Sometimes the most impressive handmade cards are the ones that surprise you when you open them! That’s exactly what I love about today’s Pop-Up Fun Fold.
At first glance, it looks like a traditional handmade greeting card. But open it up, and you’ll discover a fun dimensional pop-up that allows the card to stand on its own for display. And here’s the best part: despite its impressive appearance, this fun fold is easier to make than you might think!
Even better, the entire card folds flat to fit inside a standard A2 envelope. Depending on the weight and embellishments, you may need a little extra postage, but it’s certainly a card worth sending or giving to someone special.
Watch the Pop-Up Fun Fold Tutorial
In this week’s video, I’m walking you through the construction of this pop-up fun fold using beautiful Stampin’ Up!® products. I’ll also share a couple of variations to show just how versatile this design can be.
If you enjoy learning new cardmaking techniques, fun folds, and creative ways to use your supplies, be sure to subscribe to my Crafty Klock YouTube channel. I share a new cardmaking video each week, and I’d love to have you join me!
A Little Inspiration from Across the Ocean
Before we get into the cards, I want to give credit where credit is due!
This pop-up fun fold was inspired by my friend Vic of Vic fait du Scrap, a fellow Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator in Europe.
Vic invited me to participate in his online winter retreat, and I’ve been having such a wonderful time creating alongside other crafters. This particular fun fold was one of the projects we made during the retreat, and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to create a few more versions to share with you.
One of the very best parts of being a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator is the friendships I’ve made with people all over the world. We may live in different countries, speak different languages, and even use different paper measurements, but our love of cardmaking brings us together.
Of course, working with Vic’s metric measurements and adapting the design for our standard A2 cards here in the United States added a little extra challenge! But that’s part of the creative process, and I always enjoy learning something new.
Thank you, Vic, for sharing your creativity and inspiring this week’s project!
Three Cards, One Fun Fold Design
One of the things I love most about this particular fun fold is how easily you can change its appearance simply by switching the Designer Series Paper, colors, and sentiments.
For today’s projects, I created three very different cards using the same basic construction.
A Woodland Birthday Card
I have several family birthdays coming up in November and December, including a few of the men in my family. So I decided to create a birthday card with a more masculine feel.
For this version, I used the beautiful Whispering Woods Designer Series Paper, paired with Pretty Peacock and Pecan Pie cardstock.
The nature scene, complete with a deer and moose, provides most of the decoration. I added a simple “celebrate” sentiment using the Three Banner Punch to create a layered banner.
A little Wink of Stella on the trees adds just a hint of shimmer without overpowering the design.
Inside, I used another pattern from the Whispering Woods Designer Series Paper to decorate the card base and the pop-up mechanism.
The large Basic White panel provides plenty of room for a birthday greeting and a personal handwritten message.
I think this is a wonderful option when you want to create something special without adding lots of embellishments.
A Cheerful Sunflower Card
For my second version, I changed things up completely!
This time, I used the Radiant Sunflowers Designer Series Paper with its gorgeous golden sunflowers and rich colors.
The paper is so beautiful that it really does most of the work for you. I simply added a sentiment that reads “Wishing You So Much Happiness,” a little ribbon, and a few embellishments.
This is what I like to call a “just because” card. It doesn’t need to be for a birthday, anniversary, or any particular occasion. Sometimes it’s nice to send a handmade card simply to let someone know you’re thinking about them.
Inside, the coordinating floral paper adds another burst of sunshine, while the pop-up mechanism creates that unexpected dimensional element.
I also added a stamped floral image to the inside left panel.
Isn’t it amazing how changing the paper and colors can give the exact same fun fold an entirely different personality?
A Festive Christmas Card
And finally, here’s the Christmas version that I made during Vic’s online retreat.
This card features beautiful evergreen trees in shades of blue and green, accented with a little red for a traditional Christmas touch.
I kept the front fairly simple with a stamped “Ho Ho Ho” sentiment, ribbon, and a few small embellishments.
When you open the card, you’ll find more beautiful trees, coordinating patterned paper, and a “Merry Christmas” greeting on the pop-up panel.
I particularly love how the dimensional element makes this card perfect for displaying throughout the holiday season.
Imagine one of these sitting on a mantel or shelf alongside other Christmas decorations!
Whispering Woods – Beautiful Paper That Gives Back
I also want to take a moment to tell you something special about the Whispering Woods Designer Series Paper featured in these projects.
Whispering Woods is this year’s Stampin’ Up!® Give Back product!
With every purchase of the Whispering Woods 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm) Designer Series Paper, Stampin’ Up!® will donate $3 to organizations around the world to help spread a little holiday cheer.
I love when we can combine our passion for crafting with an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
And with its beautiful woodland scenes and coordinating patterns, this paper is wonderful for Christmas cards, winter birthdays, masculine cards, and so much more.
Want the Measurements and Written Instructions?
My YouTube videos are designed to share cardmaking inspiration and demonstrate creative techniques. The complete measurements and written instructions for this fun fold are available inside my Crafty Klock Inspiration Vault.
For just $9 per month, Vault members receive at least four new Inspiration Sheets every month, featuring fun folds, card templates, techniques, and other creative ideas.
Each Inspiration Sheet includes both imperial and metric measurements, making it easy to recreate the projects using the paper sizes you have available.
And the best part? You can use these designs again and again with different papers, colors, and occasions.
Now It’s Your Turn to Get Creative!
I hope today’s project inspires you to try something a little different with your cardmaking.
Remember, you don’t have to recreate my cards exactly. That’s one of the wonderful things about using a fun fold design as your starting point.
Pull out your favorite Designer Series Paper, choose a color combination you love, and make the design your own.
Maybe you’ll create a birthday card for someone special, a cheerful card to brighten a friend’s day, or get a head start on your Christmas cards.
And don’t be afraid to experiment! Sometimes the projects we enjoy making the most are the ones where we try something new.
If you need cardstock, Designer Series Paper, adhesives, or other Stampin’ Up!® supplies to create your own version, I’d love to help you find just what you need.
Which Card Is Your Favorite?
Now I have a question for you!
Of the three versions I shared today, which one do you like best?
The woodland birthday card, the cheerful sunflowers, or the festive Christmas card?
Leave me a comment below and let me know which one is your favorite! I always enjoy hearing what catches your eye and seeing how different people are inspired by the same design.
Until next time, keep creating, keep experimenting, and remember that a little paper and ink can bring a whole lot of happiness.