I tend to avoid rainbows as much as possible. During a brief and intense period when I was about nine I was obsessed with them -- then it took me so long to clear them from my wardrobe and room decorations that I still can't see one without recoiling. But in light of the recent homophobic mass shooting in Orlando, I figured it was time to get over this ridiculous aversion. I present you with my newest design, the Peace & Rainbow Pop-Up Card.

Step 1: Download the Template

You can download the template from my website -- it's free, but you will need to enter a valid email address because I'll be sending you a link to the files via email. Don't worry, I won't use your information for any other purpose (unless you ASK to get my newsletters). I just like to get a sense of how many people are interested in my projects. While you're there, feel free to poke around, I have tons of pop-up card and paper toy templates, many of which are free.

I formatted the file so you can print it on regular letter sized paper -- but you can print it on A4 without loosing any part of the image.

Step 2: Print

The template is formatted on 2 pages, but you need to print the file on both sides of a single sheet. I used Neenah 65lb, which is a light, versatile card stock. The rainbow on the back is formatted with a small bleed, to make sure there won't be a white border on the side.

Step 3: Cut

Use a scalpel knife to cut along the black lines of the template and on the edge of the rainbow.

Step 4: Score Along the Fold Lines

To get nice crisp fold lines you need to score the paper. I made a special tool for myself (a ball point pen with the ink painstakingly removed) but you can buy scoring tool from an art supply store, or, in this case, use a regular (working) ball point pen. Once completed most of the score lines will no longer be visible, so it's OK to draw a line. What matters is that you put a dent in your paper, a straight line which will help you fold the paper precisely. Use a ruler!

Score all the dashed lines on the template, as well as the edges of the rainbow along the tabs marked A & B.

Fold along the score lines. All the folds are valley folds except for tab B which is a mountain fold (learn more about mountain folds and valley folds and pop-up techniques in general here)

Step 5: Glue

Glue the center line of the peace sign onto itself, so the cut out on the left and the folded pieces on the right form a complete peace sign.

Glue tab A by slipping the tab into the slit at the top of the peace sign and gluing the tab to the back side of the card.

Glue to whole pop-up interior onto a folded card, as shown above. I used the same white card stock, but you can choose another color backing if you prefer. You need to line up the center fold of the interior very precisely with the center fold of the backing. then glue one side at a time, folding the card exterior over the interior. Tab B and the peace sign should be folded back as shown in the last shot.

You may find, after gluing the interior, that the card does not open perfectly flat. In that case you can "cheat" by cutting the top and bottom center fold lines of your interior.

Step 6: A Wobbly Yin Yang Rainbow

This rainbow forms a shape closer to a 3D S than the traditional rainbow arch. This is not a mistake! I find this shape a bit more interesting to look at, but also, I'll admit, I adapted this pop-up from the Yin Yang design I published earlier this year. I think it works with the peace love and rainbow theme, and it literally offers a twist on the regular rainbow imagery... Hope you like it too!