I made this card a few months ago when I participated in an online stamping event. My husband needed a birthday card today for a friend / fellow volunteer, so that lit a fire under my posterior to share it here so he could use the card. I initially suggested the card that I shared here and he was ok with that. A bit later tho, he spotted this card and said “that one’s really nice”. Which I took as his hint that he would like to give this card instead. Once I made sure that I had pictures captured, I told him he could have this card instead if he wanted it. He happily took me up on the offer. 😊

I call this card a pop-up Z-fold because the layout is a classic z-fold design. The pop-up part is the inside layer that is on a folding cardstock riser so it is popped up from the back layer. I’ve done a search online and I didn’t find an example that matched this design. I’ll try to explain the pop-up mechanism, and I hope that it will make sense.

Card on display
Inside of card

The cutting dimensions are below. The card base is scored and folded in a “Z” pattern. I added patterned paper on the back layer and embossed cardstock on the front and side panel. The piece that supports the popped up inside panel is folded on each score to create a box shape. One edge of the box is adhered along the fold on the back layer. Then I had it folded in half so it would lay flat, and then put adhesive along the other edge. When you close the card over it the second edge is glued to the middle section of the base layer. When you open the card that adhered piece now creates a box-like piece that the inside panel can be adhered to so it will pop up when the card is opened.

Cutting dimensions:

  • Basic White thick: 5 1/4″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″
  • Patterned paper (back panel): 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Bubble Bath (embossed layer): 5 3/8″ x 2″
  • Lemon Lolly (embossed layer): 5 1/2″ x 2″
  • Lemon Lolly (mat for front image): 4″ x 3″
  • Basic White (front image): 3 3/4″ x 2 3/4″
  • Basic White (floating inside layer): 4 3/4″ x 3 1/4″
  • Basic White (floating support): 4 1/2″ x 2″, scored at 1/2″, 1″ and 1 1/2″
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