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.

Motorcycle Pop Out Card 5x7

A7 card features stylized, detailed motorcycle 2D figure 

attached to a pop-forward “box” which holds it 

in front of top-folded card base. 

For display, “pop” out the motorcycle, 

then fold flat for insertion in standard size 

envelope for 5x7 card. 

Embellish front panel behind cycle with 

coordinated “Banner Enjoy the Ride with Dad Tag” 

separate designs if desired. 

Companion envelope available: 

“Env Motorcycle Cut Out Flap” separate design. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A 5x7 top-fold card base with tab slot

B front panel overlay with tab slot

(NOTE that bottom straight edge is NOT offset,

but rather aligns flush with bottom card base edge.)

C pop-out "box" panel to attach to lower front of base

D motorcycle silhouette

E rear wheel assembly (tire, hub, fender, up-pipe)

F front wheel assembly (tire, hub, fender)

G gas tank ( main tank plus contrast underlay)

H seat assembly (seat base plus rear seat overlay)

I handle bar with mirror stem, mirror overlay)

J headlamp, blinker lamp and yellow bulb

K front wheel "fork"

L handle bar grip base tip and overlay

M tail light stem and tip overlay

N body accents (2 shapes)

O exhaust pipe

P muffler pipe and muffler box base

2. Prepare the card base by bending across perf line

as "mountain" fold, then positioning and attaching

the front accent panel onto front of base, with offset

margins at sides and top, bottom straight edges flush.

Take care that slot openings align as precisely as possible.

3. Prepare the "box" extension by bending back on

all perforations for upper tab, top platform, front

shaped panel (where cycle assembly will attach)

bottom "floor" platform and bottom tab.

4. At bottom front of card base assembly, with "box"

face down, align straight edge along bottom platform 

perforation bend, side ends even, with "box" tab 

on the inside of card. Adjust so that card edge is 

snuggly into bend/fold, then attach securely.

5. Rotate top tab upward to insert into front panel slot . . .

. . . and push tab inward so that slot edge and tab

perforation align. Bend tab up and attach in place

to backside of card base front panel.

Here you can see the pop-out "box" in its open

position.

To prepare for giving or sending as a flat card,

push/press the "box" upward.

6. Prepare the detailed units of the design, shown

in arrangements ready to assemble.

NOTE that the gas tank top (gray) layer was

eliminated in the final cut file design.

A) overlay gas tank front onto contrast underlay;

B) overlay blinker light over bulb base;

C) overlay mirror at top of handlebar array base;

D) overlay tail light lamp at end of stem;

E) overlay handle bar over "tip" base;

F) overlay back seat shape onto seat base.

7. Prepare wheel and muffler unit assemblies:

G) muffler "pipe" onto base;

H) hubs onto back and front wheel bases, using

center holes as alignment guides;

I) back and front fenders onto wheel assemblies;

J) up pipe onto back wheel fender, using double

punch holes as alignment guides.

7. Prepare to position and attach units onto 

silhouette body base, often where edges

will act as positioning guides:

a) wheels onto front and back lower edge;

b) gas tank; c) handle bar stem with mirror;

c) seat; d) tail light & stem; e) handle bar;

f) front wheel fork using wheel punch as bottom guide; 

g) head lamp; h) blinker light;

i) muffler unit (somewhat echoing lower body angles)

j)  exhaust pipe (punch hole not visible here will

align with back wheel center hole as guide, plus

parallel with muffler "pipe")

k) body accent shapes (rear center shape back edge

will align flush with rear tire edge).

Here, below, is the fully assembled motorcycle unit.

8. Prepare to position and attach the unit assembly

by "auditioning" placement on "box" front, to check

to what level the two will connect.

Apply adhesive ONLY where the two surfaces meet.

Position and attach unit to box . . .

. . . using box front panel shape to align wheel

and lower body edge. Use a heavy flat weight

placed on top of flattened card to help secure

the motorcycle assembly to box front, until dry.

OPTIONAL BANNER AND TAG ASSEMBLY

9. Use the positioning guide cut shape placed along

the bottom of the front arch shape . . .

. . . to position the large word cut out lower edges

will show, adding adhesive to word backsides

and attaching in place to banner. (NOTE take care

not to attach words to guide).

Remove guide.

10. Position "the" between the two words on an angle.

11. Position and attach the front arch assembly onto

the base arch, with narrow offset margin all around.

12. Position and attach arch to "background" panel

behind motorcycle, centered side to side, and

approx. 1/4" margin between arch top center and

top of front accent panel.

13. If desired, assemble the "Dad" oval tag by

centering shapes on oval base and tying with twine.

Position and attach as desired.

14. "Pop" the motorcycle forward for display, or . . .

. . . flatten by pushing upward (so that card silhouette

remains at 5x7) for inserting in envelope.

Ready for giving or sending.