Video summary
This video tutorial introduces viewers to a festive pop-out card project created using Issue 39 of Creative Stamping magazine, which features the "May to Surprise" character set. The creator begins by showcasing an A4 sheet containing various adorable characters and demonstrates how to prepare the base for the door mechanism. To add texture and visual interest, they utilize a wooden fence embossing folder on specific panels before assembling the card structure using nesting dies that are designed to mix and match seamlessly with other products from Creative Craft Products.
The construction process involves precise scoring of a 10 by 7 inch cardstock base to create a gate fold mechanism that allows the door to open naturally while revealing a pop-up element inside. The interior is lined with leftover paper from an old Christmas pad, featuring layers of different sizes and an embossed strip for added texture. To build the front door panel securely, smaller decorative pieces are adhered onto larger backing panels using foam adhesive to create depth. Small circle dies cut into tiny knobs serve as handles on either side of the door, completing the structural assembly before any stamping begins.
For the artistic elements, the creator selects a polar bear character from the magazine set that appears particularly sweet with its arms raised, deciding to use Memento ink for inking and alcohol markers for coloring. They enhance the design by adding a wreath die-cut from Peanuts Christmas paper to one side of the door so it remains hidden when closed but visible upon opening. To make the scene more dynamic, small wooden sticks are glued beneath the bear's paws to simulate him holding up a sentiment sign, giving the impression that he is presenting his message directly to the viewer.
The final result is a charming three-dimensional card where the outer face displays a lovely wreath and textured door panel, while opening it reveals the polar bear standing in the center with his festive greeting. The creator notes that despite its elaborate pop-up mechanism involving multiple folds and layers, the finished project fits neatly into a standard 5 by 7 inch envelope for easy mailing. This project exemplifies how combining specific dies, embossing folders, and character stamps can create an interactive holiday card that delights recipients with both visual appeal and playful movement.
Read the full video transcript
So, this is a relatively new item. It is
uh issue 39 of Creative Stamping
magazine and it's May to Surprise
characters. Super super cute. So, let's
make a fun card using them. So, here's
that set closer up. So, it's A4. You've
got lots of the different characters. I
think I'm going to use either the bear
here or the one with the presents. Not
sure yet. We'll see what fits. I've got
the bits cut here. So, I'll look at that
in a minute. I've also used my wooden
fence embossing folder just to create a
bit of texture for the door. And then I
have used these nesting dies. They work
really well together. All of the
Creative Craft Products nesting dies,
they all mix and match. That's all of
the product. We'll go back to the stamp
set in a minute. So, the card base
itself, nice and simple. So, it's a
piece of 10 by 7. Along that 10-in side,
you're going to score it 2 and 1/2,
4 and 1/2, 5 and 1/2, and 7 and 1/2. And
you want to create mountain folds on the
two outer folds. So, you've got your
gate fold.
And then you want mountain folds on
those two inside
score lines.
So, you have this like W shape. So, it
will all fold down and close, but when
they open it, that is going to naturally
pop out with that lovely topper in the
middle. Okay. So, then we can add all
the mats and layers. So, inside I've
gone back to a very old paper pad. This
is one of my Christmas pads.
And it was the last sheet I had left and
I've managed to make it work for this
particular card.
So, you can see I've got the fold there.
So, you want two pieces that are 2 and
1/4 by 6 and 3/4 and then two pieces
that are 1 and 3/4 by 6 and 3/4. So, I'm
going to stick those there. I'm going to
leave that middle one plain. I might
make a strip. I do actually have
Hmm. I could emboss this just to have a
bit of that texture inside. So, I would
do a piece of 3/4 by 6 and 3/4. And then
if you want to emboss it with
however you've done the front, or maybe,
you know, whatever you've used on the
front, it'd be a nice way to just have a
bit of that inside. So, I'll do that a
bit in a moment. That's everything stuck
down in the middle, and I've got that
embossed strip. And then, to create the
door, now you could stick these panels,
which I'll give you the measurements for
in a minute, straight on to the front
here, but I'm going to stick them on to
these pieces just to add a bit more
strength to the front. So, this one here
is 2 and 1/2 by 7. You want two pieces.
Or, just stick it straight onto the
front there. Okay. So, that's how my
door's going to look. So, I've got
slightly bigger panels at the top, and
then smaller. If you want to change the
configuration, you can. But, I've got
two pieces of 2 and 1/4 by 3 and 1/2.
Then, two pieces of two by 3 and 1/4.
And then, two pieces of two and 1/4
by 3, and two pieces of two by two and
3/4. You just want to stick those down.
I'm going to add some foam in between
these two layers, again, just to give it
a bit more of a 3D look. And then, in
that circle die set, I took the smallest
die to make little door knobs, and
they're going to go either side. And
then, I might add a little sentiment or
a wreath. But, I need to have a look
first see what I'm going to use. Okay,
so I've stuck the door on.
And I've put the door knobs on. I think
it looks quite cute. And now, it all
opens up nicely. So, I've got my die set
here. Let's give you the dimensions.
So, you want to get a similar As long as
it fits within the width of this 5-in
section here, you can have any size you
want. So, that is 4 diameter.
And then, this one is 4 and 1/2.
You can see how they sit nicely
together.
And that's going to pop out there.
So, now to decide which animal I want to
stamp. Like I said, he I just think he's
going to work quite nicely.
Then, and have the little sentiment.
I think he does look nice. Just take
that one as well cuz
he does look nice with the have a berry
merry Christmas. If I bring him down a
little bit, cut that separate, so he's
like almost holding it up. Put it maybe
on some little sticks.
So, it's kind of just coming off there.
Let's have a little look. He is cute.
Yes, see I think that would look quite
nice. They both look lovely. Any of
these stamped images will look nice, but
I just think there's something quite
sweet about him when you open the card
and he's got his arms up. So, I think
I'm going to go for that one instead.
So, I'm going to stamp it using the
Memento ink and then I can color it in
with the alcohol markers. Okay, so I've
colored everything in. I've done my
topper, but I thought the wreath from
the Peanuts Christmas
this one here was perfect to decorate
the front of the door.
I might have it just stuck to one side
so that when it opens
it'll be over there. Well, there you can
see that. Maybe maybe I just have it on
one side like that instead.
Yeah, I think that'll be better cuz when
it's displayed, at least then you don't
see it.
And then there's toppers. I've just
added some little wooden sticks there so
it's like he's holding up the sign. I
think that looks super cute. So, I'm
just going to run
some glue just in the middle there.
And you could have it higher up. You
might want to have your topper high and
then your sentiment can be on this part.
Let that dry and I'm going to stick this
one down with a little bit of foam. So,
here is the finished card. Very, very
cute from the outside with that lovely
little wreath and then when you open it
up
you have that fun little pop out with a
gorgeous polar bear in the middle there
and that sentiment. I really looks great
adding the little sticks. So, he's
holding that little sign up. It
displays. I'll bring it out this way now
you can see how nicely that displays.
And it all folds down and will fit in a
5 by 7 envelope. Make sure you subscribe
and I'll be back again. Bye.