The first fancy fold card I made many years ago, when I'd only ever made single fold cards, was a Joy Fold card. I've made many cards using this fold over the years for all different sorts of occasions and it's a really easy card to make. I've made a tutorial for the 'Creative Minds ii Kind Hearts' Facebook group which goes live today, so I thought I'd share my tutorial here on my blog too. (If you're on Facebook, it would be lovely to see you in the group where there is lots of inspiration for cardmaking and papercrafts. Don't forget to answer the joining questions.)
Here are the instructions for how I make my Joy Fold card. My finished card measures 7" x 5" when folded.
1. Start with an A4 sheet of card. Cut at 5" down the length of the card. The largest piece will be your base card. Score this piece at 7" and fold along the scoreline. Save the narrower piece for later.
2. Cut one mat 1/4" smaller than the front panel and one mat 1/4" smaller than the inside back panel. Cut two contrasting pieces of patterned paper 1/4" smaller than the mats.
3. Attach the layered patterned paper to the card as shown in the photo.
4. Make the topper for the front of your card. I've used a die cut and gems for mine and measures 3" x 3", but you could use a ready made topper or a stamped image or sentiment.
5. Trim the width of the long strip of card to 1/4" wider than the height of the topper. If the long strip of card is not wide enough, you will need to cut a new strip from a second piece of A4 card. The scoring of the strip of card depends on how wide your topper is. As my layered topper was 3" wide, I scored at 3 1/4". Attach the topper to the strip ensuring that the fold is on the right hand side.
6. Keep this card folded and cut off the end so that when folded it measures 5" long.
7. Add a layered piece of white card as shown, this will be where the message will be written. I've attached a punched Christmas tree for added interest.
8. Attach the smaller card inside the larger one. I've put mine right in the middle, but move it left or right to see which position looks best when the card is closed.
9. Add a sentiment. I like to be able to keep my card closed, so I use a brad to do this. Put a pencil mark on the card front, just to left of bottom left-hand corner of the topper. Make a small hole just through the card front, through the pencil mark. This can be done with a paper piercer, but I find it easier to use a punch which makes a very small hole. Push the brad through the card front and secure. (Depending on the thickness of the brad, the card may need a large letter stamp if posted.)
10. The bottom corner of the topper should just slip in behind the brad.
The card can easily be opened to be displayed.
If you haven't tried this fold before, I hope you give it a go.
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