EASY TO CREATE GATE FOLD CARDS - SO MANY CHOICES!

Hi Stampers!

Today we are going to take a look at Gate Fold Cards. If you are looking for a versatile card fold, the gate fold card is for you. There are so many variations of this fold out there, and new ones keep coming. I thought it would be worthwhile to go over the “how tos” for basic gate fold cards, and a couple of stepped up gate folds. Let’s take a look at some samples:

VIDEO

EASY TO CREATE GATE FOLD CARDS

GATE FOLD CARDS

These cards are versatile, and that is a big plus, but there are a few characteristics of these cards that might be challenging. Here are some pros and cons:

PROS

* These cards are different from the everyday card, but not too different.

* For many versions the card base measurements are the same as for a regular A-2 card, the scoring is different.

* Many gate fold cards can be created in either portrait or landscape versions.

* Closure choices are many and can really be the WOW for the card. You can see four closure options 

    HERE.

* These cards are great for showing off patterned papers and using scraps!

* White card bases are classic and certainly can be used for these cards, but when it comes to gate fold cards - pull out the colored cardstock! The colors add a lot of zip, especially to the inside of the card.

CONS

* Some versions of gate fold cards require card bases of different dimensions than the normal A-2 size card. This can be challenging if you pre-cut your card bases. 

* Keeping the “gates” closed can be challenging.

* On occasion, the gates do not line up perfectly and there will be a slight (very slight)gap. Some find it frustrating. This can be overcome by scoring and folding the gate (flap) on one side, then folding over the other side to meet it, press down the fold, and go over with bone folder.

* Some of the more elaborate gate folds can be frustrating to create. Making a practice card using printer paper or scraps can help you decide whether or not the card is the right card for you to create at this time. If not, give it a try again in a few months. You might be surprised.

* Some versions are a bit thicker than regular cards, and may require an envelope that is a bit larger.

* Gate fold cards might require additional postage for mailing.

BASIC GATE FOLD CARD 

Portrait Orientation

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card base - cardstock cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” score along the 8 1/2” side at 2 1/8” and 6 3/8” (or 2 1/8” on each end). Fold each end panel toward the center of the card. 

* Layers - Patterned Paper - for front - cut two at 5 1/4” x 1 7/8” (if you’d like another layer cut 2 at 5” x 1 5/8”)

* Inside panel - white or light color cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Focal panel- images / sentiments, etc. - this can be the closure

* Embellishments

* Adhesive

WHAT I USED

* Cardstock - Basic Black, Basic Gray, Basic White, Brushed Silver, Very Vanilla - inside (Stampin’ Up!)

* Patterned papers - (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

* Ink - Tuxedo Black -Memento

* Stamps - Tune In & dies, (Stampin’ Up!) Inside - Free Cake (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

* Embellushments - Stars (Stampin’ Up! - retired) Black Dots - Glistening Night Confetti (Pink & Main)

 BASIC GATE FOLD CARD

Landscape Orientation

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card base- cut cardstock at 11” x 4 1/4” and score along the 11” side at 2 3/4” and 8 1/4” (or 2 3/4” from each end). Fold each end panel toward the center of the card.

* Layers -  patterned paper, cut 2 at 4” x 2 1/2” for the “gates” and 1 piece at 5 1/4” x 4” for the inside

* Inside sentiment panel- white or light color cardstock cut at 4 3/4”x 3 1/2”

* Focal panel - image, sentiment, etc - can be the closure.

* Embellishments

* Adhesive

WHAT I USED

* Cardstock - Daffodil Delight and Basic White (Stampin’ Up!)

* Patterned paper - Surprise Party (Sunny Studios), Rainbow Glitter Paper(Scrapbook.com)

* Ink - Daffodil Delight (Stampin’ Up!)

* Stamp -Confetti Celebration (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

* Sentiment - Birthday Wishes - Word Dies (Scrapbook.com)

* Baker’s Twine

* Adhesive

OFFSET GATE FOLD CARD

Portrait Orientation

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card base - cut cardstock at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” score along 8 1/2” side at 2 3/4” and 7” fold flaps inward toward center of card.

* Layers - cut patterned paper 1 piece at 5 1/4” x 2 1/2” and one piece at 5 1/4” x 1 1/4”

* Inside panel - white or light color cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

 * Focal image and closure of choice.

WHAT I USED

* Card base - Pretty In Pink and Basic White (Stampin’ Up!)

* Patterned Paper - Holiday Patterned Collection (Scrapbook.com)

* Stamps - Holiday Cheer, Essential Sentiments (Waffle Flower)

* Dies - Stylish Shapes (Stampin’ Up!)

* Embellishments - Bordered Ribbon - Pretty In Pink (Stampin’ Up!); gems - Snowscape (Sparkletz)

OFFSET GATE FOLD CARD

Landslide Orientation

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card base- cardstock cut at 11” x 4 1/4” scored along 11” side at 3 1/2” x 9”. Fold panels inward toward center of card.

* Layers - patterned papers cut 1 at 4” x 3 1/4” and cut 1 at 4” x 1 3/4”

* Inside panel - patterned paper - cut at 5 1/4” x 4” and white or light color cardstock cut at  4 3/4” x 3 1/2”

* Embellushments

* Adhesive

WHAT I USED

* Cardstock - Cajun Craze and Basic White (Stampin’ Up!)

* Patterned Papers - (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

* Stamps and matching dies - Bistro Burger and Round We Go (Stampin’ Up!)

* Other dies - Nested Essentials (Stampin’ Up!)

* Embellishments - Opaque Faceted Gems (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

DOUBLE GATE FOLD CARD

Portrait Orientation

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card base - Cardstock cut at 11” x5 1/2” score along 11” side at 1 1/4”, 3 3/8”,  7 5/8”, and 9 3/4”. 

Start at one end and on score lines and fold mountain, valley, valley, mountain. Use bone folders to sharply crease the folds. 

* Inside panel - Patterned paper (mat) cut at 5 1/4” x 4” and white or light color cardstock cut at 4 3/4” x 3 1/2”. Stamp inside sentiment on the cardstock.

* Patterned paper for outside of card - cut 2 from one pattern at 5 1/4” x 1 7/8” . Cut 2 from another pattern at 5 1/4” x 1”.

* Other - cardstock, stamps, inks, embellishments, to complete cards (if ribbon is used cut about 22”.

* Adhesive, glue dot to hold ribbon in place if used.

WHAT I USED

* Cardstock - Boho Blue and Basic White (Stampin’ Up!)

* Patterned paper cut- (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

* Stamps - Moon Baby, Bundled Baby (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

* Ribbon - Boho Blue (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

* Circle Dies - Ever Lasting Circle Dies (Spellbinders)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento); Boho Blue (Stampin’ Up!); Stampin’ Blends (Stampin’ Up!) - Lemon Lolly, Boho Blue, Crumb Cake, Pretty In Pink, Natural Tones #1000

DOUBLE GATE FOLD 

Square card

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card base - cardstock cut at 11” x 4 1/4” score on 11”side as for previous card, at 1 1/4”, 3 3/8”, 7 5/8” and 9 3/4”. Start at one end and fold mountain, valley, valley, and mountain. Go over folds with bone folder.

* Inside panel - patterned paper cut at 4” x 4” and white or light color cardstock cut at 3 1/2” x 3 1/2”

* Patterned papers for front of card - cut 2 at 4” x 1 7/8”; cut 2 more from another patterned paper at 4” x 1”.

* Other supplies needed to complete the cards. (I used 22” of ribbon for my closure).

WHAT I USED

* Cardstock - Gorgeous Grape, Basic White (Stampin’ Up!)

* Patterned papers -  (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

* Stamps - Wisteria Wishes (Stampin’ Up! - retired); Round We Go (Stampin’ Up!)

* Inks - Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grspe, Garden Green (Stampin’ Up!)

* Ribbon - (Stampin’ Up! - retired)

LOTS OF GATE FOLD CARDS

The gate fold card versions I shared today are just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many other gate folds - floating gate folds, reverse gate folds, pop up gate folds, and on and on! Those are cards for another day. Thank you so much for stopping by. Until next time …

Stamp Happy!

Kim

CRITTER CARDS - FUN AND COLORFUL CARDS THAT ARE EASY TO MAKE

 Hi Stampers!

May is winding down, and that means we are approaching the end of the sales period for the Stampin’ Up!®️ January - June 2021 Mini Catalog. Many products from this catalog carried over to the new Stampin’ Up! 2021-2022 Annual Catalog. The products that did not carry over will be available through 30 June 2021 or while supplies last. The Last Chance Product Promotion begins Tuesday, 1 June 2021 at 1 PM Mountain Time (that is 3 PM Eastern). To view a list of retiring products and discounted items click HERE

Today’s post takes a last look at three retiring stamp sets; SHARK FRENZY, SNAILED IT, and  KANGAROO & COMPANY. The main attractions in each of these sets are cute critters! Let’s take a look at the cards:

SNAILED IT

This stamp set and its coordinating dies are part of the SNAIL MAIL SUITE. The suite includes the bundle (stamp set and dies) + DSP + 2 spools of twine + resin heart embellishments. (See pages 54 - 55 of the Stampink Up! January - June 2021 Mini Catalog.)

KANGAROO & COMPANY

The KANGAROO & COMPANY stamp can be bundled with its coordinating dies. (See page 17 of the current mini catalog.)

SHARK FRENZY

The SHARK FRENZY stamp set can be bundled with its coordinating dies. (See page 46 in the current mini catalog.)

CRITTER CARDS VIDEO

CARD MEASUREMENTS FOR THE PORTRAIT AND LANDSCAPE VERSIONS

PORTRAIT: 

Card base 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”. Three strips of DSP cut at 1” x 4 7/8”. Three cardstock mats for the DSP cut at 1 1/8” x 4 7/8”.

LANDSCAPE:

Card base8 1/2 x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”. Three strips of DSP cut at 1 1/4” x 3 3/4”. Three cardstock mats for the DSP cut at 1 3/8” x 3 7/8”.

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE THIS CARD:

SHARK FRENZY stamp set and the coordinating SHARK DIES, BIGGEST WISH stamp set (Annual Catalog). Pool Party card base, Pattern Party DSP- cut at 1 1/4” x 3 3/4” each. Basic White cardstock - three strips cut at 1 3/8” x 3 7/8” each, one piece cut at 5 1/4” x 4”, and a piece of scrap for stamping the shark and the sentiment. A piece of scrap Pool Party cardstock to mat the greeting. Memento Tuxedo Black, Basic Gray, and Bermuda Bay inks, Layering Circles Dies - 2 1/8”diameter circle die for the greeting mat and the 1 7/8” diameter circle die for the greeting. Stampin’ Seal or adhesive of your choice and dimensionals.

TO ASSEMBLE THE CARD:

On the 5 1/4” x 4” piece of Basic White cardstock stamp the outline of the shark with the Tuxedo Black. Use the filler stamp inked with Basic Gray ink to add color to the shark. On the piece of scrap Basic White stamp another shark image in the same manner. On the same piece of cardstock stamp the “HELLO” with Bermuda Bay ink. Die cut the shark from the scrap piece of cardstock, and die cut the greeting with the smallest Layering Circles Dies. Using the largest of the circle dies cut a circle from the scrap of Pool Party cardstock.

Adhere each strip of DSP to a Basic White mat. Line up the strips evenly across the cardbase. Adhere each on in place. Adhere the greeting to its mat. Put dimensionals on the back of the greeting piece and the die cut shark. Remove the backings and put the pieces in place on the card front. Finally adhere the inside panel.

That’s all for today. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time...

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 Stampin’ Up!®️

CREATING CARD BACKGROUNDS WITH DECORATIVE MASKS AND BLENDING BRUSHES

Hi, Stampers!

Today I am sharing a quick and easy way to create great background panels for cards! All you need is cardstock, ink, decorative masks (stencils), blending brushes (you can use sponges or sponge dauber), and some washi tape or painter’s tape.

Here is one of the cards I made using the blending brushes and the polka dot decorative mask. I also used the Kangaroo & Company stamp set and the Kangaroo dies. These items are found in the Stampin’ Up!®️ January - June 2021 Mini Catalog.

Kangaroo & Company Stamp Set and Kangaroo Dies

Below are the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks. They can be found on page 146 in the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog.The set of masks includes 4 designs.

The blending brushes are a new product found in the new mini catalog on page 70. They come in a set of three brushes. 

Here is a card made with the leaf print mask. The greeting comes from a stamp set found in the beginner brochure and the online store. The stamp set is called Four Season Floral.

This card was made with the damask pattern from the mask collection. I used three colors of ink (Balmy Blue, Highland Heather, and Rococo Rose) with the blending brushes, and worked my way up the cardstock. The flower is from the Hydrangea Haven stamp set. (mini catalog)

Lastly, here is the card I made using the winter tree mask. The sentiment is from the Enjoy the Moment stamp set. (mini catalog) I also use the Stampin’ Chalk Marker and Wink of Stella to create snow on the trees. (See annual catalog pages 146 - 147.)

Here is a video demonstrating the technique for making these background panels. I hope you will give this technique a try!

That’s all for today.  Thank you for stopping by. Until next time...

Stamp Happy!

Kim

greatinkspirations.stampinup.net

greatinkspirations@gmail.com

* All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2021 Stampin’ Up!®️