Okay, so this card has been sitting in my “must share” pile since May… and I figured it was probably time I finally let it out into the wild!
I created this Pop-Up Expanding Pocket Card during Session 2 of the Online Stamping Retreat, in a class with the lovely Kylie Bertucci, and it was such a fun project to make.
And honestly… just wait until you see what happens when you open it!

A Card That Keeps Giving

Handmade pop-up expanding pocket card featuring the Stampin’ Up! Nature Walk Suite, with six pull-out cards for writing messages, an expanding accordion pocket, layered botanical elements, gold foliage and coordinating patterned paper.

From the outside, this looks like a pretty standard handmade card.
But open it up and… SURPRISE!

The centre of the card expands to reveal a whole series of little pockets, with six pull-out cards tucked inside.
This is one of those projects where you definitely want to play with it a little once you’ve finished making it. There are so many possibilities for what you could do with those little pull-outs!

Close-up of a handmade pop-up expanding pocket card showing layered embossed leaves, gold foliage, botanical elements and a textured wood-effect “You Make Me Smile” sentiment.

Open view of a pop-up expanding pocket card showing the dimensional accordion mechanism, expanding pocket and decorated interior panel with gold and blue foliage and a “I like you lots” sentiment.

You could use them for:
– Photos and memories
– Personal messages
– Little pieces of memorabilia
– Individual messages from multiple people
– A special occasion where lots of people want to contribute

I could even see this being absolutely gorgeous as a milestone birthday, wedding, anniversary or retirement card, where several people could each write their own little message.

Pop-up expanding pocket card opened to reveal the accordion-style central structure, patterned paper panels and a decorated writing panel featuring layered blue and gold botanical elements.

Pop-up expanding pocket card opened to show multiple pull-out cards, each with a blank writing area and coordinating botanical decoration from the Stampin’ Up! Nature Walk Suite.

Using the Nature Walk Suite

For my version, I reached for the Stampin’ Up! Nature Walk Suite, and I think the earthy greens, blues and botanical elements work beautifully with the structure of the card.

The combination of the patterned papers, stamped foliage and gold accents gives the whole project a lovely natural feel without making it too fussy…and because there are SO many different panels and surfaces to decorate, this is also a fantastic project for using up some of those coordinating patterned papers you’ve been hoarding.

Detailed view of the pop-up expanding pocket card showing the accordion folds and expanding pocket filled with layered card panels, decorated with coordinating Stampin’ Up! Nature Walk patterned paper.

Pop-up expanding pocket card with six individual pull-out cards displayed beside the accordion pocket, each providing space for handwritten messages and featuring coordinating botanical designs.

One of the things I really enjoy about the Online Stamping Retreat is getting to learn projects that are a little outside my usual crafting comfort zone.
This was definitely one of those projects!
If you’d like to join the fun at a future retreat, you can add yourself to the waitlist for the next Online Stamping Retreat below.

A Little Warning About This One…

This is what I like to call a CHUNKY card. 😂
With all those layers, pockets and pull-out pieces, it definitely isn’t going to slide neatly into your standard envelope.
I’d recommend making a handmade envelope for this one — or, even better, creating a little box to present it in.
And honestly? I think that makes it even more special.
Because when someone receives this, they’re not just getting a card… they’re getting a whole little interactive keepsake to explore.

I’m so glad I finally got around to sharing this project because it was far too much fun to leave sitting in my camera roll!

If you love fun fold cards, interactive cards and projects that have a little surprise inside, this one is definitely worth adding to your crafting list.

Happy crafting! 💕

SHOP WITH ME & GET A FREE GIFT & TUTORIAL

PLEASE NOTE: Regardless of when you are viewing this post, this is automatically updated so the information and links listed here are current.

Shop with me in September 2026 to receive a FREE gift, tutorial and handmade card from me to thank you for your order.

Don’t live in Australia but still want to purchase the tutorial? You can purchase it through my tutorial store for $22AUD for instant PDF download. CLICK HERE to purchase .

HAPPENING NOW

The brand new September Global Creative Project tutorial is now out. Earn for free from me for placing an order in my online store or head to my tutorial store and purchase the PDF tutorial.
New Creativity Kits have been released in my online store. Head here to check them out.
Our new Product of the Month promotion is now in full swing. Get an exclusive product for just $9 when you spend over $125 in my online store. Learn more about this new program here.

creativity advent calendar

Beginning this month you can get prepared for some creative fun with the release of the brand new Stampin’ Up! Advent Calendar. Available to order now for $173 which includes 12 days of surprises with anything from embellishments, exclusive dies, paper, colouring tools, cards & envelopes & more + includes an exclusive stamp set! Don’t like surprises? You can get a peek at what is waiting for you inside by heading over to the Stampin’ Up! blog. If you would like to order one click here.

VIRTUAL CARD RETREAT

It is back for another year & I am so excited!
Come and join in on the Stampin’ Up! Virtual Card Retreat & get access to these fun products + fifteen exclusive classes where you will learn lots of techniques, tips & ideas + access to an exclusive Facebook group with PDF’s and video replays. Click here to find out more.

upcoming events + KITS

I have so much fun at The Stamping Lounge which is run by myself, Maheswari Rajaguru and Rochelle Laird-Smith.
We not only have a monthly membership full of amazing content but we also run regular classes.
The Hot Foiling Fun Monthly Class is coming up on the 12th of September.
Also coming up in September and open for registration now is our September-December Catalogue + Online Exclusives launch party! Click here to find out more.
Click the images or links to find out more and enrol OR sign up to The Stamping Lounge membership to get access to monthly classes and more which are included in the membership (retreats are sold separately)

New Paper Pumpkin Kit coming in September – subscribe by the 10th of September to receive the Aspens of Gratitude Kit
PLUS – subscribe to Paper Pumpkin with me and get TWO alternative PDF tutorials with a total of 20 tutorials for projects using this kit. Click here to subscribe with me.

SKETCH BOX EDITION #1

We have a brand new product at The Stamping Lounge and you won’t want to miss this one. Get your sketch box complete with 52 sketch cards that include measurements and crafting tips! This is a tool you need in your crafting tool box that you can use again and again. Available now and shipping internationally. Get yours here.

supply list for pop up expanding pocket card

Product List

Nature Walk Suite Collection (English) [166936] $149.50	Nature's Symphony Bundle (English) [166926] $82.75	Nature Walk 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [166912] $21.75	Secret Sea 3/8" (1 Cm) Bordered Open Weave Ribbon [166932] $15.00	Faux Bronze Pentagons [166931] $16.75
Gold Foil Sheets [132622] $8.75	Beautifully Celebrated Dies [166974] $61.00	Linen Thread [104199] $8.75	Natural Hues 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Textured Specialty Paper [166929] $13.25	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $17.50
Pretty Peacock A4 Cardstock [150886] $25.00	Crumb Cake A4 Card Stock [121685] $25.00	Pecan Pie 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Two Tone Cardstock [166688] $17.50	Basic White A4 Cardstock [166781] $25.00	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [147116] $15.75
Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083] $15.75	Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad [147138] $15.75	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [147090] $15.75	Versamark Pad [102283] $16.75	Basics Wow! Embossing Powder [165679] $37.00