I made a couple cards to celebrate the autumn season.
Since today marks the official start of the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, I thought I'd make a couple autumn greeting cards to welcome the new season. I attempted a triangle fun fold card design.
Continue reading to see the steps I took to create a couple autumn greeting cards.
Supplies and Stuff
These are the items I used to create my card:
Paper cutter
Scissors
Score tool/bone folder
Cardstock paper
Pattern sheets from a paper pack
Small design from a paper pack
Double-sided tape
Measure, Cut, and Score the Card Base
I knew I wanted to use sheets from my new Pumpkin Vines Hot Buy paper pack. There were two small text designs I wanted to use a sentiment on the card fronts. I chose pattern sheets and solid cardstock paper that matched the colors of the small text designs.
I used an 8-1/2" x 11" gray cardstock for the card base. I scored it at 5-1/2" to make a hamburger-type fold. I then turned the same sheet and scored it at 4-1/4" to make a hotdog-type fold. I then cut the sheet at a diagonal, making a total of two card bases.
I cut white cardstock down to two 4" x 5-1/4" pieces. These pieces will go inside the card bases where I'd write a message for the recipient.
I decided to use two different, but similar, pattern sheet designs from the paper pack to decorate the card fronts. I cut both pattern sheets to 4" x 5-1/4" pieces. I then cut both sheets at a diagonal, making smaller triangular pieces.
I cut a long design strip to serve as a band for one of the cards. I also cut out the smaller designs of a single sheet from the paper pack to use for the cards. I chose two text designs I thought would make great sentiments.
Lastly, I cut black cardstock down to two pieces slightly larger than the small text designs. I didn't measure when I cut these pieces. I only wanted them to serve as a black border around the text designs.
Fixing Few Minor Issues
My paper cutter leaves an unwanted crease along cut edges. I think it happens because I'm pressing the blade down on the paper which pushes the edge into the well where the blade sits. I used a bone folder to straighten the edges.
I folded the triangular flaps and used the bone folder to create sharp, clean folds. Unfortunately, I didn't score and/or cut the sheet correctly. One corner of a triangular flap was longer than the card base and overlapped the other triangular flap. I used scissors to trim the oversized flaps to better fit the card.
Decorating the Front and Inside
I used a permanent double-sided tape runner to adhere the white pieces within the card bases. I accidentally placed one of the white pieces crooked because I pressed down too soon. I found that gently dropping the piece, but not pressing down, allowed me to slide the piece into position before pressing down to adhere it. It didn't always work that well. You may consider using permanent glue since it allows you a little wiggle room to move pieces into position before it adheres completely.
I then adhered the triangular pieces of pattern sheets to the triangular flaps that make up the card front. I used a leafy design with some orange on one flap, and then a leafy design with some blue on the other flap. I thought it looked good to mix up the pattern paper used on the card fronts.
Adding the Sentiment
I adhered the text designs onto the black cardstock pieces. In retrospect, I wish I used a blue or orange cardstock piece behind the text design that read "Autumn." I believe any lighter color that matched the overall color scheme would've presented a better contrast between the text design, cardstock piece, and card front.
For one card, I decided to adhere the text design directly to one flap of the card front. Adhering it to both flaps would keep the card from opening properly. Instead, I placed the text design where it looked best over the card front and used a pencil to mark the top-left corner of the design.
I added strips of my double-sided tape within the small area I marked and then erased the pencil mark. I pressed the text design over the strips of tape and verified the flaps opened with ease.
I wanted to create a band to go around the other card. I wrapped a design strip from the paper pack around the card base to determine where I needed to fold it. I used my scissors to remove excess paper, since the strip was longer than I needed it to be. I then adhered the ends together.
I made sure the band fit around the card base. Fortunately, it fit snugly enough around the card base, but loose enough to slide off with ease. While the band was around the card base, I adhered the text design onto the band. This allowed me to make sure the text design was centered over the card front.
My Thoughts
It took me less than 15 minutes to create both greeting cards. I think they look great, considering how simplistic they look and how little work went into creating them.
I wished there were more text designs that could serve as sentiments within the paper pack, but I realized the pack is designed with scrapbooking in mind. I could always stamp sentiments to add onto greeting cards, but it's easier to use what's provided if it fits the design I had in mind.
I'll make a triangle fun fold card again in the future. I learned how to make this fun fold design be watching Jackie Bolhuis' YouTube video Fun Fold Triangle Card. There are many other informational videos on how to make this card, but I found Jackie's video easiest to follow along with.
What's Next?
I'll make a few Halloween and Thanksgiving greeting cards for friends and family. I may try creating a variety of fun fold or interactive cards for fun.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
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