Card Base Dbl Diagonal Folds

This dimensional card can be the foundation for 

original card creations with double layered 

offset accent panels which fold flat for sending as 

a square card sized to fit a 6x6 envelope. 

With sides unfurled, the card has self-easel action, 

with vertical center panel where card elements 

can be attached. 

Opened flat, card measures approx. 

13.7” wide x 5.875” tall. 

Consider using coordinated design “kits” (separate designs) 

that work well with this base, attached to center panel: 

“Rocket Ship Over Moon" (shown as completed card above); 

  “Apron Grill King”,

“Fish Oval Ofishally Cool”.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A & B left & right base side panels with diagonal folds

C base center panel

D layer 1 of offset accent shapes for

    sections of card base assembly

E layer 2 of offset accent shapes for

sections of card base assembly

(these fit inside the 'D' shapes

2. If using the rocket accent shapes to decorate

the card center panel, identify and cut these shapes:

F rocket offset base silhouette

G rocket main silhouette (shows as tail exhaust cone)

H & I side fin accents

J flame accents

K nose cone

L cockpit window pane and rim ring

M rocket hull

N circle accents   O center end-view fin

3. Prepare the side panels by bending diagonal fold

on perforation line as "mountain" fold.

Then bend on the straight perforation lines as

"valley" folds, taking care NOT to fold line beyond

the diagonal fold.

Finally, re-fold the short portion of the diagonal fold,

to be a "valley" fold.

4. Work the folds into the "closed" format by gently

bending inward . . .

. . . to form this shape.

Crease ALL folds to lock them into the shape.

Use a bone folder or equivalent, if you wish.

5. Bend back the inward-edge tab on perf line.

This is how the left and right base panels should look.

6. Position and attach center panel to the side panel

tabs on each side of center panel.

7. Prepare ALL two-layer accents by centering

layer 2 shapes on top of corresponding shape/size

layer 1 accent shapes, with even allowance all around.

8. Position corresponding shape accent units into

the sections of the card base as defined by the perforation

lines of straight cut edges, with even margin 

all around.

Here is the completed card base with accents

in position, in flat format.

NOTE that for the rocket decoration, a design

decision was made to use wavy "stripes" placed

on the diagonals to imply upward movement  of rocket.

9. To close the base card, apply pressure to bend

each side inward toward the center as previously

folded. At the backside, one inward rectangular

panel will fold first next to backside of center panel,

and second panel will fold on top of first panel.

Here is  the intermediary folding, and . . .

. . . here is the completely folded card base.

ROCKET ASSEMBLY

10. Position and attach the hull overlay onto main

body shape with corresponding edges matched.

Also position and attach side fins, nose cone onto

silhouette where edges match.

11. Prepare shapes: position and attach window rim

ring over pane circle. 

12. Position and attach window into hull cutout,

circle accents into corresponding recesses,

center fin on implied centerline, with bottom end

aligned at hull edge.

13. Position and attach rocket assembly, centered

onto offset base shape. Position and attach

flames unit abutted to bottom of rocket base

shape, centered within flame echo shape.

If possible, press the assembly flat until

liquid adhesive used for assembling has

thoroughly dried (to prevent warping or curling).

14. Prepare the spikey arch with word cut outs

by positioning and attaching words phrase, centered

and on implied arch inside the bottom curved edge.

NOTE: if the "weeded" shape can be saved,

it can be used as a positioning guide.

First position guide over arch, then . . .

. . . either lightly mark with pencil where lead & end letters

of each word should be positioned, or

inlay words into cut out spaces to glue to arch,

then carefully "peel" the guide away while keeping

letters in place.

15. Position arch centered at top of center panel,

and rocket assembly below.

Here is the completed rocket card.

Countless other unique card designs can be completed

using the dbl diagonal folds base with color-coordinated

accent layers and other design elements such as frames,

florals, objects, etc. which are attached to center panel.