Tutorial - Angled Z-Fold Cards

Another quick and easy card fold that looks great on display,

folds flat for postage, and can be modified to suit your needs.

1. Start with a card blank. I used a piece of A5 cardstock, but you can use whatever size you have in your stash.

2. Score in the centre and fold to form a standard card base.

3. Score down the centre of the card front and fold it backward to form a Z-Fold (or S-Fold).

4. Make an angled cut from the centre score line to any position on the left-hand side of your card front, passing through the second score line you made. (Note: It really doesn't matter what angle you cut on, but for those who are curious, my cut extends from the centre score line to about 2" up from the bottom edge of the card. You might like to experiment with different angles for different looks.)

5. Now decorate! I decided on a double mat of gold cardstock and patterned paper. To cut the cardstock and paper on the correct angle, trim the width to about 1/4" less than the width of the panel, then place the gold cardstock in the centre of the panel, ensuring the borders on each side are even. Hold it in place (or use some repositionable adhesive), carefully turn it over and use a pencil to mark the top angle. Cut along the pencil line for a perfect fit.

6. Trim the excess from the bottom, leaving a small border. Repeat for the next panel.

Trim a larger piece of gold cardstock for the right-hand side of the card.

7. Use the same technique to cut your patterned paper, making them slightly narrower than the gold cardstock. Cut a large piece of white cardstock for the right-hand side of the card where you will add your stamped sentiment and hand-written note. Adhere the paper and cardstock in place.

8. You'll need a second decorative panel that is the same size as the centre panel but the angle must be mirrored. Secure this on the other side of the card front.

9. To decorate, I secured a circular image panel over half the first section. You can keep the image entirely inside the panel if you prefer. I also added a stamped sentiment to the right-hand side of the card.

Products:

Paper Weaving

Weaving strips of paper together to create a background is a fantastic way to use up some of those scraps that have no doubt accumulated during the year. If you're feeling particularly creative, you could try altering the width of each strip for an interesting effect.

Products:

Shades of Yellow

The magnolia flowers work beautifully with a soft yellow cardstock and little hints of gold.

Products:

Thinking Of You

A simple Z-fold card decorated with one of the yellow magnolia images.

Products:

Tutorial - Stamping A Forest Canopy

Have you ever taken the time to look up through a forest, big trees all around you, and a sliver of sky above? Today I want to share a fun and easy tutorial for stamping a canopy scene using the tall pine tree images from the new Treeline set of stamps.

1. You'll need a piece of smooth cardstock that fits the front of your card blank, the Treeline and Basic Sentiments sets of clear stamps, two green ink pads - one light and one dark, some Versamark ink, and gold embossing powder. Grab a sheet of scrap paper or a non-stick mat to protect your work surface while you stamp.

2. Stamp and emboss a sentiment in the centre of your cardstock. Opt for a stamp that is compact rather than long as it works better with the canopy effect.

3. Place one of the tall trees on your acrylic block and add some light green ink with a few touches of the darker green for interest. Start stamping around the cardstock, positioning the tip of the tree so that it points to the centre of your sentiment. I chose the "o" as a point to aim for.

4. Work your way around the cardstock keeping the trees unevenly spaced. Vary the heights a little bit, but most of the images should be almost touching the sentiment.

5. Switch stamps so you don't end up with a tiled effect. Stamp around again using the light green ink with touches of dark, and keep the trees pointing to the centre of the cardstock. Repeat the process with the third tall tree image.

6. Time to change the inks. This time, load your stamp with the light green ink then apply more dark green over the top. It's okay to have a few places with just the light green showing, but you want to have more dark than the previous round of stamping. The tops of your trees should end lower than the light green layer. This adds perspective.

7. Continue stamping with the other two tall trees and the darker ink mix.

8. For the final layer, add only the dark green ink and stamp just the tips of the trees, filling in any obvious gaps. Remember to vary the height and spacing of the trees so you don't end up with a tiled-look.

9. Use a brush and the dark green ink to add some extra colour around the outside of the cardstock. This will help brighten the sky and give the effect of looking up through a dark forest.

Products: