A Surprise Fun Fold Card
Sometimes a simple card base can turn into something a little extra special with just a few folds, and that’s exactly what happened with today’s project! I recently shared this fun fold with my Cards for Christ group when we met in person, and it was such a hit that I knew I had to share it here as well, so I sat down at my crafting table and created this sweet fun fold card to show you exactly how it comes together.
The card begins with a Basic White card base. The magic of this design comes from the Smoky Slate layer that creates the stepped effect. It’s folded into a mountain fold followed by a valley fold, creating the fun stair-step look that sits beautifully on the card front.
A panel of Lovely Blossoms Designer Series Paper (DSP) is adhered to the large portion of the Smoky Slate panel that attaches directly to the card base. Another coordinating piece of DSP is added to the front of the smaller folded section at the bottom of the card. The layered papers instantly bring color and pattern to the design and make the fold even more eye-catching.
For the textured accent, I embossed a piece of Granny Apple Green two-tone cardstock and gently sanded the raised areas. This reveals the white core of the two-tone cardstock and creates a slightly distressed look. This part is always so satisfying to do because watching the white core appear adds so much character and texture to the piece.
The embossed panel is layered onto a Smoky Slate mat and then adhesive is applied only to the lower back portion before attaching it to the smaller folded section of the card. This placement allows the fun fold to open and close easily while still giving the card that dimensional stair-step effect.
For the sentiment, I used the new Springtime Scenes stamp set and stamped “You Brighten My Day” in Granny Apple Green ink onto Basic White cardstock. The sentiment was punched with the 1-3/4″ Circle Punch and layered onto a 1-7/8″ Cloud Cover punched circle. The sentiment is adhered with Dimensionals near the lower left of the card front so it overlaps the embossed panel, the DSP, and just a bit of the fold itself, tying the entire design together. To finish the front, I added three Cloud Cover Moody Palette Glossy Dots using my Take Your Pick Tool for just the right amount of shine and polish.
Inside the card, I added a Basic White panel and layered it onto a Granny Apple Green mat. This bright mat frames the writing panel nicely and coordinates with the front design.
I’m sending these cards out to my February customers and my team members along with their March Paper Party Live Make & Take kits. The March kits feature the Filled With Sweetness Bundle along with the Homemade Sweetness Suite of products, and I can’t wait for everyone to start creating with them!
In the video I also share a second version of the card using the same Lovely Blooms Designer Series Paper but switching the colors for a slightly different look. Secret Sea two-tone cardstock replaces the Granny Apple Green embossed layer, the sentiment is stamped in Secret Sea ink, and the glossy dots are Secret Sea as well. The circle behind the sentiment is Petal Pink, and the inside mat changes from Granny Apple Green to Secret Sea. The measurements and layout remain exactly the same, making it easy to recreate the design in any color combination you love.
In the video above I walk you through the fun fold and show both card variations so you can see how easily the colors can be changed for a completely different look. It’s always fun to see how one layout can create multiple card styles with just a few simple swaps.
As a special thank you to my newsletter subscribers, I’ll be sharing the full printable tutorial for this card in my March 9 newsletter. I love including little creative goodies for the wonderful people who hang out with me and allow me to share my love of stamping and paper crafting with them. If you enjoy this project, be sure to keep an eye out for that tutorial so you can recreate this sweet stair-step fun fold in your own craft space.
Supplies used:
I printed your instructions for the Stair-Step fun fold card but they were missing information – I don’t like the idea of ‘approximately’ sizes – give me the correct measurements – PLEASE! Also score at two points – what two points for the Fun Fold Panel – I shouldn’t have to guess!! Please get back to me as I have all ready cut the two largest pieces for this card but don’t know where to score the ‘two points’. I am a stampin up demonstrator – approximately sizes gives us all a bad name – guesses don’t work. Thank you for your attention to this email – nkgoad60@aol.com
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. You were absolutely right that the measurements needed clarification. I have corrected the tutorial and sent you the updated version by email. I also sent the corrected tutorial to my newsletter subscribers so everyone has the accurate measurements. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know so I could fix it right away.
Could I please get PDF for this stair step card? Thanks in advance