A Diorama Concertina Card
There are cards that make people smile, and then there are cards that make people gasp. This Diorama Concertina card definitely belongs in the gasp category. It’s my very first diorama-style card, created with the breathtaking Lights of Aurora Suite Collection, and I can promise you it won’t be my last. The way this fold layers into a little scene feels like opening a tiny world of wonder—and it’s so much easier than it looks.
The card begins with a Thick Basic White card base, clean and sturdy, ready to hold the layers of dimension. Inside, I added a crisp panel of Basic White surrounded by Highland Heather for just the right pop of framing color. From there, the real magic begins with the Diorama Concertina fold in Pool Party cardstock. With its accordion-style scored sides, this fold creates the depth needed to build a layered scene. Once folded and trimmed, an opening was cut with the Textured Notes die to serve as the window into the diorama.
To set the stage, the Lights of Aurora Designer Series Paper became my backdrop. Its dreamy colors made the perfect sky, and then the scene truly started coming alive. Puffy Balmy Blue clouds floated by, inked softly for dimension and popped up with a few dimensionals. Mountains in Pool Party rose in the distance, their snowcaps shimmering with Wink of Stella, while Highland Heather pines tucked in among them. A second layer featured more majestic pines in Gorgeous Grape for contrast, grounding the scene and drawing the eye forward.
The sentiment, “May Your Day Be Filled With Love,” stamped in Gorgeous Grape, fit the mood perfectly. I layered it over a strip of Balmy Blue Sheer Ribbon for a soft, elegant touch. And of course, no magical scene is complete without sparkle—a few Frosted Iridescent Dots gave the effect of twinkling light near the lake area.
When it all comes together, this Diorama Concertina card is a true stunner. It folds flat, opens with a wow, and shows off the versatility of the Lights of Aurora Suite so beautifully. What I love most is that, even though it looks complicated, breaking it down step by step made it totally doable.✨ And here’s a little tip for you: Add Subtle Sparkle + Shading by using sponge daubers with coordinating inks to add soft shading on die cuts like clouds, mountains, and trees—it instantly gives them dimension. Then finish with a touch of Wink of Stella on snowcaps or accents for shimmer. It’s quick, easy, and makes the whole scene feel magical without overpowering the design.✨
I’ve created a free PDF tutorial so you can recreate this card yourself. Feel free to substitute whatever you have on hand that you think will be great for a Diorama card. The possibilities are ENDLESS! The tutorial link is just below—download it, print it, and craft along with me at your own pace.
And if you’re more of a visual learner, here’s the full video tutorial as well:
I can’t wait for you to try this fold for yourself. Whether it’s your first diorama card or your tenth, there’s something extra special about watching a little scene come to life inside a card. If you do give it a try, let me know in the comments—I’d love to see your take on doing a Diorama Concertina project.
Supplies Used (also listed in the Tutorial): Lights of Aurora Suite Collection: 165768 – includes Balmy Blue Sheer Ribbon, Frosted Iridescent Dots, Light & Wonder Stamp Set, Light & Wonder Die Cuts, Lights of Aurora 6 x 6 DSP