“Are you ready to add some depth? Today we’re building it with fun folds!”
Today we’re adding some extra depth with two fun fold Christmas cards featuring layered snowy scenes, lots of trees and a couple of very cute foxes!
This is Week 4 of my Simple Cards with Something Extra: 4 Ways to Step Up Your Cards mini series. Last week we added texture to our simple card designs, and this week it’s all about structure.
Would you like a peek at today’s cards?
Want to see these cards come together? Grab a cuppa and watch it here or you can watch it in HD on YouTube.
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Fun Fold Christmas Cards
Adding structure to a simple card design is a fun way to make it feel a little more special. A different fold can add depth and interest without needing lots of extra embellishments.
And fun folds can be as simple or as detailed as you like – from a quick Z-fold to a layered accordion scene that creates a little world inside the card.
FUN FOLD MEASUREMENT CHEAT SHEET
Accordion Card
- Base / front panel: 5 1/4″ x 4″
- Cut a window from the front panel
- Accordion side pieces: 4″ x 4″
- Score each side piece every 1/2″ for a total of 7 score lines
- Inside layering strips: 5 1/2″ wide
- Score each layering strip at 1/4″ from both ends
- The height and shape of the inside layers can be adjusted to suit your scene
Z-Fold Card
- Card base: 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
- Score and fold in half at 4 1/4″
- Score the front panel again at 2 1/8″
- Fold this section back to create the Z-fold
Want to save these measurements?
Click the button below to copy them, then paste them into your Notes app, email or wherever you like.
PRO TIP: I used a specific accordion base die to create today’s scene, but you can easily recreate this style using what you already have in your stash. I’ve included the measurements above so you can make your own version without the die.
Card #1 – Accordion Christmas Card
Where do I start? There is so much happening here 🦊. This little scene has layers, snow, twinkly lights and one very sweet fox stealing the show.
I kept the color palette mostly monochromatic with three shades of blue, then added white snow banks and splatters to create a snowy, starry sky. That tiny pop of orange was all it needed to bring the whole scene to life.
And yes… I mis-measured one of my inserts, so my card doesn’t fold completely flat. Mine will be hand-gifted, although a rigid mailer would work too. I’ve included the corrected measurements above so yours can behave itself properly. 😆
Card #2 – Z-Fold Christmas Card
I had to redeem myself after that little measuring mishap – and luckily, I had a ton of trees left over.
So rather than put them back in my stash, I used them with the oval cut from the first card to make a much quicker Z-fold scene. A snow bank, another little fox and a dark blue splattered background tied it all back to the first card, without needing to start from scratch.
If choosing colors is the part that slows you down when you are making simple card designs, I’ve got something to help with that too.
Ready to Feel More Confident With Color?
Color Made Easy for Cardmakers takes the guesswork out of choosing colors with simple, practical ideas you can use again and again – so creating feels easier, more intentional, and a whole lot more fun.
Fun Fold Christmas Cards!
And that’s two ways to add a little something extra to a simple card with structure – from a layered accordion scene to a much quicker Z-fold.
Now it’s your turn – let me know in the comments, are you going to try a fun fold on your next card?
Happy papercrafting,
Special thanks to my crafty assistant, Chad (aka ChatGPT), for helping me stay on track with my Gemini brain, grammar, and spelling… well, all the things! 😄
Cardstock: Altenew -Nimbus | Chamomile – Concord & 9th – Powder – Gina K – Ocean Mist.
Altenew Fresh Dye Inks: Nimbus.
Nellies: Effect Snow.
Copics: Y11,17 | E49.
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Today's Supplies:
 Accordian Card Base Dies Shop at: SSS | C9 |
 Accordian Tree Farm Dies Shop at: SSS | C9 |
 Accordian Woodland Dies Shop at: SSS | C9 |
 Accordian Tree Farm Stamp Shop at: SSS | C9 |
 Accordian Woodland Stamps Shop at: SSS | C9 |
 Over the Rooftops Stamp Shop at: C9 |
 Altenew Cardstock Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Concord & 9th – Cardstock Shop at: SSS | C9 |
Basic Supplies:
 Neenah Solar 110 Shop at: SSS | AMZ |
 Neenah Solar 80 Shop at: SSS | AMZ |
 Nocturne Shop at: SSS |
 Fresh Dye Inks Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Mini Blending Brush Set Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Tweezers Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Perfect Picker Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Fine Blade Scissors Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Bone Folder Shop at: ALT |
 Score Board Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Paper Trimmer Shop at: SSS |
 Mini MISTI Shop at: SSS |
 Stampwheel Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Sticky Grid Mat Ultra Shop at: ALT | SSS | SB US |
 Platinum 6 Shop at: ALT | SSS | SB US | SB UK |
 Glue Tape Shop at: ALT | SSS |
|
Foam Tape Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Black Foam Tape Shop at: ALT | SSS |
 Bearly Art Glue Shop at: SSS | AMZ |
 Satin Masking Tape Shop at: ALT |
Therese, they are BOTH just magical! I have made this type of card in the past [called shadowbox back then] but I will never tire of seeing the darling scenes you add to yours! xx
=]
They are just delightful!!! That little fox is too adorable!