As a Guest Pollywog this month, I have a confession to make. I’m a hoarder. I hoard all things scrappy, both paper and digital, yet I almost never make cards.

So, when the opportunity arose for me to share a blog project with our wonderful community, I knew that I had to challenge myself to create a hybrid Mother’s Day card that incorporated items from my stash and kits from our awesome designers here at The Lilypad.

The card I decided to make has a base that uses only a single sheet of 12×12 cardstock, which is folded and scored to create an impressive trifold, flip-out card in just a few simple steps.

What you add to it to create your own gorgeous creation is limited only by your imagination. Let’s get started!

STEP 1: Trim .25” off the right side of a 12×12 sheet of cardstock.

STEP 2: Without changing the orientation of your paper, create vertical score lines at 3.75”, 4”, 7.75” and 8”.

STEP 3: Rotate the cardstock one 90-degree turn to the left. Score at 10” and 5”. Your paper should look like this.

STEP 4: Using scissors or a craft knife (I used scissors), cut out the top and bottom scored channels (see photos). Only the center channels should remain. These form gussets that make your card a “box” and allow for dimension in the interior.

TIP: I found it’s easiest to cut on the outside of the score marks and then fold the card into the finished product. The channels form tails that you can easily snip off.

After you’ve cut out the channels, you’re done forming your box. Just make sure all the edges have sharp, clean creases. I used a scoring board and a bone folder, but these aren’t necessary.

A ruler or other straight edge can be used in place of a scoring board.

No bone folder? No problem. Some alternatives are a pen cap, a ballpoint pen without ink, or the back of a butter knife (be careful!).

Look around your house, and I’m sure you’ll find something that will easily work for you.

Now comes the fun part…decorating your card!

I used kits designed by Amber LaBau, Lynn Grieveson, Paula Kesserling, Sahlin Studio, Paislee Press, and Lynne-Marie.

Once I selected items from these kits, I opened them in Photoshop and printed them out.

Some of the panels I pre-designed in PSCC; others I fussy-cut the elements and die-cut the papers using dies from my stash.

In the end, I used 10 panels, but this design gives you 18 panels to play with.

Pockets can also be formed to tuck in gift cards (remember the gusseted sides allow for dimension).

The possibilities are endless!

Bottom panels flip up, and top flaps flip over to form linked matchbook.

I’m giving my card to my mom for Mother’s Day, but you could easily modify this for Father’s Day, birthday or any occasion.

I hope you feel inspired to give this project a try.