Wednesday 11 May 2011

ABC Christmas Challenge - J is for...

This week, it's my turn to host the ABC Christmas Challenge, where the theme is:

'J is for Joy Fold Card'

Our sponsor for this challenge is:
Photobucket

The prize is a $15 voucher to spend in the Simon Says Stamp store.

To help you with this challenge, I have prepared a tutorial on how I made my card.

So, what exactly is a 'Joy Fold' card???


Basically, as you can hopefully see from my card above, it's a card that has two interlocking flaps...one smaller than the other...that opens to reveal a hidden message or image.

I'm going to show you below how I made my card. I'm by no means an expert at this type of card...though I have made a couple before...and this is not the only way to do it, but it gives you the basic principles.

To start with, cut your card blank in whatever shape & size you like - mine measures 5.75 inches square - then cut the front flap in half:


Then, cut the smaller flap - again this can be whatever shape & size you like - mine is 4x8 inches, then folded in half:


The photo below shows how the two pieces will fit together...notice how they open in opposite directions:


The smaller one will be stuck underneath the shorter flap on the main card, so that they overlap:


Now for the fun part...decorate the pieces however you like - here's the main card:


And the smaller flap:


Remember...it needs to open the 'wrong' way:


Then, stick the pieces together:


All that's left to now, is to add something to hold the front flap closed...I've added a sentiment cut out with Nesties...you only want it to overlap by a small amount - you still need to be able to open it!:


To make it easy to open (and close again), I mounted it on to thick foam pads:


Here's the finished card:


And open:


I hope you found this helpful...we're all looking forward to seeing you try this card fold!

Materials used on my card:
Image Stamps - Penny Black 'Christmas Critters' & 'Holly-Jolly' sets (coloured using watercolour pencils)
Papers - My Mind's Eye 'Wonderful Winter'
Nestabilities - Scalloped & Classic Circles dies
Sentiment Stamp - Cuddly Buddly

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
For more inspiration my my lovely DT buddies, and our three fabulous Guest Designers, please visit the ABC Christmas Challenge.

23 comments:

  1. Beautiful card! Thanks for the tutorial!!

    Greetings, Saskia :)

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  2. Super tutorial Helen, and a smashing meece card! Sxx

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  3. Super duper tutorial Helen. Easy to follw and some great pictures.
    Your card went out really pretty as well. Lovely coloures and a cute image.
    hugs Dorte

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  4. GORGEOUS card and I'll definitely have to try this new folded card. Thanks for sharing. Dawn♥

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  5. So gorgeous card Helen.

    Hugs Riet.xx

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  6. Fantastic card (I'm going to do one for the ABC challenge) - thanks for joining in my CHNC challenge 19 - hope to see you again soon. x

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  7. Gorgeous card Helen and fabulous tutorial !! very well done :-)

    I love the image you used and the papers and design are fab :-)

    luv
    Lols x x x

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  8. what a cutie christmas card. great tutorial too. Thanks for joining us at papertake weekly xx

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  9. Gorgeous card, Helen! I love the layout and papers, and your images are lovely! And your tutorial is fantastic! Very clear and easy to follow:-)! Well done on everything! Hugs Delphine xx

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  10. Helen, this is fantastic!! Your tutorial is so clear and easy to follow! And I love the sweet images you used on your card!! Thanks for the tutorial!
    ~Lacey

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  11. Fabulous card Helen and love the way you have incorporated my sketch into the J fold. Thanks for playing along this week with SS&S. Hugs, Claire x

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  12. OK - my next card is a joyfold card - in fact, tonight and it's gonna be a xmas card! Thanks for playing and keeping us thinking - the Christmas season will be here before we know it!

    Juelmarie DT - Lollipop Crafts

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  13. Helen, Fabulous tutorial! I love how you have the inner and outer image matching. So cute!

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  14. Wow.... great card ! and thanks for share with us this perfect tuto!
    Thanks for commenting in my blog !
    ~Maria Elena~
    http://mariaelenaworld.blogspot.com/

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  15. Gorgeous Christmas colours

    Thanks for joining us on WINTER WONDERLAND :)

    Hugs Jane x

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  16. Lovely card, super image. Layout and papers. Thanks for joining in our challenge at MTTC this week.

    Pat xx

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  17. Oh those mice are sooo cute! Lovely card!
    Thanks for playing with Sunday Sketch & Stamp!
    Sparkly Moo x

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  18. Helen this is fabulous! the card is just Perfect and your tutorial clean and easy to follow! Hugs Samantha :0)

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  19. Helen, this is gorgeous. Love the way your image works with the gorgeous papers.
    Fantastic job with the tutorial.
    Hugs,
    Carissa

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  20. This is gorgeous. Adore the beautifully coloured images and the dp used.

    Jayne xx

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  21. Lovely folded card and cute images! Thanks for taking part in the MTTC challenge xx

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  22. Great card! Thanks for the tutorial too!

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Thanks for taking the time to look and comment on my cards! Helen x