21.12.17

Pop Up Card Tutorial and Die Cutting Tips

Pop Up Christmas Card
            Hi friends...hope you are all looking forward to celebrating the festive season and looking forward to the New Year. I have been super busy with renovations taking place at my home but  excited to share a simple Pop Up Card tutorial with you .
          As a crafter it is a huge morale boost to be invited to be a guest designer ! And it is especially so when the honor comes all the way from the Netherlands !! This post is my Guest designer post for Crealies , a Netherlands based company [ with world wide clientele] which has some fabulous, unique and cleverly designed dies !
Pop Up Christmas Card

This Pop Up Card design goes by many names such a U card/bridge card etc. It has a central panel, side panels and a connecting bridge. It stands up beautifully like a box and the beauty of this design is that it can fold perfectly flat for mailing. I have adapted the basic design idea using gorgeous Crealies dies.
Pop Up Christmas Card
The border designs were made using Crealies On the Edge dies and the gorgeous starry design you can see in both the cards was created using Crealies Inside only Stars die.The shimmery snowflakes were made using glitter foam and the beautiful Crealies Duo Dies No 47,Flower 19.
Pop Up Christmas Card
These Pop Up Cards can be made as elaborate as you want or with minimal embellishments and still pack a punch!!
Pop Up Card Tutorial 
Supplies 
This is a very basic style of card and you actually don't need anything special apart from card stock and glue
But if you have border punches or dies it is a fabulous card design to put them to good use.
  • Card Stock in contrasting colors works really well for this design
  • Border dies/ punches - I used Crealies On the Edge Dies 
The main card base is formed using 3 pieces : 
Central Panel : 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. 
Two side Panels : 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. 
The Connecting Panel measures: 5 1/2 x 2 inches.
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
You can actually use one large piece f card stock for the central and side panels but if you are using a die / punch using separate pieces is easier.
Die cut beautiful borders on all 4 card pieces
Tip to get Perfect result when using Border Dies
If you are a perfectionist and like to get perfectly centered , symmetrical and horizontal die cut panels here are a few tips to keep in mind while using border dies: 
Step 1:Find the center of  the edge of your card - you can mark using a centering ruler or more easily use a scoreboard if you have one.The 6 inch mark on your scoreboard is the easiest place to work with.
Step 2: Line the Center of your "on the edge" die on the central mark on the card. Again if you have a scoreboard the die will fit snugly into the 6 inch score groove.
Step 3: Use a ruler horizontally on the card and align the die so that it's lower/outer edges abut on the ruler-Any long rule will do the trick but a grid ruler is wonderful as you can use the grids to perfectly align your ruler to the horizontal.The best is a T square ruler like I have used here with it's T arm abutting onto the right edge of your scoreboard
Step 4: Tape the die on to the card using tape only on the die and the outer card edge which you will discard after die cutting.
This way you will get perfect symmetrically aligned die cut borders which you can layer, create pockets and what not!
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
Snip off bits of card to showcase the border design [ I trimmed the central panel to around 4 inches width]
Score the side panel cards in the center and 1/2 inch from one edge and fold as shown [see red arrows in the picture]
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
Glue the folded edges of the side panel behind the central panel adjusting where you want to glue depending on the border design you want.Your basic Pop Up Card base is done.
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
How to make optional decorative panels
The side panels have an outer and inner part and you can decorate each with designer papers / other options. I used the beautiful "only inside" Crealies die designs to get the starry design.
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
You can play with measurements to suit your card design or use:
One 3 x 6 inch red card stock- die cut the border and cut it in half to decorate the outer part of the side panels 
One 2 x 6 inch red card stock- die cut the border and cut it in half to decorate the inner part of the side panels
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
I used "only inside" Crealies dies to die cut designs on these decorative strips

Pop Up Card Tutorial  
Here is a tip to get perfect "inside only" die cutting " : As you can see from the photo in the shorter part of the die cut the star "only inside" die is longer than the card stock...if you want the design to cut only inside position your top cutting plate only on the part you want the die to cut and run in through your machine !
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
Optionally you can add a central backing panel  in red  measuring 4 x 7 inches. And here are all the elements die cut and ready to assemble into your Pop Up Card .
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
If you chose not to attach the connecting panel this is how the card will look like....a beautiful arched gate fold style card which stands nicely.
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
If you want to go ahead and make it into a  Pop Up Card ....use the connecting panel which  you can layer with contrasting papers
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
Fold one "side panel" on its fold and extend the other side panel . Position your connecting panel on the lower part of your cad to see where it overlaps on these side panels.
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
 Apply glue on the edges of your connecting panel and glue it onto your folded card in a symmetrical manner...you can use the die cut border design on your card as an easy guide.
Pop Up Card Tutorial  
Apply firm pressure and when  you fold the card up here is how it will look like:

Pop Up Card Tutorial  
I hope you enjoyed the die cutting tips I have shared and the detailed Pop Up Card tutorial too. I loved working with the cleverly designed Crealies dies and it is such an honor to be a guest designer.Thank you so much Annelies and team!
Supplies : DiesCrealies dies :   Crealies Only Inside No 3 , Stars,   Crealies On the Edge No 33 ,with double dots,  Crealies Duo Dies No 47,Flower 19, Crealies Double Fun No 34 ,Feathers, Crealies Double Fun No 33, Birds
Stamp : Wild Rose Studio Penguin with Presents
Coloring Media Zig Watercolor Brush Pens  , Staedtler Watercolor pencils
Linking to
DL Art Thankful Thursday 218
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Party Time- My penguin is going to the party with a present!!
All Sorts Challenge 446 - Cold and Frosty Colors- Linking my blue card to this Challenge
Mod Squad Challenge 
Pixie's Snippets Playground 311 312
Simon Says Stamp Christmas Card Day
Craftyhazelnutsextra christmas Challenge 
CraftyhazelnutsChristmas Challenge 

This card was featured at the Pixie Snippet playground. So honored!!

36 comments:

  1. Hi Sonia,

    So nice to see you at Allsorts with such pretty seasonal creation, thanks so much for joining us at Allsorts.

    Wishing you and yours a Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing more of your creativity in 2018.

    B x

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  2. Merry Christmas! Wonderful cards with wonderful embellishments. Especially like the blue card since blue is a fav color of mine. TY for sharing step by step details.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"

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    1. Thank you so much Melissa...yes the blue one is cuter!!

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  3. These are just adorable my friend!

    Hugs,
    Chriss

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  4. Thanks for joining us at allsorts Tracy x

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  5. Beautiful cards Sonia, such a fabulous design and lots of super die cut details.
    Thank you for sharing the step by step instructions.
    Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
    x

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  6. Beautiful cards. Lovely image and decorations. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  7. These are amazing! Loving the colors and the dies - super cute and great dimension to boot!

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  8. wow amazing card
    beautyful colors
    hugs ellen

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  9. Stunning cards. Have a great Christmas.

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  10. CONGRATS on the GDT!!! These are GORGEOUS! LOVING those penguins!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. Amazing designs. Thank you so much for the tutorial. I hope I have time to try it out. Merry Christmas, Teresa

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  12. Fabulous cards Sonia - and brilliant tips as well! Lovely to see you in the Snippets Playground as well.

    Hugs

    Di xx

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  13. Congrats on your Guedt post.These cards are so cute ! I loved this fancy fold and as always thanks a lot for the step by step tutorial:)

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  14. These are so cute! I love the darling little penguin! My granddaughter loves to go to Sea World to see the penguins!
    Pam
    scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

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  15. OH! I've missed so much being awol Sonia, these cards are wonderful (as only you know how to do) GREAT instructions too. Thank you.
    Happy Christmas
    Faith
    x

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  16. So beautiful and love your tutorial too! Thanks so much for playing along with us at  The Mod Squad Challenge Angie, Challenge Host.

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  17. Thank you for this wonderful tutorial! I love both of your pop up cards! The colors are both so pretty and that penguin is as sweet as can be!

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  18. Stunning cards and tutorial Sonia..loz

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  19. I'm in hurry, but I didn't resist to read your post and comment :) Congrats for your DT at Crealies!!! :)
    Love Crealies dies, they are so beautiful and clever, and cut well. Your pop up card looks wonderful, great design and colouring!!
    Thanks for the tutorial
    Hugs

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  20. those are so nice!
    Merry Christmas !🎄🎅⛄

    hugs , Fiki

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  21. Pretty lovely creations Sonia.Thanku for sharing the tutorial with us dear.Love to see ur creations on ur blog.

    Sudha
    sudha-kalra.blogspot.in
    crazycrafter-craftsuppliesshop.blogspot.in

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  22. Oh you used those dies beautifully on both cards. The interactive design is really fun and interesting. Merry Christmas!

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  23. Two beautiful cards Sonia, I love the images you've used and the dies too.

    Happy Christmas and New Year
    Sue xx

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  24. Sonia, your cards are fabulous! I love their shapes. And the dies are beautiful, I will definitely visit Crealies site to see more. Hugs, my friend.

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  25. Wow!! Looks beautiful, penguin is so cute!
    Merry Christmas!!

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  26. wow!! its beautiful! penguin looks so cute...

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  27. Hi Sonia, that's a super cute seasonal greeting card. Indeed it is a honor. Congratulations and wish you many more proud moments. Liked the cotton ball toran on top, snowflakes and penguins.

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  28. I haven't seen this design before. Your tutorial is perfect. I love the way you colored the penguin and the dies you used to frame the image. Thank you for joining the DL.ART Christmas Challenge

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  29. Happy Holidays, Sonia!!!!!!!

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  30. So cute cards that are just appropriate for the season.
    Please do visit my blog, I would appreciate it.
    https://thecreativetwins.blogspot.in/

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  31. Lovely cards and great tutorial. Thank you for joining in the final Anything Christmas Challenge at CHNC Extra.

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  32. Lovely cards and great tutorial!!!!

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  33. Such beautiful cards Sonia! I love them both.

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