Introduction: 2 Step Pop-up Greeting Card: 4th of July
Making your very own pop-up card is well worth the effort. Depending on your skill level, you may want to research the basics of making pop-up cards. I would recommend Robert Sabuda or the YouTube video PopUp basic technics . Please feel free to leave comments, tips for other viewers, or suggestions as to how I can improve my Instructable.
The base of this 4th of July Pop-up Card can be used for many different designs. The supplies needed to create this homemade card include:
Decorative Paper
Heavy Cardstock or Blank Greeting Card*
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil with Eraser
Glue
Thread, Thin Wire, Sewing Needle were used to finished the decorations. Be sure to check the photos tags for extra hints and tips.
*This Instructable is based on a 5" x 7" greeting card.
Step 1: Step 1: Create the Pop-Up Pattern
Step 1: Gather all your materials. Cut heavy cardstock to greeting card size or use your pre-cut blank greeting card. Next, use the template photo as a guide to mark your cut lines on the OUTSIDE of your card. The outside of the card will inevitably be covered by decorative paper, so marks wont show. If you mark on the inside, just be sure to erase marks you don't want to show.
Finally, cut along the lines on the template. Refold the card to create the pop-up shape using the photo of the folded card as a reference.
Step 2: Step 2: Decorate!
Step 2: With your base pop-up card created, you are free to decorate as you wish. To create a 4th of July themed card, I designed pinwheels and a flag garland to bring the card to life.
To make the pinwheels, cut a small square out of your decorative paper. Next, cut diagonally from the corners towards the middle about 2/3 of the way down. By pulling the corners down to the center, the pinwheel is formed (diagram ). Secure the pinwheel with glue or tape. Finally, using a sewing needle or wire poke a hole through the middle of the pinwheel. Make the hole slightly wider than whatever wire or pin you will use to attach it to the card. I used thin wire to create a pin for the wheel to spin around. NOTE: The pinwheel size will be restricted to stay hidden when the card is closed. Smaller is better :)
To make the triangular flags , cut a diamond shape from your decorative paper. Use thread as the string for the banner. Fold the diamonds in half over the thread and glue in place. By cutting a slit in the corner of the greeting card the ends of the banner can be tucked in place and hidden beneath the layers decorative paper.
To make the grass, cut a thick strip of green decorative paper. On the back side of the paper, draw out the grass design to use as your guide. Cut using scissors or your exacto knife. Attach with glue.
