WHIMSICAL Woodland Christmas Flying Seagull Fun Fold Card with Paper Rose Studio

I’ve always loved sending cards that make the recipient pause, smile, and maybe even tilt their head a little to figure out just how the fold works. This Flying Seagull Fun Fold is exactly that kind of design. It looks complicated, but it’s surprisingly manageable once you understand how the folds come together. For this version, I reached for the Woodland Christmas 6 x 6 Pattern Paper Pack from Paper Rose Studio and paired it with their Woodland Christmas Embossed Die Cuts, Crisp Christmas Sentiment Sheets, and the Fancy Script Layered Joy die. The end result is a card full of character, movement, and plenty of holiday charm—just the kind of project that gets displayed on a mantel instead of tucked away in a drawer.

WHIMSICAL Woodland Christmas Flying Seagull Fun Fold Card with Paper Rose Studio

A Card Fold That Takes Flight

What makes the Flying Seagull Fun Fold so special is how it opens up. The side panels fan out like wings, while the center remains strong and steady, almost like the body of a bird in flight. It gives you a wide canvas to showcase patterned papers, and that’s exactly what I leaned into here. The Woodland Christmas Pattern Paper collection is packed with cozy patterns—think strips, festive florals, and playful woodland critters—so having multiple panels to decorate felt like a dream.

When I first tried this fold, I was worried about keeping the panels aligned so everything closed neatly. Here’s a little pro tip: score with a bone folder and fold each line back and forth before assembling. That extra minute of prep makes the card sit square and gives it that polished, professional feel.

Choosing the Right Base and Mats

For the base, I used a sturdy Kraft 110 lb Cardstock from Harmony Hue Paper Company. Kraft is one of those neutrals that never goes out of style, especially for holiday cards. It pairs beautifully with traditional reds and greens while adding a rustic warmth. To give my panels more structure and depth, I matted everything with Noble Fir Cardstock from Lawn Fawn. That deep evergreen really frames the Woodland Christmas patterned papers and pulls the whole palette together.

One of my favorite parts of designing with mats is how forgiving they are. If your patterned paper is just a smidge uneven, the mat hides it. It also gives your eyes a visual “resting place,” which is important when you’re mixing florals, stripes, and critters all in one card.

The Star of the Show

I couldn’t resist using one of the Woodland Christmas Embossed Die Cuts as my main focal point. The little owl bundled up in his hat and scarf feels whimsical and perfectly at home against the floral spray behind the large “Joy” sentiment. Speaking of sentiment, the Fancy Script Layered Joy die was a must for this design. I love how bold script words can act as both greeting and design element. I cut it from Noble Fir Cardstock for a rich base and layered it with lighter tones so it popped off the background without overwhelming the owl.

A quick story here: when I was arranging the owl, I placed him a little too far to the right the first time. The fold wouldn’t close smoothly. That’s when I remembered something I tell my students all the time—always do a “dry fit” before gluing anything down. It saved me from having to recut and start over.

Sentiments and Sparkle

To balance the card, I tucked in small sentiments from the Crisp Christmas Sentiment Sheets. I like breaking up larger phrases into smaller pieces so I can stack them around my focal die cut. It keeps the eye moving across the design instead of stopping in just one spot.

And of course, I couldn’t resist adding a little shine. A few Clear Crystal Embellishments scattered across the panels catch the light beautifully. They’re subtle but give that finishing touch that makes the whole project feel complete. If you’re ever in doubt about embellishment placement, try the “visual triangle” method—placing three small accents that form a triangle. It naturally guides the eye around the card.

Why This Card Works

The Flying Seagull Fun Fold may look intricate, but the real magic is how it lets you showcase multiple design elements without clutter. The woodland patterns shine on the side panels, the owl anchors the center, and the Joy sentiment ties everything together. It’s a card design that feels interactive and impressive while still being approachable enough to recreate for your own holiday card stack.

Whenever I create a card like this, I imagine the person opening it for the first time. There’s something about that unfolding action that adds to the joy of the message inside. And that’s what cardmaking is all about—sharing a little bit of surprise, delight, and beauty in paper form.

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 Crafting,

Rick Adkins

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