LET’S TRY A SQUARE ANGLED Z FOLD CARD

Hi Stampers!

Last week I talked about creating cards of different sizes other than our usual A-2  can help grow our creativity. This week let’s take that one step further, and try a fun fold. I promise the card is easy to create. Have you ever made a Z Fold Card? There are many variations. I have given most of them a try. I enjoy making them. I also enjoy making 4 1/4” square cards - so, I put the two together and came up with a square Z fold card.  Is this an original creation? I have no idea. I simply modified a full sized angled Z fold card.  I am sharing what I came up with. Let’s take a peek at the cards:

VIDEO

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - cut cardstock at 4 1/4” x11”

* Mats - cardstock or patterned paper - front panel cut at 2 3/4” square; middle panels  for front and inside - cut 2 at 4’ x 3 1/2” ; inside mat - cut 1 at 4”x 4”

* Stamps, dies, punches, inks, adhesives, embellishments, and other supplies needed to complete card.

* Other - paper trimmer, scissors, ruler, pencil

* A-2 size card base for mailing.

WHAT TO DO

* Refer to the diagrams below. Yes, the top one has a lot of information, but it will make sense as we go.

* Score the cardstock on the 11” side at 4 1/4’and 8”.

* Turn the cardstock so the 4” side is horizontal and the smaller scored section is at the top - place it in the trimmer at 2”. Use the score blade or stylus to make a small mark. You can also use a pencil. 

* Line up the mark and the second score line in the cutting tray. Cut from the mark, past the first score line, and stopping at the second score line. The card base is ready to be folded.

* The narrower scored section (past the 8” score line) is the card front and will be positioned to the left with the wider section to the right. Starting at the left the first score line is a mountain fold. The second s ore line is a valley fold. Go over the folds with a bone folder. 

* Adhere mats to the panels. There will be three mats on the “front side of the card base and one on the back side (middle section). The 4” x 4”mat needs no trimming. Simply adhere it in place. (See diagram below.)

* For the angled mats - position the mat on its section centered left to right with an approximate 1/8” border on each side. Push the mat up so there is a 1/4” border along the bottom. Hold the mat in place with one hand turn the cardstock over and with a pencil draw a line on the mat along the card top. Cut along the line with scissors or a trimmer. You can skip the line drawing and use scissors to trim the mat. Repeat this process for the remaining two panels.

* Add images, greetings, and embellishments.

* This card fits in an A-2 envelope.

SQUARE ANGLED Z FOLD CARD 

CUTTING MEASUREMENTS AND SCORING

MARKET BASKET SQUARE Z FOLD

TECHNIQUE FOCUS -I die cut two of the market bags, adhered the veggie to one, then adhered the second market bag to the first, except for the handles. This add a touch of dimension and interest to the card. I have done the same with die cuts of gift bags, hat boxes, stockings, etc. 

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

SEA SHELLS SQUARE Z FOLD

TECHNIQUE FOCUS - I created my own patterned paper by stamping the sea shell images on white cardstock. I stamp more images and fussy cut them to use on the card front. I had three images remaining, so I used 1mm thick foam tape and adhered them over a matching image on the panel on the right (see photo below). The 1 mm thick tape gives a slight lift and does not interfere with the how the card closes. I often use the 1mm tape with the 2mm to create various layers of dimension. That is how I created all the different layers for the focal image on the front of the card. I will put a link to the foam tape options I use at the end of this post.

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

BUTTERFLY SQUARE Z FOLD

TECHNIQUE FOCUS - You might have noticed the top butterfly is above the top of the card base. Most of the time this would be a problem, but not in this case. The height of our card base is 4 1/4”.It will be put in an envelope that accommodates a card that is 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”. As long as the top butterfly does not exceed the 5 1/2” limit, all is well. Because the butterfly die is symmetrical I was able to add one on each side of the middle panel. I adhered them together with dimensionals.

(Large butterfly die and patterned paper - Scrapbook.com; Embellishments - Simple Stories; 

All other supplies- Stampin’ Up!”)

SENDING FLOWERS SQUARE Z FOLD

(Embellishments- Simple Stories; Patterned Paper- Crafter’s Companion; 

All other supplies- Stampin’ Up!)

VIDEO CARD

We walked through this card in the video.  After the video I added the embellishments. There are three dots on the front middle section. I added two more small ones on the middle inside panel. I was happy with them. 

Here is what the card looks like opened.

One last photo.

(Patterned Paper - Crafter’s Companion; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

THIS WEEK’S CARDS

So, what are your thoughts about the SQUARE ANGLED Z FOLD CARD? I enjoyed making the sample cards. The card design offers so many possibilities for decorating and embellishing. I hope you enjoy creating your own versions of this card!  Thank you so much for stopping by today. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

The video below shows how to create a full sized diagonal Z fold card. It also discusses how to create templates for the mats (layers). The measurements are different from the ones for today’s card, but the process is the same.

TEMPLATE

LINKS TO FOAM TAPE I USE:

1mm foam tape

2 mm foam adhesive

MIDDLE GROUND - ANOTHER QUICK & EASY CARD LAYOUT

Hi Stampers!

Have you ever needed a card in a hurry? Have you wanted to create a card that was quick, but still had a little flair? Have you ever wanted a card layout that is simple, but could be jazzed up a bit if you had time? Well, if you have ever wanted any of those things, today’s card layout just might be for you! The layout features a full length (5 1/2”) middle panel thus the “Middle Ground” title for this post. The basic layout can be completed in 5 minutes. If you have 10 minutes you can step it up a bit. Twenty minutes, add a bit of texture with an embossing folder. Thirty minutes, well you can really add some pizzazz! Let’s take a look at the sample cards:

VIDEO

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - A-2 size - 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored at 4 1/4” or 11” x 4 1/4” scored a 5 1/2”

* Mat - cardstock or patterned paper cut at 5 1/4” x 4” 

* Middle Panel - cardstock or patterned paper cut at 5 1/2” x 2 1/2”

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

* Other Cardstock - for focal images, greeting, etc

* Other Supplies - stamps, inks, markers, embossing folders, adhesive foam tape (dimensionals), embellishments, etc

WHAT TO DO

* Fold card base and go over fold with bone folder.

* Stamp sentiment on inside panel. Adhere panel to card inside

* Stamp and prepare focal image and / or greeting; punch or die cut images / greeting if needed.

* Adhere mat to front of card, centered left to right and top to bottom.

* Adhere middle panel centered left to right on mat. The middle panel will span the entire length of the portrait style card and the entire width of the landscape version. There should be 3/4” border of the mat on each side of the middle panel. + See note below.

* Add focal image and / or greeting.

* Finish the card by adding a few embellishments.

+NOTE - An easy way to line up the middle panel is to cut a piece of cardstock at 3/4” x 5 1/2” ish.  This can be used as a guide to lineup the middle panel.

Line up this piece along the left side of the 5 1/4” x 4” mat. Use a piece of low tack tape to hold this 

piece in place. 

Place adhesive on the back of the middle panel. Line up the middle panel right up against guide. Remember the middle panel will be even with the top and bottom of the card base. Once you have the middle panel in place, lift up the guide and you will have a 3/4” border of the mat on both sides of the middle panel.

CARD LAYOUT  #2616

MIDDLE GROUND 

CARDS IN A HURRY TIPS

* Use a simple and familiar layout.

* Use patterned paper as a mat. It is an easy way to add color,  images, patterns, etc.

* Use two-step stamps - ink one stamp and stamp the outline, the second stamp fills in the color.

* Use dimensionals (foam tape) to pop up something. (For this card layout the middle panel can be popped up to add a touch of dimension).

* Add a few sequins, dots, gems, etc for a quick and easy way to step up a quick and easy card. 

THIS WEEKS CARDS

I created six cards to share this week. I timed how long it took to make each one from start to finish. This includes the time for selecting cardstock, papers, stamps, etc. It includes time spent cutting, scoring, stamping, coloring, die cutting, assembling, and adding embellishments.

FIVE MINUTE CARD

This card was so fast and easy! I completed it in just under 5 minutes. This is the landscape version of the layout. It is a very basic card  - the base, a patterned paper mat, and a greeting stamped directly onto the middle panel. I dressed it up with 3 sparkly dots. I think a larger sentiment would have looked better, but I am okay with it. I did stamp a sentiment inside on a white panel. 

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TEN MINUTE CARD

This card took ten minutes to complete. I just happened to have a piece of white cardstock that measured 2” x 5 1/2”, so I stamped the images on it, used four alcohol markers - no shading just put down some color, then adhered it centered on the middle panel. The middle panel is on foam tape. The patterned paper adds the look of texture. I stamped the greeting on the patterned paper, layered it on a scrap piece of white cardstock and die cut the sentiment then adhered it to the card. Popped on some black faceted gems, popped in the inside panel and called it good. 

(Stamped images and dies - Hero Arts; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TWENTY MINUTE  CARD

I spent just under twenty minutes creating this card. I embossed the patterned paper I used for the mat. I stamped the balloons and colored them with alcohol markers. If you want a quick and easy image to color choose balloons! They have no tiny details and you don’t have to do any shading. If you do choose to add a bit of shading, it is super fast and easy. Die cutting the 4 balloons took a little time, but it was work it. I embossed the mat, and die cut the balloons and greeting at the same time. I used dimensionals to pop up the balloons and the greeting. I added the embellishments, and stamped the inside panel and adhered it. 

(Patterned Paper - Scrapbook.com; Balloons stamp / die - Colorado Craft Company; Sentiment - Waffle Flower; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

THIRTY MINUTE CARDS

For the next three cards I used embossing folders, alcohol markers, and dies. The two alien cards took a bit under thirty minutes each. The lilac card took right at 30 minutes.

(Stamps and dies - Trinity Stamps; Patterned Paper - Scrapbook.com; All other - Stampin’ Up!)

(Stamps and dies - Trinity Stamps; Patterned paper - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

(Stamps and dies - Hero Arts; Greeting - Waffle Flower; Patterned paper - Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

VIDEO CARDS

DAISY BLUES

(Embossing folder - Sizzix; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

THANKFUL BERRIES

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

Whether you take five minutes or thirty minutes to create a card, this Middle Ground layout will work every time! Keep it simple, or really jazz it up - it’s your call! I hope you give this layout a try. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

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

INSIDE

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

INSIDE

OPTIONAL BACK PANEL

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

All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

LEMON TEA CUP

INSIDE

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!

INSIDE

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

INSIDE

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!

INSIDE

BACK PANEL

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

VIDEO CARDS

FATHER’S DAY FISHIN’

INSIDE

BACK OF CARD

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

 I HERD BIRTHDAY

INSIDE

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