Z-fold Simplicity With Luxurious Gold

Last month I made my first Z-fold card in a very long time. It’s such an easy way to add interest to a card I have no idea why I don’t do it more often. So when I was working on my 24 cards in 24 hours challenge I decided to make my last card a z-fold one.

"I made you a card because you're worth it". Z-fold card created using the Here's A Card Stamp Set and Ornate Frames Dies from Stampin' Up! #papercraftwithme

Z-FOLD BASE

I began this project by creating a basic A2 card base (5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″, scored on the long side at 4-1/4″). Then I flipped the card over and with the other long edge at the top scored it at 2-1/8″. Then it was simply a case of folding the card in half as usual, before folding back the front of the card to give the distinctive Z-fold shape.

TIP – When folding scored card I find I get a neater crease when I have the indented line on the outside and the raised side on the inside. It seems that the process of scoring stretches the paper fibres so they don’t crack when folded.

With the base done I then turned my attention to the decorative layers. I wanted this card to be gender neutral and found the perfect pattern in the Gilded Autumn 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack.

This paper pretty paper has a subtle two-tone Mint Macaron background with a gorgeous diagonal gold foil overlay. Initially I was just going to cut two strips of the paper and attach them to the card with the pattern running in the same direction. Instead I decided to give the diagonal a stylish chevron look with some careful cutting.

To do this I first cut a strip of the DSP 1-7/8″ x 5-1/4″ and set this aside. Then in order to get the diagonal on the second piece running in the opposite direction I turned the DSP sheet a quarter turn. Then I cut my second strip 1-7/8″ x 5-1/4″ like the first.

Next I cut two pieces of Mint Macaron Card each 2″ x 5-3/8″. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the DSP onto these card pieces. Finally I glued the assembled pieces onto my Z-fold card base.

ORNATE SENTIMENT

I must admit that I’d found my sentiment back when I was making card 2 or 3 of the 24. It’s from the Here’s A Card Stamp Set which is one of my favourite sentiment only sets. “I made you a card because you’re worth it” seemed like the perfect way to end my World Card Making Day challenge.

First, using VersaMark ink I stamped the sentiment onto some Whisper White Card. Then I sprinkled the sticky ink with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder and tapped off the excess. Then after removing a few stray specks I melted the rest with my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

To cut out the embossed sentiment I turned to another favourite, the Ornate Frames Dies. The sentiment suited two dies from the set and I could simply have cut it out using the fancier option. However I knew that it would be stronger after layering and that was useful. So instead I cut it out using the plainer die that’s perfectly sized and shaped to fit onto the fancier one. Then after using the fancier die to cut some gold Brushed Metallic Cardstock I was ready to finish the card.

First using liquid glue I mounted the sentiment onto the brushed gold layer. Then I attached the assembled piece to the folded back section of my Z-fold card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. The right half of the sentiment is not attached to anything so that the card can still be opened.

Just one last detail remained. I cut a 2-1/4″ x 6″ piece of the DSP and attached it to the flap of a Whisper White Medium Envelope with liquid glue. Then using Paper Snips I trimmed the DSP to shape using the edge of the flap as my guide. In next to no time my project was complete with just 5 minutes of my 24 hours left.

Although I was very tired after my cardmaking marathon I really enjoyed the experience. You know it’s funny but sometimes card designs come more easily when I don’t have time to stress over every tiny detail.