Popup pixel valentines card 2013 (*new & improved*)

Hello! Here is the ‘new & improved’ valentine popup template as promised. As you can see there are only a few minor changes. Most importantly it now pops up the other way so it can be stood on a mantelpiece or windowsill. There is also an added ‘chink’.

Templates (+ cutting/scoring guide) are at the foot of the post. Refer to the old post for instructions but make sure you use the new cutting/scoring guide and templates below. As usual, if there are any problems please leave a comment.

TOP TIPS
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+ Use good quality paper or card for the insert. I would say no heavier than 160gsm for best results.
+ Use the point of a needle (and a ruler) to score. That way you get really crisp folds.
+ Take your time and cut/score as precisely as you can.
+ Once you have scored and cut all the lines flip the piece of paper over before popping the heart out…this means the printed lines will be hidden from view.
+ Do make a test card because the second attempt is always better (there are two inserts on the pdf ^_^).

Good luck!
(Boxed geometric heart to come next week…)

TEMPLATES
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+ Cutting scoring plan

Templates for light paper:

+ Heart insert and outer card
+ Envelope

Templates for dark paper

+ Heart insert and outer card
+ Envelope

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Printable valentines wrap

Hello! Sorry it’s been quiet here lately. I’ve been working on my new book so have had my nose to the grindstone!

I plan to post quite a few valentines ideas over the next few weeks (including a ‘new & improved’ version of that card) so do check back soon. I always add new posts to my facebook page & pinterest page so you can follow me there if it’s easier.

Anyway, here is some valentines paper for you to print (my hubby is the non-romantic type so I’m always trying to come up with something that’s not too schmaltzy )!

The paper is for small packages only (unless you are a whizz with double sided tape and want to stick a few sheets together). By the way, the dotted lines will only print out correctly if you set your printing preferences to ‘image’ or ‘image & text’. You can usually find these settings in the print dialog….leave a comment if you have problems ^_^.

Without further ado here are the links:

Geometric heart wrap
Geometric shapes wrap

Happy Monday all!

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8-bit popup cards

Hello! Remember that pixel heart card I made a while back? Well it has been one of my most popular tutorials to date so I thought I would add another few designs to the collection. Meet ‘space-invader popup’ and ‘skull popup’:

Like the heart card, they are really minimal (which I just love) and easy to make once you have got the hang of it.

You definitely need a craft knife (and a steady hand) to make these cards this project is only really suitable for adults or teenagers.

If you want to have a go at making them you will find full instructions and downloadable templates after the jump.

Read more…

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{Valentines day} pixelated popup card

I‘ve been scratching my head trying to come up with a card for my hubby {AKA the non-romantic type}. I finally decided to make this pixely popup heart card!

*EDITED TO ADD: NEW TEMPLATES FOR THIS CARD CAN BE FOUND HERE

They are really minimal (which I love) and take about 20 minutes to make (that includes the card, insert and envelope).

You can even make some pixely confetti to put inside the card (if you are a big kid like me!).

Full instructions and printable templates below!

(BTW I remember seeing something similar in a popup book years ago. If anyone knows of the book then do let me know!).

How to

1. Download the popup insert template and print out. I used paper but a thin card would probably be OK too. Using some scissors trim around the edge of the template.
2. Using a craft knife and ruler cut and score your card. See diagram below for more detail.

(If you have a cutting machine then see note at end of post!)

Cut along the black lines and score the grey lines.

3. Make the four valley folds as show below (thin yellow lines shown in fig. 3).
4. Slowly fold the top of the card inwards and the bottom half of the heart should begin to push out. (You don’t need to tape it to the table…I did because I was taking pictures at the same time!)

5. Fold card completely in half and smooth down
6. Make outer card and glue/tape popup insert inside. I just used a plain piece of paper which measured 9.5cm x 19cm and then folded it in half.

7. Print out the envelope template. Cut, score and fold.
8. Pop card inside and tape envelope shut (I added some pixely confetti too)!

Edited to add: The lovely Kayla from saynotsweetanne has send me a .dfx file of the card which you can use if you have a cutting machine. I have never even heard of a cutting machine…let alone used one so this is all a bit of a revelation (for me, anyway)!! You can download the file here. Thanks Kayla! You’re a star! (Please leave a comment to let me know if you find this file useful…if you do then I’ll try to find out how to generate them for all my print/cut posts).

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Valentine craft for LMNOP blog

Did you know you can make great invisible ink from lemon juice? Armed with this new bit of knowledge I put my thinking cap on and came up with the idea that invisible ink + message in bottle = cool valentines day gift!

The invisible ink bit is easy…simply squeeze a lemon and use the juice to write a message on a piece of white paper. I don’t have a dip pen so just ended up using a q-tip (cotton bud).

Then you need to find a bottle to put the message in. I used an old vanilla extract bottle. I also stuffed in lots of multi-coloured hearts as you can see!

To reveal the message all you have to do is hold it up to a heat source (you can see the results in the image below). You can use a lightbulb, iron (no steam) or candle for example. PLEASE PLEASE be careful and don’t let the kids do this bit. I nearly flambéed a few pieces of paper on the stove top.

I love these coloured hearts almost as much as I love my hubby and took a zillion pictures!!

Check out the LMNOP blog for lots more goodies….

Update: A lot of people have asked me where the hearts come from….I have a little heart punch and bought a lovely rainbow pad from paperchase.

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Minieco tutorials

Here’s a picture-list of some of my tutorials. There are others!! If you are interested in seeing more have a potter through the archives!

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