Card Kit Pop Up Squares 5X5

All the components you will need to create and assemble 

this memorable “action” card. Interior folded square 

opens wide when the card front is lifted. 

Layered offset shapes fill top and bottom squares 

(with optional round window cut out to feature 

a cameo paper motif, selected portion of photo, or message), 

with layered offset triangles on each side corner. 

Front panel can be cut from multi color print paper or 

card that sets the color scheme. 

Add other decorations to the front panel 

(not included with this design). 

A few to consider that are sized to fit: 

“Happy Birthday Welded Words”,  

“Happy Mother’s Day Hearts Word Art”, 

“Thinking of You” phrase cut out from 

“Tag Thinking of You Daisies Trio” (separate design). 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A card base  B offset interior accent base 1

C offset interior accent base 2

D offset front panel accent

E lacy arch accent (2)

F interior pop up square with folds

G & H pop up offset square accent

with circle photo cut out (top) and

opt. solid square cut out; heart sentiment accent

I pop up offset triangle accent base and

offset accent (4 each)

J optional front panel word cut phrases:

Happy Birth Day; Happy Mother's Day;

Thinking of you (from other design cut files)

2. Prepare the three base shapes by bending along

center cross fold: for main base, create a "mountain"

fold by folding back sides together

(so that 'right' side will be on outside of card);

for interior accent bases, create "valley" fold

by folding face sides together.

3. Apply glue to backside of base 2 top and bottom.

Carefully align offset accent base 2 on top of

accent base 1 so that perforations are exactly

aligned, and that panels are centered side to side.

Then while glue is still adjustable . . .

. . . fold the assembly face to face . . .

. . . so that outer cut edges align as precisely as

possible, and smooth with bone folder or equivalent.

Allow the interior panel to adjust slightly so that

the layers can lay flat.

4. Repeat step 3 to position and attach the interior

accent base assembly onto the inside surface of

the main card base. Then folding assembly . . .

. . . and smoothing to allow folding adjustment.

Set crease with bone folder.

5. Prepare the interior pop up accents by positioning

contrast 'top' accent triangles, centered, onto

base triangle accents.

6. Also prepare square accents of choice, either

the photo circle cut out accent shown here,

or the solid accent. NOTE: that if you are using . . .

. . . a photo accent, this point in assembly is

when the photo can be positioned and trimmed

to size, then attached behind the circle cut out accent.

7. Prepare the pop up panel by folding and creasing

the square as "mountain" fold along the diagonal

perforation line. Then . . .

. . . folding and creasing as "valley" fold along

the squared 'north/south' and 'east/west' perforations.

8. With the panel face toward you, and positioned with

corners top-to-bottom and side-to-side,

fold the square into its "closed" position by directing

diagonal mountain folds inward toward center . . .

. . . and continue to close the square to its flattened

shape with all folds between upper and lower squares.

Use bone folder to crease perforation lines if desired.

9. (*See note in Step 11, below, regarding leaving

top and bottom corners unattached for

attachment of lacy arches.)

Apply adhesive strips (or glue) to backside of 

the bottom square ONLY of pop up panel, 

then position onto center

of bottom half of inside face of card base.

Make sure the top multi-folds point is exactly at

the center perforation line, and that side points

are centered side-to-side of card base.

Apply pressure to ensure adhesion.

10. Apply adhesive strips (or glue) to exposed top

square (backside), then bend the card base assembly

top panel down into position to align with bottom 

half of base. 

Apply pressure to area where pop up

will attach underneath.

*12. If you wish to add the lacy arch accents to

inside panels, it will be necessary to leave top tips

of pop up square unattached to tuck arch under slightly.

Square points may also be "lifted" to un-attach

briefly, as needed.

Position arch so that 'cut' ends abut angled square

edges at bottom ends, with top center lace motif

centered at top square corner. Attach in place,

and reattach pop up square tip if necessary.

13. Position and attach triangle and square accents

on opened pop up square as shown.

As desired, position and attach heart interior lower

sentiment.

14. Position and attach offset front card panel

onto card base front.

If desired, position and attach word phrase

cut out to front of card.

15. To close the card, make sure the pop up square

sides are folding inward (this should happen

more or less automatically) as the top/front of card

is folded downward . . .

. . . until pop up and interior decorations are all

enclosed and hidden inside card.

NOTE that when the card is fully opened,

the pop up crosswise folds may prohibit the card

from remaining open on its own. To correct this . . .

. . . apply slight pressure to make the cross folds

flex into 'valley' folds temporarily.

This will cause a self-easel effect.

Here is the completed 'Happy Birthday Card' version

with a word-processed sentiment that was fussy-cut

to show through the lower circle cut out panel.

NOTE that this card should fit into a regular

6x6 envelope.