Inspiration: Instagram video from Stampsnlingers + Simon Says Stamp Monday (Die-cuts)
I saw this quick video on Instagram and thought it was an easy but interesting way to make a unique card fold, so tonight, as I was looking for my next idea, I decided to give it a try. I made my scoring marks on a full cardstock and cut it in half to get two card bases out of Old Olive cardstock.
I have been wanting to work with the Simple Vintage North Pole collection from Simple Stories (2020), so I pulled it out to use for both cards. On the first card, I used one of the 4" x 4" cut-aparts, which I cut slightly smaller and matted with the grey paper from the Basics kit. For the left panel, I cut a piece of striped paper, which I stamped in Basic Grey ink using the matching stamp set from Simple Stories. This set does not really have any image, mostly English text, but I was so drawn to the postage stamps, I knew I could use those to add background stamping to my projects, and as seen here, it really adds a lot to the side panel to have the stamping added to it.
On the right panel, I added a banner on a pin sticker that came from the sticker book at the top, and I wrapped red and white baker's twine at the bottom. I layered two tickets from the cardstock sticker sheet and added the boots with dimensional adhesive. I wanted to add a button to the bow, so I pulled out my brand-new button maker. My mom purchased this tool for me when she visited during the long weekend. It's a gift that we had both been sitting on for two years, as she had asked me what I wanted for my birthday in 2020 and I was eyeing this new Button Maker machine that was recent release at the time. Because it was new and because of the pandemic, I had trouble founding it locally and was reluctant to order online as I knew the shipping costs would increase the price of the machine tremendously. We just happened to find the machine while we were out shopping together and discovered that the sale coupon applied on it, so this was a totally unexpected purchase that day. I got the small and medium sizes, but was only able to purchase the small refills, so that's the size I'm currently working with. There were a lot of designs from the patterned papers that fit perfectly in the punch, so I made extra buttons to have on hand for future projects. I figured out that I can use my 1-3/8" circle punch instead of the die from the machine, which makes it much easier to center the design perfectly.
After auditioning my various buttons, I picked the Santa one and added it to the card with a pop-up glue dot. I also added a little candy piece from the Confections by Tim Holtz (idea-ology) on the bow holding the candy canes.
On the second card, I decided to punch holes on the left side using my Crop-a-Dile, add large eyelets and thread ribbon for a different look. I pulled out different ribbons and was not too keen on the result, until I remembered I've purchased tinsel from Prima last year, so I picked the silver one and it fit the retro look of this collection very nicely.
On the right panel, I used another 4" x 4" cut-apart with hanging stockings. I started trying to create layers, but found out that it really did not work well when part of the image was hidden, so I stamped the little star from the stamp set with Pool Party ink around the image and then I stuck to adding a sticker border at the bottom, adding a foam sticker in the right corner and creating a die-cut sentiment to layer in the center. This die from Les ateliers de Karine has been a regular go-to since I bought it. I love the look and size, and the two fonts. I used the grey paper from the Basics kit for the first word, which I then die-cut using Simon Says Stamp's Sentiment Labels dies, and I die-cut the second word out of silver glimmer paper.
I really wanted to add another button to the tinsel, but it was throwing the balance off, so I added two enamel dots in the upper right corner to finish the visual triangle. Finally, I added Glossy Accents to all of the berries on both cards and to the little heart sticker as well. These are two of my favorite Christmas cards I've done so far this year, and I will definitely want to make more book fold cards as well.
Supplies
Stamps, Patterned Papers, Cardstock Stickers, Sticker Book,
Basics Kit, Foam Stickers: Simple Vintage North Pole (Simple Stories)
Glimmer Paper: Silver (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Basic Grey, Pool Party (Stampin' Up!)
Dies: Joyeux Noël (Les ateliers de Karine); Sentiment Labels (Simon Says Stamp)
Accessories: Vintage Artistry Peace and Joy Wishing Bubbles & Trinkets (49 & Market);
Confections (Tim Holtz for idea-ology); White/Red Baker's Twine (Recollections);
White Micro Glitter (Martha Stewart); Glossy Accents (Ranger);
Button Maker (We R Memory Makers)
