Card #2 KNOW YOUR 4 - FRONT FLIP/SPANNER (Spring 2026)

 Hello there Crafty Friends - Its Week #2 of KNOW YOUR 4 - Any Reason Any Season.  This week's design is called a "Front Flip" or I've also heard of it called a "Spanner Card."   

This KNOW YOUR 4 is my Original Idea. Its four (4) of my favorite card designs that I know so well: no measuring, and I can assemble it in a short time.  You know how that is! When you are running late for a birthday party; or you have a funeral and no sympathy cards made up in advance.  This happens to all of us, so don't think you are alone in this.  Life happens.........it surprises us. 

This design shows all one print across the front.  It is one of four (4) designs that I created for an order of cards for our local Hospice Home staff and volunteers Thanksgiving of 2025. 

Each KNOW YOUR 4 card is a basic design that beginner card makers can assemble with little supplies or preparation.  PLUS each of the 4 designs will also have a "Stepped Up" version that will include more folding or layers.  Find today's video here on YouTube

Card #1 (blogpost from 4/27/26) is the SHOW OFF.  That's my name for that design.

Today's card, the FRONT FLIP or SPANNER card has many wonderful components:  Its another card that shows off both sides of the papers, or two coordinating prints in the same paper pack; it can be used to create a scene; it has space to write a note as well as a signature; and my favorite surprise, its easy to create a slot for a gift card or currency.

Let's get started ok?

The papers and supplies I'm using are Stampin' Up! from the May 2026 catalog.  Please use any papers you have or those you like from your own collection.

This card design is landscape which means that the fold will be at the top and that it measures 5 1/2" WIDE and 4 1/4" HIGH, opening up. 

                                    

Card Base - 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".  You'll need scissors, or a paper trimmer that has a blade that slides and NOT a blade that is on an arm; a scoring tool, ruler to measure and adhesive of your choice.   I use Tombo liquid glue and/or Art Glitter Glue (no glitter involved) with a fine tip.

CUT the two end sections, with the card out flat in front of you, opened, with the fold in the middle: you're going to cut from the edge up to the fold, 1 1/4" section on the left and the right.   That leaves a middle section that measures 3". 

LAYERS for front: 

Side flaps:  cut 2 pieces that are 1" wide and 4" high, making sure that the direction of the pattern is vertical (up and down). 

Center flap: cut 1 piece that is 2 3/4" wide x 4" high.

Attach the layers to the front of the card.

To figuring out the sizes of layers, just remember this:  for a 1/8" border of the cardstock base all around the layered piece, cut the layer 1/4" smaller.   Example:  the sizes of the cardstock front of this card are: 1 1/4" wide by 4 1/4" high (there are 2 sections like this, one on each end).  So to make the print paper layer, it would be 1 wide and 4 inch high.  Do you see how there is 1/4" less in the width and the height?   

One of the most valuable things I've learned in cutting layers for bases, is knowing that each layer is 1/4" smaller for most designs. Knowing this and cutting that way has saved me so many wasted pieces of paper that were not the width or height that I wanted. 

Fasten the side pieces to the base.  With a very thin bead of glue around the edges of the top card base, attach the top flaps to the base.   

Now you will have the "front flip" piece in the center which opens the card.  On the inside you will have space to write a note on the top and signature on the bottom.   If your cardstock is dark, add a white layer to the inside. 

VARIATION #1   POCKET FOR GIFT CARD, CURRENCY, A NOTE, or STICKERS

Decide which side - left or right - you want to create the pocket.

Instead of gluing the cardstock on the three sides to attach to the card base, glue ONLY the bottom and outside.  This keeps the piece open on the inside edge. 

Its just big enough to stick the edge of a gift card, currency or note in.   

STEPPED-UP VERSION - SPANNER Design   

The two differences in the Spanner design are that there is a 5 1/2" x 1" strip that attaches across the front to the two end pieces.  This piece can be made out of a window sheet, or clear cellophane; or a patterned paper that coordinates with the theme of your card. And then by attaching this spanner piece across the front, the two end pieces open the card first - they are not glued down, and then the center piece is opened.  

                                                        

To begin the Spanner Design, cut the card base the same, with the two side pieces up to the fold.  

Next add the Spanner piece which measures 5 1/4" long and 1 - 1 1/2" high - make sure to check the direction of the pattern so you cut it with the pattern landscape or across. The reason this Spanner piece is not 5 1/2" long is that you want the edges to be hidden under the side pieces.  If this is confusing, you'll see it come together in the pictures.

Once you've glued the Spanner on, then you can add the two end pieces OVER the top of it, just like you did initially.

Now flip up this section and add the layer to the middle section. All the measurements for the layers are the same as the original design above. When you flip this Spanner section up, you can see how it will look when the Spanner section opens first.  

 

   

This Spanner design has more space inside to write and sign, the full 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 as you can see in this last photo.   

Here's the way it looks when it is open. 

                    This design shows the Spanner well because the paper used is a different print.  

                                    

Thanks for Stopping By!  Be Blessed! sb

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KNOW YOUR 4 - Card #1 - April 27, 2026

 Hello Crafty Friends!   I haven't posted for awhile but I'm glad to be back, since writing is my #1 enjoyment right next to crafting.

Here are some current photos that go along with my Youtube and Instagram posts from today, April 27, 2026.  You can also find my original post on my KNOW YOUR 4 card designs here:

Card ConnoisSUEr - Susan Boback: "Show Off" Card Design #1 - Know Your 4

While I still love the beautifully coordinated Stampin' Up! products, some of the products I use and create with are various other brands.   In 2026, the three craft hobbies that come together for me are sewing, cardmaking and junk journaling.   I have to agree with creator Anne Kenlon (junk journalist) that making junk journals really brings together all her favorite crafts!  and that's a Me Too!

I invite you to join me on Instagram, YouTube, Face Book and here on my blog, though my blog name is spelled a little differently.   While I use variations of Card Connoisseur Susan Boback on the other three platforms, my blog name here is cardconnoisSUEr like my name - its the first platform I used to share my card making ideas years back.   Don't forget, then, that I'm the ......SUEr  here on the blog!

                                

Here are the two cards I featured on today's video on Youtube    KNOW YOUR 4 Series: 4 for Any Reason Any Season

These are the "stepped up" versions.   

Here are the basic design - Card #1 of KNOW YOUR 4

Take an "A2" size card - that's 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored in half at 4 1/4"

Shown here is the front of the card.  From the fold over to the right, cut 1 1/2" off.  Set that aside.

Now with your printed paper, cut a piece (make sure to check the direction of the print) that is 5" wide x 5 1/4" high.   Cut off 1 inch of the pattern as shown.

Here is a photo of the 2 pieces of printed paper for the front, which you will attach to the cardstock.

Make sure to attach the 1" strip to the 1 1/2" section of the blue cardstock.  Then add glue to the inside of the 1 1 /2" cardstock and press the 4 x 5 1/4" print paper in place.

This is the basic card that you can leave just like it is.  "Let the paper do the work" is exactly how this design is - nothing else is necessary to complete this card.   

Now here's how to make the "Stepped Up" version, which includes another piece of cardstock and few extra folds.

                                                            

Use the piece that you cut off of the front as shown.   Score it in half width-wise at 2 3/4". 

You can punch a hole in it as I have down or you can stamp an image or add a sentiment.  Using this flap gives more dimension and interest to the front.  Center it on the inside and glue.  Then layer it with a white layer - 5 1/2 x 4 - to cover where it is attached.

                                                            

    

          Here's the completed card with the punched-out design of this Scenic Coast paper.   

                                                             

 
And here's one more with the Valley in Bloom papers, both are Stampin' Up! and available in the new catalog as of May 4, 2026.

                            

Thanks for stopping by to view CARD #1 of my KNOW YOUR 4 - Any reason, Any Season card designs.   

Use these when you need a card in a hurry - one you don't have to measure for.   Or look at your own favorites and plan to make your own KNOW YOUR 4 or maybe even KNOW YOUR 2.

Be Blessed!   Go Get Creative!

 

                                                    

F for #letteroftheweek

It’s been a few months since I’ve posted - I’m back at it - thanks for stopping by. 

 I’ve been following Anne Kenlon, Junk Journal artist, cardmaker, quilter, grandma and more. 

Anne has been choosing a random letter of the week for inspiration each Sunday. 

Find my #letteroftheweek projects on Instagram at card.connoisseur or Facebook, Card Connoisseur Susan Boback. 

F is for Flowers or Floral. Since it’s August, my garden Flowers are in Full bloom.   

Are you a gardener?   Did you know you can plant tulip bulbs in the fall in a pot you keep indoors in a cool dark spot; and in the spring, like Feb or March, indoors, you can do what's called "forcing".  You take them out of the spot you've wintered them in, and place them in the sun. Water lightly and watch the tulip awaken to a "spring-like" growth.   This is especially enjoyable if you are stuck indoors for a long cold winter.  But we won't think about that just now!

 

Lily

                                                           Globe Thistle with a bee

                                                                           Peas

                                                                              Hostas

So when you see the beautiful shades of color in your garden Flowers you want to create paper versions to keep your memories around for awhile after the bloom is gone, right?

This Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder, is one of the most versatile I’ve seen. What makes it "3D" is its deep embossed texture. 

I've used Night of Navy ink on Very Vanilla Cardstock with the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder, layered on a Night of Navy card base for today's project. (An Embossing Machine is needed to use the embossing folders.) 

You can easily create a design that really makes the sunflowers pop. 

Drag the ink pad over both sides of the inside of the EF (embossing folder) to dispense the ink. Place your paper on and close the EF. 

Run it through your embossing machine then open the folder to see the results!

Since you’ve placed ink on both sides, you’ll have one print that shows embossed such as this; and the other side that shows debossed design where the background is elevated (not shown).

Trim the print to 4 x 5 1/4” for a front layer. 

Other techniques include: 

*    embossing alone on white, vanilla or a color cardstock - no ink added in the embossing process

*    ink techniques: emboss on white, vanilla or color cardstock, then adding ink with a sponge dauber or a Stampin' Write! water based marker, or a Stampin' Blends alchohol based maker, or a water color pencil then using a Water Painter on top to give it a watercolor look.   You can also flick ink drops at random around the embossed area

*    add gold or silver rub-ons 

*    Heat emboss to highlight the images - with heat embossing you could add the Versa Mark clear watermark Ink to the folder before embossing the texture with the folder; then sprinkle with embossing powder and heat; or you could add the Versa Mark to the images after you run it through the embossing machine.  

Practice these techniques to see which you like - there's always more to learn!

And there's always more to learn!

Find current products by clicking on the links or from the Annual Catalog, Online Exclusives, new kits or Last Chance sale items here at my Stampin' Up! website.  Did you know that there are new kits every month?

In September 2025, the new Fall Catalog will be available - beautiful new fall and harvest papers and stamps.   There's so much to see - can't wait to show you how easy it is to make beautiful cards with simply coordinated products for everyone you want to connect with!

 

Visit here for all the products I've referenced today www.stampup.net 

If you don’t have a favorite demonstrator I’d love to be yours - I’m Susan Boback. 

Thanks for stopping by and be blessed!

Embrace the Journey Pinwheel

Hello Friends!  Welcome to our blog hop "Stamping With Friends" where today's focus is our NEW Mini Catalog - January - April.  

                                        

In mid-January, I saw my Team Leader Karen Titus, demonstrate this folded Pinwheel design. Here's my design with the new paper, Everyday Skies and Everyday Arches from the NEW Mini Catalog.  

The theme of this card - Embrace the Journey - can be sent to a college student, someone who is moving, or experiencing a change in their life.  Sending cards of encouragement is one of my main focuses. 

This Folded Pinwheel, I am calling it, is fairly simple.  Grab a 6x6" piece of double-sided paper that you like the prints and colors of both sides, because both sides will be shown; score around the 4 sides.  Cut out the four corners, cut each side in a half triangle, fold in and done. Read on for more specifics and photos.

Materials:

1 - 6x6" Double-sided paper - this paper is Everyday Skies

1- 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card with the fold at top or on left (an A2 card by definition) - the color is Basic White with a 4 x 5 1/4" layer of Moody Mauve.

Stamps - Birds and "Embrace the Journey" sentiment - Everyday Arches

Ink - Blueberry Bushel - birds and sentiment; VersaMark, clear watermark ink - background sentiment on layer

Embellishments - Two-tone Sparkle Gems

Mini Dimensionals to pop up the two center birds

Here's the instructions:

Take a 6x6" - choose one with no directional pattern, score at 1 3/8" on all four sides.

Cut out each of the 4 corners, on the score lines.

Fold in the side tabs remaining after removing the four corners to crease the score lines.  

Cut each side tab from the inner corner, out to the outer corner edge.  Set aside the triangle pieces for another project.  (To cut each tab into a triangle, fold down the top tab and fold up the bottom tab to keep them out of the way of the cutting blade.)  

Here's the way it will look

Fold each tab under the one next to it - they will stay folded down.   Your design could open each tab to reveal a message or the tabs could remain closed.

Add a 3 1/2" contrasting color cardstock layer if desired.

Position your square layer before you glue it on so that it doesn't go over the edges of the card.

Add a die cut or punch art, sentiment and embellishments.

----------------------------

Make two more cards with the remaining triangles and corner squares. 

This card uses 3 of 4 triangles from Perennial Lavendar papers, and 3 of 4 triangles from In-Color Papers, Spring Celebrations Ephemera for the sentiment, and Dotted Circles Embossing folder for texture.  Add a ribbon of your choice for accent. 

Using 6 of 8 squares from 2 cards of today's featured design, make the card below.

Stamp the corner sentiment with Spring Corners stamps.  Add ink on a block then stamp it directly on the Basic White cardstock, and use the sunburst and heart dies from Spring Corners Dies . 
(Save 10% if you purchase the stamps and dies as a bundled set)

Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed! sb   (Sorry, there's an error in my html so you won't be able to connect to the others with this post.)