Criss-cross Pocket Cards Masterclass

by Mikey_C

Pocket cards are the perfect all-rounder when it comes to mixing up your card blank styles and will suit so many occasions. This easy card design can be made in any size and you have the choice to add a stand or keep them flat.

The pocket detail makes them ideal for sending invitations and photos, you also have the option to add as many panels as you like. Decorating the design is easy, as all of the focus is on the crossed section at the front. Flowers, butterflies and bows all work perfectly and give the project a real focal point. These pocket cards fold completely flat and fit into an envelope so they’re really easy to post.

These cards have been designed for a variety of occasions and created using the beautiful V&A 2 collection by Trimcraft. With its lovely pink and green colour palette and feminine floral prints it really is a joy to create with and ideal for special occasions.

Stamping the sentiment on the inside panel makes for a nice surprise when the recipient pulls it out. Heat-embossing this adds a pretty shine and texture, as well as a touch of elegance. If you’re new to cardmaking and want to take the next step into fun folds, this is the perfect card blank style to try.

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How to… create a pocket card blank

1 Cut your chosen cardstock to size and score in half along the longest side.

2 Apply glue to the reverse of one of the pieces and adhere on top of the other. This will create a large gatefold-style card blank.

3 Cut the fat left-hand and far right-hand sides in half on the diagonal.

4 Add your desired matts and layers onto the front of the triangle sides as shown.

5 Run a strip of double-sided tape along the inside bottom of the section. If you would like to layer this panel onto patterned paper now is the time to do it before you adhere the sides down.

6 Adhere one side then add a little glue and add the other side on top. You can adhere any side first, so left over right or right over left. Add the pull-out panels and decorate as desired, then add the stand if required.

Celebrate

Step by step

1 Cut a 12” square of white cardstock in half and score the 12" side of both pieces at 6", then fold in half. Cut the outer left-hand side and outer right-hand side of each piece on the diagonal as shown.

2 Adhere one of the 6"-square sides onto the other to create a large gatefold style card blank.

3 Cut a 5½” square of gold mirror card and cut in half on the diagonal. Adhere onto the two front triangle sides.

4 Cut a 5” square of patterned paper then cut in half on the diagonal. Layer these pieces on top of the mirrored cardstock.

5 Run a strip of double-sided tape along the inside bottom of a 6” square and adhere one of the triangle sides then add the other on top.

6 Cut a 57/8” square of white cardstock, cut two 2" circles and attach them on the top for the sentiment. Cut a 55/8”square of gold mirror card and layer onto the white piece. Cut a 53/8” square of patterned paper and layer on top of the mirror cardstock.

7 Cut a 45/8” square of white cardstock, stamp the message and adhere in the centre of the panel.

8 Cut a 5x10½” piece of white cardstock. Score the long side at 4", 8", 9" and 10". Fold the 4" into a mountain fold, the 8" into a valley, the 9" into a mountain fold and the 10" into a valley fold then adhere together. Apply glue to one of the 4x5" sides and adhere to the reverse of the design.

9 Decorate by adding a cluster of flower and leaf die-cuts to finish.

Top tip

Check the angle direction you require before you cut the triangle layers

Save the date

Step by step

1 Cut two 7x10” pieces of kraft cardstock and score the long side of both at 5", then fold. Cut the outside left-hand side and outside right-hand side of each piece on the diagonal as shown.

2 Adhere one of the 5x7” sides onto the other, forming one large gatefold style card blank.

3 Cut a 65/8x45/8 piece of green cardstock and cut in half on the diagonal. Adhere onto the two front triangular sides.

4 Cut a 4½x6¼” piece of patterned paper, cut in half on the diagonal and layer these pieces on top of the green cardstock.

5 Run a strip of double-sided tape along the inside bottom of a 5x7” piece of cardstock and adhere one of the triangle sides, then add the other on top.

6 Cut a 4¾x6½” piece of kraft cardstock. Cut two 2" circles and attach on top. Cut a 63/8x4½” piece of patterned paper and adhere onto the panel.

7 Cut a 61/8x4¼” piece of cream cardstock, stamp the sentiment using VersaMark ink and heat-emboss in gold. Attach to the panel from the previous step.

8 Cut a 4x10½” piece of kraft cardstock and score the long side at 4", 8", 9" and 10". Fold the 4" into a mountain fold, the 8" into a valley, the 9" into a mountain fold and the 10" into a valley fold then adhere together. Apply glue to one of the 4x5" sides and attach to the reverse of the design.

9 Decorate with paper flowers to finish.

Top tip

Add a ball of clear glue to your finger then wipe a layer over all the points of your layers before adhering them down

Thank you

Step by step

1 Cut two 12x4” pieces of beige cardstock and score both pieces along the long side at 6". Fold in half. You now need to cut the outside left-hand side and outside right-hand side of each piece on the diagonal as shown.

2 Adhere one of the 6x4” sides onto the other, forming one large gatefold card blank.

3 Cut a 53/8x37/8” piece of silver mirror card and cut in half on the diagonal. Adhere onto the two front triangular sides.

4 Cut a 3½x4¾” piece of patterned paper and cut in half on the diagonal. Layer these pieces on top of the mirror card.

5 Run a strip of double-sided tape along the inside bottom of a 4x6” piece of cardstock and adhere one of the triangle sides, then add the other on top.

6 Cut a 55/8x37/8” piece of beige cardstock. Cut a 1x1½” piece of patterned paper and adhere along the top.

7 Cut a 37/8x53/8 piece of silver mirror card and emboss using the folder. Adhere onto the panel from the previous step.

8 Cut a 1x4” piece of silver mirror card and a ¾x3½” piece of white cardstock. Use VersaMark ink to stamp the sentiment onto the white piece and heat-emboss in silver. Adhere to the mirror card then attach to the centre of pull out panel and decorate with gems and die-cut flowers.

9 Cut a 4x8½” piece of beige cardstock and score the long side at 3", 6", 7" & 8". Fold the 3" into a mountain fold, the 6" into a valley, the 7" into a mountain fold and the 18" into a valley fold and adhere together. Apply glue to one of the 4x5" sides and attach to the reverse of the design to finish.

Happy birthday

Step by step

1 Cut two 10x7" pieces of white cardstock and score the long side of both pieces at 5". Fold in half. Cut the outside left-hand edge and the outside right-hand edge of each piece, on the diagonal as shown.

2 Adhere one of the 5x7” sides onto the other, forming one large gatefold card blank.

3 Cut a 63/8x4½” piece of red cardstock and cut in half along the diagonal. Adhere onto the two front triangle sides.

4 Cut a 5¾x4” piece of patterned paper and cut in half on the diagonal. Layer on top of the red cardstock.

5 Run a strip of double-sided tape along the inside bottom of a 5x7" piece of cardstock and adhere on one of the triangle sides, then attach the other on top.

6 Cut a 4¾x6½” piece of red cardstock. Fold and adhere one doily over the top then add two 2" patterned paper circles along the top. Tie a white ribbon bow in the centre as shown.

7 Cut a 45/8x1" strip of white cardstock and adhere across the centre of the card front. Decorate the design with a large cluster of flowers then stamp the sentiment in red.

8 Cut a 4x8½” piece of white cardstock and score along the long side at 3", 6", 7" & 8". Fold the 3" into a mountain fold, the 6" into a valley, the 7" into a mountain fold and the 18" into a valley fold and adhere together. Apply glue to one of the 4x5" sides and adhere to the reverse of the design to finish.

Good luck

Step by step

1 Cut 8x5” pieces of green cardstock and score the long side of both pieces at 4”. Fold in half. You now need to cut the outside left-hand edge and outside right-hand edge of each piece, on the diagonal as shown.

2 Adhere one of the 5x4” sides onto the other, forming one large gatefold card blank.

3 Cut a 4¾x3¾” pieces of pink cardstock and cut in half on the diagonal. Adhere onto the two front triangle sides.

4 Cut a 3¼x43/8”piece of patterned paper and cut in half on the diagonal. Layer on top of the red cardstock.

5 Run a strip of double-sided tape along the inside bottom of a 4x5” piece of cardstock and adhere one of the triangle sides, then add the other on top.

6 Cut a 4½x3¾” piece of pink cardstock then adhere a 4¼x3½” piece of cream cardstock on top. Add a peg as shown. Add a sentiment sticker using 3D foam pads.

7 Die-cut a variety of leaves and adhere under the sticker, then add a bow as shown.

8 Cut a 3¾x8½” piece of green cardstock and score the long side at 3", 6", 7" & 8". Fold the 3" into a mountain fold, the 6" into a valley, the 7" into a mountain fold and the 18" into a valley fold and adhere together. Apply glue to one of the 4x5" sides and add to the reverse of the design to finish.

Top tip

Attach the stickers onto cardstock first then fussy-cut them leaving a narrow frame – this makes them easier to use and more decorative