Tri-Fold Shutter Card Tutorial

Okay, so last weekend I told you I'd teach you how to make the Tri-Fold Shutter Card. It's really easy, just a few scores and folds and panels. [Remember: you can always click on any photo in my blog posts to see it full size!]

First, cut a piece of card stock to 10-1/2" x 5-1/2". In landscape orientation, score in from the left at 1-3/4" and at 3-1/2". Then score in from the right at 1-3/4" and at 3-1/2". (see picture below for visual)

You will now make a CUT 1-1/2" down from the top edge and 1-1/2" up from the bottom edge, and your cut line will run ONLY from the first score mark, to the last score mark, as shown below. You can do this with a Hobby Blade and straightedge, or use the Personal Paper Trimmer, as I did.

After that, it's just folding parts forward and back, in the manner that will facilitate the fold of the card. The first picture below is a bird's eye view of the card, and then there is a shot from the front, to give you an idea of what folds forward and what folds back.

Fold the card back to lie flat, and start embellishing panels. Designer Series Paper is great for this, but you can stamp coordinating card stock to layer, as well. My card has two end panels which are 5-1/4" x 1-1/2", two top and bottom panels which are 3-1/4" x 1-1/4". If you want to make four tiny panels instead of using punches where I have them, those areas would measure 1-1/2" x 1-1/4".

There are also three center panels, the middle one of which is 3-1/4" x 2-1/4", and the two outside ones are 2-1/2" x 2-1/4". You can layer onto any of those panels you choose, just trim your top layers to be about 1/8" less on each side than the panels underneath them. (see picture below for placment of all panels)

That's it--pretty easy, huh? As you master the cutting and scoring, work towards eliminating the score marks that the front and rear panels are covering. These quick 3D greetings add a simple WOW to any card-worthy occasion. Just be careful what you write inside, because they are so fun to display that you might find your sweet nothings shared in public! The picture below shows what my card looks like when it's folded closed, ready to be mailed, or given to the recipient.

STEP IT UP CARD: Connect two or more cards together to make a neat accordian-type album or extended card, by adhering a couple of the panels with a 3-1/4" x 5-1/4" piece of DSP or decorated card stock. TIP: To facilitate a continuous tri-fold look, every other tri-fold card should be flipped over before you connect it to the previous one, so don't start layering or embellishing until you have them laid out to ensure they are connected correctly. Otherwise, you'll find part of your design upside-down. (Score, cut, fold, lay out, then connect, and finally embellish to completion.)

SCRAPBOOKING IDEA: Place these on scrapbook pages, with a "pull" tab for 3D viewing (be sure you only adhere the very back panel of the card to the scrapbook page so you can open it up!). TIP: When adding two tri-fold cards to a page, flip one of the tri-fold cards over, so that each of them opens out the opposite direction from the center of the page.

Stampin' Supplies: Family Phrases stamp set, Favorite Things stamp set (label), Animal Stories stamp set, Very Vanilla card stock, Tall Tales Designer Series Paper (DSP), So Saffron (card stock, ink and buttons), Certainly Celery card stock and buttons, Kraft card stock, Close to Cocoa marker and ink pad, Modern Label Punch, Stampin' Sponge, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Horizontal Slot Punch, 1/16" Hole Punch, Soft Subtles Brads (Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal)

Order your Stampin' Supplies, for delivery directly to your door, from my ONLINE STORE. While you're shopping, don't forget to get your FREE BUTTONS through the Growing Up Promotion. And remember, the $85 Mini Starter Kit Offer ends in just 10 days (Aug 31st)...sign up and get your FREE IN COLOR MARKERS and FREE STAMP SET from me before it's too late!

~Kimberley Morris
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net