Technique Tuesday - Side Stair Step Card

I just fell in love with this card when I began seeing it on the internet.  I finally got around to trying to make it this past weekend.  A couple of friends came over to "play," and one of them had brought one that she had received.  That was all it took.....we decided right then and there to make one.

About eight mock-ups later, I finally felt as though I "got it."  Trying to figure out how to make a card without step-by-step instructions in front of you is not as easy as it looks.  But, we persisted, laughed a lot, measured a lot, and finally, I was able to put together a mock up.  Since then, I tweaked it a little, and made a card.  Then I wrote up the instructions, step-by-step.  It is a standard A2 size card.

Here's my card:

Here's a view a little from the side, so you can see the "stairs":

Fun, huh?  It's fun to make, too.  And really easy once you work through a mock up the first time (now that I've got the measurements for you).  Here's how it's done:

Place an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of card stock in your trimmer at 2" (this is the base of your card. Cut a slit from 2 1/8" to 7 1/2".

Place the card on your score board horizontally, with the slit at the bottom.  Score from the top to the slit at 2 1/8".  (If you click on the pictures, you will see a close-up view).

Score all the way down the card at 4 1/4".

Score from the top to the slit at 5 3/8", then score from the top to the slit at 6 1/2" and 7 1/2".

 Starting with the center (the 4 1/4" fold), accordian fold the card as shown.  The 4 1/4" fold will be mountain folded at the bottom (narrow part) and valley folded at the top (wide part).  The rest of the folds will alternate mountain/valley folds.

Here is how the card looks before you add your stamps, images, and embellishments. 

That's it for the basic shape!!  Decorate as desired.
I used Penny Black stickers and stamps for a quick and easy card.  This one's going to my granddaughter, Keeley.  Now I have to make one for Kennedy!

There are variations on this card, including one with the steps in the center with a panel on both sides, and one without any panel, just steps all the way across.  My friend Arlene took home one of my "oops" mock-ups (where I slit in the wrong place), and made an adorable Easter basket card from it.  I tried put it up here, but can't seem to get it pasted in.  I will see if I can get it in my Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/paperartscafe/ , so check it in a day or two.  And please, please feel free to post pictures of your cards, stair step or otherwise, on my Flickr group.  I'd love to have you in the gallery!

I've entered this in the Penny Black @ Allsorts challenge, where the theme is All You Need Is Love!  You can find the challenge here http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-challenge.html .

I hope you have fun with this.

Just a reminder, you have until Monday, February 7th to enter the coffee cup and/or coffee sleeve challenge from my previous post.  Scroll down for details.  Enter and you may win some blog candy...a free set of stamps, and the first three entries will receive a panel of stickers.

Thanks for stopping in.

Blessings,

lynda