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