I am always looking for new ways to create unusual greeting cards, something different from those you can buy in the shops and something that really gives you that quality handmade feel. The double diagonal pocket card ticks all of the boxes and only takes 30 minutes to make.

What You Will Need:

• one sheet of double sided, 8.5" x 11", patterned paper (I have used Scenic Route)
• scissors
• adhesive
• ruler
• scoring tool
• further cardstock, paper, stamps, ink, paints and embellishments to decorate the front of the card and make the tags.

Step One

Stamp your main image for the front of your card onto a scrap of cardstock and leave to one side to dry. I find by doing this early on I save time for later when I want to paint the image.

Step Two

Score and fold your patterned paper in half lengthways. (You will need to measure 4 ¼" in.)

Step Three

Turn the paper 90 degrees and fold in half again (score at 5.5"). This will divide your paper into quarters.

Step Four

Unfold the paper and place it on your cutting mat in front of you with the shortest side at the top. Cut the horizontal fold from the left edge to the vertical fold in the center with a pair of sharp scissors.

Step Five

Keeping the paper in front of you, fold the bottom right-hand corner upwards to meet the center fold line. Use your scoring tool to ensure a crisp fold.

Step Six

Now you will do something similar with the opposite corner. Fold the top left corner down; however, this time you will need to leave a gap of approximately 1" before the vertical fold line.

Step Seven

Fold the top left quarter over to the right-hand side using the vertical fold line.

Step Eight

Now fold the bottom left quarter underneath the bottom right quarter.

Step Nine

Fold the new bottom right corner up over the previous folded-up corner.

Step Ten

Fold the bottom half of the paper up to meet the top half and secure around the edges with adhesive. Remember not to adhere the opening of the pockets, as you will need room for your tags to slide in.

Step Eleven

Create some tags using matching paper and cardstock for the inside of your card.

Step Twelve

Decorate your card by adding your stamped image to the front. I have chosen a tree design to match my paper and colored this with watercolor paints and Stickles. I have then threaded some ribbon onto my greeting and adhered everything together. Slide the tags inside with a message, photos or a favorite recipe. You really can use the pockets for anything you want.

You may even choose to then adhere the whole card onto another blank card to enable you to write inside.

Although I have made a Christmas card in this example you can use the basic design for absolutely any occasion. You could even make these cards for a dinner table with the name of your guest on the front and a note of the menu details on the tags.