How to Make a Pop Up Card

When I think of a pop up card, I must admit, a completely different image pops into my mind, but I’m not the one who came up with the name, so…

Anyway, today I wanted to teach you how to make one of these bad boys. Are you ready?

For your base paper, you are going to want to choose a heavy duty card stock (are you noticing a trend yet?!). I chose an 8 ½ x 11 inch sheet and created a mark at 2 inches, 6 inches, and again at 8 inches, both vertically and horizontally with my trusty ruler and pencil. I then joined my marks to create a grid of sorts. I cut off the excess paper and threw it into my scrap pile for future projects; frugal to the core baby!

The center of your pop up card is going to measure 4 inches x 4 inches, and is going to be surrounded by 2 inch x 4 inch rectangles on the top, bottom, and on both sides of your center square; it will resemble an addition sign. On the top edge of your center square, you are going to want to measure over 2 inches to find the center point on your line. Once you discover your midpoint, you are going to use your compass (yep, dig out that old relic from high school baby!) to create an arch like so…

Repeat this process on all sides and then cut off the edges.

All that’s left to do now is to crease your lines and decorate. I have found that the easiest way to prepare your decorative paper is to simply use your “base” as a stencil. Trace along the edges on the back of your chosen patterned paper, cut it out, and then take ½ cm to ¾ cm off the edges. You are welcome to distress the edges with an ink pad, but it’s not required. Grab your favorite sticky substance and slap her on (allow to dry if applicable). From there you can add your sentiments, doodles, photographs, or stamped images to the card. AND, that’s all she wrote!

Let’s go over those dimensions and instructions just once more for those in a rush:

• 1-8 ½ x 11 inch heavy duty card stock-Mark at 2 inches, 6 inches, and 8 inches horizontally and vertically-cut out
• Measure over 2 inches to find your midpoint and then create an arch with your compass. Cut off the excess edges.
• Use your “base” card as a stencil to measure out your patterned paper for decoration. Trim anywhere from ½ cm to ¾ cm from the edges
• Add any extra details you would like

Well, there you go. Super simple, huh?! If you missed my other posts on card techniques, make sure to pop over and take a peek…

Never Ending Card

Squash Card

So, 3 creative installments…Which has been your favorite so far?