Elf Peeking Dble Cascade 5x7 Card

Two sloped card base panels 

(sections joined to achieve width) 

provide a hiding place for detailed whimsical elf 

who pokes his head and hands above 

a candy cane fence. 

(Cane stripes are added as overlays 

that are scissor-trimmed to size.) 

Behind him, banner flags and letter cutouts spell NOEL. 

In front, layered holly leaves trio with berries that have 

punch holes to accept mini brad accents. 

Cascade panels provide framework for using 

favorite many seasonal paper prints. 

Spread the cascades slightly to provide 

dimension and a self-stand. 

Card measures approx. 5x7 when folded flat. 
A coordinated envelope is available
into which this double cascade card fits:

"Envelope for 5x7 Cascade Card"

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A & B left cascade card base (shown with accent panels)
C & D right cascade card base (shown with accent panels)
E candy canes for fence with  stripe overlays
F front accent panel
G holly base with leaves, berries
H candy cane fence
I elf base silhouette (shows thru as ear recess)
J (face details):head with ears, head, eye whites inset, 
eyes, nose, mouth, cheek circles
K hair, hat fur, hat, fur tassel
L elf body, arms, mittens and mittens/thumb bases,
neck pointed ruff

2. Prepare the cascade bases left and right,
by bending the inner end flange forward,
also bending on the perforation lines 
(see Step 4 photo for folding direction).
Align main shape and extension, overlap extension
straight edge to flange perforation line,
an join seam.
Repeat for opposite set of base and extension.

4. Bend the cascade bases in zigzag fashion

for left and right sides as shown.

5. Audition how the cascades will interlock
where upward and downward slots can fit together,
then disassemble for easier accent shape attachment.

This illustration shows where the accent shapes
as numbered in the cut file will be placed.

6. Position and attach the accent panels
with offset narrow margin around edges.

7. Identify the front panel and decoration shapes,

then . . . 

. . . layer the side leaves, center leaf, and berries
onto the base shape.

8. Position and attach the holly assembly

over the front accent panel where the punch holes

will line up.

Attach complimentary mini brads or studs

at berry holes.

9. Bend the assembled front accent shape

back and forth slightly along vertical center

perforation, to allow movement needed when

assembled card is spread to stand.

10. Position and attach the front panel

onto the cascade assembly, taking care

that the front edges of the interlocked cascade base

is straight all the way across

(front panel attachment will lock this arrangement in).

11. Position and attach the back accent panel

to help lock in the arrangement of

cascade bases at back.

12. Prepare to assemble the NOEL flag array.

13. Layer flags, then position and attach over

matched welded shape on the banner hanger.

Position and attach letter cutouts.

14. Position the complete banner unit

with end punch holes over the holes of

back panel upright extensions,

and glue ends in place.

Attach brads or studs, or lace twine through holes

and tie knots and bows, as desired.

15. Prepare the candy canes by positioning

the stripes overlay on top of the cane base . . . 

. . . first applying adhesive on stripe portion backside

as shown . . . 

. . . then position overlay with bottom edge of

lowest opening even with bottom edge of cane,

with case centered through spaces,

and attach in place.

16. When adhesive is dry, use scissors
to hand trim stripes overlay even with
cane edges.
NOTE: this is easier to accomplish
with the backside facing up.

Here is the finished candy cane.

Complete all four canes.

17. Position and attach longer canes in

side positions on fence base, then . . . 

 . . . position and attach middle canes.

18. Begin elf assembly by positioning

the ears/head shape over the base shape

aligning edges that match up, and attach in place.

19. Position the eye whites shape
in the recess, and glue in place.

20. Position and attach the face shape
over the head assembly, aligning
edges (chin, forehead) that match.

21. Add eyes in eye whites . . . 

. . . nose and cheek circles, body . . . 

. . . mouth and hair, sleeves.
22. Layer fur trim on hat edge, mitten
overlays onto thumb/mitten base shapes.

23. Add hat tassel to hat, then position
and attach hat assembly to head.

24. Position and attach neck ruff.
NOTE: keep mitten shapes free
until a later step.

25. Audition where the elf assembly

will be placed -- this image shows

that the bottom edge of elf shape will align

with bottom of bridge -- then . . . 

. . . position elf assembly behind candy cane fence,
align bottom edges, and attach in place.

26. Position and attach mittens (thumbs inward)

on front of canes in approx. position shown.

27. Apply adhesive tape to front face side of

end tabs of cane fence.

Insert cane fence/elf assembly into

first "opening" of cascade base, then . . .

. . . slide down into position until end cane tips

are a narrow margin above the cascade wall

as shown, then attach fence tabs to backside

of the same wall.

Here is the completed card.

Christmas Tree Folded Squares 5X7 Card

Four gradated print-weight paper squares 

are folded to produce the dimensional "tiers" of 

the classic Christmas tree, then centered and 

arranged from top to bottom on the card accent front 

using guide marks, tips tucked under and into the level above. 

Trunk "stick" long shape can be used alone or 

in combination with swirly "stand" and base at bottom, 

layered star at top. 

End punched simple bracket can complete the design, 

where stamped or printed sentiment can be added 

(NOTE sentiment shown on sample card 

is NOT included in the file). 

Card measures approx. 5x7 when closed. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A card base with center vertical fold
B card front with positioning guide perf lines
C tree "limb" or tier squares 1-4
D star and offset base
E trunk
F stand and offset contrast base
G plaque with end punch holes

2. Prepare each of the four squares as follows:

Step A: fold the square on diagonal with face sides together,

 aligning edges as precisely as possible. Use cut mark guides

to assist with this. Unfold square.

Step B: Fold on the second diagonal as before.
Unfold.

Step C: Fold in half as shown, then unfold

and fold in half in the other direction.

(These folds do not have any cut guide marks.)

This is what the square with its diagonal and

cross folds looks like at this point.

Step D: Re-fold face sides together on
the side-to-side "square" fold to redirect
the fold to be "valley" as seen from front.

Step E: push the side folds in to the center
while allowing the diagonal folds to stay in place,
so that the square now looks . . . 

. . . like this. Crease all folds.

Step F: Lift top diagonal fold and curl it to
lay along the center fold line, then crease
the newly formed diagonal.

Step G: Repeat for the second diagonal
to re-direct the point to match first point as shown.

This is the completed unit.

3. Identify the vertical center perforation guide line,

and the four crossing horizontal perforation

guide lines on the card front panel.

(NOTE these have been traced for visibility.)

4. Turn the unit over and apply adhesive to 
the triangle shape that is the back layer.
(Adhesive tape is applied to each tier in this
same manner.)

5. Position the top tier first, centering

the point and center fold line underneath

on the center perforation guideline, and

placing the bottom horizontal cut edges

along the top horizontal guide line,

and attach in place.

6. Prepare the position tier #2 in the same manner,
first lifting the layers of tier #1 and sliding
the point underneath . . . 

. . . tip centered on the center
fold, center bottom aligned on the center per line,
and horizontal edge on the second perf line.
Attach in place.
7. Repeat the alignment and attaching steps
for the third and fourth tiers.

8. Prepare star and stand by attaching main shape

onto offset base shape.

9. Position the trunk shape by tucking up
under the bottom layers of tier #4.
Position stand overlapping trunk,
centered, and barely above bottom edge
of card front.
NOTE: the trunk can be used without the stand
if preferred.

10. Add a few dabs of glue to help keep

the tree tier layers less "dimensional", if desired.

11. Position and attach the star.

12. Prepare the plaque with favorite stamp

sentiment, as desired, or hand letter, print, etc.

13. Position plaque across bottom of card

over stand, glue ends in place, then add mini brads

or studs, etc.

14. Position the card front assembly onto

the card base front panel, and center with

1/4" offset margin all around, and attach.

Here's the finished card.