Merry Christmas Fun Fold

I had some requests on Tuesday’s post for the instructions for the fun fold dragonfly card. As it happens, I’m reading a really good book and didn’t go to sleep until after 1 a.m. Monday night (actually Tuesday morning). Amelia was in a very good mood Tuesday (she’s always in a good mood), so she didn’t quibble about taking a nap. Although I was very tired, I had a few “chores” to take care of, and I had promised to play with her after her nap. So instead of enjoying a short nap, I drank some coffee and finished my tasks.

I told you all that to let you know that while I was planning to post the instructions for this card on Thursday, I’m wide awake now because of my 4:00 coffee binge. So here’s my card.

I decided to make a Christmas card with this design. TheNight of Navy card base is 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ (a standard card). Using the largest square from the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, I die-cut the square from the front of the card, and then embossed the front with the Woodland Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Then I cut the next largest square in the Stitched Framelits Dies from Whisper White Cardstock. So far, so good.

I  thought the trees in the Card Front Builder Thinlits would be a good starting place for the front, so I die-cut both sets from Tranquil Tide Cardstock. I stamped the white square with the little snowflakes and splatters and diamonds stamp from Carols of Christmas Stamp Set (you can bundle this with the Card Front Builder Thinlits and save 10%) using Night of Navy and Perfect Plum Classic Stampin’ Pads, then adhered the trees. You want a little overhang so the card locks in place. It looked a little stark to me, so I added the Merry Christmas sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes in VersaMark, and embossed it with Silver Stampin’ Emboss Powder. (Hint: It’s worth it to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig here, especially if, like me, you add this at the end. I didn’t plan well.)

Next came the folded insert. It is 6″ wide by 5-1/4″ tall. Score the 6″ side at 2″ and 4″, then fold. The first fold on the left is a mountain and the next is a valley. The panels are matted with Perfect Plum (1-3/4″ x 5″) and then Whisper White (1-1/2″ x 4-3/4″). I stamped the greenery from Father Christmas on the Whisper White layers with the Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad, then colored them with Tranquil Tide and Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write Markers. (Note: Another bad planning move. I should have cut the Whisper White cardstock at 4-1/2′” x 4-3/4″  and stamped before I cut the panels, but it worked out ok just lining them up.) I added more splatters/diamonds/snowflakes with Night of Navy and Perfect Plum Classic Stampin’ Pads, using the same stamp from Carols of Christmas, and a sentiment from Brightly Lit Christmas. Here are the two “insert panels.”

All that was left was to glue everything together. The 6″ accordion-folded panel is glued right at the edge of the inside back of the card. Only put adhesive on the last 2″ panel (the one with the sentiment). The other two just hang out.

Close the card and place the die-cut stitched square in place. Get an idea of where your glue will be. Add adhesive about 1″ in on the back (and remember – although you’re adding adhesive to the right side, when you turn the square over, it will be on the left. If you add it to the right side on the back, you’re going to kick yourself later. Ask me how I know.)

I added the square panel back in with the card closed so it would be in perfect position.

Here’s what it will look like open.

Since the 5-1/2″ x 6″ panel is only adhered at the back right side, you can add your greeting behind the two 2″ panels. If your cardstock is dark (like my Night of Navy), you may want to add a layer of lighter paper or cardstock. I’d cut it at 3-3/4″ x 5″ so it will fit will with a little border.

I hope that makes sense. It’s really easy if you actually have the card in your hands, so if you don’t understand, leave a message and I’ll try to answer any questions you have. I can even send you a template if you send your address in an email to buffyc3 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a lovely day!

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