This is one of the other ideas I had after the Concord & 9th Spring In the Classroom virtual events. (See my previous blog post for more details about that.)

Let’s go beyond the basics again. I like to use the class products in other ways beyond the obvious. In the virtual event we created cards with arms that fold out, but what if I incorporated that with a dimensional fold and layer inside? I had an idea of a message being held in the hands.

Anytime I start a new project that involved folds or movement, I like to test out the mechanics of it to be sure it will function as I want before I build it in the good cardstock. I start with a sketch (you can see that in the upper left corner of the first image below), then figure out the functional parts and scale. For this card I made a mockup too. That’s always helpful because it makes it more clear if I need to add details or simplify them. I was going to accordion fold all the letters, but realized I only needed it to fold at the sides to connect to the card base, and the center part could be flat. From this test I also decided to make it a Z fold gatefold instead of simple gatefold so the arms would be more visible when it was open, rather than disappearing around the side.

(You’ll also notice that I like to use paper as thoroughly as I can before it goes to the trash or recycling, so I often keep test prints from other projects at my table to use as scrap paper - to test stamps and blending brushes and sketch on or make notes as I go. So, disregard the other illustrations on that piece I made the mockup with.)

That helped me figure out my mechanics, and I also concluded that the easiest way to contain that message of letters was o contain it in a shape. (Which means it was one piece to fold and connect instead of 4 or 7.) I cut out the letters (in two colors for a shadow layer to add some visual depth), and a heart to place them on.

In that middle photo below, of the heart alone, you can see that I used my grid mat to mark on the back of the heart where I wanted to score it. I centered it horizontally on a grid line, and knew the sides that fold in need to be less than half of the center width of the heart, so they could fold with the gatefold front. I marked it, then took it to the score board to score on the back (so I could see the lines), then stamped a pattern heart image in the center of the cardstock heart for additional detail.

Once the heart was ready, I glued on my letters, centering them and being sure to keep the fold lines clear for movement.

Next, I moved on to the background in the card. I wanted some pattern, so decided to create a pattern with flower stamps that I clear heat embossed, and then did some ink blending over. I kept it all in the same color family, but it provides both depth and interest to the card. I also used a cover die for texture on an A2 panel, cut it down the center, and added it to the front of the flaps for texture. Then, I added small hinge flap connectors to the back of the heart with strong liquid glue that are how I attached it to the center folded panels on either side.

I attached the arms after gluing in the heart, so they were lined up to be “holding” the heart. I die cut the sleeves and stamped them with the same stamp I stamped in the background of the heart behind the letters.

I stamped a couple of secondary greetings into hearts, added some detail stamping and ink blending on the one for the front of the card, and attached those to the card.

This one was a challenge to photograph because it kept wanting to pop open - which exactly what I wanted it to do when it is taken out of an envelope. If I make this again, there are a few improvements I’ll make, but that’s part of the process, right? Every time we create something new we learn as we go.

Thank you for visiting! I hope you get some time to create something soon.

Supply list*:

(Listed by company, with links to Simon Says Stamp)
NOTE: The stamps and dies from the classes were exclusive to the event, but other supplies used are listed below.

Altenew - Crafter’s Essentials Scoring Board

Concord & 9th -

• Pop Heart Dies

• Sending Hugs Dies

• All Together Alphabet Uppercase Die Set

• Ink: Pink Lemonade, Sorbet, Aqua Sky, Oceanside, Peacock

• cardstock: Grapefruit, Sorbet, Aqua Sky, Peacock

• blending brushes

Gina K Designs -

• Connect glue

• Blending Brushes

Simon Says Stamp -

• Embossing Powder - Clear

• 3D Foam Squares - Black

• Simon Says Stamp - Small Blending Brush Set

Tsukineko - Versamark Embossing Ink Pad

*Affiliate links have been used with no cost difference for you.