There’s something so special about creating a handmade card, but sometimes, you want to take it a step further and make it even more meaningful. That’s exactly why I designed this Gift & Greetings Fun Fold Card—a card and a gift box in one! I actually came up with this idea a few years ago when I wanted to gift something small but still wanted the thoughtfulness of a handmade card. The challenge was finding a way to keep everything together in one cohesive design. After some trial and error, this fun fold card was born, and I’ve been making variations of it ever since.

In today’s post, I’m sharing how I created this version featuring Paper Rose Studio’s Mountain Trek Collection. This collection has the perfect mix of earthy tones, soft patterns, and bold textures that work beautifully together. Plus, with the Golden Dreams Shimmer Cardstock, I was able to add just the right touch of elegance.
If you love fun folds and interactive designs, this project is a must-try. Not only is it a great way to elevate your card making, but it’s also an opportunity to use up those gorgeous patterned papers we all tend to hoard—yes, I know I’m not the only one!
Gift & Greetings Fun Fold Card:
Choosing the Right Supplies
For a project like this, choosing coordinating supplies is key. Because the design includes both a card and a gift box, I wanted a mix of textures, patterns, and subtle shimmer to create interest without overwhelming the design. The Mountain Trek Collection from Paper Rose Studio was perfect for this, especially when paired with:
Mountain Trek 6 x 6 Pattern Paper – A mix of scenic elements and soft patterns.
Mountain Trek Patterns 6 x 6 Paper Collection – More detailed patterns for contrast.
Mountain Trek Basics 6 x 6 Paper Collection – The perfect neutral backgrounds.
Mountain Trek Die Cuts & Embossed Die Cuts – Pre-cut elements for easy embellishing.
A5 Golden Dreams Shimmer Cardstock – A subtle gold shimmer adds a touch of luxury.
Flurry of Butterflies Die – Because no card is complete without a little movement!
Stitched Circle Dies – Adds layering details that pull the whole design together.
All Occasions Sentiments Pack – Pre-printed sentiments make finishing touches easy.
When creating a project like this, I always recommend mixing and matching paper collections. Don’t be afraid to pull patterns from different packs—even if they weren’t originally designed to go together, you might be surprised how well they work when layered strategically.
Pro Tip: When working with multiple patterns, break them up with solid colors or subtle textures to prevent the design from looking too busy. The Golden Dreams Shimmer Cardstock was the perfect way to add separation while still keeping everything cohesive.

Assembling the Base
This design starts with a 12" x 12" piece of cardstock that is cut and scored to form the base of both the card and the built-in gift box. While the exact measurements are shown in my video tutorial, the key here is making precise score lines and burnishing them well.
Whenever I’m working with fun folds, I always use a bone folder to get crisp folds. This ensures the interactive elements sit flat and function properly.
Once the base was prepped, I started layering the patterned papers and matting layers to create depth and contrast. Since the box and card need to function together seamlessly, I made sure to keep the layering consistent on both sections so the final project looked polished.

Decorating & Embellishing
This is where the real fun begins! I wanted to highlight the rich textures in the Mountain Trek Collection, so I carefully selected die cuts and embellishments to enhance the design.
I die cut stitched circles from both the Golden Dreams Shimmer Cardstock and Dutch Blue Cardstock, then layered them with a white cardstock circle for contrast.
Each layered circle became a focal point on the card front, setting the stage for the decorative die cuts.
The Mountain Trek Die Cuts and Embossed Die Cuts were arranged around the stitched circles to create balance without overwhelming the design.
A sentiment from the All Occasions Sentiments Pack was trimmed down and adhered as a finishing touch.
To add movement, I used Flurry of Butterflies Die to cut delicate butterflies from the same gold shimmer cardstock. These small details really pull the design together.
Pro Tip: When layering die cuts, use foam adhesive to add dimension. It helps elements pop off the background and creates a more dynamic look.

Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Gift & Greetings Fun Fold Card turned out! The combination of elegant shimmer, earthy patterns, and layered die cuts makes this a truly special project.
Because this design includes a built-in gift box, it’s best suited for hand-delivery rather than mailing. It’s perfect for small gifts like jewelry, chocolates, or even a folded-up note with a heartfelt message.

If you’ve never tried a card with a built-in gift box, I highly encourage you to give this one a go! It’s such a fun way to elevate your handmade cards while keeping them practical.
Check out the video tutorial for all the details, and let me know in the comments what occasion you’d make this for.
Happy crafting!

Gift & Greetings Fun Fold Card Video Tutorial:
If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!
(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins
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