Hey, crafty friends! I’ve got a fun one to share with you today—a gorgeous gate fold card featuring the Swift Stamp Set from C. C. Designs. Gate fold cards are such a great way to add a little extra flair to your card making without a lot of extra work. Plus, they have that satisfying “reveal” when you open them, which makes them feel a little more special.
I’ll admit, the first time I tried making a gate fold card, I was convinced it would be complicated. But once I got the hang of the scoring and folding, it quickly became one of my favorite go-to designs. This one came together beautifully with a mix of vibrant ink blending, layered die cuts, and that adorable swift image taking center stage. Let me walk you through how it all came together—and hopefully inspire you to give gate fold cards a try!
A Stunning Gate Fold Card:
Why Gate Fold Cards Work So Well
Gate fold cards are one of those designs that look more complex than they actually are. The way the two panels open up to reveal the focal point gives it a polished, professional feel. What I love about this design is how easy it is to adjust for different themes and styles. Once you get the base down, you can switch up the colors, patterns, and images to create a whole new look.
This particular design is all about the contrast between warm and cool tones. The orange and blue ink blending creates a dynamic backdrop for the swift image, and the layered heart die cuts give it just the right amount of dimension. It’s one of those cards that looks like it took hours to make—but it really comes together quickly once you have your base and layers ready to go.
Stamping and Coloring the Focal Image
I started with one of the sweet swift images from the Swift Stamp Set. I stamped it in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto a piece of Hammermill Smooth Cardstock—my go-to for coloring because it’s so smooth and marker-friendly.
For coloring, I used my OLO Markers. If you haven’t tried them yet, they blend beautifully and give you such vibrant results. I went for soft shades to keep the image playful but still cohesive with the ink-blended background. After coloring, I fussy cut the image using my paper snips. Fussy cutting isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do, but I actually find it kind of relaxing—just put on some music or a good show, and before you know it, you’ve got a perfectly cut image.
Pro Tip: If you’re not a fan of fussy cutting, you can always use a coordinating die (if available) or leave a small white border around the image to make cutting a little more forgiving.
Creating the Gate Fold Base
For the base, I used Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock. It’s perfect for gate fold cards because it holds up well to scoring and folding without cracking or warping. I cut it to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and scored it at 2 1/8" from both ends on the long side. Folding and burnishing those scored lines with a bone folder gives you those crisp edges that make the card feel professionally finished.
The key to a clean gate fold is making sure those two panels meet evenly in the middle. If you notice one side sticking out a bit, gently trim it down or adjust your fold so everything lines up perfectly.
Layering and Ink Blending
To give the card some extra depth, I cut two mat layers at 2" x 5 1/4" and two smaller layering pieces at 1 3/4" x 5" from Hammermill Smooth Cardstock. This is where the ink blending magic happens!
For the larger panels, I used Craved Pumpkin Distress Oxide Ink—it’s such a rich, vibrant orange that adds instant warmth.
For the smaller panels, I used Broken China Distress Oxide Ink. The cool blue tones balance out the warmth of the orange, creating a nice contrast.
To add texture, I stamped three images from the Swift Stamp Set onto the blue panels using Broken China Ink. This creates a subtle tone-on-tone pattern that ties everything together without overwhelming the design.
Pro Tip: If you want to soften the edges of your ink blending, try using a light hand and circular motion with your blending tool. Adding a second layer of ink can help smooth out any uneven spots.
Adding the Heart Die Cuts
Next, I cut two hearts from white cardstock using the Infinity Heart Die Set. I ink blended one of the hearts with Mermaid Lagoon Distress Oxide Ink to create a bold focal point. Stacking the two hearts together adds a nice bit of dimension without making the card too bulky.
I attached the layered hearts to one side of the gate fold, making sure it only adhered to one panel so the card could still open properly. The swift image went right in the center of the heart, becoming the star of the design.
Finishing with the Sentiment and Details
For the sentiment, I stamped "like ever" from the Swift Stamp Set onto a strip of white cardstock that I had lightly ink blended with the leftover orange ink on my blending brush. Cutting banner ends on both sides gives it a polished look, and I attached it to the opposite panel from the heart to create balance.
To finish things off, I added some white highlights to the swift image using a Milky Pop White Gel Pen—this really makes the details pop. A little shimmer from a Stardust Glitter Pen on the outfit added just the right amount of sparkle without going overboard.
Pro Tip: When adding highlights with a gel pen, less is more. Start with a few small dots or lines, then step back and assess before adding more.
Why This Design Works
This gate fold card works so well because of the mix of contrasting colors, the layered heart detail, and the adorable swift image tying it all together. The gate fold structure gives it that interactive feel, and the layered ink blending and stamping make it look far more complex than it actually is.
If you’ve been hesitant to try a gate fold design, I hope this inspires you to give it a go! Once you have the base measurements down, it’s just a matter of mixing and matching your favorite colors, patterns, and images. The Swift Stamp Set is so versatile—you could easily switch up the colors and create a completely different look.
A Stunning Gate Fold Card Video Tutorial:
If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!
Final Thoughts
Gate fold cards are such a fun way to elevate your card making, and the Swift Stamp Set from C. C. Designs makes it even more special. I love how the warm and cool tones play off each other, and the layered heart and swift image give it that polished finish. If you haven’t tried a gate fold design yet, this is the perfect project to start with—it’s easier than you think, and the results are absolutely worth it.
I hope you give this one a try! And if you do, I’d love to see how it turns out.
(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
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