Tri-Fold Card

I saw another one of Ronda Wade's projects the other day on her youtube channel - I love love love this fun idea for a card and immediately went in my craft room and made one for a birthday dinner I was going to that night! I didn't decorate it like she did, but the tri-fold idea is the same. Thanks for the inspo, Ronda!

I changed the dimensions of some of the pieces because I don't have the same tools she used (the die cut templates for one thing), added a gift card so this is a card and gift in one, used different paper and stamps, etc. I'll show you what I did, and you can see her make the original card here. 

I used 2 coordinating decorative papers - one coral with little black and white flowers, the other white with black circles,  along with basic black and white cardstock. To make my card you'll need:

• black 1" x 11" strip

• black 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• white with black circles 4" x 5 1/4" 

• black 2 3/4" x 3 3/4"
• coral with flowers 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

• coral with flowers 2 1/2" x 3"
• white 2 1/4" x 2 3/4"

• white 1 7/8" x 2 7/8"
• small decorative piece of solid coral coordinating cardstock for the tag front
• 2 small pieces of matching decorative paper to cover inside the flaps (1 1/2" high)
• birthday stamp and ink, paper letter (or whatever you want to decorate the front), matching ribbon

This is going to sound way more confusing then it is! Following the pictures will probably be easier than trying to figure out my instructions hahah! Read all the way to the end for a couple tips before you start:

First, glue the largest white piece (4x 5 1/4) to the largest black piece (4 1/4 x 5 1/2). This is your card base. Then glue it to the black strip making sure the ends will fold over each other like this (note, I didn't center the card in the center of the strip, hedge it over just a bit to the left - you can't tell yet but the larger right side folds in first, topped with the smaller left side, so the left side strip can be a little shorter): 

Fold the strips up and sharply crease them so the edge is nice and crisp:

Next, glue the coral (2 1/2 x 3 1/2) piece to the slightly larger black piece (2 3/4 x 3 3/4). Glue it behind the right side strip (after folding the strip over the card - when you attach this coral piece the strip will be in front of it):

For the flap on the left side I punched out a white label shape (1 7/8 x 2 7/8), and a small tag shape from solid coral. Hole punch both of them and attach them together with small piece of ribbon. Glue on the paper letter or whatever you are using to decorate. Then attach the white piece to the left side strip (once again, glue it to the back of the strip, see photo):

 

Right now the card should look something like this when open:

Stamp whatever message or image you want on the solid white 2 1/4 x 2 3/4" piece, color it in if you wish. Glue that to the slightly larger coral piece (2 1/2 x 3), then glue to the base card making sure it will be covered by the cards attached to the strip. 

To finish - Cover the inside of the black strips with decorative paper to make it look more finished. I attached a gift card behind the right coral side of the card with some ribbon, when you open the tri-fold card you see the gift card to the right, see picture. 

Last note, hopefully you're still reading and didn't start making the card yet - I had to play with where to glue the black strip to the base card so that the larger right side would fold over the center of the base card, and then that the small left side white card with the letter would end up on top in the center of the right side flap. Does that make sense? Without gluing anything, lay the message card on the base card, then stack the other cards on top of it making sure it will be covered and both flaps will cover it and be centered, then glue to the strip. I really hope the pictures are helping - watch Ronda's video on YouTube if you need additional instructions, she walks you thru how she made the card (although her dimensions are different than mine). 

I really enjoy how this card turned out and will totally be making these again in the future!

5.1.20: testing old seeds

5.1.19: lemon cake

5.1.18: smoked meat 

5.1.17: butternut squash salad

5.1.16: breakfast frittata