Funky Fancy Fold - Triangle Pop-Up

Hello everyone! Today I have a fancy fold card for the new Art Impressions Funky Folds Challenge going on now until August 5th.  This is called a Triangle Pop-Up card. It folds together to create half a cube with triangles that angle out when it's displayed. In the middle is an easel mechanism that creates the pop-up feature.

I decorated this card with images from the Whisk It Set #5001. I love all the stamps but my favorite is the stove with a batter bowl and a loaf of bread baking inside. So cute! I colored all the images with Copic markers. The retro blue/green & yellow color combos I used can be found at the end of this post. 

This isn't a difficult fold once you understand it. However, it's just "funky" enough that it takes a bit for most people to know how to fold it out to display. For this reason, I recommend giving this card in person so you can show them how it goes together.   

At the top of this post is how the card looks when it's fully open. To display this, you open it all up and then move the right bottom quadrant on top of the left lower quadrant. There is a set of magnets that will find each other. They hold everything in place and that's all there is to setting it up for display. 

It's a little more complicated to fold it back up. Everything you see below is the inside of the card. The bottom half is split. The bottom half is split only to the middle and it has to be this way in order to pivot the bottom right quadrant on top of the bottom left quadrant for display. 

Now you fold up the bottom half to meet the top half. This reveals the back of the lower left quadrant in the photo above. This is the front of the card once it's all folded up. At this point, the square we started with is now folded in half. 

Next you fold the right half behind the left half to make a 4" square shape. Now it's ready to go into an envelope. Some people like to use a belly band or a ribbon to hold all the layers together a little more tightly. I am good with that though and I didn't do either.

My video shows the major steps and how to fold and unfold this card in real time. I walk through all the pieces and how to do the final assembly as well. Just click below to see it.

To further assist you, I have made a list of paper pieces with sizes needed and a diagram that shows where the pieces are placed on the 8" x 8" card base. The numbers correspond to the diagram where applicable. I had to make this for myself to keep it all straight since there are so many pieces and layers. Hopefully, you'll find this helpful too.

Paper Dimensions and Cutting Directions: 

1. Cut a square out of base card cardstock - 8" x 8" square. The square in Diagram A is this piece.
2. Cut a white square - 3 7/8" for card front. Also cut a main pattern square - 3 3/4." Glue together.
3. Cut a white square - 3 7/8" for left bottom quadrant.
4. Cut a white square - 3 7/8." Also cut a main pattern paper square - 3 3/4." Glue together for placement on bottom right quadrant. 
5. Cut a white square - 3 3/4." Also cut a main pattern square - 3 1/2." Cut both squares in half and glue the patterned triangles on the white cardstock to create two matted triangles.
6. Do the same as step 6 using a contrast pattern square. Cut both squares in half and glue the patterned triangles on the white cardstock to create two matted triangles.
7. Cut a rectangle out of base card stock - 6" x 3 1/2." This is the easel mechanism and it's shown in the diagram under the square. On long side, score at 3" and 4 1/2." Fold in half and place circle die on top so part of the die overhangs a small part of the fold. Cut and then fold the 4 1/2" score line to create the easel part of the mechanism. 
8. Cut a square out of base card stock - 3 1/2." Use it to cut out a circle using the same die as in step 7. Glue this to the bottom half of the easel part of the easel mechanism. The top half of this circle should not be glued to anything but the lower half of the easel mechanism.
9. Cut a circle using the die large enough to fit your sentiment. Mat it with another circle slightly larger. Glue together and attach it in the easel mechanism so that it will catch the easel section and support it to display upright. Make sure that nothing catches or is in the way before you permanently glue it in the card. 

DIAGRAM A:

                                     EASEL MECHANISM (above)

Before I go I need to share two other things. First is that I learned this fold by watching a video from Jan B on YouTube. She's a Stampin' Up Demonstrator from the UK. You can find her post with video here: Triangle Pop Up Card

And finally, the Copic colors I used for the bulk of this card are:
Retro Blue/Green Combo: B01, BG15 and BG45
Yellow Combo:YG00,Y02 and Y13

If you want to play along with this challenge, you can follow the link here to upload your card. The  winner receives three stamp sets which is a very generous prize! You don't have to use Art Impressions stamps but you do get extra points if you do. Head on over to the challenge post and show off your work! I can't wait to see it!

 Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest

For the Grill Master! Hats Off Mr. from Art Impressions

 

Hello and happy Saturday! I'm back again to post this fabulous card featuring the new Hats Off Mr. Stamp set from Art Impressions. This set features this fine looking gentlemen and many different hats and accessories to create different themes. There are many fabulous sentiments with this set as well. 

I colored my Mr. with Copic markers. I added his beard stubble, pattern in his shirt and made his socks more like athletic socks just for fun. You can color him in ways that you prefer too.

I've got a video showing how I made this card and written instructions with all the measurements are included below in this post.

Base Card Construction

In your main color, cut the following pieces. For my card, I used Basis Blue. Please note that I've used a lightweight scrap paper to make the mock up in the pictures that go with these directions. I often do this and keep it for future reference. It makes it very easy to make again this way.

1) Cut a piece measuring 9" x 5 1/2."Use a bone folder to score lines beginning on the right side at 1/2", 2 5/8", 4 3/4" and 6 7/8." If you're score board isn't wide enough for the last score, flip the cardstock around and score at 2 1/8."

• Using a craft knife or a paper cutter, cut two horizontal lines between the1st and the third score lines. These lines should both be cut at 1 and 5/16" from the top and bottom edge.
• Fold the card on the score lines as shown below. This is from the left to right a valley fold, mountain fold valley fold and then mountain fold. The center piece should have a mountain fold as shown in the photo below.

2) Cut another piece measuring 4 1/4" X 5 1/2.

• Glue this piece to the larger card base using the 1/2" tab to join them. Using a strong adhesive is a good idea for this step.

Final Card Construction

1) Cut mats in your secondary color. I used Basis Golden Green in my card and a scrap red cardstock in the sample.

• 1 7/8" x 5 1/4" (2)
• 4" x 5 1/4" (1)
• 2 3/4" x 1 7/8" (2)
• 1 x 1 7/8" (4)

2) Cut top layers out of decorative paper. Glue to mats In the sample. This is represented by the blue polka dot paper. In my card, I used an American Crafts paper pad called Ready Set Go. Unfortunately, this pad is no longer available except on Etsy or Ebay. 

• 3/4" x 1 5/8" (4)
• 1 5/8" x slightly less than 2 1/2" (2)
• 3 3/4" x 5" (1)
• 1 5/8" x 5" (2)

3) Glue the matted pieces into the card.

4) Fold the card into itself so that it looks like this.

5) Use a nested die set in any shape you like to create a focal point on the front of the card. Use glue or foam dots to attach the left side of the shape to the left side of the card, leaving the right half of the shape to overhang freely. In my card, I Basis Golden Green and a piece of grilling patterned paper from my stash. In my mock up, I used lightweight scrap in white and light blue papers. 

6) Decorate as you like. I put the completed Mr. Chef on the front of my card along with navy half backed pearls.

Thanks much for stopping by today. I hope you'll go to the Art Impressions Store to check out this new set and many others that are included in the newest release.

Happy Creating!

Janet - YouTube - Blog - Facebook - Instagram - Pinterest

Fancy Fold Bird Card

Hello friends. Are you stuck in a card making rut? We all get there at one time or another. Today I've got a tutorial for a fancy fold card that will give you a fresh take on basic card making. A few measurements, a good paper collection and some stamped images or embellishments is all you need to make this card. It's versatile too. Any theme or occasion will work. Just pick the colors and papers you want to set the mood.

For this card, you'll want a really sturdy base that can take a lot of manipulation. I used two Basis card stocks from CutCardstock for the card base and the mats. At an 80 lb cover weight, it's heavy enough to withstand a good workout but it's not too thick. I chose to use Light Lime and CoralCoral. These were colors that played well with the vintage paper pack I used. There are currently 29 different colors you can choose from in the store! You will find limitless color combinations in the Basis line which is fantastic.

There are many looks to this card. Above it is closed the picture below shows it on display. It's very dimensional.

Here is a view of the middle of the card. I used a message in the paper pack as part of the decoration and message in the card. On the back panel, I used a cut-out from the paper pack to echo the stamped bird and branch on the front of the card. Unfortunately this paper collection is sold out everywhere I looked for it. It's Simple Stories Simple Garden District.

You may be wondering where you can include a note and sign this card. It's on the back panel. Below is a photo of two cards I made of this style with different backs. As you can see, you can keep it plain as shown on the right or add an additional message as I did on the left.

Base Card Construction

In your main color, cut the following pieces. I used Basis Light Lime. Please note that I've used a lightweight scrap paper to make the mock up in the pictures that go with these directions. I often do this and keep it for future reference. It makes it very easy to make again this way.

1) Cut a piece measuring 9" x 5 1/2."Use a bone folder to score lines beginning on the right side at 1/2", 2 5/8", 4 3/4" and 6 7/8."

• Using a craft knife or a paper cutter, cut two horizontal lines between the1st and the third score lines. These lines should both be cut at 1 and 5/16" from the top and bottom edge.
• Fold the card on the score lines as shown below.

2) Cut another piece measuring 4 1/4" X 5 1/2.

• Glue this piece to the larger card base using the 1/2" tab to join them. Using a strong adhesive is a good idea for this step.

Final Card Construction

1) Cut mats in your secondary color. I used Basis Coral and a scrap red cardstock in the sample.

• 1 7/8" x 5 1/4" (2)
• 4" x 5 1/4" (2)
• 2 3/4" x 1 7/8" (2)
• 1 x 1 7/8" (4)

2) Cut top layers out of decorative paper. Glue to mats In the sample. This is represented by the blue polka dot paper. In my card, I used a Simple Stories collection called Simple Vintage Garden District.

• 3/4" x 1 5/8" (4)
• 1 5/8" x 2 1/2" (2)
• 3 3/4" x 5"
• 1 5/8" x 5" (2)

3) Glue the matted pieces into the card.

4) Fold the card into itself so that it looks like this.

5) Use a nested die set in any shape you like to create a focal point on the front of the card. Glue only (this is important) the left side of the shape to the left side of the card, leaving the right half of the shape to overhang freely. In my card, I nested a lustrous piece of Classic Pearl Linen Card Stock in White Pearl. In my mock up, I used lightweight scrap in white and light blue papers. 

6) Decorate as you like. I used a color layering stamp set from Hero Arts called Color Layering Bird and Branch. I also added pink flat back pearls.

Here are the ink colors I used for the bird:

• 1st layer - Archival Tea Rose
• 2nd layer - Archival Cornflower Blue
• 3rd layer - Archival Violet
• 4th layer - Memento Black Onyx

For the large flowers, I used the following inks:

• 1st layer - Hero Arts Taffy
• 2nd layer - Hero Arts Fiesta Red

For the small flowers, I used the following inks:

• 1st layer - Delicata Rose Gold
• 2nd layer - Hero Arts Taffy

For the leaves, I used the following inks:

• 1st layer - Memento Bamboo Leaves
• 2nd layer - Archival Fern Green

I hope you'll be inspired to try this fancy card fold. It can be used for all styles and themes and it is impressive since it folds out to a large 12 3/4" size when opened flat. It is an unexpected surprise for the recipient when they open it. Make a visit to the store to see the Basis line. It's 10% off for the month of May.