Tutorial - Multi Diamond Panel Cards

Strictly speaking, this is more a design tutorial than a card fold tutorial, but it's versatile, relatively simple and gives a fabulous end result... all the things I love in a good card. I will also point out that the original project uses a piece of acetate as the card front, and has a spring element in the centre that permanently holds the card closed. Any personalised greetings are added on the back. It's a beautiful card and I highly recommend visiting Sam Calcott's YouTube channel to see for yourself.

1. You'll need one 6" square card blank, eight 2" x 2" pieces of white cardstock; eight 13/4" x 13/4" pieces of patterned paper - four in one colour and four in a contrasting colour; one 3" x 3" piece of white cardstock; and one 23/4" x 23/4" piece of patterned paper, plus embellishments of your choice.

2. Start by securing all the patterned paper to the cardstock, leaving a small white border around all four sides.

3. Placing the first four squares is the trickiest part. I found it easiest to use a centring ruler to get an even placement, but you can simply eyeball it if you prefer. The corners of the squares closest to the edges of the card should come all the way to the edge. See the photo below.

4. To place the second layer of squares (if you are as fussy as I am about things being straight), draw a vertical line and a horizontal line at the half way points of your card, stopping just short of the edge.

5. Match the points of the squares with the lines you drew for even, straight placement.

6. Secure the 3" x 3" cardstock to the centre of the previous two layers, then decorate as desired.

Stamps: