Tutorial - Magic Window Card

This cool card is sure to win you extra kudos the next time a birthday rolls around, and rightly so! The image "magically" switches between black and white and full colour with the slide of a little tag... it's the Wizard of Oz of cards.

1. Start by stamping your image and sentiment on a piece of card stock measuring 3" x 5", then colour as desired. I used one of the snails from the Slugs and Snails clear stamp set and coloured with Copic markers.

2. Stamp the same image again on a piece of acetate using a solvent based ink like Staz On. Trim the acetate so that it's about 1/4" wider and longer than the coloured panel, making sure the image is centred.

3. To make the card base, you'll need a piece of kraft card stock measuring 53/4" x 101/2" folded in half, and a piece of white card stock measuring 51/2" x 5".

4. Use glue or double sided tape to adhere the coloured image to the very centre of the card front.

5. Cut a window from the centre of the white card stock that is 4" high and 23/4" wide. You should have a frame with a 3/4" wide top and bottom, and 11/4" wide sides.

6. On the back of the frame, apply strips of double sided tape around all four edges of the window. Set aside.

7. Line the stamped piece of acetate carefully over the coloured image. Make sure the lines are overlapping exactly.

8. Line the frame up carefully with the card blank leaving a small 1/8" border around the edges. Press the edges firmly so that the frame is secured to the acetate.

9. Now pick up the frame, which should be securely attached to the acetate. Decorate the frame as desired, then set aside.

10. Cut a piece of card stock for the tag, measuring 31/2" wide x 5" long. You'll also need two strips of card stock measuring 4" wide by 1/2" long and a tab to attach to the top.

11. Glue the two 4" x 1/2" strips together to make a stronger piece of card stock, then secure it to the back of the tag at the very bottom with double sided tape or more glue. Attach the tab to the top of the tag and stamp if desired.

(NOTE: You might notice that I glued one strip on the front and one of the back thinking this would be a better idea. However, the strip is visible in the window of my card, which is why I suggest gluing them both onto the back)

12. Now you need to apply double sided tape to the back of the frame that will act as a "track" for the tag. You want the tag to slide up and down behind the acetate, revealing and concealing the coloured image.

13. Leave a 1/8" gap between the edge of the tape and the strip on the bottom of your tag to allow for movement. Make sure you add a strip of double sided tape along the bottom of the frame so the tag doesn't fall out the bottom!

14. At the top of the frame, you will need to add tape that blocks the strip on the bottom of the tag from coming all the way out. Keep the tape about 1/8" from the side of the tag.

15. Place the tag at the top of the frame so that the strip is still inside the "track" you created. Hold it in place with a piece of low-tack tape (washi or magic tape works great). Remove the backing from all the double sided tape around the edges of the frame, line the images up carefully, then press into place.

16. Remove the low tack tape. The tag should move freely within the "track" you created without falling out the bottom or being pulled out the top.

17. Decorate the front as desired. I added another sentiment, a button, piece of twine and some hand-drawn grass and flies.

That's it,  you're done!

Products: