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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