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New Card Class Alert: Merry & Bright… and Folded Just Right!

  • Writer: Rick Adkins
    Rick Adkins
  • Jul 20
  • 5 min read

Updated: Aug 9

There’s just something magical about a Christmas card that opens in an unexpected way. Whether it flips, slides, pops, or pulls—fun folds have a way of making the holidays feel extra special. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably got a stash of festive supplies you’re itching to use in fresh, creative ways this season.


That’s exactly what inspired my brand-new PDF tutorial class: Merry & Bright… and Folded Just Right! I designed this class to bring the joy (and surprise) back into holiday cardmaking—with twelve unique fun fold card designs that are merry, bright, and just the right amount of fabulous. Each one is crafted using the cheerful, sun-soaked vibes of the Tropical Christmas Pattern Paper Collection, Cut Aparts or Embossed Die Cuts, and the wonderfully versatile Crisp Christmas Sentiment Sheets from Paper Rose Studio.


And yes, today’s the big launch day!


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New Card Class Alert: Merry & Bright… and Folded Just Right!


Why I Created This Class (And Why You’ll Love It)


I’ve always loved making fun fold cards, especially for the holidays. They’re a fantastic way to make a handmade card feel like a little gift in itself. But let’s be honest—fun folds can feel intimidating if you’ve never tried them before.


That’s why this class was created with every skill level in mind. Whether you’re brand new to cardmaking or you’ve been crafting for years, the PDF tutorial includes full-color photos and simple written instructions to guide you through each fold with ease. There’s no video component here—just grab your favorite patterned paper, follow the steps at your own pace, and enjoy the process.


And here's the best part: each card design is adaptable. You can follow along using the Tropical Christmas Collection as I did, or you can absolutely shop your stash and make it your own. It’s a “use-what-you-have” kind of class—with structure when you need it and freedom where you want it.


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A Tropical Twist on Classic Christmas Cards


You might be wondering—Tropical Christmas? For December? Absolutely.


The Tropical Christmas Pattern Paper Collection from Paper Rose Studio is a playful take on traditional holiday colors and themes. Think flamingos in Santa hats, palm trees with ornaments, and fun splashes of turquoise, coral, and lime. It’s perfect for anyone looking to brighten up their cardmaking this year. And let’s face it—sometimes it’s nice to escape all the reds and greens with something a little more unexpected.


I paired the patterned papers with either the Tropical Christmas Cut Aparts or you can use the Embossed Die Cuts, giving class attendees the freedom to choose what best suits their style. Personally, I love how the embossed die cuts add a little texture and dimension to those interactive folds.


To finish things off, the Crisp Christmas Sentiment Sheets are doing a lot of heavy lifting in this class. The fonts are clean and classic, and there’s a sentiment for every kind of holiday card—whether it’s heartfelt, playful, or somewhere in between.


Image Copyright by Paper Rose Studio
Image Copyright by Paper Rose Studio

A Closer Look: Some Favorite Folds


One of my absolute favorites from the class is a hidden gatefold card that opens up like a blooming poinsettia. It’s one of those folds that’s surprisingly easy once you see it, but makes a big impact when opened. I used the Cut Aparts to anchor the focal point and tucked a sentiment inside with plenty of room to write.


Another stand-out design uses a side step fun fold that lets the background pattern paper truly shine. With the Tropical Christmas papers, the layout almost felt like a beachy holiday postcard—so fun and vibrant. It reminded me of the year I spent Christmas in Florida with my grandparents. We wore flip-flops to church and had key lime pie after dinner. Not your traditional snowy Christmas, but memorable just the same—and this paper collection captures that vibe beautifully.


Pro Tip: When working with bold or colorful patterned paper like this, try matting your panels with a solid white or kraft cardstock. It helps the design “breathe” a bit and keeps the folds looking clean and defined.


Image Copyright by Paper Rose Studio
Image Copyright by Paper Rose Studio

Designed for Crafting on Your Schedule


The class is available now as a downloadable PDF tutorial for just $15.99, and it’s delivered straight to your inbox after purchase. You can print it out or view it on your device—whatever works best for your crafting setup.


It’s perfect for crafters who like to go at their own pace without rewinding a video a dozen times. Everything is clearly written, and the full-color photos walk you through each project visually. I’ve even included measurements and scoring guides for every fold, so you can recreate them again and again.



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A Fun Fold Holiday to Remember


My goal with this class was simple: to help you make cards that people won’t just open—they’ll remember. Each fold in the Merry & Bright… and Folded Just Right! class adds a little moment of surprise, and when paired with the tropical charm of the Paper Rose Studio products, they become something truly special.


So whether you’re crafting for friends across the country, your favorite card swap group, or just sneaking in some “me time” with your paper trimmer and glue, I hope this class inspires you to play, explore, and create with joy.


I can’t wait to see what you make. If you join the class and try out any of the folds, be sure to tag me on social media or share your creations in your favorite crafty groups—I’d love to cheer you on.


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Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.

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














Rick Adkins

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