The First Cut is the Hardest

This month, select Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Papers (DSP) are on sale, and I’ll be showing various ways to use them. I know, I know—everyone has a favorite they want to save and are afraid to cut because it’s just so pretty! But why not share that beauty in a card you send out? Having coordinating cardstock helps you to make quick cards that look very polished. If you don’t want to get whole packs of a cardstock color, you might be interested in my Cardstock Share. When you purchase any DSP from my Stampin’ Up! store this month, you can order a pack of 20 8-1/2” x 11” sheets of cardstock for $10, shipping included—4 sheets each of 5 colors. Just message me with your selection!

I’m making a trifold accordion card that is easily adapted for just about any patterned paper. Today’s projects use the Beauty of the Earth DSP. I try to have some ”thinking of you” cards on hand should the need arise. And when I send a condolence card, I sometimes include a set of notecards that the recipient may find useful. I think the images in this paper work well for this purpose. I used little leftover trimmings from the paper to decorate the belly band and the third panel to make the most of the pretty scraps.

Measurements:

-Night of Navy cardstock

11” (W) x 5-1/2” (H), scored at 1-3/8”, 4-1/8”, and 6-7/8” along the long side
9-1/2” (W) x 1-1/2” (H) for belly band

-Beauty of the Earth DSP

Pattern 1: 1-1/8” (W) x 5-1/4” (H)
Pattern 2: 1-1/8” (W) x 5-1/4” (H) *note: I used the same paper for patterns 1 & 2 on my card
Pattern 3: 2-1/2” (W) x 5-1/4” (H)
Pattern 4: 3-7/8” (W) x 5-1/4” (H)

-Basic White cardstock

2-1/2” (W) x 5-1/4” (H)
3-7/8” (W) x 1-1/4” (H) for belly band

The accompanying notecards almost made themselves since the paper does most of the work. I just added some understated embellishment and a sentiment.