playful alphabet dies

Video: How to make this unique fun-fold card

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.

Isn’t it delightful!

Supply List

Watch the video for all the details

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.

A Happy Hello to make You Smile

Most of the time, the things that I receive in the mail are bills and flyers. Not very fun.

So, when I get a card in the mail (or blessed be the day that I get an actual package!), it is a reason to smile! Most packages that I receive are, of course, items that I ordered online. I get a thrill when they finally arrive, even though I know what’s inside.

The other day, I had a rather large package in the mail. It didn’t order it and I wasn’t expecting anything.

It was an ACTUAL package!

And it was for ME!

It was a care package from my best friend who, because of pandemic restrictions, I hadn’t seen in over a year. It was filled with all sorts of gifts, some silly and fun, some personalized just for me, and some lovely and surprising. A hand-made card was there as well, to say hello.

The card that I have to share with you today is one that would make anyone smile.

Making the card

I punched a couple of daisies using the Medium Daisy Punch. Crushed Curry is just the right contrast with the Daffodil Delight in the paper pattern. Do you recognize the paper I used? It’s from the Hand-Penned Memories and More Card Pack. The pack is designed with scrapbooking in mind, but is great for cards, too! I don’t scrapbook nearly as much as I’d like.

The HELLO is created with the Playful Alphabet DIes, some Basic White Cardstock, and Foam Adhesive Sheets. I adhered those letters to a layer of Basic Black and patterned paper from the Pattern Party Designer Series paper. The Banners Pick-a-Punch is one of my new favourites, and was used to created that nice flagged end to the black layers.

I trimmed the White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon in half along it’s length, tying it into a double bow. The delicate texture is the perfect finishing touch to this pretty design.

Send some joy today!

Happy mail, whether it’s a card or a full package from someone who cares about you is incredibly meaningful. The joy is in knowing that someone is thinking of you and cares about you.

Send some happy mail and make someone smile, knowing that you’re thinking about them.

After receiving my package, you can bet that I was smiling plenty that day!