using the scored side of the piece as the top, use a ruler to draw a diagonal line from the center point to the bottom left corner and another line from the center point to the lower right corner.

  4. Use scissors and cut along the lines to remove a wedge from the piece.

  5. Repeat the process for the second piece or simply use the constructed one as a template and trace the area to cut out, then use the scissors and remove the wedge. 

  6. Blunt the points - just cut the pointed tips of the pieces. I put one on top of the other and cut both at the same time. Just snip off a 1/4” or so. This helps the mechanism move more smoothly. 

* Adhere the two patterned paper panels to the front of the card.

* Adhere the patterned paper to the 3” x 5 1/2”panel, use circle die to cut window centered top to bottom as best you can. You can save the die cut for another project. 

     NOTE -If you are using a circle punch, first make a template by punching the shape from a piece of scrap cardstock. Position the template on the panel where you want your window. Trace around the template. Line the punch up with the template and punch. 

*  Place dimensionals or foam tape along the top and bottom edges of the panel. Remove the backing from the dimensionals along the top only.

* Center the inside panel and adhere only at the top.

* Adhere the mechanism pieces. 

   1. Use the side of the pieces that have no pencil marks - just flip them over. Fold the score line, reenforce with a bone folder, then lie flat and place the strong adhesive on the flap. 

   2. Slip the piece under the inside panel, keep the tab flat with adhesive side up, place it along the edge of the score line for the card front. Be sure the mechanism is lined up with the window, and close the card front flap to adhere the mechanism to the card.

3. Repeat for other side, making certain the two mechanism pieces are evenly lined up.

* Create the center image or greeting by moving the 2 3/4” square of cardstock up under the center panel and the shutter mechanisms. The card should be open. Move the cardstock up enough so it completely fills the space. The image and / of greeting can be stamped at this point, but if that feels uncomfortable, use a pencil to outline the area where you can stamp, remove the cardstock and do the stamping. 

  NOTE - the area for stamping is a diamond shape approximately 2” tall x 2 1/4” wide at the points. Smaller stamps and greetings work best.

* Once the 2 3/4” piece is stamped, place regular adhesive on the back. Carefully move it under the inside panel and the shutter pieces. Once you have it where it belongs, press down to adhere. 

* Remove the backings from the bottom of the inside panel and adhere to the card. 

* Close the card and open to be certain the mechanism is working properly. 

* Create the focal image for the outside of the card. When adhering, be sure to put the adhesive only on the back of the left side of the focal piece, so as not to glue the card together.

* If using the panel for the back of the card, stamp the greeting and / or images on it, then adhere centered to the back of the card. 

BUTTERFLY SURPRISE

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OPTIONAL BACK PANEL

(Birthday die - Moonstone Dies by Hunky Dory; Embellishments - Simple Stories; 

All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

LEMON TEA CUP

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I used no back panel for this card as I put a sentiment inside the card, and the patterned paper is light enough in color I can use the bottom area to write a short message and sign my name.

(Sentiment - Pink and Main, All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

WATERMELON THANK YOU

I liked the two patterned papers for this card. This card, like gatefolds are great for showcasing two different patterned papers!

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BACK PANEL

Oops! I managed to get some red ink where I did not want it! I’ll figure out something to do about that.😉

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!”)

HIPPO DANCE

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I used two colors of cardstock to create this card, and I added frames to the front and inside focal panels. 

BACK PANEL

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

ONE MORE CARD

Can patterned paper be used to create the shutter mechanisms? I believe so. For this card I used lightweight cardstock which is just barely heavier than my patterned paper, but not as heavy as my cardstock. Light weight cardstock can be used just like patterned paper. For this card I used it like cardstock for the inside panel and the shutter mechanisms. It works great and looks great!

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BACK PANEL

(Checked papers - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

VIDEO CARDS

FATHER’S DAY FISHIN’

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BACK OF CARD

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

 I HERD BIRTHDAY

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BACK PANEL

(Happy Birthday - Scrapbooking.com; Cow stamp & die - Sunny Studio; Checkered paper- Pink & Main; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

So what do you think? Have you made one of these cards before? I know there are a lot of steps, but as I mentioned earlier, once you create one or two, things will go more quickly and you will learn some short cuts, like making the template for the shutter mechanisms. Make it once and use it multiple times. This is one of those cards that everyone loves, especially kids. It is refreshing that in this high tech world, a very low tech greeting card amazes everyone! 

Thank you so much for stopping by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim