Fun Folds: Easel Z-Fold Card

I’m changing things up a little this week! I know it’s Monday and I usually do a Make-It-Mine Monday post but I couldn’t wait to share today’s card with you so you’re getting another Fun Fold card. Valentine’s Day is less than a week away so this week will be all about Valentine cards.

I love the Lots of Heart Bundle from Stampin’ Up!’s January – June Mini Catalog. So many hearts to choose from!

In December, I participated in a swap where I had to make about 20 of the same card, send them in and then get 20 different cards back. Swaps are fun to do because you get so many new ideas.

I tend to get carried away when I participate in swaps. I usually try to do a fairly fancy card and this swap was no exception. I knew I wanted to use the fabulous stamp set. There is a checked heart in the stamp set that I started my design with but when you look through the other photos in this post you’ll see why I changed things up.

Last Friday, I shared with you the Basic Z-Fold card. I told you that after you make your card base into a Z you usually add a smaller panel to the front piece as your focal point. With this Easel Z-Fold card, instead of adding a smaller panel I added a large panel that was almost the size of the regular card. This larger piece actually forms the “easel” portion of my card. To help the easel stand up I popped up a small heart on the inside of the card. This little popped up heart then holds the easel open.

Can you see why I didn’t use the checked heart on my card and used the swirly heart stamp? I just had to use the swirly heart dies at the bottom of my card and there just happened to be a swirly heart stamp that worked perfectly on the front! Can you say “coordination”?

The key to this design was the large pieces of Real Red cardstock. I first adhered the inside piece to the inside of the card base. I then closed the card and lined up the front piece of Real Red cardstock directly over the inside piece of red cardstock. This way you can’t see the inside portion of the card until you open it.

I didn’t get a great picture of the inside of the card but the sentiment says “my heart smiles just thinking about you”. I love that it’s not your typical Valentine sentiment which makes this stamp set perfect for any occasion.

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!