Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Yup -- it's only a month(ish) away!  So I decided to make one cute simple little St. Pat's Day card because next month we'll already be moving on to spring cards.  And we STILL haven't had much snow in Denver!  As one of the ladies in my class pointed out yesterday, it's gonna be a long, dry summer if we don't get some big snow dumps soon!

This card went together very quickly.  The most difficult part was placing the hearts to form a shamrock -- and evern that wasn't difficult!

Materials

I again raided my stash to find the pieces parts for this card.

* Old Olive card stock from Stampin' Up!: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored and folded at 4-1/4" (card base); scraps for heart punches; about 3-1/2" x 2-1/2" for St. Pat's die cut (inside)

* White card stock: 5-1/4" x 4" (2 pieces -- one for front; one for inside); 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" for deckled edge circle die cut

* Certainly Celery card stock from Stampin' Up!: 2-1/4" x 2-1/4" for circle punch

* Specialty patterned paper**: 5" x 1-7/8" (2 pieces of contrasting colors)

* Old Olive marker from Stampin' Up! for shamrock stem

* 2-1/4" Circle punch

* Three Hearts punch from Stampin' Up! for shamrock leaves

* Happy St. Patrick's Day die from Karen Burniston

* Deckled Edge Circles nested dies from TEMU

* Thin Silver Trim (unknown source): about 7"-8"

** This is Specialty Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up!, but I don't remember the name of it.

Brief Instructions

* Adhere 5-1/4" x 4" white card stock to card front.

* Line up two 5" x 1-7/8" pieces of patterned paper next to each other and adhere over white card stock.

* Adhere 2-1/4" Certainly Celery circle to white deckled edge circle.  Arrange hearts to look like shamrock leaves and adhere to circle.  Use marker to draw stem.  Make double loop bow (about 1-1/2" wide) and adhere at top of stem.  Use foam tape or hexagons to adhere assembled piece to card front.

* Adhere remaining 5-1/4" x 4" card stock inside of card.  Use liquid glue to adhere sentiment.

How easy was that?!

One of the people in my class yesterday wasn't particularly into St. Patrick's Day, so she arranged two of the hearts and stamped a small birthday greeting in the circle on the front.  She used the third heart to decorate the inside.  I love it when people in my classes find creative ways to use the pieces parts I give them in their kits.  Because, after all, once that card kit leaves my hand it's not mine anymore, and I want people to be happy with the cards they make!

Next up is my stamp camp at Westminster Elks on Saturday.  I will post info about that card soon after.

Another Corner Flip Card

This card is one we made in my class at Trail Winds Active Adult Center in Thornton yesterday.  It's the same design as one of the valentines in my previous post, but with different paper it's got a totally different look.

It's called a corner flip card, and the idea came from Chris Slogar of Buckeye Inklings.  Her website (https://buckeyeinklings.com/2020/01/27/heartfelt-corner-flip-card/) shows several different views of her card, as well as a video tutorial.  Alternatively, if you just want to watch the tutorial, you can go directly to Chris's YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C32lXSGYSdI.

The card looks difficult, and because of that I had backed off from making it for several months (I didn't want to try to measure the layer pieces).  Once I watched the video I discovered how easy it actually is!  All you need is an 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" piece of card stock for the base (same as a regular A2 card).  After you score it and fold it at 4-1/4", you mark 3-1/2" from the left side at the top fold, and 2-3/4" from the top on the left edge of the card.  Keeping the card closed, score and fold a diagonal line between the two marks.  If it's easier, you can pencil in a line connecting the two marks and then score along that line.  Once done, all you need to do is kind of push down on the top left side, folding it toward the inside of the card -- the two diagonal lines pretty much automatically fold inside the card to complete the card base.  On mine, after I folded it I used my bone folder on all of the folds to make them nice and crisp.

The layers are also simple to make!  Cut your paper 5-1/4" x 4", and then use the same measurements (3-1/2" at top and 2-3/4" at left edge), to mark where to cut it.  To fit into the triangle shapes on the inside, you then need to trim the triangle piece by about 3/8" to 1/2".  For the front you can discard the triangle, but on my card I saved it and placed it in the upper left corner next to the white card stock on the inside of the card.

Since I used double-sided paper on my card, the pieces on the inside top were cut exactly the same way as the front piece, and when I flipped it over it fit perfectly into the upper section.  If you are not using double-sided paper, you will need to reverse the cut for the top section -- mark 3-1/2" from the right edge of the paper and 2-3/4" on the right edge.

These are the materials I used for my card (everything came from my stash and may no longer be available):

* Fresh Fig card stock from Stampin' Up!: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored and folded at 4-1/4", then scored again as described above for the card base; scraps for punches

* Patterned Paper from Close to My Heart: 5-1/4" x 4" - two pieces; scraps for circles

* White card stock for inside: 5-1/4" x 4"

* Gold Shimmer 65# card stock by The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby): scraps for star punches

* Punches from my stash: Large and small stars; 1", 1-1/4", 1-3/8" and 1-1/2" circles

* Hello die from Winnie & Walter

* Starform Glitter stickers available from www.stamplistic.com

That's it!  I hope you enjoy this fun fold card . . . watch for another card next week made with this same layout.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Ok, it isn't really Valentine's Day, but it's close.  And I had said I would share photos of the cards I made for my friend's annual V-Day order.

All four of these cards were made using dies I purchased from TEMU.com

I kind of copped the idea for the top left card from my friend Kirsten.

The bottom right card was inspired by a card I spotted on TEMU.com, 

which is also where I purchased the die set.

These are just a few ideas to inspire you to make your own cards, so I don't have instructions or materials lists for them.  However, I can direct you to the sites where I found tutorials for a couple of the cards.

In the second group of cards, the card in the upper left-hand corner was inspired by Chris Slogar of Buckeye Inklings.  Her website (https://buckeyeinklings.com/2020/01/27/heartfelt-corner-flip-card/) has several photos showing different views of her card, as well as a video tutorial.  Alternatively, you can go directly to Chris's YouTube tutorial at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C32lXSGYSdI.

The two weirdly shaped cards were inspired by Tami White at StampwithTami.com.  Visit Tami's blog at https://stampwithtami.com/blog/2022/01/blog-hop-video-twisted-gatefold-series-part-3/ for a free downloadable instruction sheet, as well as a video tutorial.  Or, you can access her YouTube tutorial directly at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWV494KzYSM&t=1s.

I hope you've gotten a little inspiration from these card designs.

ZFold Heart Card (Sassy Card Camp, February 7, 2026)

This is a very simple fun-fold design that we made at my table yesterday in Berthoud.  Materials and measurements are listed below.

Card front

Inside

Measurements

* Card base is 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 1-3/8" and 4-1/4".  The card is folded closed at the 4-1/4" score line, and then folded back toward the front at the 1-3/8" score line to create the center panel.

* White card stock on inside of card is 5-1/4" x 2-5/8".

* Detailed patterned paper is 5-1/4" x 1-3/8" for inside; 5-1/4" x 2-5/8" for front.

* Embossed card stock for center panel is 5-1/4" x 1-1/8".

* Card stock and subtle patterned paper are 2-1/2" x 2-1/4" for pocket die cut.

* Card stock for tag is 2-3/4" x 1-9/16", trimmed at the corners to match heart tag.

* 1/8" ribbon for tag is approximately 5"

Materials

I did a little shopping here and there, including my own immense craft stash, for this card.

* True Thyme card stock, vintage color from Stampin' Up! (card base)

* River Rock card stock, another long-retired color from Stampin' Up! (center panel, tag and pocket)

* Gold Wedding Texture patterned paper for pocket (The Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby)

* Gold Wedding Intricate patterned paper for inside and left panel (The Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby)

* Hammermill White Premium Color Copy Cover Stock (80#) for inside

* Reverse Banner Dies from Fun Stampers Journey for pocket

* Parisian Flourish Embossing Folder from Stampin' Up!

* Heart Tags from TEMU

* 1/8" Red Sparkle Ribbon from Walmart

A Little Mini-Tutorial

* Adhere white card stock 1/8" from fold on inside of card.

* Adhere 5-1/4" x 1-3/8" patterned paper 1/8" from left edge on inside of card (should fit next to white card stock, but if it overlaps the white, that's fine too)

* Adhere 5-1/4" x 2-5/8" patterned paper 1/8" from left side of card front.

* Fold flap to the left over patterned paper and adhere embossed card stock to center panel.

* To create pocket, use liquid glue to draw a fine line along left, right, and bottom edges of card stock pocket shape, leaving top unglued.  Place patterned paper pocket over card stock.

* Use ribbon to tie card stock and heart tags together, and then slide back (card stock) tag into pocket, leaving heart tag hanging free in front of pocket.

* Adhere pocket (but NOT the tag) to center panel with foam tape or hexagons.  Make sure you can slip the tag in and out of the pocket.

That's it!  I didn't add any sentiments to this card because the design is so versatile you could use it for wedding, anniversary, Valentine's Day, or really any non-occasion when you just want to send someone a little love.

Tri-Fold Accordion Card

This is a card I made for a shoebox swap at my friend Terry Kaspari's house last Sunday.  What's a shoebox swap?  Several of my friends and I (all either current or former Stampin' Up! demonstrators) designed cards and then we set up card making stations and moved around the room making each others' cards.  Great fun!!!  Of course, there was also food involved -- we broke halfway through and had a little potluck.

Card Front

The measurements and materials for my card appear below, but for a detailed version of how to make a Tri-Fold Accordion card, visit the Brass & Bliss blog for full directions from the original designer, Kendra Sand.  Here's the link:  https://blog.brassandbliss.com/how-to-make-a-colorful-tri-fold-accordion-card-for-fall/

My version of the card is turned 90 degrees so the opening is at the bottom of the card (Kendra's original design opens on the right side).

Materials:  

This was a Stampin' Up! new products swap, so I used all Stampin' Up! products for this card.

Paper:

* The card base is Old Olive card stock: 11" x 4-1/4", scored at 2-1/2", 3-3/4", 6-3/4" and 8-1/4".

* The two large panels are 4" x 4" cut from Basic Beige card stock.  I also used Basic Beige to cut the pieces to fit inside of each of the panels in this card:  4" x 1", 4" x 1-1/4", 4" x 2-1/2", and 3" x 1-1/4", as well as one more 4" x 4" piece for the big die-cut circle on the front, and a small scrap for one of the punched shapes.

* The second layer on the two large panels are 3-3/4" x 3-3/4", cut from two different patterns of Nature Walk 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper.

* Finally, I used bits and pieces of Mossy Meadow and Crumb Cake card stock to cut the punched and die-cut leaves and buds.  

Tools & Other Stuff:

* The sentiments are from the Exploring Nature stamp set, and were stamped with Mossy Meadow ink.

* The Bough Builder punch (retired) was used to cut the large leaves and buds.

* The Autumn Expressions dies (retired) were used to cut the smaller, "fringy" leaves.

* Spotlight on Nature dies for big circle on front.

The photos below show how the card looks when you flip up the panels.

First panel flipped up.

Second panel flipped up

View from the side

I hope you visit the Brass & Bliss blog and make Kendra's or my version of this card.  Or better yet, choose your own colors to create your own unique card!  It's great fun and has so many possibilities.

Fun Cat Card (The Craft Box Class, January 16)

No!  I absolutely DO NOT do cats.  But this design made me laugh out loud when I saw it!  So I just had to make one for my class at The Craft Box this month.
 

The die for the cat came from TEMU, and that's also where I saw the inspiration for this card.  I tweaked the TEMU sample card to add more color and an additional layer to my card.

This is a regular A2 card size (5-1/2" x 4-1/4" when folded).  For both the front and inside of this card, the first layer is 5-1/4" x 4" card stock, and the top layer is 5" x 3-3/4".

Before adhering the top layer (patterned paper) to the card I ripped it from the top diagonally about 1-1/2", beginning about 3/4" from the left edge, and then pulled that section downward.  Being careful to not get adhesive on the ripped portion, I adhered the patterned paper to the first layer on the card front.  Then I pulled the ripped section down so the straight edge was parallel with the right edge and secured it with a piece of foam tape.

To color the cat's eyes and nose, I secured a small piece of pink tape to the back of the die cut covering the nose; then added a piece of yellow tape to cover the pink tape and the eyes.  Then I flipped the die cut to the front and created the cat eyes by using a fine point Sharpie marker to add draw a vertical line in the centers.  I secured the cat's paws to the torn piece with liquid glue and popped up the rest of the cat with foam tape.  Finally, I punched the tiny bow from a small piece of card stock and adhered to cat as shown.  I also added a little glimmer to the bow with a Wink of Stella Glitter Brush.

I created the sentiment on my computer and punched it out with the oval punch, which I added to a corresponding scalloped oval punch before securing to the front of the card with foam tape.

Materials

* Fresh Freesia card stock (Stampin' Up!): 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"; scraps for scalloped oval and bow punches

* Old Olive card stock (Stampin' Up!): 5-1/4" x 4" (2 pcs)

** Delightfully Eclectic Designer Series Paper: 5" x 3-3/4"

* Hammermill 80# Premium Color Copy Card Stock: 5" x 3-3/4"; small piece for oval

* Black card stock for cat

** Oval Punch and Scalloped Oval Punch

* Hanging Cat Die from TEMU

* Tiny Bow Punch from my stash (labeled Marvy Uchida)

* Wink of Stella Glitter Brush

* Pink and Yellow masking tape from my stash

** Retired Stampin' Up! products

I hope you enjoy this card as much as I do!!!

Cathy Hansen

One Totally Crazy Card Chick

Celebrate Love Card (Stamp Camp North 01-10-2026)

This was a fun card to make . . . just got the die set this past week and had to use it!  It's got lots of hearts on it, so depending on what sentiments you use, it could be used for Valentine's Day, anniversary, wedding, or even just a friendship card.

This die cut really makes the basic card simple to make.  All you need to do is cut a piece of 5-1/2" x 7-1/4" card stock, score it at 4-1/4", and then cut the curvy die cut from the short side (the larger side is the back of the card).  To complete the front of the card, cut a 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" piece of card stock and glue it to the back of the front curvy flap.  For my card, I also embossed the front curvy flap before adhering the card stock.

The hanging hearts are also part of the die set, and when this piece is cut the inside hearts pop out.  So I glued the hanging part to the card and then glued the hearts back in.  I then added the leaves on each side of the hanger and finished with a double-loop bow at the top.

To finish the front, I stamped the sentiment on the smaller label, glued it to the mat label, and adhered it to the front of the card.  Since there was really no other dimension on this card, I didn't pop up the sentiment.

For the inside, I adhered a piece of 5-1/4" x 4" card stock to match the front, and then added a 5" x 3-3/4" piece of white card stock for the sentiment.  Then I used tiny dots of liquid glue to adhere the tiny hearts.

Materials

* 100# Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover Stock: 5-1/2" x 7-1/4" for card base; scraps for hanging hearts die and sentiment

* Stormy Sea card stock from PapertreyInk.com: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" for card front; 5-1/4" x 4" for mat on inside

* 80# Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover Stock: 5" x 3-3/4" (inside)

* Succulent Cardstock Pack from The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby): scraps for leaves and sentiment mat on front and tiny hearts on inside

* White Baker's Twine for bow (TIP: If you don't have baker's twine, a good substitute is #10 white crochet cotton.)

* Die sets for the hearts/card base and the "washi tape" labels are both from TEMU

** Sprig Punch from Stampin' Up! (I had to look this one up -- I always call it the "antler punch" because it's been my go-to punch for reindeer antlers for years.)  I cut the piece in half so I could spread it out a little bit to fit on each side of the hanging hearts.

** Confetti Hearts Punch from Stampin' Up! for the tiny hearts on the inside

** Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

* Sentiment is from an unidentified stamp set in my stash.

** Mellow Moss ink from Stampin' Up!

** Indicates retired Stampin' Up! products.

I hope you enjoy this card -- an early celebration of Valentine's Day.

NOTE:  I'm starting on a collection of Valentine's Day cards for a friend of mine who buys many of her holiday cards from me.  I will post photos of the cards when the collection is complete.

Cathy Hansen

One Totally Crazy Card Chick