Christmas Parade of Cards Part Three

Hi and welcome to my blog.  Today I want to share a really super easy and delightful fancy fold called the Double Z Accordion Card.  I came across this fun fancy fold by Karen Titus on Youtube.  After watching the video I immediately went to my craft room, got out my dsp and cardstock and started making this style of card.  I was hooked.  

In this photo you can see how the long portion of the accordion cardstock strip is attached to the left and right hand side of the card.  I've added a simple layered stitched circle made with coordinating designer paper and basic white cardstock for the focal. Remember it doesn't matter what shape your focal is, it can be a square, a circle, a rectangle or other shape as long as it fits the design of the card.

  

In this photo you can see how the accordion fold bends and the six small dsp squares are layered onto the cardstock. The six squares could be a matchup of designer papers and cardstock, they could could be embossed, or an alternate color.  Once again, there's no right or wrong way and no limit to the combinations you can come up with. 

Here I've used coordinating designer paper for a mat on the back side of the card.  Although I would anticipate writing my greeting on this side of the card, and there's sufficient room to write a message, I could also turn the card and write my greeting on  the white space panels on the right.  In fact, I've stamped my logo on this portion of the card and you'll see that in other samples, as there was no where else for it to go. 

In this view you can see that I've staggered the patterns on the small squares.  

Here's How You Make This Card:

Card Base:

• Cut a 7 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of basic white cardstock for the card base and score it at 1 1/2" and 3".
• Burnish the fold lines - mountain on the 1 1/2" and valley on the 3". 

Cardstock Strips: 

• Choose a coordinating color of cardstock that works with whatever patterned paper you are working with and your card base.  
• Cut three 7 1/4 x 1 1/2" and score these at 1 1/2" and 3" for Z fold.

DSP Strips and Squares:

• Cut three 4" x 1 1/4" strips of designer paper.  Adhere these to the three cardstock strips 
• Cut six 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" squares of designer paper.

Assembly:

• Lay the card base flat with Z fold on left side.
• Attach cardstock strips with the Z fold on the right.  Start with the first strip at the top of the card and put adhesive on the left side first leaving a small margin at the top and side, then  do the same on the right side.  Adhere the next strip at the bottom edge of the card doing the same thing, and repeat for the last strip by adhering it in the middle of the card base.  
• Adhere the DSP squares on the right side.  

To finish the card create a focal point to go on the front of the card. 

So how does this relate to my Christmas Parade of Cards? 

    

The first card in this group started with scraps from the Christmas Tags and More Specialty Designer 6x6 Paper.  I simply added some gold foil, a piece of Basic White that was embossed with a retired snow embossing folder and gold snowflake.  

Card #1:

The following cards were made using Stampin' Ups! North Pole Delivery Designer Paper.  What better way to use up some of the scraps I was accumulating.  

Card #2: 

Card #3: 

Card #4: 

Well, that's it for this parade of Christmas cards.  I hope you enjoyed it and that you'll try out this fancy fold.  I think once you try it you'll be like me "hooked".  It really is a very special and fun card to make.  In closing here are a few additional samples 

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Using Up Scraps - Freshly Made Sketches #705

 Freshly Made Sketches #705

Check out this sketch by Narelle and the wonderful samples from the design team at Freshly Made Sketches.  This sketch is open until Monday September 29th for submissions, so why not play along with me.  I'd love to see your creations posted on their wall.  It can't get any easier than this! 

Here's My Card:

I really liked Michele Ferguson's take on the sketch so I decided to flip the sketch on its side and make a landscape card.  

Supplies

Stamps & Dies

• Fall for Toile Sept 2025 Paper Pumpkin kit 

Cardstock & DSP: 

• Card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic White scored at 4 1/4" 
• Pecan Pie
• Cut two 5 1/4" x 4" for outside and inside layers
• Cut three 1/2" x 3 1/2" strips and emboss 

Ink & Blends: 

• Pecan Pie

Accessories:  

• Birchwood 3D Embossing Folder for strips #164069
• Basic 3D Embossing Folder - hatched design for background 
• Metallic Enamel Effects - Copper for leaves 
• Stickles Orange sparkle for pumpkins 
• Dimensionals

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my card.  I hope you liked it and will come back again.  Happy Monday, have a good week. 

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar - Supplies Limited 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Store 

Join October 1 to 31st for big savings!  Read all about it here.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #648

 Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #648

Here's a fun sketch that involves a little bit of calculation to get things right but is fun to do.  This challenge ends on Sunday September 28, so don't delay, if you want to submit your work of art.  

HERE'S MY CARD:

I decided to make a masculine birthday card with this design.  Guys seem to like cards with depth and outdoorsy  type of scenes.  So this card fit the bill in every way. 

SUPPLIES: 

Stamps and Dies:

• Mountain Majesties May 25 Paper Pumpkin kit

Cardstock and Designer Paper:

• Card Base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic White scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White Inside layer 3 3/4" x 5" and scrap for sentiment on card front
• Basic Black cardstock for base layer 5 3/8" x 4 1/8" and scrap for sentiment
• Lost Lagoon cardstock for layers on panels 
• Timeless Plaid DSP 5 1/4" x 4" in Lost Lagoon design for background layer

Inks and Blends:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Accessories: 

• Rustic Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots
• Trimmer 
• Dimensionals

Thanks for dropping by and checking out my submission for this week's sketch challenge at Atlantic Hearts.  Hope you enjoyed it and will leave me some words of encouragement.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my online shop 24/7

Click here to visit Online Exclusives for Ordering Information while supplies last!

COMING SOON!

Click here to go to my JOIN NOW site for all the details! 
Best starter kit offer of the year! 

OCT 1ST TO 31ST - JOIN PENNYTOKENS STAMPERS IN OCTOBER AND GET A GREAT DEAL:

If you're an avid paper crafter and spend lots on paper crafts, why not become your own best customer. 

Think about it, now may be the perfect time to sign up as a demonstrator and enjoy all the perks that come with that, like a 20–25% product discount, exclusive early access to the latest releases and catalogs, the opportunity to earn a modest supplemental income, the chance to attend incredible training and crafting events, and so much more! If you've been thinking about how you can save, now's the time to join my team!

Anyone signing up to purchase a Canadian Stampin' Up! Starter Kit and join my Penny Tokens Team between October 1 to 31 will be able to choose between these two great offers:

• $165 CAD worth of products for just $ 48 CAD
• $252 CAD worth of products for just $135 CAD

Starter Kits aren’t the only reason to become a demonstrator here's some other reasons to take advantage of this great offer and join now:

Community:
Stampin’ Up! offers a space where a community of crafters from all over the world can connect and create together.

Product:
Unlike customers, demonstrators get early access to the latest releases and catalogs, as well a 20–25% product discount and commission.

Experiences:
Demonstrators can foster creative, simple, and fun, crafting experiences for their team and customers. They’re all about making a difference and sharing the crafting experience with others.

Empowerment:
Being a demonstrator can mean so much more than just crafting. It can also mean personal development and expanding your circle to include other people and new experiences.

Supplemental Income:
Demonstrators have the potential to earn a modest supplemental income and run their business on a flexible schedule.

Incredible Join Offers:  Thanks to Stampin' Ups! two best Starter Kit offers ever, you can save big when you join. With all these amazing perks the only hard choice you have to make is what items to put in your Starter Kit. What fun!

If you're planning to join my team or want more information on this promotion Click here: between October 1st and October 31st to be eligible for these offers and to submit your Independent Demonstrator Agreement form during the promo time frame.  

Click here to visit JOIN NOW Oct 1st to Oct 31, 2025

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT.

Penny Hanuszak CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Store 

A Little Christmas Magic

 Hi and thanks for dropping by.

If you love Christmas you're going to love the brand new product that Stampin' Up! is releasing today and I’m excited to share the details with you.

Introducing the 12 Days of Crafting Advent Calendar

Each day reveals a never-before-seen crafting treasure—exclusive dies, paper, embellishments, and more—that you won’t find in any catalog or online store. This limited-edition calendar is perfect for crafting year-round and makes a thoughtful gift for the creative friends in your life.

What you Need to Know:

• Item: 12 Days of Crafting Advent Calendar (167335)
• Price: $136 CA
• Includes: Exclusive dies, paper, embellishments, and more
• Ordering Begins: September 23, 2025
• Available only while supplies last.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Shop 

Christmas Parade of Cards - Part Two: North Pole Delivery

Welcome to today's post which is another series of Christmas cards that have banners for their focal points.  You can see my series of cards with banners here. 

These cards feature papers and ephemera from the North Pole Delivery Designer Paper which can be found on page 29 of the September to December 2025 Mini Catalogue.  

The North Pole Delivery Specialty Designer Series Paper is full of cheer and whimsy.  The patterned paper features images of dogs, bears, and more animals delivering holiday letters and packages.  These images are easy to fussy cut so dies really aren't necessary.  

The package includes twelve 12 x 12 sheets which includes  2 each of 5 double-sided designs and 1 each of 2 single sided pre-cut designs (not self-adhesive). This designer paper coordinates with the following colors: Basic Beige, Basic Black, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Flirty Flamingo, Garden Green, Gray Granite, Lost Lagoon, Pecan Pie, Petal Pink, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla

Here are my cards: 

Card 1: 

Card #2: 

Card #3: 

Card #4: 

Supplies:

Stamps and Dies: 

• More Merry Messages (R) sentiment for inside cards
• Banner Dies (R) 
• Gingerbread Man Dies (cup) 
• Contour Dies (R)
• Stitched Circles and  Stitched Shapes Dies 

Cardstock and DSP:

• Real Red
• Garden Green
• Basic Beige
• Soft Seafoam
• Gold Foil 
• North Pole Delivery #165837
• Christmas Tags and More #165907

North Pole Delivery 2 each of five paper designs and 2 one-sided ephemera sheets. 

I loved working with this Ephemera sheet.  The images are colourful, a great texture and easy to remove from the sheet.  This is 1 of 2 Ephemera Sheets included with this DSP  package.  

This is the 2 of 2 Ephemera Sheets from the North Pole Delivery 12 x 12 Designer Series Package. 

Ink:

• Real Red 

Accessories:  

• Greetings for You Mix and Match Ephemera #166208
• Christmas Candy self-stick circles - Dollar Store 
• Mini Corrugated Embossing Folder
• Holly Embossing Folder 
• Dimensionals 
• Gingerbread Man cup die cut for mug 
• Red/Gold Stickers - non Stampin' Up!
• Red Rhinestone Gems - non Stampin' Up

I hope you enjoyed this weeks cards.  Each design is very basic and easy to put together the banner focal points can be put together ahead of time and are a terrific way to use up your scraps and ephemera leftovers.  

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to download or view the PDF Version of the Mini Catalogue

Click here to go to my 24/7 Online Shop