Tent fold easel card with Come Sail Away Suite

I was inspired to make this card by Karen from Donemark Papercrafts but wanted to change it to fit inside a standard C6 envelope. I also simplified the easel mechanism.

So please do follow Karen’s instructions but if you want to make the smaller version for a C6 envelope, it is as simple as cutting a square of cardstock which is no longer than your envelope. So I used a 14.8cm x 14.8cm square of cardstock, scored into quarters.

For the easel mechanism, I cut an 8cm x 2cm cardstock strip and scored at 2cm and 4cm.This is where you need to score (dotted lines) and fold (solid line) your main piece:

You can make this card any size you like, just score the square in quarters, as shown in the diagram. To make it fit in your envelope, just make sure the square is no longer than your envelope - for a C6 card (which is just over 16.2cm long), I used a 14.8cm square. I could have made it bigger but this way I could get two from a sheet of A4 cardstock. 

The key fold is the centre vertical – make this crisp to ensure the card stands up nicely, with the two base squares overlapping. 

As with any easel card, weight is the key to making it sit properly. If the decorated section isn’t heavy enough, it will float mid-air. 

Finally, your easel needs something to rest against, which is why the greeting panel is popped up. This creates a step to stop the decorated panel from sliding forwards.

Smooth Sailing Dies - the lighthouse that nearly got away

I found the Come Sail Away Suite so inspiring because it appealed to my love of all things nautical and I could see watercoloured backgrounds coming into play, too.

Unfortunately, my first attempt to create lovely, rich watercoloured backgrounds didn't go to plan and all I ended up with were rejects. A few days later, however, and I was idly fiddling with a template left behind after die-cutting yet another lighthouse when I fortuitously placed it over one of my watercoloured rejects. Suddenly a new card idea was born!

I stamped my greeting then embossed the white cardstock using the Subtle Embossing Folder, then added a couple of extra elements to complete my card. And, as is so often the case, it's turned out to be one of my favourite Come Sail Away projects so far. 

Keep your rejects as you never know how you will be able to use them in the future. I keep all my in my UFO (unfinished objects) box.