How to Make an Accordion Style Tag Birthday Card

These fun cards will make anyone feel extra special. Following is a list of supplies you will need to create these cards; 12x12 White cardstock (this can usually be found in the scrapbooking section of most craft and hobby stores), patterned paper, ribbon, hole punch, letter stickers, chipboard letters or large letter stamps, stamp that says "Birthday" or stickers that say "Birthday," scissors, paper cutter, glue, pencil.

Begin by cutting a strip out of the 12x12 paper, so that it is 12 x 4". Fold it accordion style so that you have five sections, each one should be about 2.4 inches wide. Using a pencil mark two diagonal lines to create a tag. With the paper folded use the scissors to cut along these lines. This way all parts of your card will have the same shape. Measure and cut out pieces of patterned paper. Each piece should be 4x2.3 inches. The slightly smaller width makes it easier to fold the card. Glue the patterned paper onto the different sections of the card. Turn the card on its back and use scissors to cut out the tag shape in the patterned paper. Punch a hole at the top of each of the sections so that it looks like a tag. Tie matching ribbon or fibers in each of the holes. Spell out the word "happy" by putting one letter on each section of the card. Be sure that they are centered and that they line up when you open the card completely. If your letters blend in too much with the patterned paper, you may want to consider putting a square of plain colored paper behind each letter. Cut a strip of plain matching colored paper and glue it underneath the "Y". Use the stamp or sticker to put the word "birthday" in the strip of paper under the "Y". Now you may embellish it to match who will be receiving the card, or leave it the way it is.

I've also done similar cards using a person's name, or the word "Merry" with Christmas under the "Y" for holiday cards. They also work well as Thank You cards or even little mini albums (just the perfect size for wallet sized photos). Plus these fun cards display well because of the folds, larger versions can be used as decorations for a mantle or a table centerpiece. Get creative, the possibilities with this technique are endless!