Mini Photo Tutorial: Fanfare Fold Card

I'm crazy about this brand new fancy fold that I learned at our last demonstrator stamp night! The Fanfare Fold is so stinkin' easy, but a real WOW. You won't believe how addicting these are to make! And they fit in a regular envelope, too. Extra sweet!

EDITED TO ADD: you would not believe it if I told you how many people have contacted me to ask why this card doesn't stand up by itself. So here's your official notice: this card does not stand up by itself. Not all cards do : ) It's OK. The world will not quit revolving. Don't let that stop you from enjoying a really, really cute card fold. PSA over.

Ready to try it? Here's what you'll need:

• 4.25x5.5 inch cardstock base (Very Vanilla shown here)
• 4.25x11 inch cardstock strip (Blushing Bride shown here)
• Simply Scored or other scoring tools
• Tear N Tape or other strong adhesive
• patterned paper of your choice (Falling in Love, shown here)

Score the cardstock strip at 1.5, 3, 5.5 and 8 inches on the long side.

Attach the widest panel in the center of the cardstock base, using a strong adhesive since there will be a lot of tension on this piece.

Accordion-fold the rest of the strip, pressing each fold down firmly with your Bone Folder Tool so that it will lay as flat as possible.

Decorate each panel as desired. Stagger your embellishments so they are all seen from the front when the card is closed. Here's the measurements for the patterned paper layers:

• 4 x 2.75 inches (largest back panel)
• 4 x 2.25 inches (middle inside panel)
• 4 x 1.25 inches (outside front panel)
• 4 x 2.25 inches (neutral cardstock or plain panel for writing message)

That's all there is to it! So are you going to try the Fanfare Fold? Leave me a comment if you enjoyed today's tutorial and plan to try it. I LOVE to hear from my followers. Take two jiffys and make my day! Thanks!

 

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Comments

[Lynn]

Lyssa
Thanks for sharing all the measurements
This looks like so much work
Just need to get the hang of it and will try to make a few for spring

[Donna Kish]

I definitely plan to try it! I especially love this sweet butterfly paper. Going to need more of that pattern as it is so pretty.

My friends are going to just love this I'm sure!

[Michelle L.]

I needed a birthday card idea and this seems like a cute little card to make. Thanks.

[Brenda B.]

That looks like so much fun!

[Paula]

Excellent card! Thanks for all the info on it!

[Linda Murphy]

what a cute idea! great way to use up some of my dsp too!

[Pat Tecza]

Beautiful card, Lyssa! This looks like one my ladies would really like. Thank you for the tutorial!

[Kay Carlson]

I LOVE paper engineering so will be making this very soon (like today!). Thank you so much for these directions!

[Kay Vlosich]

Thank you for sharing this creative card idea. Special thanks for sharing the dimensions! I am going to make this card today! Love it!

[Jean S.]

I love this idea because it adds something extra to a plain card in a different way. I can't' wait to try one..

[Darla Roberts]

Excited to try it! Love your step by step instuctions! Love your card!

[Rachel]

Very cute fold, you're so kind to share this idea, Lyssa.

[Kathie]

I am going to try it. Thanks for sharing and giving the instructions.

[Mindi Sadler]

Great card! Will definitely give it a go! Thanks for sharing the instructions. :)

[Brenda C.]

What am I doing wrong? When I follow your instructions, I end up with a very tiny card--3 1/4" wide by 4 1/4 tall when folded. I also don't see where you put that 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 panel. Thanks!

[Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek]

Hi Brenda--you aren't doing anything wrong. The little fanfare fold card is attached to the cardfront piece (the 4.25x5.5 inch piece. It's just a backing for the folded part. You write on the folded part. Hope that makes sense : ) LZ

[Marjorie McFadyen]

Will certainly make this. Will just have to convert the size into centre metres

[Brenda C.]

Thank you for your response, Lyssa. Now it makes sense. especially when I look closer at the photos. Guess I had one of those "duh" moments.

[Susan Smith]

This card is just gorgeous. I have been trying to come up with an idea for a card for my home care worker/friend and this is perfect, especially with the butterflies. Her dad died a while ago and he loved butterflies so this is perfect. Thanks for sharing the instructions and measurements.

[Chris]

This looks great. Im looking for a card for a 21st. Ill try it

[Sharon Dundon]

Great design. Thanks for sharing all the details. I am going to make a Birthday card for my 91 year young Aunt and give it a try.

[Tana]

This is Great! Thanks for all measurements and images!

[Lynda Renfrow]

This looks like a fun card to make I will definitely give it a try.

[Lenoria]

I just found your blog and this post and will definitely be trying this card! Thank you for the instructions and measurements. Your card is gorgeous!!

[Cindy]

Thanks Lyssa, that looks like fun!! Have a super day!!

[Linda Ellis]

Thank you for sharing it is so cute! I have shamelessly CASED it although I may leave it as a mini card the proportions are perfect! Linda xx

[June]

Fantastic card fold must have a go at
This tonight need a special card for my
Friends birthday soon

[Susan Mack]

Your directions are simple and easy to follow so I will try this with my ladies
Thanks for sharing

[Ann R]

Fantastic card fold and quite different. Thanks for great tutorial.

[Kim]

Thanks for the great idea! I will definitely try this!

[Holly Paplow]

LOVE this card and idea! I am always looking for unique cards. I will be making this. Thanks so much for sahring.

[Cheryl]

This looks fabulous. Will definitely make use this fold. Thanks for sharing it !!

[Lois Ritter]

Thanks for all the information as to scoring lines and paper size. This is easier than I thought it would be and am using a polka dot paper for the inside, etc.

Thanks for sharing!!

[Judy Gordon]

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I am especially thankful that you provided all the paper measurements too. Can't wait to give this a try.

[Joyce Shaull]

Thank you for the tutorials.
Definitely making it!

[Charlotte]

I have enjoyed playing around with this fun fold card idea. I'm not sure why it's not standing up for those questioning that. I've used the apothecary large stamp for some of my front labels and made multi-layers of a diamond pattern label with dimensional flowers attached. So far mine are standing up well. I do use my bone folder to make sure my scores are crisp. You're card is adorable 😊. I plan to use your idea and just switch up just a bit just because I prefer not to do an exact copy. Thanks for sharing. I'm just not good with the computer for trying to share any of mine. Still recover from chemo brain fog.

[Patricia Elstob]

Love love love the look of this card, going to make one for my great grandaughters third birthday, great tutorial and easy to follow, and the card you made is beautiful thanks.

[Lesley Kaiser]

I loved this card.. it was simple but great. Mine stood up on its own.

[Lisa]

Thank you for sharing this idea. I am definitely going to try it :)

[Meredith Booker]

Great instructions! I have been looking for a different kind of card... this will be next on my list to make! Thanks for sharing!

[Stefanie Nichols]

Thank you for the gorgeous card post! My upline used your card as inspiration and I loved her card so I found your post. I did post a link on my blog so that you would get the credit for your great card and easy directions.
Thank you!

[Beth Karschnick]

Lyssa, YOur card is SO BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE the soft color palette you used for your card! I totally plan of giving this a try!!

[Marielle]

Cette carte a l'air d'être très agréable à réaliser et la tienne est superbe!
Merci infiniment de nous en donner le tutoriel!
Boone soirée.

[jude]

great tutorial, very easy to follow will be doing a few of these cards
could easily attach a stand for the back of it so it will "stand up" or maybe not adhere to the base card, but then it spoils the look of the card

[jacqui pearson]

Lovely Card shape will definatley be having a go at this xx

[Lenoria]

I tried this fold and love the card..

[Friendsfreak99]

Super easy card fold tutorial!! Thank you sooooo much for the measurements.

[Wilma Turner]

I loved the idea and the instructions look easy to follow. Will try this card at the week-end

[Jaunita Wigal]

Love this card and do really appreciate the exact measurements. Thanks for sharing.

[ElsieJB]

I'm here thanks to Pinterest. This is a really quick card, and I just made ten of them using the assembly line method! Since the photo shows it will obviously not stand up, and since recipients of some of my cards tell me they put them on the shelf or mantle, I just omitted the back piece and made the colored card stock 12 x 5.5 inches with the score lines the same. This makes the finished card 5.5 x 4 inches. I also adjusted the dsp measurements accordingly. The ten cards used three 12x12 dsp and five 12x12 card stock. Thank you for a card idea that uses up lots of paper...my goal is to use up paper quickly. To reduce my stash or to help me justify going shopping...I'll let you decide!

[Marina]

Lyssa: Beautiful card but I am the contrary of Elsie . . . I live in a country where we cannot find scrapbooking material soooooooo . . . I will not do the base card . . . just the accordeon, I will save some material and the card will stand up . . . will be doing some Christmas cards with this pattern for fund raising for a charitable organization. Thanks soooooooooooooo much for sharing the photo tutorial.

[Pat Chastain]

Thank you for sharing. Great card.

[Nancy Endwright]

Thanks for the tutorial. I needed an idea for a pink birthday card and I think this will be perfect.