WWC96 - A Surprise Pop-Up Card

I love special folds!  There are so many types and I know I have barely skimmed the top of the vast barrel full that have been created.  The fun is in finding a new one and using it in a special way for a card of one's own.  This week Gail is giving me that opportunity by hosting a Special Fold Challenge.  Any type of special fold is allowed.  The problem, for me, is deciding on just one.

I didn't want to use  a fold that I've already done for this challenge so I went out and searched for a new (for me) fold.  Since Gail's challenge launches on my husband's birthday, I decided that my creation would also be his birthday card.  Two birds and all that jazz.

I found the perfect fold on the SplitCoastStampers site.  They have a wonderful library of folds and techniques.  This one would be perfect.  For details and a great tutorial by Beate Johns, you can click HERE.

I decided to use some of the Serene Scenery Specialty Designer Paper.  The leafy design was perfect for what I had in mind.  Along with that I used Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist and Whisper White cardstocks.  I followed the steps of the tutorial pretty closely and the result is a nice, masculine looking card like this.

That's the closed version.  When the ribbon is pulled and the tag comes up, the centre folds and the oval with the elk stands like an easel.  As if that's not cool enough, the greeting becomes visible at the top where I've heat embossed the "Happy Birthday" in white.  Below the easel, you can also see the sentiment which I stamped in black.

Where I veered away from the tutorial is visible at the back of the tag.  You can see I've added a pocket which appears when the tag is pulled up.  It's exactly the right size for a gift card, which is what I'm enclosing for my husband.

And this is how the card can sit with the centre standing like an easel.  Cute?  I think so.

Stamps:  The Wilderness Awaits, Butterfly Basics, Happy Happenings

Papers:  Serene Scenery paper stack, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Marine Mist,

Whisper White

Inks:  Versamark and White embossing powder, Basic Black Archival ink, Marina Mist,

Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

Tools:  Stampin' Trimmer, Heat Gun, Aqua Brush, Layering Ovals Framelits

I hope you've enjoyed my card.  It was such fun trying out this new special fold.  For more special folds created by the rest of the Watercooler Artists, check out the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.

Oh, and before I forget, we also have a special treat this week.  That talented special-folds artist, Bronwyn Eastley from Australia, is our Guest Designer this week.  And guess what she is offering to everyone who visits her blog?  The tutorial for her wonderful Z-Fold Spinner card will be free to download during the week of our challenge.