EASY EXPLOSION CARD TO MAKE FOR THE HOLIDAYS! A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST.🎄

Hi Stampers!

Welcome once again to Stamp Happy Holidays. Today’s project - an explosion card. There are several versions of explosion cards out there. I chose this version, because I believe it to be the easiest and most versatile.  The card can be created in either portrait or landscape orientation. The size of the explosion mechanism is easily adapted for any size card. Let’s take a look at today’s sample cards:

LANDSCAPE VERSIONS

PORTRAIT VERSIONS

VIDEO

EASY EXPLOSION CARD TO MAKE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

EASY EXPLOSION CARD - LANDSCAPE VERSION

WHAT YOU NEED

*  Card Base -cut cardstock at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” 

* Card Layer (card front) - cut patterned paper or cardstock at 5 1/4”x 4” 

* Explosion Card Mechanism - cut cardstock at 5 1/2” x 5 1/2” (I used lightweight cardstock, patterned paper an be used as well)

* Layers for Explosion Mechanism - cut 2 from white or light colored cardstock and 2 of patterned paper at 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” 

* Inside Panels - patterned paper, cut 2 at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Stamps, inks, dies, embellishments

* Strong adhesive to adhere mechanism - such as Stampin’ Seal+ or Tear & Tape (both from Stampin’ Up!), Red Liner Tape from Crafter’s Companion, American Crafts Sticky Thumbs Super Sticky Red Tape, Therm O Web Super Tape, Clear Double Sided Adhesive from Scrapbook.com, etc. You will also need a regular adhesive and dimensionals or foam tape.

WHAT TO DO

* Score card base at 4 1/4” and fold, go over fold with bone folder.

* Score Explosion Card Mechanism in half at 2 3/4” from top to bottom and from side to side. Then score diagonally from the left top corner to the bottom right corner. (See scoring diagram below.) Fold on all score lines and go over folds with bone folder.

* Turn the mechanism so it resembles a diamond. There will be a square at the top and bottom. The squares on the sides are divided in half horizontally by a scoreline. Push those center score lines toward the center of the piece. Close the mechanism.it will look like a diamond. Set aside.

* Adhere front layer and inside layers to the card.

* Prepare card front.

* Stamp images and greeting on the two panels for the explosion mechanism, open mechanism and adhere square panels in place.Adhere the halved patterned paper pieces to the other areas of the mechanism. Fold mechanism again.

* Apply strong adhesive to one side of the mechanism (I do the “bottom” side first). Place the closed pointed end of the mechanism right below the score line in the centered left top corner right.

* Apply strong adhesive to the top portion of the mechanism. Close the card. The mechanism is now attached. The card is completed.

HOW TO SCORE EXPLOSION CARD MECHANISM

NOTE: I use mostly Stampin’ Up!®️ products, some are retired and noted as such. Products from other companies are also noted as such. I encourage you to use the products and supplies you have to create your own unique versions of the cards.

HALLOWEEN CAT EXPLOSION CARD

INSIDE OF CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Basic Black, Basic White, Granny Apple Green, Smoky Slate, Pretty In Pink

* Patterned Paper -Cute Halloween (retired)

* Stamps -  lever Cats, Best of Halloween (both retired)

* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento)

* Dies - Quote Bubbles (retired), Mini Cat Dies (Scrapbook. Com)

* Embellishments - Enamel dots (Doodlebug Designs)

AUTUMN EXPLOSION CARD

INSIDE OF CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Cloud Cover, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - 2025-2027 In Color 6x6 Designer Series Paper - cloud Cover

* Stamps - Amber Autumn, Best of Autumn (retired). Banner Year (retired)

* Inks - Cloud Cover, Early Espresso; Stampin’ Blends - Pumpkin Pie, Timid Tiger, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Granny Apple Green, Cloud Cover

* Dies - Deckled Rectangles (retired)

* Embellishments - Metallic Pearls - silver (retired)

* Strong Adhesive, dimensionals, regular adhesive

CHRISTMAS TREES EXPLOSION CARD

INSIDE OF CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Garden Green, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps - A Little Cheer

* Ink - Garden Green

* Tree Punch (retired)

* Embellishments -Dear Dots

* Strong Adhesive and regular adhesive

NOTE - The strips under the trees are 1” x5 1/4” for the green one, and 3/4” for the white one. For the images I started by stamping the tree in the center of the white strip. I stamped the greeting on each side of the tree, then stamped a tree on each end and ended with a partial greeting on each end. 

EASY EXPLOSION CARD -PORTRAIT VERSION

WHAT YOU NEED

* Supplies for the portrait version of the card are the same as for the landscape with the exception of the cardstock for the card base.

* Card Base - cut cardstock at 11” x 4 1/4” and score it at 5 1/2”

* Remember to orient your patterned paper designs for a portrait card

WHAT TO DO

* The portrait version is assembled exactly like the landscape version.

CREEPY HALLOWEEN EXPLOSION CARD

INSIDE OF CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Timid Tiger, Basic Black, Basic White, Petal Pink

* Patterned Paper - card front & explosion mechanism - Hey, Pumpkin (Doodlebug Designs), inside card - Cute Halloween (retired)

* Stamps - Boo to You, Cutest Halloween, Festive Corners (all retired)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento); Stampin’ Blends - Lemon Lime Twist, Lemon Lolly, Pretty In Pink, Timid Tiger, Highland Heather, Soft Sea Foam, Cloud Cover, Secret Sea

* Dies - Nested Essentials, Stylish Shapes, Everyday Details (retired)

* Strong adhesive, regular adhesive, dimensionals or foam tape

NOTE - Here are the measurements for the die cuts on the card front: squares (can cut squares and use a corner rounder to get same look as the dies) largest - 3 1/4” x 2 1/2”, middle - 3” x 2 3/8”, small - 2 5/8” x 1 7/8”;  diameter of circles - 2”, 1 3/4”, and 1 1/4”

AUTUMN BIRTHDAY EXPLOSION CARD

INSIDE OF THE CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Pretty Peacock, Basic White, Pool Party

* Patterned Papers - (retired)

* Stamps - Fluffy Squirrel & punch, Best Day (retired)

* Inks - Copper Clay (retired), Pebbled Path (retired), Pecan Pie; Stampin’ Blends - Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Cloud Cover

* Strong Adhesive, regular adhesive, dimensionals or foam tape

NOTE - Here are the measurements for the focal panel and the mat: focal panel - cut white cardstock at 3 7/8” x 2 3/8” and the mat is 4 1/8” x 2 5/8”

SNOWMAN GREETINGS EXPLOSION CARD

INSIDE OF CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Lemon Lime Twist, Basic White

* Patterned Papers - Candy Cane Lane (Doodlebug Designs)

* Stamps - Snow Day & dies (Photo Play), North Pole & die (Scrapbook.com), White Christmas (retired), Knit Together (retired)

* Other Dies - Stylish Shapes

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Poppy Parade; Stampin’ Blends - Pumpkin Pie, Balmy Blue, Poppy Parade, Lemon Lime Twist, Lemon Lolly, Pretty In Pink

* Strong adhesive, regular adhesive, dimensionals or foam tape

NOTE - Here are the measurements for the layout pieces for the card front, cut 1 at 5 1/4” x 1’(snowflake pattern) cut another at 3 3/4” x 2 1/2 (red panel), cut 1circle 2 1/2” diameter, and for the sentiment cut one rectangle shape that is 2 3/4” x 3/4”

ALTERNATIVE SIZE CARD

INSIDE OF CARD

Here is a square version of the explosion card. For this sample card I skipped the two inside patterned paper panels. This is a 4 1/4”  x 4 1/4” card, so the card base is 8 1/2” x 4 1/4” scored at 4 1/4”. The explosion card mechanism is also 4 /4” x 4 1/4” scored up and down at 2 1/8” and score at 2 1/8”across. Then score diagonally from top left corner to bottom right corner. 

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Lemon Lime Twist, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - Candy Cane Lane (Doodlebug Design)

* Stamps - A Little Cheer

* Inks - Lemon Lime Twist, Poppy Parade

* Dies - Oval Layering Dies, Scalloped Oval Layering Dies (both retired)

* Embellishments - Enamel Dots - Red (Violet Studios)

VIDEO CARD

INSIDE OF CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Garden Green, Real Red, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps - A Little Cheer & punch

* Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Garden Green, Real Red

* Strong adhesive, regular adhesive, dimensionals (under stockings)

EASY EXPLOSION CARDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

What do you think? So easy. Isn’t it? I hope you give this fun fold a try soon! That’s all for today. Until next time …

Stamp Happy!

Kim

FLOATING GATE FOLD CARDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST🎄

Hi Stampers!

This is the first week of my Stamp Happy Holidays series for 2025! This year will be a bit different. There will still be plenty of ideas for treat holders, tags, gift card holders, and of course cards!  If life gets really crazy and busy, we’ll even talk about super quick and easy projects I call “Christmas In A Hurry!” My projects will include samples for various holidays that will be celebrated over the next few months! For example, today’s cards are Floating Gate Fold Cards. The samples cover Halloween, Fall, and Christmas, plus we’ll make a Hanukkah themed card together. Of course the Floating Gate Fold Card can be used to create a card for any holiday or occasion! So, let’s get started! Here we go with STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2025! Here are the sample cards for today!

VIDEO

FLOATING GATE FOLD CARDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - cardstock cut at 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”

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

* Patterned Paper - for flaps - cut 2 at 5 1/4” x 1 7/8” (optional- cut 4, 2 for front of card and 2 for inside card)

* Floating Mechanisms - white cardstock (or color of choice) - cut 2 at  4 1/2” x 1/2”

* Other - stamps, inks, die cuts, other cardstock, embellishments, adhesive, etc to complete card - you will need a focal image and images and / or sentiments to be the “floating” pieces.

WHAT TO DO

* Prepare focal image and images/ sentiments for floating pieces, put aside.

* Score card base along 8 1/2” side at 2 1/8” on each end (or at 2 1/8” and 6 3/8”), and crease score lines with bone folder

* Score each mechanism along 4 1/2” side at 1”, 2 1/2”, and 3 1/2” and crease score lines with bone folder.

* Adhere the patterned paper strips to the outside (and inside if using) of the card.

* Open card and put inside panel in place - no adhesive. Place the “floating” images on the inside panel anywhere you like as long as they do not go above or below the card base and have enough space between 

them to pass with out touching. Many place one image at the top left edge and bottom right edge. The”floating mechanisms should be placed near the center of the image. Use a pencil to mark this point on the top left flap and bottom right flap (or where ever you are placing the floating image(s). 

* With the images lying in place do any stamping you plan to do. 

* Adhere the inside panel to the card

* Adhere the floating mechanism to the upper left area of the card. Look at the mechanism - there should be a 1” section, a 1 1/2” section, followed by two 1” sections.  Fold the single 1” section toward the center of the piece, place adhesive on it. Center the piece on the pencil mark and adhere it on the gate fold flap right along the top of the score line, press into place. Fold last section of the mechanism inward, apply adhesive, with gate fold flap open, press mechanism inward place on the inside panel. 

* Add the floating mechanism to the lower right area in the same manner as for the top. This time the single 1” area will be to the right as opposed to the left.

* Close card and adhere focal image to card front. Remember to put adhesive only on one side of the image, so as not to glue the card together. 

NOTE: I use mostly Stampin’ Up! Products, some are retired and are noted as such. Products from other companies are also noted as such. I encourage you to use supplies you have on hand to create you very own versions of the cards. 

HALLOWEEN FLOATING GATE FOLD

INSIDE

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Granny Apple Green, Basic White, Basic Black

* Patterned Paper - Hey Pumpkin (Doodlebug Designs)

* Stamps - Spooky Treats, Tricks & Treats and dies (both retired)

* Ink - Gorgeous Grape

* Adhesive and dimensionals

NOTE - Focal panel card stock is cut at 4 1/4” x 3”, the patterned paper layer is cut at 4” x 2 3/4”.

FALL FLOATING GATE FOLD CARD

INSIDE

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Crushed Curry, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps- Nuts About Squirrels, Banner Year (both retired). Peeking Yorkie  an d dies (Catherine Pooler)

* Dies - 3 1/2” circle die, 3 1/4” circle die (Spellbinders)

* Punches - 1 1/2” circle, 1 3/4” circle(retired)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Balmy Blue,Early Esspresso; Stampin’ Blends - Crumb Cake, Petal Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Timid Tiger, Daffodil Delight, Darling Duckling, Poppy Parade

* Blending Brush - use to put a bit of Balmy Blue for Sky on focal panel 

* Adhesive, Foam Tape (Scrapbook.com)

NOTE - I used the 3 1/2” and 3 1/4” circle dies to create the base for the focal panel.

CHRISTMAS FLOATING GATE FOLD CARD

INSIDE

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Real Red, Basic White, Granny Apple Green

* Patterned Paper - Real Red (retired), Candy Cane Lane (Doodlebug Designs)

* Stamps - Pocket Full of Sunshine, Brightest Glow (both retired), Snowmen Peekers and dies ( Pink and Main)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Real Red; Stampin’ Blends - Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty In Pink; Glimmer Brush - clear (Scrapbook.com)

* Dies - Pocket Framelits (retired), Holly and Berries (unknown), Layering Ovals - 2 3/4” and 2 1/2” (retired)

* Adhesive, Foam Tape (Scrapbook.com)

NOTE - My focal panel is build around a pocket shape die cut. The die is no longer available, but there are several available through various companies such as Pink and Main, Papertrey Inks, Lisa Horton,  Taylored Expressions, etc. The jean pocket shape is easy to create with just a paper cutter and a ruler. The instructions are below.

CREATING THE POCKET WITHOUT A DIE

WHAT TO DO

* Cut cardstock 3” x 2 1/2”

* Along the bottom of the cardstock (the 2 1/2” side) mark the midpoint (1 1/4”)

* At the bottom left measure up 3/4” and mark. Do the same on the right side. 

* place piece in paper trimmer line up midpoint and one of the 3/4” mark in cutting trough and cut. Do the same on the other side. 

* Use a fine tip black marker (or any color)to add stitching. 

VIDEO CARD

HANUKKAH FLOATING GATE FOLD CARD

INSIDE

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Azure Afternoon, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - DIY

* Stamps - Celebrate the Miracle (retired), Kibitzing Sampler (Paper Smooches - retired)

* Inks - Azure Afternoon, Balmy News, Crushed Curry

* Dies - 3 1/4” circle die (Spellbinders), 3” circle die Stylish Shapes

* Punches - 1 3/8” circle, 1 3/4” circle 

* Embellishments - Gold Pearls (retired)

* Adhesive and Foam Tape (Scrapbook.com)

FLOATING GATE FOLD CARDS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The Floating Gate Fold Card is a truly fun, fun fold card! The card takes just a little bit longer to make than other cards, but it is worth the extra time. I hope you give this fun fold card a try!

This wraps up the first week of Stamp Happy Holidays for 2025! Thank you so much for joining me. I’ll be back next week with another Holiday project! Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

EASY LAYOUTS THAT ARE THE “PICK OF THE PATCH & BEARY CUTE!

Hi Stampers!

Today I am sharing three of my “go to” card layouts. I created three sets of sample cards, and kept the focal images similar for each card in the set. Let’s take a look at the sample cards:

HALLOWEEN CARDS

THANKSGIVING / HARVEST CARDS

CHRISTMAS CARDS

For my sample cards I chose to use the Pick of the Patch Bundle for the Halloween cards and the Thanksgiving / Harvest cards. For the Christmas cards I used the Merriest Trees Bundle and the Beary Cute Bundles. All products are found in the Stampin’ Up! September - December 2023 Mini Catalog, and in my online store HERE.

PICK OF THE PATCH BUNDLE

TO VIEW PRODUCT DETAILS CLICK HERE

BEARY CUTE BUNDLE

TO VIEW PRODUCT DETAIL CLICK HERE

MERRIEST TREES BUNDLE

TO VIEW PRODUCT DETAILS CLICK HERE

VIDEO

EASY CARD LAYOUTS THAT ARE THE PICK OF THE PATCH

& BEARY CUTE

CARD LAYOUTS

BASIC LAYOUT - We all frequently use this layout and various renditions of it. Start with an A-2 card base (front of card measures 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”) at either portrait or landscape orientation. Add a piece of patterned paper (DSP) cut at 5 1/4” x 4”, then add a focal image and a greeting.

SIDE BAR LAYOUT - Start with an A2 card base at either portrait or landscape orientation. Add a strip of DSP that is 1”, 1 1/4”, or 1 1/2” wide, or other width of your liking, and mat it to a piece of contrasting cardstock that is 1/4” wider than your DSP. The length for both the DSP and the cardstock mat will be equal to the length of your card - 5 1/2” for portrait orientation and 4 1/4” for landscape orientation. To complete the card add a focal panel and a greeting.

THREE SCRAP STRIPS LAYOUT - Once again it all starts with an A-2 card base. The next step is to cut three strips of DSP and mat them with contrasting cardstock. There are two options for strips, long or short. The long strips are evenly adhered from left to right across a card base with the 4 1/4” sides at the top and bottom, and the 5 1/2” edges being the sides of the card. Once adhered the card can be oriented in either direction. The short strips are adhered evenly across the card base with the 5 1/2” sides at the top and bottom and the 4 1/4” edges being the left and right sides of the card. Here are the measurements for the strips and their mats - remember to cut three of each:

SHORT STRIPS                                   LONG STRIPS                    

MATS - 3 7/8” x 1 3/8”                        MATS - 5” x 1 1/8”

DSP - 3 3/4” x 1 1/4”                            DSP - 4 7/8” x 1”

HALLOWEEN CARDS

BASIC LAYOUT

SIDE BAR  LAYOUT

THREE SCRAP STRIPS LAYOUT

SUPPLIES USED FOR THESE CARDS

* Pick of the Patch Bundle

* Card bases and cardstock for mats and frames - Basic Black and Cajun Craze

* Inside panels -  Very Vanilla cut at 5 1/3” x 4”

* DSP - Them Bones

* Focal panels cardstock - Very Vanilla,Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wheat, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Pool Party; Stampin’ Write Marker - Crushed Curry to color crow beak

* Blending brush - use with Pool Party ink to add a bit of color on the Very Vanilla cardstock

* Dies - Stylish Shapes - squares and circle

* Adhesive, dimensionals, and glue dots (attach stems to pumpkins and Early Espresso “stem” to sign

THANKSGIVING / HARVEST CARDS

BASIC LAYOUT

SIDEBAR LAYOUT

THREE SCRAP STRIPS LAYOUT

SUPPLIES FOR THESE CARDS

* Pick of the Patch Bundle

* Cardstock for card bases - Copper Clay and Very Vanilla

* Inside card panels - Very Vanilla cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* DSP - Them Bones

* Cardstock for focal panels - Very Vanilla and Copper Clay, Pumpkin PieCrushed Curry, Wild Wheat, Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow

* Inks - Copper Clay, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Wild Wheat, Mossy Meadow

* Dies - Radiating Stitches (rectangle), nStylish Shapes (square)

* Embellishments - Neutrals Adhesive Backed Sequins - copper

* Adhesive, dimensionals, glue dots

CHRISTMAS CARDS

BASIC CARD LAYOUT

SIDE BAR LAYOUT

THREE SCRAP STRIPS LAYOUT

SUPPLIES FOR THESE CARDS

* Beary Cute Bundle and Merriest Trees Bundle

* Cardstock for card bases and focal panels and mats - Mossy Meadow, Misty Moonlight,and Very Vanilla

* Inside panels - Very Vanilla cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* DSP - Beary Christmas and A Walk In the Forest (die cut bears and trees from this)

* Ink - Misty Moonlight

* Dies - Deckled Rectangles, Deckled Circles, Stylish Shapes (squares)

* Embellishments - 2023-2025 In Color Dots - Boho Blue

* Adhesive and dimensionals

Today, Saturday 7 October 2023 is World Card asking Day. I hope you had the opportunity to make a card or two, and maybe even get together with friends to create cards together. If you missed World Cardmaking Day it is okay, any day can be a great day to make cards! The most important thing to remember is once you make your card, send it to someone to brighten their day.

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

Stamp Happy!

Kim

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