Surprise Someone With This Fun Fold {Exploding Envelope} Birthday Card!

Let's make a super cute handmade fun fold card that's perfect for birthdays and celebrations! Today's card starts with an envelope - but the surprise is that the envelope IS the card! Whether you like to make envelopes with a scoring board, a metal die, or a template and scissors, you can make this fun fold birthday card today!

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links I receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart!

There are lots of ways to make your own envelopes to coordinate with handmade cards. Created from cardstock, patterned paper, or recycled magazines, the possibilities (and sizes) are endless. Scoring boards are a great option for creating envelopes, as well as die cutting, and stencils/templates that make a variety of envelopes. Once you cut out your envelope shape, you're all set to make this fun fold exploding envelope card!

I like to use my scoring board for envelopes. You'll find my simple envelope tutorial, using a scoring board, HERE. Start there to learn how to make the base of this envelope card.

Whether you start with a scored, die cut, or hand cut envelope - you'll do everything except adhere the envelope flaps together. And that, my friends - is your card base! How simple is that? Let's take a look at some ideas for decorating your exploding envelope card.

Think about the surface of this new card base as one whole shape - don't just decorate the center, decorate the flaps too. To create this idea, die cut a rectangle to make a little pocket in the center for a gift card. This becomes your focal point to decorate around. Add all your favorite stamps and dies to embellish. I started with some stamped stars in the background. Then I added die cut and stamped balloons and gifts to fancy it up! 

When you're all done with the inside, simply fold it up (remember, no glue!) and add a ribbon or twine to hold the envelope closed. Add a fun tag and some more stamping or embellishing if you'd like. 

Today is Theme Day on the Impression Obsession blog and we're celebrating BIRTHDAYS! Be sure to stop at the IO blog for a list of all the designers with birthday inspiration to share! 

Shop the Supplies on Today's Cards

Balloons dies

Happy Birthday dies

Reach for the Stars clear stamp set

Birthday Hugs Stamp Set

The scoring board I use is no longer available, but it is identical to this one at scrapbook.com

Looking for MORE Exploding Envelope inspiration? 

You might love these cards too!

Graduation Exploding Envelope

Springtime Floral Exploding Envelope

Click to see the inside!

Easter Exploding Envelope

How To Make a Super Cool Graduation Card With an Exploding Envelope

Graduation season has officially arrived and it's not too soon to think about special ways to celebrate our graduates! This handmade graduation card idea is fun to make, and equally fun to receive. Your grad will love the pockets and surprises inside this exploding envelope card! Let's take a look and I'll show you just how to make one yourself. 

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links I may receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart!

The main idea of this card, is that the envelope is actually the card. When it's opened, it can be filled with tiny pockets, notes, embellishments, and even a gift card. The envelope is held closed with a belly band, (a cardstock or paper strip wrapped around it.) 

Getting Started - How To Make An Envelope

Have you ever made your own envelopes using a scoring board? I'm a big fan of my FSJ Scoring Board but you can use any brand of scoring board you have. Each one is a little different, but if you need a refresher/want to learn more about the Journey Scoring Board from Spellbinders, click here for my simple tutorial.

To begin this project, make an envelope in any size you'd like. (TIP: Don't have a scoring board? Gently disassemble any envelope you have and use it as a stencil to make your own from scratch!) This one is a standard envelope for a 4.25x5.5" card. It's fun to play with different sizes though! Once you score and fold your envelope - don't seal it up. Why? Because it's time to add the surprise inside....

Let's Look Inside 

The envelope IS the card on this fun handmade project and there are so many surfaces to create with. Does this feel overwhelming? Let's think about it - the main rectangle of your envelope is the same size as a card. So tackle the layout as if you're creating a card. As you're creating, think about the flaps and how to incorporate them into your design. Your exploding envelope can be packed with embellishments, die cut shapes, stamped images, pockets and more - or you can keep it pretty clean and simple.

I love to add mini envelopes and pockets to add a gift card, notes or even photos. These exploding envelopes are really fun to theme for birthdays too. After you're done decorating the inside of the envelope, fold it up and then decide how to handle the front. I like to wrap a strip of patterned paper around it like a belly band or maybe some fabulous ribbon with a big bow. The recipient can just slide the band off and open the envelope.

Customize your exploding envelope with your graduates favorite colors, or school colors. Think about ways you can make it unique just for them. If you keep a little bin or basket of embellishments or stamped bits that haven't made it onto other cards, dig through there and see what might be perfect to add into your project! At the end of this post you'll find a supply list with all the items I used in case you see something that would be perfect for your exploding envelopes!

Supplies on Today's Graduation Card

Scoring Board

Hat's Off Die Set

Bravo Grad Stamp Set

Note Pocket Die

Grown Up Stuff Stamp Set

Baby Envelope Die

Vagabond Chips - clearance!

Fam Bam Paperclip Elements - clearance!

Need some more exploding envelope inspiration? You're in luck! I have two springtime exploding envelopes that I'd love to share with you. 

Click here to see this plus a floral exploding envelope idea, and even a video tutorial for this project!

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Try This! How to Make an Exploding Envelope with a Scoring Board

Hello dear friends, I have a REALLY fun cardmaking project to share with you today. It begins with a simple handmade envelope using a scoring board. But this envelope will contain an unexpected surprise. (No, it's not filled with cash OR a glitter bomb.) Let's take a look and I'll show you all the tips, tricks, and the secret inside! 

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links I may receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart!

Getting Started - How To Make An Envelope

Have you ever made your own envelopes using a scoring board? I'm a big fan of my FSJ Scoring Board but you can use any brand of scoring board you have. Each one is a little different, but if you need a refresher/want to learn more about the FSJ Journey Scoring Board, click here for my simple tutorial.

To begin this project, make an envelope in any size you'd like. (TIP: Don't have a scoring board? Gently disassemble any envelope you have and use it as a stencil to make your own from scratch!) This one is a standard envelope for a 4.25x5.5" card. It's fun to play with different sizes though! Once you score and fold your envelope - don't seal it up. Why? Because it's time to add the surprise inside....

Let's Look Inside 

The envelope IS the card on this fun handmade project and there are so many surfaces to create with. Does this feel overwhelming? Let's think about it - the main rectangle of your envelope is the same size as a card. So tackle the layout as if you're creating a card. As you're creating, think about the flaps and how to incorporate them into your design. Your exploding envelope can be packed with embellishments, die cut shapes, stamped images, pockets and more - or you can keep it pretty clean and simple.

I love to add mini envelopes and pockets to add a gift card, notes or even photos. These exploding envelopes are really fun to theme for birthdays and graduation too. After you're done decorating the inside of the envelope, fold it up and then decide how to handle the front. I like to wrap a strip of patterned paper around it like a belly band or maybe some fabulous ribbon with a big bow. For this card, I added a great big die cut flower too. The recipient can just slide the band off and open the envelope.

Would you like some more inspiration? This is an Easter Exploding Envelope that I created for FSJ + Spellbinders. Don't miss the video tutorial below, where Kim Kesti demonstrates how to create it, just in time for Easter!

Here's what the envelope looks like when it's closed up. I love the big pinwheel on the front of it! Just make a paper belly band to wrap around it, and then embellish with a puffy bow, paper flower or pinwheel!

Don't miss this video from Spellbinders where Kim Kesti walks you through this project!

Get the Goods!

Looking for dies and supplies to make an exploding envelope? Check out my supply list for the goodies I used - some of them are even on clearance so it's a great time to grab them.  Thanks SO very much for coming by today. If you try out this fun handmade craft, I hope you'll share a link with me in the comments. They are such fun! xoxo

Exploding Envelope Supplies:

Scoring Board

Clover Blooms Die Set

Blooming Details Die Set - on sale!

Breezy Pinwheel Die

Scalloped Sleeve Pocket Die

Spring Filled Prints 12x12 Paper Pack

Thanks for stopping by today! Was this your first time here? Let's connect again! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest where I'm sharing crafty goodness all week long. xoxo

You Might Also Like These Posts:

click the link below each image

FSJ Scoring Board Tutorial

Graduation Exploding Envelope with Gift Card

How to Make Fluttering Hearts Mixed Media Cards

Hello friends! I've been playing with two of my favorite crafting tools - the Gel Press and the FSJ Scoring Board, and I'm excited to show you the mini card set and coordinating box I made! This set has four cards, plus a coordinating box that the cards fit into, and both the cards and the box were decorated with Gel Press prints. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you shop from my links, I receive a commission at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart!

This project began with two prints using not only the Gel Press, but also the Fluttering Hearts Gel Impressions Plate. The Impressions Plate is just like the Gel Press, but it has a raised heart pattern. You can use it on it's own, or along with the Gel Press. Today I'll show you how! 

The picture below shows the first print that I made. Here's how to create it:

1. Drop dots of Re-Inker onto the Gel Press to make four lines, one of each color: Limeade Splash, Turbo Teal, Pool Play, Lavender Fusion. Brayer colors to blend and spread.
2. Splatter Gel Press with Sparkle Silk. (of course!)
3. Lay Fluttering Hearts Plate facedown onto Gel Press. Gently smooth hand over plate to be sure raised hearts make contact with the press. Carefully lift Fluttering Hearts plate and lay onto Whip Cream cardstock, like a giant stamp. (Or lay cardstock on top of plate and pull a print. Whichever method seems easier to you!)
   
   

And that my friends, is your first print. A portion of this print will be adhered to the cover of your box.

Next, we still have that beautiful Gel Press sitting there covered in ink. 

1. Pull a print from that, and it'll show something similar, but almost opposite of your first print. It'll have that gorgeous blended color background, with just a hint of the heart pattern. 
2. Trim this print into four 3x3 pieces, and attach them to 4 mini 3.25x3.25" card bases. 

Cute, yes? And remember, you can use ANY four colors you want. Think about how the colors will blend into each other though - choose colors that will blend happily together. (That's why I didn't put green next to purple...it would have turned into mud!)

The box was EASY peasy to make because the FSJ Scoring Board has all the instructions right there on it. Just follow the instructions for the 3.75x3.75 envelope-box and then adhere a piece of that first print you made, right onto the front. So fun!

Looking for more inspiration with the Gel Press or the Scoring Board? Look no further! I got ya!

Christmas Cards with Polka Dot Stenciled Background (plus 5 tips for the Gel Press)

You Are Enough Card Set with the Journey Gel Press

How to use embossing to add pattern to a Gel Press print

Scoring Board Envelope Tutorial

Supplies Used on Today's Project:

Gel Press (sold at Simon Says Stamp)

Fluttering Hearts Gel Impressions Plate

FSJ Scoring Board

Lavender Fusion Re-Inker / RI-0019

Turbo Teal Re-Inker / RI-0083

Pool Play Re-Inker / RI-0050

Limeade Splash Re-Inker / RI-0025

Sparkle Silk / IP-0126

How to Make Pastel Colors POP on Christmas Cards

Pastel with a POP. My favorite way to use pastel colors in card making and paper crafted projects, is with a POP of something - black and white perhaps, or a BOLD color thrown in for a little fun. (Or both!?) Today's card features the Confectionary Days collection, plus the All Roads stamp set from Fun Stampers Journey - I absolutely love the cozy retro feel of this stamp set. How adorable is that RV - and don't get me started on the flamingo with a Santa hat! So much love!

This rubber stamp set is a lot of fun to color, if you're the coloring sort of crafter. And sometimes I am - but today I want to show you how darling this set can be, even if you aren't a colorer. I stamped my images onto Bubble Gum, Sweet Pear, and Watermelon Fusion cardstocks. (Yep, that flamingo is the POP I was talking about!)

 The background of my card is yet another Gel Press print that was hanging around. I used Cool Pool, and perhaps a dash of Catalina Splash on the Gel Press. And I added some fun polka dots from the Polka Dot Wall Stencil with Cool Pool ink.

 Bubble Gum Silk, sequins, some Silver Sparkle Tape, and Journey Glaze finish off this card. It feels fresh and light and it makes me happy (especially that flamingo POP!)

Here's a TIP when adding a POP of color to your handmade project. If it's a stand alone POP, like my flamingo, add that color in somewhere else - see how my card base is Watermelon Fusion? It ties it all together, and prevents that POP from feeling like it doesn't belong.

It has been SO much fun celebrating each of the color families of cardstock and ink at FSJ throughout the month. If you missed any of them, scroll on back and check out all of the projects I've shared throughout September. Looking for MORE inspiration? Stop by the Fun Stampers Journey blog and see what else we have to share today!

Supplies used on today's projects:

All Roads Stamp Set

Polka Dot Wall Stencil

Cardstock - Bubble Gum, Sweet Pear, Watermelon Fusion

Silver Sparkle Tape

Silk - Bubble Gum

Gel Press

Looking for another card with a POP of color? 

Be sure to check out this card featuring the Color Me Fall Stamp Set, along with a fun color palette including pink, red, and peach!