Butterfly Diagonal Pop Up Card

I love learning new techniques and fancy folds are among my favourites.  For today's card I was enchanted with a new to me fold called "Diagonal Pop Up" fancy fold. Now I've seen these folds in store bought cards, but I've never attempted to make one myself.  Trust me this fold is super easy and if I can do it without pulling out my hair then so can you.

Here's my card front:

I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock measuring 3 5/8" x 5 1/2" for the center panel of the card front.  I die cut two of the large butterfly images from this piece and then embossed it with the Elegant Dots TIEF.  I cut another piece of Whisper White Card stock the same size as the first and adhered it with dimensionals behind the front panel.  I stamped the butterflies through the opening created by the larger butterfly framelit. 

I love all things glittery so to pop up the impact of the front of this card I added two 1/2" x 5 1/2" strips of silver glimmer paper on either side of the white panel before it was adhered to the card front.  Sticky strip doesn't always stick to glimmer paper, so instead of using that I put two thin strips of Tom Bow glue down each of the sides on the back of the Whisper White panel and then adhered the Glimmer strips, making sure they were showing the same width on each side of the front panel.  I also added some more bling with four large Basic Rhinestones on the bottom right hand side of the card front.   The sentiment "Sending Wishes Your Way" is from the Basic Butterfly stamp set. 

Inside of the Card:
Okay, so there's nothing major exciting about the front of my card other than the butterfly images inside the cut-a-ways. Right? So where's the magic and wow factor? 

Drum roll please...........are you ready?  What's truly exciting about this card is the fancy fold on the inside of the card! That's where the surprise lays. 

Isn't that impressive?  I thought so too, but I probably wouldn't have made this card without the inspiration and help of one of my favourite super-talented and creative stampers, Julie Davidson.   I subscribe to Julie's blog posts and newsletters, and there is always something she shares that I find interesting and helpful.  

Recently Julie posted a great video tutorial showcasing the Watercolour Wings stamp set and Bold Butterfly framelit dies.  She demonstrated a new to me fancy fold card called a Diagonal Pop Up.  How exciting!  Her card was inspiring and I loved this technique so I just had to make this card.  Rather than me giving you a step by step tutorial on how to make my card, I'm going to let the video speak for itself and share her link. Go ahead, just click on this link for her video and you'll see what I mean by super easy and fun! 

Supplies For My Card:

Stamps: Wonderful Wings Bundle , Basic Butterflies
Card stock: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Bold Butterflies Thinlet dies , Basic Rhinestones, Adhesive, Elegant Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (TIEF), Dimensionals, Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Big Shot, Pencil  

Bundle and save! Buy these two coordinating products for $45.00 CDN and save 15%.

The 15 image Watercolor Wings Photopolymer Stamp Set has made stamping classic butterflies even better by putting them in a Two-Step Stampin' set. Two-step sets have a base image and overlay images that you can combine over the base image. Use any combination of ink colors to create fantastic butterfly images. Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): a, d, e, g.

The Bold Butterfly Framelits Die set is comprised of 2 dies.  There is a large open image butterfly that measures 3-1/8" x 2-1/8" and a smaller delicately detailed butterfly that measures 2" x 1-3/8". 

 Cutting Instructions for Diagonal Pop Up Card:

1. The card base is Elegant Eggplant and the card stock measured 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 and is scored at 4 1/4.
2. The inside card panel is cut from Whisper White card stock and measures 7 1/2 x 4 3/4".  It is scored at 3 3/4".
3. Using a ruler and a pencil measure 2 1/2" from the center score line to both the right and left of the inside card panel and make a small erasable pencil mark.  
4. Measure 2 1/2" from the top of the center score line towards the bottom of the inside card panel and make a small erasable pencil mark. 
5. Starting from the right side line up the top and center pencil marks using the score line on your paper trimmer and score to where they meet.  Repeat this process for the left hand side of the panel. 
6. Erase pencil marks and Fold first on the center score line and then each of the side score lines, so that when the card panel is opened up a triangle pops up in the center.  
7. I stamped and cut out a butterfly image and adhered it on the left side of the triangle with two dimensionals.
8. Stamp your sentiments and any other design you want on your card panel and then adhere the panel with Tom Bow or other adhesive.  Tip:I applied the adhesive around the two sides of the panel to the beginning of the triangle at the top of the panel, and along the bottom of the panel. Make sure there is no adhesive on the triangle portion of the panel.  Once all the adhesive was added, I folded the panel at the center score line and then lined it up with the center score line of the card base and then closed the card.  When you do it this way, everything lines up perfectly.  

I hope you enjoyed this card and my tips and will try this out yourselves.  Let me know if you would make this card.  Right now I can think of all different kinds of things I can put on this pop up.  

How about you?  I want to know so leave me a comment and let me know what kind of card would you make and what stamp set or sets would you use to create it?  Please let me know. 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens   

Peek-A-Boo Flip Top Card

On May 28th and June 18th I posted some cards that used a technique called the "Peek-A-Boo Flip"  or "Fold Over Window" card and I promised to give you  some information on how to create them. Sorry that it took so long and I missed a couple of deadlines. 

As mentioned in my Wacky Watercooler Blog Hop post, I found the original design, a graduation card, on Glenda Caulkin's blog.  She had designed a card for her nephew and did a great video showing how she did it. 

I also came across a Sympathy Card created by Dawn Olchefske's called A Fold Over Window Card.  Dawn's video is also an excellent source for information on measuring correctly. 

Okay, so what did I do for my cards?  Well, here's a birthday card I made featuring the Celebrate Today stamp set:

Supplies: 
Stamp Set:  Celebrate Today
Ink: Watermelon Wonder (New In Colour Ink - 2015-2016 Annual Catalogue)
Card Stock: Bermuda Bay, 
DSP:  New - Cherry on Top DSP 2015-2016 Annual Catalogue 
Accessories:  Trimmer, Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Balloon Framelit Dies (coordinates with the  Celebrate Today stamp set or can be used on it's own), sponge daubers, Mono Adhesive,

Assembly:

1.  To begin, make all your paper cuts as follows:

• 1 piece of 3 1/4" x 11"co-ordinating card stock for flip panel, score at 5 1/2"
• 1 piece of 4 1/4" x 5 7/16" co-ordinating card stock for the card base 
• 1 piece of 3 x 5 7/16" Whisper White card stock for the center panel
• 2 strips of DSP or cardstock measuring 1/2" by 5 7/16" for the decorative panels.

2. Decorate the front of the 3 1/4" x 11 flip panel in your style by:

• stamping or embossing the flip panel to fit your design
• using a die cut or punch to cut a piece for the window or peek a boo opening. 

3.  To assemble the inside of the card:

• Stamp images and/or sentiment on the inside panel.
• Glue the Whisper White panel to the center of the card base.  Tip: I line up the card base and center panel using grid paper, when I can see that it's even on both sides I adhere the white panel
• I use Tom Bow glue to adhere the two decorative strips along the edges of the white center panel.  Make sure that these pieces line up at the top and are butted up tightly against center panel. Once you've adhered these pieces, flip the card base over and trim away any overlapping edges along the top and bottom of the card base.
• To finish the front of the card, center the flip panel, against the front side of the card base.  Again I'd recommend using the grid or a ruler to make sure the flip piece is evenly lined up on both sides of the card base.  Next I add Tom Bow glue to the back of the panel and re-center the piece being careful not to get glue on anything. Once you're satisfied with the placement lay the card down and press so the back of the flip panel attaches to the back of the card base.    When you use Tom Bow glue, you still have an opportunity to reposition the card piece if it isn't quite centered.  

This Peek-a-Boo Flip Top fancy fold can be used for any occasion.  Your imagination and creativity are the only limits for making this very versatile, inexpensive and fun card.  Here are some other cards I've made using this technique:

Sympathy Card:
I wanted a simple and clean looking Sympathy Card that didn't involve a lot of layers. For this card, I stamped the cross hatch image in Smokey Slate and the flower from the "You've Got This" stamp set in Elegant Eggplant on the flip panel of this card.  

The opening was die cut using the small label from the now retired Thinlets Card Labels die set. The inside sentiment is from the Petite Pairs stamp set.  I chose Smokey Slate for the card base cut the two decorative strips from Elegant Eggplant that was embossed with the Lovely Lace embossing folder.

It's a little hard to see but I took the fine tip of my Elegant Eggplant marker and outlined the center parts of the flowers to make them standout a bit more.  It worked beautifully and there's just a hint of a darker shade of Eggplant which was perfect.

I repeated the flower image on the inside of the card but I stamped off before adding the image so that it was a bit softer.  

Graduation Card: 
Once again, here's the graduation card I made for my niece who recently graduated. I pretty much CASED this card from Glenda Caulkin's, as noted above.  

I did the card base in Night of Navy card stock, and the two decorative panels were cut from Gold Foil sheets.  Love that stuff!  

The "Celebrate Today" Photopolymer stamp set was a perfect choice for this joyous occasion.  I love the versatility of the images and sentiments in this set. Tip: if you're searching for this set in the catalogue and can't find it, that's because it's filed under "Everyday Occasions" rather than birthdays, because it's one of those sets that's just so much more.  

I embossed the Happy Graduation sentiment and balloon tail with Gold Embossing powder.  The front of the flip panel is dry embossed with the Lucky Stars Embossing Folder.  Metallic Gold thread was used for the bow on the balloon base. 

Christmas Card:  
Here's an early Christmas card made with this same technique.  This card is going to be one of my Christmas in july Stamp-a-Stack cards because it's so quick and easy to assemble. 

I used Tip Top Taupe one of the new In Colours for the card base and flip panel piece.  I dry embossed the Flip Panel with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder and cut out the hole with a 1 3/8" circle punch.  

The wreath is from the Wondrous Wreath stamp set and it was cut out with the coordinating Wonderful Wreath framelit dies.  I'm so happy that both of these products were carried over from the Holiday Occasions Catalogue.  

I love all the accessories that come with the Wonderful Wreath framelit dies including the little bow?  It's the perfect size.  I cut the decorative panel pieces and two bows from Red Glimmer paper .  I glued the bows together so that the glimmer paper is showing on both sides, before I attached it to the wreath with glue dots.  

While you can't see it in this photo, I've added a window transparency sheet behind the wreath so it looks like it's hanging over a real door window.  I cut out the window sheet with a 1 3/8" circle punch and adhered it to the back of the wreath.  I didn't want all the leaves showing through the transparency so I re-cut the Tip Top Taupe 1 3/8" circle negative with a 1 1/4" circle punch and attached it behind the wreath.  You can see it in the second picture below.

You can see the second bow and the inner circle I made with Tip Top Taupe, to hide the unfinished back of the wreath.  

Well that's it for this post.  I hope I've shown you how much fun and how versatile this  Peek-a-Boo or Fold Over Window card can be, and I hope my instructions as well as the video links were easy to follow.  Look forward to hearing your comments.

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS 

Double Gate Fold Card Tutorial

You may have seen cards like this on Pinterest or Split Coast stampers recently.  It's called a Double Gate Fold card.  

I copied my card after watching the excellent video by Dee Slater's  of Create With Dee.  Dee is so creative and always does a great job of explaining the mechanics of her cards.  I liked this card so much I couldn't wait for the video to be over so I could make one myself. 

Using this design, I made two cards, one for Mother's Day and the other for a Birthday.  Both are super cute and really give that WOW factor when they come out of the envelope.  Thanks Dee!

Here's My Cards:

This is how the Double Gate Fold card looks coming out of the envelope.  What a beautiful card front.  I absolutely love, love, love it!  It's so feminine and girly-girl that it simply puts a smile on your face.

I used Pistachio Pudding cardstock and matching InColour 2013-2014 designer series paper with Whisper White cardstock.  The Flower Shop and Petite Petals stamp sets and coordinating punches make it easy to assemble this lovely flower. 

When the card is closed on the inside it looks like this.  You can almost feel the anticipation building while the recipient takes off the belly band and opens the card. Sorry for the bad lighting on this photo.

Okay, the suspense is over.  Here's the inside view of my card.  The hinged part of the gate fold top is achieved using the Window Frames Collection framelits and Big Shot Machine and the carryover of the card front design is perfect.  For the inside flower I stamped the base flower and added a single punched Pistachio Pudding flower using the Petite Petals punch.  The Daffodil Delight center is mounted with a dimensional.  


Supplies:
Cardstock:   Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White
Stamp Sets:  Flower Shop,

DSP:  InColour 2013-2014 Designer Series Paper in Pistachio Pudding

Ink:  Pistachio Pudding, Daffodil Delight, Staz On Black Ink
Accessories:  Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Paper Trimmer, Big Shot Machine, Pansy Punch, Petite Petals Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch Dimensionals, Adhesive, Window Frames Collection Framelits, Pansy Punch, 
 

Here's my birthday version.  I added a few more flowers on the front of this card and some additional basic pearls on the flower centers.  When I finished the card I wasn't too crazy about my sentiment choice, so I later swapped it out for the "happy birthday" banner from the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set.  Much better!

HOW IT'S MADE:

1. Using Simply Scored score at 2 1/8" turn the card stock 180 degrees and score again at 2 1/8".
2. Now turn the piece and score at 4 1/4".  This score line will become the hinge part of the card.
3. Line up one of the 2 1/8" score lines in trimmer and trim to 4 1/4" line.  Then turn and trim on the 4 1/4" line 2 1/8".  Remove and set aside trimmed off piece for flower petals (see step 12).  Repeat on other side.
4. Set up your magnetic plate or platform in the Big Shot machine and using the 2nd from largest Window Frame Die place it over the square flap at the top of the card.  Adjust so the bottom of the die is just beneath the 4 1/4" score line.  (if you're above the line and you pass through Big Shot you'll cut off the flap.  If you're too far below the score line, the card flap won't close properly).  
5. Place the acrylic plate from the Big Shot over top of the cardstock and die, so it's lined up just to the hinge line and run through the Big Shot.  
6. Trim off the two excess pieces of card stock on either side of the window frame shape with scissors once the die has been removed.  
7. For the front and inside of the card you'll need to cut two Whisper White and two DSP patterned window frames using the next two smaller dies (refer to the picture).  Layer these die cuts with adhesive and attach to the front and the inside front panel. 
8. Cut two pieces of Whisper White card stock for the front panels to measure 1 7/8" x 4" and attach to the gate fold panels.
9. Cut two pieces of DSP for front panels to measure 1 5/8" x 3 3/4" and adhere over the front panels.
10. Cut a Whisper White panel for the inside of the card to measure 4 x 4.  Stamp the panel with a sentiment of your choice and one of the flowers (see picture above for tip on the flower assembly).
11. For Belly Band cut a 9 1/2" by 1 12" piece of cardstock to match the card base and then cut a 9 1/2" x 1 1/4" piece of DSP and glue to the cardstock piece.  Once the belly band is assembled wrap it around the card so one piece overlaps the other and secure together with sticky strip.  Make a flower and attach over top of the seam.  This band should slide easily off the card - don't make it too tight.
12. To assemble the flowers for the card front, inside flap and belly band:  
• Stamp 3 Flower Shop gingham flowers and punch out with the Pansy Punch. 
• Stamp 3 Petite Petals flowers and punch out with the Petite Petals Punch
• On scraps of Whisper White card stock stamp randomly stamp 3 of the gingham flowers with Daffodil ink and punch out just the center of the flower with the 1/2" circle punch.  Note: because you only want the centers, you don't need to stamp the entire flower.
• Punch out 3 plain cardstock flowers with the Pansy Punch and 3 with the Petite Petals punch (use the two pieces of cardstock removed from the top of the card for these flowers)
• Using glue dots stack from the base up a plain card stock Pansy flower, a Gingham Flower, a plain card stock Petite Petal Flower and a stamped Petite Petal flower.  Mount a Daffodil Delight center piece with a dimensional.  Attach flowers with sticky strip to the front, he inside cover and belly band.  Note:  I wanted a little glimmer on my flowers to give them some added pop, so I outlined all the petals with Dazzling Details #124117 pg. 166.
13. Stamp a sentiment of your choice on Whisper White card stock and cut out like a banner.  Attach with glue dots beneath the petals.

Okay you should now be able to create your own Double Gate Fold card.  Remember to watch Dee Slater's video so you can see how she placed the Window Die, it's much easier to understand visually than my trying to explain it in steps 4,5 and 6 above. 

I'd love to hear from you if you made this card or simply a comment on the two that I've made.  It's always exciting to hear back from someone who actually used my instructions, as to whether they were understandable and helpful.   Have a great stamping day and thanks for visiting my blog!
Penny