Inked Gate Fold Card - Step By Step Tutorial

Hello, sorry I'm a little late posting my Papermilldirect DT make.  This week the Design Team are working with the theme of Gatefold Cards, for my version I am using a simple 2 fold design but adding extra interest with a 2 part heart flap and some random inking.  This is a very easy method, no stamping or heat embossing is involved, just simple colour-washing and splashing of water to create a random effect. This simple technique is not only ideal for those who are maybe not confident with stamping but also for those who just want to play with ink!!

Step By Step:

Cut Papermilldirect Plain White cardstock to approx. 28cm long x 14cm.  With long side across scoring board, score at 7cm and 14cm and use a bone folder or scoring tool to fold the card into a gatefold shape.

Die-cut a scallop heart shape from papermilldirect White Linen card using a nesting heart shaped dies, centre a smaller heart die inside the shape and secure using low tack tape before cutting again to give a heart shape frame.  (Keep the inner shape for inside the card later)

Cut 3 panels from PMD White Linen: 1 approx. 13cm x 13cm and 2 panels approx. 6cm x 13cm. (Alternatively start with 1 sheet and cut to size after inking if you prefer).  Apply Oak House Studio Colour Chemistry ink in Peacock Green (if using the pure inks you will need to water it down) using a make-up sponge or craft sponge, just swipe the ink over the surface to colour and add a little water if needed to colour wash.

Add Oak house studio inks in Paris Pink and Regal Claret, swiping randomly across the linen cardstock (again water down the inks if you are using the pure colour versions).  Use a paintbrush or your fingers to splash or sprinkle water onto the panels and then blot with kitchen towel.  (I also inked an extra scrap piece of card with just Peacock Green so I could die cut a sentiment to co-ordinate)

When dry, mat the 3 inked panels onto slightly bigger Papermilldirect Dark Violet card to leave a small even border all around.  Adhere the large panel inside the card and the small panels to the outside using a combination of double sided tape and glue to allow a little ‘wriggle time’ for lining up.

Die cut Hearts to decorate (I’m using Tattered Lace Tuck-ins) from PMD White linen and have snipped into them to cut them down a little (keep waste)  glue to front panels using Cosmic Shimmer clear drying glue.  Take the heart frame and carefully glue to left hand side of Gatefold card, positioning it centrally over the card opening and adding glue only to the LH side where it will attach to the left panel, leave RH side free.

Cut a smaller nesting heart from PMD White Linen and smallest heart from inked scrap card and layer on top using glue.  With the gatefold card closed position this smaller layered heart centrally into the heart frame to check positon, then apply glue carefully only to the RH side where it will adhere to the RH side panel leaving the LH side free.  You will now have a card that opens with a frame on LH side and heart on RH side.  Cut sentiment twice, once from scrap inked card and once from PMD Dark Violet card, I’m using a First Edition sentiment of ‘Be Happy’ and have snipped into it to separate the words.

Take the smaller heart (Waste from Heart Frame) and positon it inside the card using the front heart frame to help line it up if you wish.  Glue in place inside card using clear drying glue.  Layer up the sentiment offsetting the Dark Violet as a shadow and gluing in place on inside heart panel.  To finish add extra heart motifs from the snipped waste or die cut extra to decorate as desired.

I really love the random inking effect and the contrast of the white card and diecuts in this design.  Although I have used nesting hearts you could use any shape nesting dies and different sentiments, experimenting with different coloured inks too.  Have you made gatefold cards recently?  Or perhaps you like inking onto Papermilldirect cardstocks too?

Materials List:
Plain White Card, White Linen Card, & Dark Violet Card - Papermilldirect
Peacock Green, Paris Pink, & Regal Claret - Colour Chemistry Inks - Oak House Studio
Hearts Scallop #657562 -  Framelits Dies - Sizzix
Modern Sentiment Dies #FEDIE038 - First Edition
Tuck In Hearts Dies #ETL173 - Tattered Lace
D/s tape, Cosmic Shimmer glue