Needles 'n' Knowledge: 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.