If you love a card that makes someone stop and ask, “How did you make that?” this Double Pillar Fun Fold Card definitely fits the bill.
It has lots of dimension, stands up beautifully for display and looks much more complicated than it really is. But here’s the best part: when you’re ready to mail it, the whole thing folds flat to fit into a standard A2 envelope.
That’s my kind of fun fold — plenty of WOW without making life unnecessarily difficult!
See the Double Pillar Fun Fold in Action
In this week’s video, I walk you through how the Double Pillar Fun Fold comes together from start to finish. Once you understand how the scored sections create the two pillars, the construction is actually pretty simple.
Want the Measurements?
If you’d like to make the Double Pillar Fun Fold along with me, the complete inspiration sheet is available in my Crafty Klock Inspiration Vault.
Vault subscribers get the measurements in both Imperial and Metric, so you can skip the math and get right to the fun part — creating!
Creating the Double Pillar Fun Fold
The basic structure of this card starts with a single piece of cardstock with four score lines on each end. Those scored sections are folded and adhered to create the two dimensional pillars.
One tip I shared in the video is to add your strips of Designer Series Paper before you assemble the pillars. Trust me on this one. It is much easier to adhere those narrow strips while your cardstock is still flat than to try to get them straight after the pillars have been formed.
Once the pillars are assembled, you have a large open area in the center that gives you all kinds of possibilities for decorating.
And that’s where the fun really starts.
Painted Patch Double Pillar Card
For the card I created in the video, I used the Painted Pumpkins Stamp Set and Painted Patch Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!®.
The colors in this Designer Series Paper are an unexpected combination for fall, and that’s one of the things I like about it. Instead of sticking with traditional oranges and browns, the paper mixes colors like Pool Party, Bubble Bath, Secret Sea, Petal Pink and other warm fall shades.
For my focal point, I created a little pumpkin scene across the front of the card. I used the decorative gate with several pumpkins, leaves and vines layered around it. Because the gate stretches from one pillar to the other, it helps create the illusion that the design is floating across the open center.
The trick is to put adhesive only where your element touches the pillars. You don’t want adhesive in the center or it will stick together when the card folds flat.
I finished the card with “Hello Gourd-eous”, a fun little play on words for the fall season!
If the Painted Patch Suite has caught your eye, you can find it along with all of the current Stampin’ Up!® products in my online store.
One Fun Fold, Lots of Possibilities
One of my favorite things about a good fun fold is figuring out how many different ways I can use the basic design. I didn’t stop with the Painted Patch card. I created three more versions to show you just how different this fold can look depending on the products and embellishments you choose.
For the Radiant Sunflowers version, I used a Window Sheet to help support the sunflowers around the arch. The clear Window Sheet gives those elements somewhere to attach while keeping the open feeling in the center of the card.
That’s a handy little trick to remember with this fold. If your design doesn’t naturally span the distance between the two pillars, a Window Sheet can give you the support you need without becoming a noticeable part of the finished design.
I also created a Thanksgiving version using the Thanks & Giving Stamp Set along with elements from the Autumn Opulence Specialty Designer Series Paper. It’s the same basic Double Pillar Fun Fold, but changing the products gives it a completely different personality.
And finally, I took the design in another direction for my Christmas version. Instead of leaving the center completely open, I added pieces across both the top and bottom between the pillars.
That small change makes the card look almost like a three-dimensional picture frame with the little bird showcased in the center. I love how simply changing the way you decorate the basic structure can turn it into something completely different.
A Fun Fold You Can Actually Mail
As much as I love dimensional cards, I also want them to be practical.
That was important when I worked out the measurements for this Double Pillar Fun Fold. I wanted all that dimension when the card was standing on display, but I also wanted it to fold flat to a standard card size.
And it does!
Fold the pillars to either side and the finished card fits into a regular A2 envelope. There’s also a Basic White panel on the back where you can write your message.
So your recipient gets a card that arrives flat in the mail and then opens into something they can stand up and enjoy.
That’s a whole lot of WOW from a few score lines!
More Card Making Inspiration
Which version of the Double Pillar Fun Fold is your favorite? Are you drawn to the pumpkins, sunflowers, Thanksgiving card or the framed Christmas design?
However you decide to decorate yours, don’t be afraid to play around with the center. Use die cuts, stamped images, Designer Series Paper, Window Sheets or whatever you already have in your craft room. Once you have the basic construction down, there are so many ways to make this fold your own.
And if you enjoy card making, fun folds and finding new ways to use your supplies, I’d love to have you join my email community.
My emails are about more than keeping up with the latest products. They’re a place to find creative inspiration, learn something new and be part of a welcoming community of crafters of all skill levels.
When you join, you’ll also receive my free Design Template eBook to help you get even more mileage from the supplies you already own.
Stay Crafty,
Judy