Fun Folds: Bellyband Gatefold Card

Last week I introduced you to the Gatefold Card. It was a fun and easy card to make.

Today I want to share the Bellyband Gatefold Card to you. The base of the card is made the same way as you make the basic Gatefold card base. Start with a piece of cardstock that is 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. With the long edge at the top of your Simply Scored or Paper Trimmer score 2 1/8″ from each end.

The difference on the two types of cards comes with the focal point. On the original Gatefold Card you design a focal point that you adhere directly to the left side of the card base.

On the Bellyband Gatefold Card you design a Bellyband that holds the card closed. My bellyband is 9 1/2″ x 1″. This gave me enough overlap to adhere the two ends of the bellyband together. 9 1/2″ – 9 3/4″ should be good for a card that’s 4 1/4″ wide. If your card is the same size but in landscape orientation instead of portrait you will need to start with a bellyband that is 12″ long. I didn’t score my bellyband. Instead, I held one end of the band just over the halfway point of the card and then I loosely wrapped it around the card. You don’t want your bellyband too loose or it will fall of the card. Then again, you don’t want it too tight or you won’t get it off of the card. You do want to use a stronger adhesive like liquid glue or Stampin’ Seal + to adhere the ends of your bellyband together.

Once you have the bellyband itself made you just need to add your focal point. I decided to go simple on this card. I stamped the flower and added rhinestones. I was going to adhere the flower focal point square on the card but then it dawned on me that the diamond shape might be just a bit more interesting.

Here is a phot of the inside of the card along with the bellyband. You can see how the bellyband looks when it’s not on the card.

If you like fun fold cards but don’t want to get too carried away the Gatefold Fun Fold Card and the Bellyband Fun Fold Card are great choices. They are both fairly easy to make. The hardest part is figuring out your colors and design!

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!