Zig Zag Cards Instructions & Template

At the show in Holland recently these Zig Zag cards samples proved to be very popular and I was constantly being asked how to make them. I gave out all my template/instruction sheets pretty quickly so I promised to post details here. 

 I must apologise that I am a bit late but I'm only just getting back to normal life again after the busy hectic times over the last few weeks.

To the person who "permanently borrowed" one of my samples from the dem desk (which I willingly allowed people to deconstruct and construct to help them understand how it was made) you are most welcome, I hope it helps you and makes you happy. No problem for me as I will make another but it did mean that lots of other interested visitors could not try it out and learn how simple it is to make this card. 

I'll add the instructions at the end of this post but here are some close ups of my samples and there are also lots of photos of another one I made HERE on my post of the 28th March.

For this first one, I coloured my own background card using Distress Inks and Stencils and cut out the butterflies from spare pieces of the card.

The small front panel and greeting tag keeps the card in it's required position.

The next card was made using a pad of Graphic 45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe printed 6x6 papers. 

I like the effect of placing a die cut piece behind the two back points as overall it gives the card a better, balanced, shape and an added point of interest. 

It is effective to leave a little of the surrounding, lighter, area when cutting out motifs as they highlight them very effectively.

I also decorated inside and added small hanging tags inside and outside the folds.

Here's another version I made using some Crafty Individuals small face stamps and my own decorated papers. 

I love the way the little mounted pictures tumble off the edges of the card. 

Just a flash across the front with "Memories" stamped on it holds the front panels together.

Another idea...note that one side of the card is decorated and one side plain.

Here's my template for making the Zig Zag card from a piece of A4 cardstock.

Cut along the diagonal line to acquire the two pieces for the card. 

Trim off and discard the small areas marked at one end of each piece.

Score and fold along all dotted lines.

All of the lines are scored at 1 7/8 inch intervals as marked on the template.

Starting with the two longer ends, interlock the slits at the top of one of the pieces of card into the slits in the bottom of the other one.

The longer ends will form the back section of the card.

Open out the folds into the positions shown in the card samples.

Decorate according to your preference and style and there are several little details and ideas amongst my samples to play around with.

The card will lay flat when folded so shapes can be adhered to front and back when closed and this serves to decorate it and also to fix the sections together.

Be sure that any protruding motifs, eg., butterflies, do not stop the card from closing flat.

Any problems please leave me a message and I'll do my best to help.