Swinging into SpringšŸŒ·

I know it’s a bit early to think we are sliding into the spring season, but I’ve seen the tips of my daffodils peeking through the ground, and I’ve gone without a coat once or twice this past week so in my world (or at least on my stamping table) I’m diving into spring thinking. Are you with me?

Today I am sharing two ways to make cards that have a swing motion to the focal point. Cards that move are always a big hit with the recipient and are quite honestly pretty amazing considering they are made with paper! You’ll find the video tutorial, directions to download and more pictures below.

Easy Swing Fold Card

Easy Swing Fold Card using Butterfly Brilliance Bundle

Ā Easy Swing Fold – Supplies Needed

  • 5 1/2ā€ x 8 1/2ā€ Cardstock base
  • 6ā€ x 6ā€ patterned paper (DSP)
  • Nesting Die shapes (circle, oval, square)
  • Basic White for cutting 2-3 of smaller nesting die.
  • Cut & Emboss Machine

Step 1: Score the 5 1/2ā€ x 8 1/2ā€ cardstock base at 4 1/4ā€ and 2 1/8ā€. The front of the card will be the side with the 2 1/8ā€ score line down the middle.

Step 2: Lay the card open on the Cut & Emboss machine with the card front side entering the machine first.Ā  Put the larger nesting die on the card front (face down), centering itĀ  over the score line.Ā  Lay the second cutting plate on top as usual except the edge of the plate must only cover theĀ  2 1/8ā€ section and stop at the 2 1/8ā€ score line. (It is ok if the plate goes a smidge over the score line.) This positioning will ensure the machine only cuts one half of the die.

The key to this swing mechanism is only cutting out half of the die. This is pretty simple – just use the position of the cutting plate to determine where the Cut & Emboss machine stops cutting.

Step 3: Cut the 6ā€ x 6ā€ piece of patterned paper into three pieces. First cut offĀ  3/4ā€ from one side and trim this to 5 1/4ā€.Ā  Then turn the paper and cut a 2ā€ strip which will leave you with a 4ā€ strip also. Adhere the patterned paper to the inside of card.Ā  Optional: use the 3/4ā€ x 5 1/4ā€ piece for the front of the card.

Step 4: Press on the 4 1/4ā€ score line to fold the card in half.Ā  Then press the 2 1/8ā€ score line in the opposite direction. The half of the die that was cut will ā€œswingā€ open.

Step 5: Cut out 2-3 of the smaller nesting die set in Basic White cardstock. One will be used on the card front for a greeting and focal point, one will be for the inside greeting mounted directly under where the front focal point is located.Ā  The optional third die cut is to back the focal image on the card front to serve as a secondary greeting and/or embellishment location.

Pop Out Swing Fold Card

Pop Out Swing Fold Cards

Ā Pop Out Swing Fold – Supplies Needed

  • 5.5ā€ x 8.5ā€ Cardstock base
  • 5.25ā€ x 4ā€ Double-sided patterned paper (DSP)
  • 8ā€ x 5ā€ Basic White cardstock
  • Nesting Dies to create a window
  • Additional cardstock for focal point

Step 1: Score the 5.5ā€ x 8.5ā€ cardstock base at 4.25ā€ to create folded card.

Step 2: Attach the patterned paper to the front of the card base being careful to ONLY adhere around the outside edge (not in the center of the paper).Ā 

Step 3: Use the larger of the nested dies to cut a window in the front of the card front, cutting through both the patterned paper and the cardstock at the same time.Ā 

Step 4: Score the 8ā€x 5ā€ Basic White cardstock at 2ā€, 4ā€ and 6ā€ Fold on the 4ā€ score line first, which folds this piece in half. Press with a bone folder. Then fold one of the 2ā€ sections back in the opposite direction. Adhere this 2ā€ section ONLY to the inside of the card base (where the inside greeting would be stamped) aligning the edges so that there are equal amounts of the card base showing

Step 5: Use a strip of adhesive along the opposite end of the Basic White cardstock to attach it to the back of the card front.Ā  This will be attached along the score line in the middle of the card base.

Step 6: Open the card base fully and doing so will fold on the final score line of the 8ā€ x 5ā€ Basic White piece.

Step 7: Cut out the smaller of the nesting dies in coordinating cardstock color and mount through the window on the card front, but ONLY adhere to the right side of the score line you can see through the window.

Today’s Facebook Live Crafting Playdate (#9!!!!!) is all about Swing Cards! Check out the video replay on YouTube.

Watch my Facebook Live replay

Butterfly Brilliance Bundle is here and so amazing!!! During March you can earn some free Butterfly Bijou DSP if you purchase the Butterfly Brilliance Bundle. More fun projects to come soon!

Butterfly Brilliance Bundle
Butterfly Bijou Designer Series Paper
Entire Butterfly Brilliance Collection

4 thoughts on “Swinging into SpringšŸŒ·”

  1. Great cards! Thanks…I’m traveling and am going to take my glue and the cards in a kit you delivered…..Thanks again!

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