Tutorial - Surprise Pop Up Card 2.0

I created my first Surprise Pop-Up card several years ago, but thought I could tweak it a little to simplify the mechanism. I also decided to make the card into a single layer, but if you'd prefer, you can mount it onto a card front for a more traditional style.

TEMPLATE:

1. Cut a sheet of A4 cardstock in half vertically so that you end up with a piece that measures 10.5cm x 29.7cm. Score in the centre and fold in half as though you were making a tent fold card. Use a craft knife or trimmer to cut a flap in the front of the card that is 3/4" from the centre fold and 3/4" from either side. Refer to the template above for correct placement.

2. Open the card out and lay horizontally on your score board. Score 3/4" from the bottom edge, between the two cut lines (at the base of the flap you cut in step 1). Score again at 23/4" between the two cut lines, and then one more time at 43/4". Fold along the score lines. (All the score lines will be on the flap you cut in step 1. Refer to the template if necessary).

3. Turn the card around so that the centre fold is facing you (it will look upside down). Stamp a sentiment in the section indicated below. Don't add any embellishments here as you want the cardstock to slide easily.

4. Cut a large tag measuring 3" x 51/2" and round the four corners. Stamp or write the word "pull" at the top, or if you'd prefer, you could add a little pull tab.

5. Decorate the front of the card with patterned paper or more stamping.

6. Now we're going to secure our large pull tag to the narrow section at the end of the flap. I've added a series of photos below to show you how it's done...

Place a ruler or straight edge about 1/4" from the cut edge of the flap.

Use the edge as a guide for keep the large tag straight.

Add glue to the narrow strip at the end of the flap.

Line up the bottom edge of the large pull tag with the edge of the flap,

and line up the side with the ruler to keep it straight.

Turn your card over.

The easel section should retract when the tag is pulled.

7. Open the card again and place glue on the card base, around the large tag, to form a pocket (see photo below). Close the card to secure in place.

8. Time to decorate!

Add one of the long sentiments to the bottom of the card, just over the cut line.

Keep the adhesive on the frame, around the bottom and side edges as shown below.

The easel should slide easily behind the sentiment panel.

I find it easiest to glue my images together first, then secure them to the easel.

Eucalyptus

One of my favourite techniques is to stamp using a mix of water-based inks, and then use those same inks to add colour to the image. For this particular card, I’ve used watercolour paper, which allows me to build up multiple layers without worrying about the paper tearing.

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Quick and Easy Magnolia Card

Earlier this week I showed you a technique for making quick and easy cards. One of the suggestions I made, if you don't have a coordinating ink pad, was to use Versamark ink to stamp your background. This is particularly helpful if you have a whole rainbow of coloured cardstock without matching ink pads.

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Tutorial - Quick and Easy II

I like to have a few quick and easy card making recipes up my sleeve for those occasions when I'm a bit pressed for time. Similar to the card I showed you last month, this one also uses an all over stamping design, but with heat embossing to add contrast, rather than colour.

1. You'll need an A5 card base (I used kraft), a 10cm x 14.3cm piece of contrasting cardstock (I used white), and a 9.7cm x 14cm piece of the same cardstock you used for the base. You'll also need a stamp, Versamark stamp pad, and white embossing powder.

2. Stamp and heat emboss your image on the 9.7cm x 14cm piece of cardstock. I recommend placing it in one of the four corners of your cardstock - top right, top left, bottom right, or bottom left. As you can see from the photo below, I chose the bottom right.

3. Now choose an ink pad that is similar in colour to your card base. I'm using Desert Sand by Memento, which is the closest colour I have to my kraft cardstock. (NOTE: If you don't have a matching ink pad, you can use clear Versamark ink. You'll need to dry it with a heat gun or emboss with clear powder)

4. Working outward from the embossed image, stamp using the matching ink pad. Turn the stamp so that it looks different each time you make an impression. Allow the image to extend beyond the edges of the panel.

5. Now secure the stamped panel to the white cardstock, and then onto your card base.

6. Finish with a sentiment and embellishments of your choosing.

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Birthday Pug

Does your furry family member celebrate their birthday? With so many fantastic pet treats and toys on the market, it’s hard not to spoil them. You can even bake your own dog- or cat-friendly cakes and biscuits using one of the great recipes available online. And of course, no pet celebration is complete without adorable stamps and card-making kits!😉

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Year Long Challenge - June

I’m officially halfway through my year-long challenge to feature this little elephant on a card each month! June’s inspiration is Pride Month — so this card is full of colourful rainbows, love hearts, and a joyful party atmosphere to celebrate diversity, inclusion, love, and community.

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