Gate Fold Explosion Card

I just can't get enough of special fold cards lately. For some odd reason they really appeal to me. So today I bring you a gate fold explosion card. This particular fold has been around a long time but I wanted to use some of my new Fun Stampers Journey products. Here's the outside:

  Isn't that printed paper just beautiful? And how about that stamp? Love them both. Here's the inside of the card, aka the explosion part.

I did stamp the sentiment separate from the image for a little variety. But isn't that fold fun? Here's how I made this card.

Cut Deep Lilac Card Stock (CS-0096) 5-½ x 11. Score at  2-¾ from both ends to create gate fold to meet in the middle.

Next cut a floral paper from the Sunday Adventure Prints paper pack (PP-0053) to 5-½ x 11. Score as shown on template below starting with the 2-¾ mark from both ends and folding corner to the center mark on each side. M = mountain fold. V = valley fold. Crease well. 

Using the photo and template as a guide, use Journey Craft Glue (AD-0111) to glue printed paper to card stock (valley sections only).

Cut a 3-5/8 square from Deep Lilac card stock and a 3-3/8 square from Whipped Cream card stock (CS-0040). Layer Whipped Cream card stock on top of Deep Lilac card stock and glue to middle section of explosion. Stamp sentiment only from the middle of  Be a Light AT stamp set (AT-0284) using a black marker to color the words.

Cut 2 pieces of floral paper from Sunday Adventure Prints paper pack 2-½ x 5-1/4. Glue to card front.

Cut 1 piece of floral paper from Sunday Adventure Prints paper pack 1 x 12. Cut 1 piece of Black Licorice Card Stock (CS-0003) ¾ x 11 (cut length at 12 if you have 12 x 12 card stock) to make a belly band.  It will not matter if these 2 pieces are not the same length as they will be covered by your image in the next step. Layer the Black Licorice card stock on top of floral paper centering on strip. With card closed, wrap this strip around card and glue at the overlap. Don’t wrap too tight or it will be difficult to get off to open your card.

Cut a 2-7/8 x 3-5/8 piece of Deep Lilac card stock and a piece 2-5/8 x 3-3/8 of Whipped Cream card stock. Stamp the Be a Light AT stamp (without the sentiment in the middle) carefully on the Whipped Cream card stock and layer on the Deep Lilac card stock. Use Journey Color Burst Pencils (JM-0077) to color image to match your floral paper. When your card is complete and complete, add Journey Glaze to glass portion of stamp.

Die cut 2 Detailed Foliage Die (DI-0360) pieces from Black Licorice card stock. Layer these behind the stamped image as shown in photo. You may need to cut each foliage piece into 2 pieces so that they will not go over the edge of your card. Layer this combined piece on the belly band created in the previous step. When dry, put belly band on card.

Finished card will measure 5-½ x 5-½ and may require extra postage to mail.

I hope you have enjoyed my card today and will give it a try. It's really fun!

Happy stamping everyone!