Hello Crafty Friends! Laurie here again! I am sharing my Triple Step Faux Alternative Card using the Lakeside Retreat April 2026 Paper Pumpkin Kit by Stampin’ Up! I made a total of 5 alternative cards that were all fun folds.

My Template

For this alternative card, I saw a video that made a triple faux step card that was 5” x 7”, but I wanted to make an A2 version. So, I created my own by designing a template using a recycled paper bag.

I started with a three step card base and scored it according to the measurements below. Then, I went with a regular 3” wide central panel, but I trimmed the 8 ½” height down by 1/8” since the front sits inside the first step. This allowed it to fit into a regular envelope. Otherwise, it would be too tall…I learned this from trial and by error. Lol! This central panel was scored in half. The two side panels were 1” wide and scored according to the measurements below. This gives you a very slight gap between all the panels when adhered to the card base.

The Details of My Triple Faux Step Alternative Card

Now that I had all my card base pieces cut and scored, I decorated them with the Scene Card Base from the Paper Pumpkin Kit, But you could use the Waterside Retreat DSP instead. I used both the front and back of the card base from the Kit.

For the front scene, I trimmed ¼” off the bottom of the card front. I wanted more sky to show in the central panel while allowing the scenes to line up across the panels. Then, I trimmed ¾” off each side which left the 2 ¾” for the central part. Next, I trimmed down each panel to the height I wanted using the measurements below.

For the Plaid Card Back, I turned it horizontally to cut my pieces for the front of the steps. I was able to get the two larger pieces cut from the back. The front step was the plaid strip that was included in the kit trimmed down to fit (¾” x 5 ¼”).

Next, I embossed the Peaceful Pine strips for the back of the steps with the Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder. I also matted all my “scenes” and “plaid” pieces with a 1/8” mat of Peaceful Pine card stock.

Now, that all my pieces were cut, I stamped the “Happy Birthday” sentiment and the birds on the central panel using the Kit’s Stamp Set. I also stamped the “This is Your Day” Sentiment and the inside using the Relaxing Waterside Stamp Set.

Then, I adhered all the pieces together including the inside pieces. Note: Adhere the back of the central panel to the back of large step and the front to the front of the middle step. Adhere small panels to back of the middle step and to the front of the small step.

Finally, I die cut the Adirondak chair from the Relaxing Waterside Dies using Pecan Pie Two-Tone Cardstock. This allowed me to use the two different sides to add visual interest. One for the seat and the lighter side for the chair back. I added some Peaceful Pine accents to the chair to tie in my colour scheme. In addition to this, I added some Garden Green bullrushes with darker Pecan Pie cattails.

All that was left was to add the ephemera and Self-adhesive pebble embellishments.

Supplies:

Stamps: Lakeside Retreat April 2026 Paper Pumpkin Kit, Relaxing Waterside Bundle (167928)

Inks: Peaceful Pine (Kit)

Paper: Basic White (166780), Peaceful Pine (167691), Pecan Pie Two-Tone Cardstock (166688), Garden Green (102584), Scene Card Base (Kit)

Accessories: Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder (164049), Self-adhesive pebble embellishments (In Kit), Stampin’ Dimensionals (In Kit), Paper Trimmer (152392), Bone Folder (102300), Stampin’ Seal (152813)

Measurements:

• Basic White:
  • 5 ½” x 11” scored at 3”, 6”, 7 ½”, 9” and 10”
  • 3” x 8-3/8” scored at 4-3/16” (Centre Step)
  • 7” x 1” scored at 3 ½” (2 Pieces)
  • 2-5/8” x 5-1/8” (Inside)
• Peaceful Pine:
  • 2-7/8” x 5-3/8” (2 Pieces – for front and back of Large Step)
  • 1-3/8” x 5-3/8” (2 Pieces – for front and back of Medium Step)
  • 7/8” x 5-3/8” (2 Pieces – for front and back of Small Step)
  • 3-5/8” x 7/8” x (2 Pieces – for 2 side panels)
  • 4” x 2-7/8” (Centre Step)
  • 2 ¾” x 5 ¼” (Inside)
  • Scraps for chair
• Garden Green:
  • Scraps for Bullrushes
• Pecan Pie Two-Tone:
  • 2 ¾” x 2 ¼” (Use Darker side)
  • 2 ¼” x 1 ½” (Use Lighter Side)
  • Scrap for Bullrushes
• Scene Card Base from Kit:
  • 3 ½” x ¾” (Scene – Left Side)
  • 3-7/8” x 2 ¾” (Scene – Centre)
  • 3 ½” x ¾” (Scene- Right Side)
  • 2 ¾” x 5 ¼” (Plaid)
  • 1 ¼” x 5 ¼” (Plaid)
• From Kit:
  • Fish Ephemera
  • Misty Moonlight Board Ephemera
  • Wood Grain Piece trimmed down
  • 2 Sentiment Pieces
  • Plaid Strip trimmed to ¾” x 5 ¼”
  • Self-adhesive pebble embellishments

More Information on My Triple Faux Step Alternative Card

To download a PDF of this card, please click here.

This Kit included everything you needed to create nine beautiful cards that strike that perfect balance between “beautiful” and “masculine.” While they’re ideal for the men in your life, they’re certainly not limited to masculine designs. Here are the cards that the kit made.

I made 5 alternative fun fold cards including a Shadow Box, Book Binding, Dutch Door, Triple Fold Reveal and this Triple Faux Step card. I will be posting details to these cards in another blog post.

Shadow Box Card

Book Binding Card

Dutch Door Card

For more information on my card, please click here.

Triple Fold Reveal Card

For more of my Stampin’ Up! Paper Pumpkin cards, please click here.

You will find the items listed above in my online store.