USE YOUR SCRAPS TO CREATE A CHEVRON HOLIDAY CARD - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST 🎄

Hi Stampers!

Seems like time is flying by! September is behind us, and here it is October! This is week 5 of Stamp Happy Holidays 2025! Can you believe it? It is time to get serious about those holiday projects! Do you need some inspiration for your holiday projects? Maybe you just need a little encouragement to continue your projects, or maybe you are looking for a project idea. Well, that is why Stamp Happy Holidays is here! If you have not seen the previous four posts along with the accompanied videos, check them out. Project idea will continue through mid-December! Today’s project is a card technique that uses strips of patterned paper! Yes, you can use your scraps! The card is called a Chevron Card. It is so easy to make, and as always you can create this card for any holiday or occasion. Let’s take a peek at the sample cards:

VIDEO

USE YOUR SCRAPS TO CREATE A HOLIDAY CHEVRON CARD

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 at 5 1/2”

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

* Patterned Paper Strips - cut 5 strips at 2 1/2” x 1” be sure you like both sides of the paper

* Inside Panel -white or light color cardstock - 5 1/4” x 4”

* Stamps, inks, dies, embellishments, adhesive, etc, to complete your card

WHAT TO DO

* Prepare your card base, cut layers, and cut paper strips.

* Complete inside panel

* Complete focal panel, greeting , etc. If dry embossing may layer do that now

* Prepare strips - Divide strips into two groups, one group of 3 and one group of two. For each strip in the group of 3, bring upper right corner over to the left side diagonally, crease fold with bone folder. Turn strip counter clockwise (to the left) so the bottom is now at the top. Once again bring the upper right hand corner to the left side of the strip. Crease fold with bone folder. Repeat this process for the other two strips. Prepare the other two strips. These strips are folded the opposite direction. Fold the upper left corner over toward the right side. Crease the fold with the bone folder. Turn counter clockwise so the bottom of the strip is at the top. Fold the left corner over toward the right side, crease fold with bone folder. Repeat for remaining strip. Keep your strips in their groups.

* Adhere strips to mat layer. With the mat layer in portrait orientation, take a strip from the group of 3. Place the edge of one of the folds flush with the upper left edge of the mat. The strip should be pointing diagonally down. Next take a strip from the group of two and line up the edge of the fold with the edge of the strip above. Repeat this process with the remaining strips. This will create a chevron or zigzag pattern. 

* Adhere this panel to the card front. NOTE - the card is created the same way whether you want it in portrait or landscape orientation. Be sure to orient your mat layer correctly especially if it is directional patterned paper or embossed directionally. 

* Add any focal images, sentiments, and embellishments to finish the card.

TIPS

* This technique works best with double sided patterned papers. 

* All 5 strips can have the same design facing up for folding or use one design facing up for 3 strips, and the design on the other side facing up for the remaining two strips. You can also use strips with all different designs, but the color scheme being the same, or different colors with the same pattern on each. Experiment a bit and see what looks best for your papers, focal images, etc.

* Remember this card can be made in portrait orientation landscape orientation, and the strips will be attached the same way for both orientations.

* I prefer to start my chevron along the upper left corner of the mat layer. You can also start it more toward the center of the mat layer. To start the chevron at the upper right corner fold 3 strips from the left corner to the right side of the strip, and 2 strips from upper right corner to left side of strip.

* If you do not like the folded triangles sticking up on the card, use a dot of glue or a glue dot to anchor them down.

NOTE: I use mostly Stampin’ Up! products, some are retired, and noted as such. Products from other companies are noted as such. Cards and other projects are presented for inspiration. I list supplies I use as a reference only. I encourage you to use supplies you have on hand to create your own versions of the cards and projects.

HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN CHEVRON CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Basic Black, Basic White, Pimpkin Pie, Parakeet Party (retired)

* Patterned Paper - Hey Pumpkin ( Doodlebug Designs)

* Embossing Folder - So Swirly (retired)

* Stamps - Cutest Halloween, Clever Cats (both retired)

* Inks - Tuxedo Black (Memento); Stampin’ Blends - Parakeet Party (retired)

* Embellishments - Simple Vintage Glower Shoppe Glossy Enamel Dots (Simple Stories)

* Adhesive, dimensionals

THANKSGIVING TURKEY CHEVRON CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock - Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake

* Patterned Paper - Timeless Plaid

* Embossing Folder - (retired)

* Stamps - Day of Thanks

* Ink - Cajun Craze

* Dies - Stylish Shapes

* Embellishments - Simple Vintage Flower Shoppe Glossy Enamel Dots (Simple Stories)

* Adhesive, dimensionals

THINKING OF YOU AT CHRISTMAS CHEVRON CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock- Old Olive Basic Beige

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Embossing Folder - Woodgrain (retired)

* Stamps - Essential Sentiments (Waffle Flower)

* Ink - Old Olive

* Dies - Nested Essentials

* Embellishments - gold pearls (retired)

* Adhesive and dimensionals

VIDEO CARD

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS CHEVRON CARD

SUPPLIES I USED

* Cardstock -  Cherry Cobbler, Basic White

* Patterned Paper - (retired)

* Stamps - Alpine Adventure, Brightest Glow (both retired)

* Ink - Garden Green

* Dies - Stitched Rectangles (retired)

* Embellishments - Gold Snowflakes, Gold Pearls (both retired)

* Adhesive and dimensionals

CHEVRON CARDS

There you have it, the Chevron Card. I think it is a very versatile technique. I like that I can use scraps to create the chevron! I think it is a great way to add a little more color and character to the card. I hope you give the Chevron Card a try!

Just a quick note on some special posts and videos that will be coming up: 

* This Saturday, October 4, 2025 is World Card Making Day. I will be sharing a quick card layout that we can all make while share a little time together creating.

* Next Tuesday October 7, and on Tuesday October 14 I will present two special Stamp Happy Halloween videos. The projects in these videos are designed specifically for Halloween, but can be modified for any holiday or occasion.

* Stamp Happy Holidays posts and videos will continue to post on Thursdays.

Thanks for stopping by today. Until next time. . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

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

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

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990 - 2023 Stampin’ Up!®️