It’s a challenge to keep our perspective and balance this time of year.  So, when there’s a chance to make things a little easier, grab it!  Like using the PPA228 Sketch Challenge from Pals Paper Arts for holiday card inspiration.

As soon as this sketch popped up I thought “Gate Fold”.  What is a gate folded card?  Simple, the opening meets in the front like a gate. Actually, I call it a “saloon fold”.  Stay with me here. This will make sense in just a minute.

If you’ve ever seen an old western movie, you’ll recognize these doors.  Make sense?  Besides, it’s much more fun to say.

“Saloon” folds look more difficult than they really are.  They start out with the same size.  Write this down…

Standard A2 card, Portrait Orientation,  as in my sample above:

• Card base – 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
• Score at 2-1/8″ and 6-3/8″

Standard A2 card, Landscape Orientation, as in the sketch challenge image:

• Card base – 4-1/4″ x 11″
• Score at 2-3/4″ and 8-1/4″

After the card is scored and folded close, stamp the largest star image from the Bright & Beautiful Stamp Set (Item #135029 Clear Mount; #135026 Wood Mount) with Lost Lagoon Classic Ink (Item #133644) Since Whisper White is a little thinner than the colored cardstock, adhered the entire card to a piece of Lost Lagoon Cardstock (Item #133679) cardstock for stability.

Paper-piercing adds just the right amount of detail to this beautiful image.  Open the card up, flat and use stars from the Eclectic Paper-Piercing Pack to pierce the holes. Guides printed on the template will give you perfectly placed piercing.

Eclectic Paper-Piercing Templates 133778

Lastly, keeping the saloon doors closed.  This can be a challenge, especially in the wild west.  You never know when those wild and wooly scoundrels will show up!  Wait, back to the card.  Sorry about that.

Create a piece that attaches firmly to one side of the card and overlaps the other.  Now for the real trick, using the flap to keep the saloon doors closed without adding a button or Velcro.

2-Way Glue Pen Item #100425

Using the 2-Way Glue Pen (Item #100425), “paint” vertical lines on the back of your enclosure, let dry. Now the magic begins. When this glue is dry it becomes sticky like a “Post-It Note”. Pretty cool, eh?

When the saloon doors open up, a Bright & Beautiful surprise.

I added more cardstock to the inside but it’s not necessary.

Join us at Pals Paper Arts for the PPA228 Sketch Challenge.  You’ll find loads of inspiration from my fellow Pals and more.

Have a Wildly Creative Day with the

PPA228 Sketch Challenge!

Thank you so much for sharing part of your day.

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