Saturday, December 21, 2019

Card Kit Double Side Steps with Elements

Circle base shape with engineered folds on each side 
and at horizantal center creates side steps 
for extra interest. Begin with overlay accents for card front, 
back and step back panels. 
Additional elements to mix n’ match: 
center rectangular medallion with offset side edge 
nibs cutout shape; rounded edge shape with offset accent; 
tab-top index card accents, circle with offsets at center top 
and as trio near bottom; lower front strip overlays; 
buttons with offset; plus silhouette bases 
for some ensemble groupings
Two-layer rectangular tag for sentiment 
is provided for card back; 
Panels and shapes coordinate to Graphic45 
“Christmas Magic Stickers”. 

When folded, large card measures 
approx. 8.75” wide x 5.75” tall. 
Designed-to-fit matching medallion flap envelope 
is available (“Envelope Lrg Medallion Flap”)
which also uses “Christmas Magic” sticker on shaped flap. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes for the card:
A card base   B-E offset accent shapes for base
F button circle bases and accents (2 ea.)
G front accent "strips": bottom base, top strip, narrow
H ticket accent base, ticket and patterned top accent
I medallion ensemble: base, offset, circle base & offset
J index card ensemble: base silhouette, card (2 ea.),
top tabs (2)
K circle accent: base circle with inner circle
L back rectangle tag base & accent
Identify and cut the shapes for the envelope:
A env front with flap    B env back
C medallion base    D pattern offset medallion
E tag base    F tag offset pattern   G eyelet ring
ENVELOPE ASSEMBLY
2. Prepare the env front by bending back the flange
tabs on sides and bottom.
3. Position, align and attach the env back along lower
edge flange tab, then bend into place to align 
and attach along the sides.
4. Position, centered, the medallion pattern shape
on the medallion base, then . . . 
. . . position and attach on the front flap, offset
from the shaped edge.
5. Layer and attach the tag shapes, then position
the eyelet ring at the circle punch.
6. Position and attach tag (with twine tie
if desired) on envelope front or back.

DOUBLE STEP CARD ASSEMBLY
NOTE: This card kit is intended to provide scope for
individualization, so pick and choose the elements you
like, add your own, duplicate some, eliminate others.

7. Prepare the card base by folding on the perforations:
a) fold the lower front folds as "mountain" folds;
b) fold the mid side folds as "valley" folds;
c) fold the upper side folds and the center horizontal
fold as "mountain" folds.
8. Fold the base in half so that the curved edges
align, then . . . 
. . . apply fingertip pressure along each fold,
including through the layers where the side mid
folds are hidden.
9. Position and attach the base accent shapes:
a) center the front accent panel with top edge at
the horizontal fold edge and side cut edges, and
offset at along curved edge.
b) position the back accent in similar manner,
and c) side accents with top edges at folds,
offset at curved edges.
10. Prepare the strip ensemble by positioning and
attaching the narrow strip along the bottom of 
the upper strip. Then . . .
. . . position the upper assembly along the top edge
of the lower wide strip.
11. Position and attach the ensemble across
the middle of the front accent, aligned with
the step edge where side edges will also match.
12. Prepare the top center circles and button ensembled
by layering and attaching.

13. Prepare the index card ensemble.
a) attach tab tops onto each card;
b) layer and attach the circles for top center;
c) position and attach each card over the silhouette
base with offset top, side and lower edges,
one on left and one on right.
14. Prepare to position and attach the index cards
over the center front (card is folded), using the envelope
as a gauge (if preparing the card with envelope)
for how high they can be placed and still fit into
the envelope. Then . . .
. . . position and attach the overlapping surfaces
of index card silhouette and card front.
15. Layer the ticket base with pattern front panel,
then position and attach to rectangle base.
16. Prepare the medallion elements by layering
the shapes and attaching, then position circle ensemble
centered on medallion with bottom layers even,
and attach.
17. Position and attach the medallion ensemble,
centered and with bottom edges aligned,
on the ticket ensemble.
18. Position and attach the ticket/medallion
ensemble, centered over card front, and with
lower rectangle panel edge approx. halfway down
the top strip panel, as shown here, or as desired.
19. Prepare the circles trio by layering circle bases
with interior circles, then . . .
. . . position and attach side circles first onto base
silhouette, then center lower center circle.
20. Add twine bows to buttons if desired.
Position and attach middle circles unit at lower center,
and side buttons on the back wall of side steps.
(Take care that buttons don't extend too far beyond
card base, or it may not fit into envelope.)
Here are the finished card and envelope.
21. Use these sticker card stock elements to
create a magical Christmas version of this
double rocker side step card.
Here is the card version with the Graphic45
specialty elements in place:
FRONT VIEW

BACK VIEW
and ELEMENTS FOR ENVELOPE.

Monday, December 9, 2019

Christmas Twist Pop Up Cards

Seasonal action cards are surprisingly easy to assemble, 
with mirror-image front and back that either fold 
or connect near the top. 

Internal ‘arms’ mechanism holds 
accordion-folded panel that provides the open-up action. 

Lift card front to open and see the panels spread wide, 
with coordinated stencil panels mounted 
(optional plain tile included for using favorite coordinated 
seasonal papers). 








Offset interior panel provides visual interest. 
Each measures around the 5x5 to 5x6 inch size.
Coordinated envelope files are also available.

NOTE: The Santa design will be described first,
followed by the Christmas Cookie design (Step 20)
and then the Honey Boy (Step 29)

SANTA TWIST POP UP CARD
ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main card front     B main card back
C pop up mechanism   D interior accent shape
F arms panel    G arms panel accents
H beard/hat base silhouette
I hat shapes: top tassel ball; hat body; fur trim
J face shape with eye contrast liner
K mustache
2. Prepare the mechanism shape (shown here face down)
by bending forward on one diagonal perforation line, then . . . 
. . . bending forward on the other diagonal line, then . . .
. . . bending back on the side to side center perf line.
3. Shape the mechanism by simultaneously bending
on the diagonal lines and pushing the arms inward
from each side as the center line also folds, until . . .
. . . the arm extensions gradually . . .
. . . meet at the center inside, and the folded mechanism
has the appearance of a simply 'house' shape.
Apply pressure through the layers to thoroughly
crease all folds.
4. Open the mechanism to position and attach
the accent shape at bottom extension, slightly
offset from sides and lower edge, as shown.
5. Begin Santa head assembly by positioning
and attaching the eye 'liner' contrast shape behind
 the face panel so that it shows through eye holes.
6. Here are the head components. Assemble
the hat unit by positioning and attaching the tassel ball 
circle shape at the top of the crown base shape and 
the fur trim shape at lower edge where edges align.
7. Position and attach the hat unit at the top of
the beard/head base shape where edges align.
8. Position the hat/head assembly on the card base front
with offset margin all around the outer edges.
9. Position and attach the face shape in the face 
cut out window.
10. Position and attach the mustache over
the beard, matching both side extensions where
edges align to achieve desired positioning,
as indicated by the pointing finger, right.
11. Bend forward (shape is shown face down)
at the top perforation on back card base.
12. Apply glue to the area of ball tassel above
the perforation line, then . . .
. . . position front card assembly over back card
with edges aligned, and attach the two where
the tassel shape touches above perforation line.
13. With card base open and flat, locate the guide mark
on back upper card base (underside) at perforation line.
Position the tip of the mechanism at the line,
just a smidge below the perf line where . . .
. . . it won't interfere with that the card closure.
Apply adhesive to the remaining 'top' panel
of the mechanism, then fold the card front
into place so that outer edges align, and attach
mechanism in place to backside of card front.
Mechanism should fold out and fold in
without interference or restriction at full open
and full close (test to make sure and make adjustments
if possible before proceeding, if possible.)
14. Prepare the arms strip by bending in 'W' form
as shown (NOTE it will be re-bent during assembly).
15. Position and attach the accent tiles in each
of the squares.
16. Prepare to attach the arm strip to the arms of
the mechanism by arranging strip over open card, then . . .
. . . fold in half and place center fold at the intersection of
the perforations lines, with strip also centered top to bottom.
17. Begin unfolding the strip, then apply adhesive
to the upper half portion ONLY, on the exposed
end as shown. Unbend the strip completely
and attach to the adhesive-applied area.
18. Repeat the process for the other end by
folding back the end segment, applying adhesive
to the LOWER half only, as shown.
Then unfold the strip completely and attach strip.
19. To close the card, help the strip and mechanism
function as designed by directing the arms inward,
right end down and inward, left end slightly up
and inward.
Continue to close until the card is completely closed.
Apply finger-tip pressure to set creases and connections.
(Review the action video at the beginning of tutorial.)
Here is the completed card in closed position.
Opening to reveal . . .
. . . the accent arms spreading wide.

CHRISTMAS COOKIE TWIST POP UP CARD
20. Identify and cut the shapes:
A front & back (connected) card base
B mechanism    C interior accent panel
D arms strip   E accent panels  
F holly and berry shapes
G cookie filling   H cookie lattice front
I holly decoration base with accent lower leaves
J berries base with two accent berry overlay circles
21. Bend the card base at the center perforation line.
22. Open the base shape backside up.
Locate the center hash mark on the inside of
card that will help position the mechanism.
23. Refer to Steps 2-4 to prepare the mechanism
shape.  Position the tip at the guide mark and
a smidge below the perforation fold . . .
. . . so that the card front can still fold down into position.
Then apply adhesive to the front of the mechanism,
fold front down so that front and back edges align,
and attach in place.
24. Position and attach the 'filling' circle behind
the lattice cookie front.
25. Position and attach the cookie assembly onto
the card base front panel.
26. Assemble the holly decoration by attaching
the holly circles one by one to the berries base.
Also position and attach the lower accent
half leaves over the silhouette shape.
Position and attach the berries assembly at
the top of the silhouette to complete the unit.
27. Position and attach the holly assembly on front
of card near top.
28. Refer to Steps 14-19, then fold the arms strip,
position and attach tiles . . .
. . . then position and attach the holly half leaf and
berry accent shapes into the tile recesses.
Position and attach the arms strip onto mechanism,
assist the arms/mechanism to fold into position.

HONEY BOY TWIST POP UP CARD
29. Identify and cut the shapes:
A card front panel    B card back panel
C mechanism shape   D interior accent panel
E arms strip    F accent tiles
G honey boy front panel with icing squiggle accents
H scarf base with overlay
I face accents: eye circles pair; cheek circles; smile
30. Position and attach the honey boy panel onto
the front card base, with narrow offset margin all around.
31. Prepare the scarf unit by positioning the overlay
shape where edges match, and attach in place.
32. Add the detail shapes including icing squiggles,
star buttons into recesses, scarf assembly, eye circles
and cheeks into recesses. 
Position and attach the smile arc so that 
ends overlap cheeks to centers.
Here is the assembly so far.
33. Bend the tip of back card base forward
at perforation line.
34. Apply adhesive to backside of tip above perforation.
35. Position front over back card, align edges,
and attach together at the top section only.
36. Refer to steps 13-19 to prepare the mechanism shape 
by folding and creasing as directed.
37. With card base open and flat, locate the guide mark
on back upper card base (underside) at perforation line.
Position the tip of the mechanism at the line,
just a smidge below the perf line and . . .
. . . centered evenly side to side,
making sure that the card will still close
without pushing the mechanism out of place.
38. Refer to steps 13-19 to prepare and attach 
the accent tiles to arms strip, position and attach arms to
mechanism, assist the card to close, etc.
Here is the completed Honey Boy design.