Tri-Fold "Wedding Chapel" Card - Part 1

During the summer I was testing some of my new "Tri-Fold" stamps from Art Impressions. Since the weather was so nice, I thought I make myself comfortable outside as well...

You might ask what is a "Tri-Fold" card and how do they work?

Tri-Fold simply means you have a card that will open to the left and right side. When closed you see a 3-D like picture. Let me show you how this looks like:

First, these stamp sets come in three different parts, plus a stamp with a fitting phrase. Instructions are also included in the set, so read everything carefully before you start. I would recommend to use a piece of scrap-paper and stamp all images as instructed first. This way you make sure you get the sides and measurements correct and everything lines up. Use this as a template for other set you make.


For your base you need to cut a piece of white cardstock at 5 1/2" x 11". Score your card in even 1/3's so each part will measure 3 5/8". Don't fold yet, because it makes it easier to stamp.

Each stamp set tells you exactly which stamp goes in the inside of the card and which one will go on the left and right side (outside).

In this case I stamped the wedding chapel in the middle section of my card, about 3/8" from the top. Now you turn your paper around, the chapel image facing towards your work surface.

Again, in this set, the bridge will be stamped on the left section of the card and the bench on to the right section. Depending on your tri-fold set, check the instructions.

Since these stamps are rubber stamps and not clear, it is a bit more difficult to line them up. Instruction calls for the bridge to be stamped 2 5/8" from the top of the card and lined up with the score line. Don't stamp it to far to the left (or to the right on the other side), otherwise you will end up with a big white space when your card is closed.

Now stamp the right image about 1 5/8" from the top on the right panel, lining it up with the right score line.

In my pictures here you see the card already cut out, so yours will still be three full panels. 

Now all that is left is to cut around the side panels. First fold your card along the scorelines. Start cutting on the right about 1" from the bottom and follow around the bench and lamp all the way to the scoreline. Cut along scoreline to the top. For the left side, start cutting about 1 1/4" from the bottom along the bridge and up the score line. 
This is a free cut, so it is up to you how close you like to get to the image and how much background you like to leave.

Fold card together and see if everything lines up. Fine tune the sides a bit, so the card has nice edges on each side.


Stay tuned for part 2 - coloring the image

If you like to create this "Tri-Fold" card and learn how to stamp, cut and color the images, please contact me. Check my class schedule for ongoing classes.