Autumn Blessing Accordion Card--Stamp Simply #111

Are you ready for another Stamp Simply challenge? Well, Sharon's got a REALLY fun one for us this week. She's challenging us to make an accordion card. Here's what she says:

Friday, Oct. 30 - ssnotime111 - 3 Panel Accordion - Accordion cards are some of my favorite things to make, and that's just what we'll do today. We're taking it easy with just 3 panels today. Your accordion may be as large or as small as you like it. It may serve as table decor or it may tie closed as a little gift waiting to be opened. Anything goes -- just do a 3 panel accordion card. But beware -- they are ADDICTING!!! Be sure to check out all the DT girls links to get some GREAT ideas and to get your juices flowing!

Let me tell you, I've been meaning to make one of these for some time and just have never gotten around to it. So this challenge is "a [very] good thing."

I started by cutting my base card stock to 4.25" by 10.5", then scored it at 3.5", flipped it and scored at 7" to create my valley and mountain folds. Then I marked where I wanted to to make the angled cuts and cut them all at the same time. It took some measuring and mistakes to get my other two layers, but before I put everything together, I made templates for all three layers to save time the next time--and there definitely will be a next time :) And there definitely will be layers ;-)

OK, for this project I used Chocolate Chip (SU!) and Ripe Avocado and First Fruits (PTI) papers. I'm using the Vintage Picnic set by PTI, so I stamped these two images together on a MFT Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored with Copic markers. Then I cut/embossed it--and the Ripe Avocado (PTI) layer--with Classic Oval Nestabilities and added a Vintage Button tied on with Rustic Button Twine (both PTI).

For this panel, I used brown ribbon, Vintage Buttons, and some punched out oak leaves (using more Ripe Avocado, and More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie card stock from SU!) to highlight the sentiment (from Autumn Blessings). I also sponged the edges of all images with Vintage Touch Ink (PTI).

I decided to leave this panel relatively simple: another image from Vintage Picnic colored with Copic markers and another Vintage Button tied on with ribbon. This paper is so gorgeous I didn't want to cover much of it up!

I hope you like my accordion card as much as I do. Give it a try--I'll bet you'll love them, too!

So, now it's your turn. Come along and play and take us up on the challenge--we'd love to see what you come up with. If you do, be sure to leave a comment on Sharon's blog telling her where you uploaded. Please use the keyword ssnotime111 if you upload to a public forum. Check out Sharon's fabulous sample and also the great designs from the Stamp Simply team:

Amy Rohl - October Guest Designer

Julie Koerber

Barb Schram (filling in for Jennifer Buck who is taking some time off)

Janine Orchard

A J Otto

Tammy Hershberger

Deb Saarenen

Jenny Gropp

We're saying good-bye to Amy today. I've so enjoyed her being with us this month--don't be a stranger, Amy!!

Thanks for stopping by today! Sharon's right--these cards *are* addicting. You'll see what I mean if you check back tomorrow ;-)

~Recipe~
Stamps: Autumn Abundance, Vintage Picnic (PTI)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU!); Ripe Avocado, First Fruits (PTI)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Vintage Touch Ink (PTI)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Classic Oval Nestabilites; ribbon (craft store); buttons/twine (PTI); leaf punch (Martha Stewart)