Technique Tuesday - Stamped Concertina Booklet

Concertina Booklet

This is a fun little accordian-style card/booklet that I taught at my store a few years ago. It uses folding and scoring in an accordian manner to create a terrific little gift style booklet with windows.  Here are some samples:

Open view of snowflake Concertina made with Basic Grey papers and Impression-Obsession stamps.  Here is the cover:

Here's how it's done:
Cut 7 6" x 3" pieces of cardstock to stamp images on. These will be the back pieces.  Score each at 3".
Cut 7 6" x 3" pieces of patterned paper or coordinating card stock.  Score at 1 1/2", 3", and 4 1/2".
Cut opening in second set of six pieces.  I used my Cuttlebug with Spellbinder's dies for openings. You can use a paper trimmer or large piunch.
Stamp images in center of first set of pieces - be sure the images are small enough to be seen through the holes.
Do any stamping, embellishing you wish on the opening pieces.  Fold stamped pieces in half along 3" score line.
Fold top pieces (with opening) along score lines, creating a mountain fold (looks like an upside-down "v"). Fold the two ends up to the peak of the mountain, creating two valley folds (should look like a "w").
Use glue or tape runner to attach the front panels to the stamped image panels, matching the edges. The image should show through the die cut on the front panels.  The tape will only go on the two folded up edges as you want the window to open.
Four of these "cards" will be the front, and three will be the back.  Put them in the order you want, making sure none of them are upsde-down.  Attach the right panel of one card to the left panel of another to create the concertina.  Make sure you begine with the front cover and end with the back cover.  These diagrams should help make this clearer:

Front piece with the die cut, back piece stamped.  Back piece is scored at 3".  Front die-cut piece is scored at 1 1/2", 3", and 4 1/2".

Bottom piece folded in valley, top piece folded valley, then mountain in center, then valley - looks like a "w."

Tape/glue along each side panel only, taping top piece over bottom piece.  Leave center part unglued, so the window will open out in an upside-down "v" and the sides will fold into valley folds.

Line up pieces in the order you want, four in front, and three in back.  Tape right side of a front piece to left side of a back piece.

Cut two pieces of card stock 3 1/8" x 3 1/8" for the front of the booklet and the back.  Decorate the front as desired, and tape to front, tape back to back.  Here's a close up of a couple of the panels.

Here are a couple more:

Cover of Penny Black halloween concertina.  I embossed the front die-cut pieces with my Cuttlebug embossing plates, then inked them with distress inks.  It's difficult to photograph these to show their true beauty...looks far better in person!

A closer look:

And there's the back.

Another:

Closer view of the stamping I did on the front pieces AND the back pieces:

One last one (Penny Black stamps):

All supplies/embellishments, etc. available at local craft stores or online.  The plaid ribbon on the halloween card I got at AC Moore.
I'm sure you will think of so many ideas for these.  I think photos in the center would be fun.  They're great for any occasion, and especially terrific for holidays.

Give it a try, they're fun!

Blessings and peace,

lynda