Tutorial - Gatefold Pop-Up Stacked Cube Card

This fabulous pop-up gatefold card is somewhat of a challenge to make, but well worth the effort. It has two pop-up cubes that are perfect for holding sentiments or embellishments, as well as a little window that allows you to add even more dimension.

1. Place an 111/4" x 6" piece of cardstock horizontally on your score board and score at 17/8", 33/4", 71/2" and 93/8". Make a mountain fold, a valley fold, another valley and end with a mountain. 

2. Decorate each panel with patterned paper. You'll need four 57/8" x 13/4" pieces for the side panels and one 57/8" x 35/8" for the centre panel. Set aside.

3. Place an 11" x 23/4" piece of cardstock horizontally on your score board and score at 13/4", 41/2", 71/4" and 10". Fold along each score line.

4. Place a 6" x 11/2" piece of cardstock horizontally on your score board and score at 3/4", 21/4", 33/4" and 51/4". Fold along each score line.

5. Cut two 13/8" x 13/8" squares of patterned paper and adhere to the smaller of the two pieces of cardstock you scored in the previous steps. See the photo below for placement.

6. Cut five 25/8" x 25/8" squares of patterned paper. Secure three to one side of the piece of cardstock you scored in step 3. See the photo below for placement.

7. Flip the cardstock over and secure another patterned paper square to the first panel. See the photo below for correct placement. (NOTE: If you're using paper with a directional pattern, it should be placed upside down)

8. Flip the cardstock strip over again. Use a cutting die or large punch to cut a window in the centre panel. It can be any shape you like. Reserve the cut out piece.

9. Place a 33/4" x 3/4" piece of cardstock on your score board and score at 1/2" and 31/4". Make one mountain fold and one valley fold. Decorate one side with a piece of patterned paper measuring 25/8" x 3/4".

10. Hold the cardstock strip in a cube with the window facing you, and the join at the back. Allow it to fall open.

11. On the back of the small piece of cardstock you scored in step 9, apply glue to the bottom tab.

12. Secure the tab to the centre of the panel above the window, about 1/2" from the score line. The patterned paper should be facing toward you. (You can move it forward or backward to suit your design.)

13. Place glue on the top tab, then lay it flat. Bring the rest of the cardstock up and over the glue, folding at the base of the window. Press to secure the glue.

14. You'll need items to decorate the two cubes and a belly band to hold your card closed. I'm using two stamped and die cut sentiments from the Basic Sentiments set, and stamped, coloured and fussy cut flowers from the Cosmos set.

15. Secure your image or sentiment to the cardstock in the centre of the large cube. Don't add anything too bulky or your card won't fold flat.

16. Use glue to secure the cube to the centre of your card with the window facing the front. Line up the bottom of the cube with the bottom edge of your card base. The edges of the cardstock join, at the back of the cube, should line up neatly.

17. Secure the extra square of patterned paper over the join in the back of the cube.

18. Apply glue to the undecorated panel on the small cube (not the end tab).

19. Secure it to the top of the large cube so that the first score line is flush with the edge of the cube. The tab should be folded up and flush against the back of the card. See the photos below for placement.

20. Lift up the tab and apply glue to the back side. Press the large cube down securing the glue to the card base.

21. Apply glue to the other tab. Fold along the second score line, then push the cubes down again, securing the small cube to the card base.

22. Finish decorating the cubes with your images and / or sentiments.

23. Fold the card closed. To create a belly band, cut an 81/4" x 1" piece of cardstock and wrap it around the closed card. Use glue to secure the join at the front of the card.

24. Use the off cut from the window to decorate the belly band. I added some patterned paper, a sentiment, some fussy cut flowers, and a few tiny gems.

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