Sparkles Christmas Challenge #180 is for the Animals & Trees
Welcome to the first Sparkles Christmas Challenge for 2026! I can’t believe it’s already New Year’s Day!
Billie A., our host for the Sparkles Christmas Challenge, chose Animals & a Tree for the theme. I used the same fun fold I’ve already used so many times for Christmas and New Year’s cards, but I just love it for using 5-1/2 by 12 inch pieces of DSP (designer series paper).
Please check out the challenges page for the creations by the other very talented design team members. When you’ve created your own card using our theme, please don’t forget to upload them to the challenges. We’d love for you to play along.
Here’s my card:
I used the Beary Christmas DSP and the punch from a few years ago. I needed to fussy cut the inside tree and baby polar bear. Both sentiments come from the Beary Christmas stamp set.
I’ve posted so many cards using this fold, and you can see some of them here, here, here, and here.
The Template and More:
I know I had seen a video for a 4 panel accordion fold using a piece of DSP measuring 5-1/2 by 12 inches. I used it for this card, and for some strange and unknown reason, didn’t write down the source, even though I am fairly certain it was a video tutorial from the annual catalog DSP.
Therefore, I used the measurements from Connie Stewart’s tutorial from April 3, 2025 for measurements to make my template. Here it is:
- Since the base of this card is DSP, I added a piece of 4-1/4 by 5-1/2 inches piece of cardstock to the back of the last panel of the DSP
- You will need a piece of DSP measuring 6 by 2-1/2 inches for the envelope flap
- Punch a 1-inch circle from coordinating DSP and run it through the XYRON create-a-sticker for the envelope seal
- For this card, I did adhere the front flap to the second flap after adding the ribbon
- In order for the DSP to not bend after adding the ribbon, I adhered two pieces of cardstock measuring 1/2 by 5-1/2 inches long to either side of the first fold
- This explains why I adhered the first fold closed
- I used the Everyday Arches dies and to crop the white, Real Red, and the DSP layers
- Then, I ran the outside Real Red arch through the Cut & Emboss machine using the Birch Wood embossing folder to add texture and interest
- This card is bulky and will probably need extra postage, however it will still fit inside a Stampin’ Up! medium envelope
- Because of the bulk, I only used dimensionals to adhere the sentiment on the front, which I cropped using the Stylish Shapes die
- I used a mini-glue dot to secure the bow
- Other than those two things, I used multipurpose liquid glue to adhere everything else together
With that, I’d finished this coordinated card, envelope, and envelope seal set.
Thank you for stopping by today!
Have a Peachy Day!
Sue
Colors Used:
Current Supplies Used:
It’s time for one of our favorite promotions—BONUS DAYS! Because do you know what’s a great deal? Getting rewarded for all the crafting supplies you’re already going to buy! When you shop between January 6 and February 2 and spend $50 USD | $60 CAD, you will earn a $5 USD | $6 CAD coupon! Make sure you save all your coupons because you can redeem them (and we mean ALL of them) between February 3 and 28. And don’t forget—each purchase earns you Stampin’ Rewards, so that’s even more bang for your buck!
There’s no limit to how many coupons you can earn! I already have a pretty substantial order in my cart, and knowing that I will earn Rewards and coupons on it makes me so happy!
