Seriously! This fun fold card is so easy! When I find an easy card design that I like, I end up making a lot of them!
I think it’s the kind of card that is also fun to receive because of the unique opening. I shared this design at my October virtual gathering with my team of demonstrators because it’s a great card to make together with friends.
The card base is a piece of cardstock, measuring 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″. However, you will cut off a 1 1/4″ section from the front of the card and use it to attach the front flap.
With those two pieces for your base, you can create multiple versions of this style of card. After that, it’s a simple matter of what patterned paper to use.
I have Christmas on the brain!
Since this fun fold is so easy to make, I was able to make a few different versions.
The clear Epoxy Essentials are such a cute and simple addition to a card design. I like how the diamond-shaped ones coordinate with the pattern of the paper.
Check out the video to see how to make this easy fun fold card.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions. I’m always happy to help when I can!
Hey all! I’m really excited to share this super cool spanner panel fun-fold card design with you today!
I’m not only excited because of it’s fun layers and playful colours, but also because I haven’t shared a technique video with you for over a month!
I missed you!!
Before I give you all the details on this card and the video tutorial, I want to tell you a bit about what I was up to in August. It was an adventure that consumed every ounce of my energy and effort.
The Great Cycle Challenge
This was the 5th year that I’ve participated in the Great Cycle Challenge and it was the toughest year yet! I pledged to ride my bike a total of 1000km through the 31 days of August. By doing so, I hoped to raise $5,000 to help kids fight cancer. I didn’t plan to cancel my life for the month, but soon realized that I had to let a few things drop.
I stopped trying to keep up with my blog and social media, I canceled classes, and my craftroom was lonely and neglected.
62 hours
Approximately 62 hours were spent on my bike. I rode during the heat waves, the wildfire smoke, and the rain. My longest bike ride was 110km! When I took a selfie, I smiled for the camera. When I didn’t take photos, it was because I was too focused or too depleted to put in the effort.
Not only did I reach my $5,000 fundraising goal, but blew by it, for the whopping total of $8,420 in donations!! I am delighted by the amount of support and encouragement I received from family, friends, customers, and even strangers!
31 days of exhaustion. My wrists, legs, butt, and neck were always stiff and sore. My heart was often heavy as I thought of all the kids who are fighting for their lives and all those who lost their fight far too soon. I thought of the parents and siblings. I thought of the aunties, uncles, and grandparents. No child should be stolen by cancer. Ever.
I gave up a month for them. One month. That is absolutely meaningless when you hold it up against what the families have to give up when cancer forces its way into their homes.
Donations are still being accepted toward my fundraising efforts all through September. Perhaps you’d like to show your support and make a difference in the little lives and their families. You can see more details and donate on my Great Cycle Challenge fundraising page. Funds go toward childhood cancer research with the SickKids Foundation.
Now that my cycling adventure is done, the kids are at school, and my husband is back in his office at the university, I am enjoying my quiet productive time at home once again. I can get back to sharing my passion for papercrafting with you!
Back to the card!
This fun-fold design shows off some of the cheerful paper from the Pattern Party Designer Series Paper (only available to hosts!).
The front of the card is split into three panels, with a spanning piece between the two side sections. I used a Window Sheet to span the space between, but I’ve also seen this type of card with paper across the front instead of the acetate.
One thing I really like about this kind of card design, is that you have the opportunity to fit in some little extras in the layers. I chose to have the “hello” on the front of the card cover up another sentiment. That way, when you lift up the front, you have something to surprise you!
Finally, you flip up that middle section to reveal the area where you can write a personal message.
You can follow along with me in my video tutorial to see exactly how to make this card. You might not have the same products as I did, but you’re clever. I know you’ll be able to make something beautiful with your favourite supplies.
Of course, if you like any of the items that I used on this card, you can always order them from me here in Canada on my online store.
I love the look of paper strips and pieces on a card.
This locking gate fold design has multiple pieces of patterned paper for a sweet patchwork look. My original card was created for my technique class back in May. Since then, we’ve had some products retire and we have some new products coming available in August.
A fresh take with the Whimsy & Wonder DSP
You will see that the video tutorial at the bottom of this post explains how to make the original card. Of course, that design features the retired Art Gallery Designer paper. It would be easy to adapt this design with other patterned papers, as you can see on my new design above.
The original design for my May technique class
Imagine the possibilities! Go over to my online store and have a look at some of the patterned paper options currently on sale. Be sure to check back on August 3rd to see the new fall products!
I decided to try this design using the Wonderful Snowflakes that will be available to purchase in August. Because the snowflakes are so detailed and delicate, I chose to use a rectangle stitched piece of paper as my centre locking mechanism. Only the top layer is die-cut with the Rectangle Stitched die. The two layers underneath are just cut to size, thereby saving me some time and effort.
My new design features the gorgeous Whimsy & Wonder Specialty paper in the August – December Mini Stampin’ Up! Catalogue. I also used the STUNNING Be Dazzling 6″ x 6″ paper for the narrow paper strips. These are so so so sparkly and have almost a mirror finish.
The inside of the card is just as pretty as the outside!
This card called for a sentiment on the front. The Whimsical Trees stamp set was created to coordinate with the paper, so I used Shaded Spruce ink on Basic White cardstock.
Watch the video to see how to make this cool locking card!
The video provides step by step instructions so you can make this at home. I share two different methods for the centre locking mechanism, so be sure to see the difference. If you watch the video on YouTube, you’ll also see that there are measurements and a supply list in the video description. While you’re there, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel!
