As the holiday season approaches, I find myself drawn to creating unique, heartfelt cards that bring a smile to the faces of loved ones. There’s something magical about sending out handmade Christmas cards—it’s a way to share a little piece of your creativity and joy. Today, I’m thrilled to share a project that combines both simplicity and a fun surprise: a Christmas fun fold card featuring the delightful Baking Spirits Bright Stamp Set from Pajama Crafter Stamps.
Easy Christmas Fun Fold Card Tutorial:
The Inspiration Behind the Design
Just yesterday, I was working on a card using the Heaven And Nature Stamp Set and fell in love with the layout I created. It had this beautiful simplicity to it but with just enough detail to make it stand out. I knew I had to recreate that design with a different theme, and what better way than to use the festive images from the Baking Spirits Bright Stamp Set?
When I think of Christmas, I think of warm kitchens filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies, and this stamp set captures that cozy feeling perfectly. The gingerbread man and cookies are just too adorable not to use, and I wanted them to be the focal point of the card.
Crafting the Perfect Card Base
The foundation of any card is its base, and for this project, I chose Eucalyptus Cardstock from Concord & 9th. I love using this cardstock for holiday cards because of its rich, earthy tone—it complements festive colors beautifully without overpowering the design.
To start, I cut the cardstock to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and scored it at 4 1/4". This is my go-to card base size because it fits perfectly into standard envelopes, and it leaves plenty of room for layering and embellishing. I folded the cardstock in half, creating a sturdy base that can handle the added layers and embellishments.
I knew I wanted to add a bit of texture and pattern to the card front, so I reached for the Christmas Time 6 x 6 Pattern Paper Pad from Echo Park. The red and black Buffalo Plaid design is a classic that never goes out of style, especially for holiday cards. I cut a piece to 4" x 5 1/4" and adhered it to the card front, instantly adding a cozy, festive vibe.
A Simple Yet Stunning Fun Fold
Now, let’s talk about the fun fold. If you’ve never tried a fun fold card before, I encourage you to give it a go. It’s a simple way to add a bit of interactive flair to your cards without much extra effort.
For this card, I cut another piece of Eucalyptus Cardstock to 3 1/4" x 8 1/2" and scored it at 4 1/4". This smaller folded piece was then attached to the card front, creating a flap that opens to reveal an additional sentiment or design element.
I chose two coordinating patterns from the Christmas Time Paper Pad to decorate the fun fold panels. The contrast between the plaid and the other patterns adds visual interest, and the different sizes of the panels (1" x 4" and 2" x 4") help to balance the design.
Bringing the Focal Point to Life
The focal point of this card is where all the holiday magic happens. I wanted to create the illusion of a plate filled with freshly baked cookies, so I die-cut two circles from Neenah Solar White 80 lbs Cardstock using my 3" and 2" circle dies.
Here’s a little pro tip: When creating a focal point that mimics a real-life object, like a plate, consider adding a bit of shading or inking around the edges to give it depth and dimension. I used a sponge dauber with a tiny bit of ink to lightly shade the edge of the larger circle. It’s a subtle touch, but it makes the "plate" stand out on the card.
The real stars of the show are the gingerbread man and the cookies, stamped from the Baking Spirits Bright Stamp Set. I stamped them onto Neenah Solar White Cardstock using Memento Rich Cocoa Ink, which is perfect for working with alcohol markers like the Ohuhu Oahu Markers I used to color them in. After coloring, I fussy cut each image with my trusty paper snips (I didn't have the coordinating dies at the time).
Arranging the cookies on the plate was like setting up a little scene, and it was so much fun to see it come together. The mix of different cookie shapes adds a playful element, and the colors really pop against the white "plate" and patterned background.
Sentiments That Make an Impact
No card is complete without a heartfelt sentiment, and for this design, I wanted to incorporate a few. I started with the front sentiment, which I stamped onto a scrap of Neenah Solar White Cardstock using Schoolhouse Red Ink from Simon Says Stamp. This vibrant red pairs beautifully with the Buffalo Plaid pattern paper, tying the whole design together.
For the inside of the fun fold card, I added a 3" x 4" piece of Neenah Solar White Cardstock and stamped another sentiment in Schoolhouse Red Ink. I love how the red ink ties back to the front of the card, creating a cohesive look. To add a little something extra, I stamped two more cookies from the Baking Spirits Bright Stamp Set on the inside of the card base and added a sentiment in Eucalyptus Ink.
Finishing Touches
The last step in any card-making process is adding those final touches that make your card special. For this card, I used a white gel pen to add highlights to the cookies, giving them a bit of dimension and a freshly-baked glow. It’s these little details that can really make a card stand out and feel complete.
Easy Christmas Fun Fold Card Tutorial 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!
Conclusion: A Holiday Card That’s Sure to Delight
Creating this fun fold Christmas card was such a joy, and I hope it inspires you to try your hand at making one too. The combination of classic holiday patterns, a fun interactive element, and adorable stamped images makes this card a perfect choice for spreading holiday cheer.
Remember, the most important part of card making is enjoying the process and sharing your creations with others. Whether you’re making cards for family, friends, or even a local charity, know that your handmade cards are bringing a little bit of joy to someone’s day.
Happy crafting, and I can’t wait to see what you create!
(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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