Interactive Mini Slimline Box Card

Hey there crafty friends! 

Kris here.... I'm switching gears a li'l bit today and taking a break from showcasing our fabulous Spring/Easter Release to share a fun interactive mini slimline card that I made as "extra" inspiration using some older dies that are brand new to me... the Arctic Whale & Narwhal and the Waves Slimline dies.  You can see a clip of how it moves by scrolling down a li'l bit.  ☺

 and here it is in action ☺ 

 (sorry for blurriness, got a bit out of focus)

Kids love interactive cards and I really enjoy making them. I should say though, that when I started this card, I was just making it a mini slimline box card.  It wasn't until after I had the box card put together (except for the whales) that I decided it would be so easy to make the whale "jump" out of the water!  So keep in mind, it would be easiest to add the swinging mechanism BEFORE you add the shelves and I will note that below when the time comes. ☺

CUTTING & SCORING:

• From white cardstock, I cut:

-- back panel at 3-1/4" x 4-7/8", then sponged clouds with Distress Oxide Ink and a stencil

-- (1) strip at 1/2" x 4-5/8" to stamp sentiment on front

•  From darker blue (Pacific Point) cardstock, I cut:

-- (2) pieces for the sides of my box at 1-1/2" x 1-3/4" and scored at 1/2" along the short edge

-- (1) strip for the front at 3/4" x 5-5/8" and scored at 3/8" from each end

-- (1) piece 4-7/8" wide x 2-1/2" tall, then die cut the top with the Waves Slimline

•  From Lighter Blue (Tahitian Tide) cardstock, I cut:

-- (2) pieces at 4-7/8" wide and differing heights, then die cut with Waves Slimline

-- (2) pieces at 5-5/8" wide x 3/4" tall and scored at 3/8" from each end 

*not pictured in 1st photo, but shown in the 4th one down. 

 For the side pieces, I placed a mark at 3/4" from the opposite edge of the score line.  

--You'll want to measure one of the pieces 3/4" from the right edge, and the other 3/4" from the left edge.  

 Then I CUT diagonally from that mark up to the top of the score line. 

--You can do this with a trimmer or with your scissors.

 After I cut those diagonals on the side pieces, I erased my pencil marks and folded them so they are descending toward the middle as shown below.  

I stamped a sentiment onto my white strip and adhered it to my blue front piece.

Next, I glued my 2 side pieces to the sides of my cloud layer so that the score line is on the edge of the cloud layer and the bottom edge is even with the bottom of cloud layer as shown below.  

I then glued my darker blue waves panel so that the lowest dips of the waves are covering the flaps of my side panels as shown.

***NOTE:  if you want to make it interactive, NOW would be a great time to add your mechanism!  I added it after my box card was glued together, so you can scroll down to see how I made that and you can insert those steps here to make it easier if you'd like.  

Scroll until you see the 3 ***s 

------

Next, I added glue to the left flap of my front blue panel and attached it to the inside of my left side piece as shown below.  

Next, I added glue to only the left flap of my 2 lighter blue shelves and attached the first one so that the edge of my flap bumps up against the left edge of my blue wave and lower than my side piece.  The front blue shelf, I bumped up against the fold of the previous shelf, and lower than the side piece as shown below. 

I folded all 3 to the right and added glue to the right flaps at the same time.

Then I folded the right side piece over onto them.  

It should line up perfectly with the front panel.

Next, I decided to add some white pigment ink to the tops of my lighter blue waves with a blending brush.

Then I added glue to my 2 lighter blue shelves and attached my waves.

Next, I die cut my Arctic Whale & Narwhal, and a red heart from the Stitched Heart Set.  I colored the narwhal with Copics.

***This is the part where I added a swinging mechanism to my Orca whale.  You can do this BEFORE you add your shelves to make it easier, but if you've already done that part like I did, this is still pretty easy to do. 

I cut a piece of heavy acetate into a strip about 3/4" wide and punched a hole towards the bottom using a hole punch.  You might need to use a small circle die.  *It doesn't show in this picture, but I ended up trimming the bottom a li'l closer to the circle cutout and rounded the corners so they don't show when it is swinging.

I then glued a spinner disc (a small circle plastic disc) as shown.  If you don't have these, you can use any small circular thing with dimension like a tiny button!  Make sure you wipe away any glue that leaked after you press the disc to adhere.  

Next, I laid my acetate strip with the hole over the disc (or button) then I cut a li'l bit larger circle disc (the smallest from the Pierced Circle Set) to glue on top of the button.  This circle prevents the acetate strip from popping off our disc/button!  

Next, I brought the acetate strip up --- it should be between our back darker blue wave and the lighter blue wave just in front of it, and I added 2 pieces of Scor Tape where I wanted my whale to be.  Then I trimmed my acetate strip just above the tape and attached my whale to the strip.

One last piece.... to prevent the whale from diving down past the bottom of the card, I inserted a foam strip to the left of the acetate strip at the point I wanted it to stop.  See photo below. 

and done!  ☺ 

It's a lot of photos, but it comes together super quick!  

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and you'll give it a try.

Happy Crafting!

~Kristine

PRODUCTS I USED:

 

Hello Friend Easel Card

Hello Friends!  

Kris here with an easel card for a friend.  I used the new Spring Birdhouse Cup and some papers that were meant for Fall, but I just LOVE the colors so I went with it.  These birds are so cute, and what a fun idea for a birdhouse---out of a cup?!  I actually have a collection of birdhouses, but not quite like this one ☺   

and here's what it looks like closed (taking it out of the envelope)

Design Steps:

I cut my magenta card base at 5-1/2" x 11" and scored at 5-1/2" and at 2-3/4".

I cut (2) pieces of patterned paper at 5-1/4" x 2-1/2" and glued onto the front of card.

I die cut the largest scalloped circle from the Nested Scallop Circle Set

and I die cut the 2nd largest die from the Pierced Circle Set and glued onto the scalloped circle.

I die cut the Spring Birdhouse Cup from white cardstock as well as a red/white polka-dot paper.  I then colored my pieces with Copic markers.

I sponged some Peacock Feathers (Distress Oxide Ink) onto my white circle and then assembled my die cut elements onto it.

I then added foam strips on the back LOWER HALF of my circle piece and attached to the center of my card front.

For the INSIDE of card:

I cut (2) pieces of white cardstock (for writing a message) at 5-1/4" x 2-1/2" and taped to upper 2 portions.

I cut a piece of patterned paper at 5-1/4" square and taped to lower half.

I cut a piece of green cardstock at 5-1/4" x 1-3/4"

I cut a piece of white cardstock at 5-1/4" x 1-1/2" and stamped a sentiment and some leaves, then taped it onto the green piece.

*Important!!  I then added foam tape to the back of sentiment piece and attached to inside - it acts as an easel top prop up the front of my card.  

and here it is in display position:

PRODUCTS USED:

I hope you enjoyed my card today!

Remember, all the individual dies in the Spring/Easter Release are still 30% OFF for a limited time!

~Kristine

Froggy Birthday

Hey there CottageCutz friends!  

Kris here again to share with you some crafty inspiration! For today's card I used the new Spring Frog w/ Mushroom and the Pond w/ Cattails and Lily Pad from the Easter/Spring Release.  

Design Steps:

I used some papers by Doodlebug Design and since I hate to waste pretty papers, I cut my red down to a 5-1/2" square, then I cut the inside out since it will be covered up anyways, and now I have a cute ladybug paper (backside of the red) to use on another project ☺

I cut some green and teal patterned papers to 5-1/4" wide and layered them onto card front (as shown in my completed card photo).

I used a sunrays stencil to apply green distress oxide inks to a white circle I had die cut using the Pierced Circles Set, then layered that onto 2 larger nested circles in shades of green.

I then die cut all my decorative elements from white cardstock and colored with Copics, and the sentiments I cut from blue and red cardstock + white glittered cardstock.  Easy peasy!

I hope you enjoyed my project today!  ✿ Kris

Because He Lives!

  Hello Friends!

It is NEW RELEASE TIME!  The collection is called EASTER and it has 17 incredible pieces!  They are so perfect for Easter and Spring.   Right now you can save up to 65% on these dies if you buy the bundle and believe me you are going to want the bundle.  If you purchase the dies individually they are 30% off.  This sale will not last so stop by the store today right HERE!

I am using 2 of the dies from this release The Hilltop w/Crosses and the Spring Daffodils.  And I am just in love with these beautifully designed dies!

Design Steps:

1.  Cut out the pieces using the Spring Daffodils die on yellow and green card stock.  Using the Hilltop w/Crosses cut out the hill in green and the crosses in Kraft card stock.  Ink the outer parts of the daffodils in a honey color ink and add just a little darker green ink to the leaves and hill

2.  Assemble the flowers with a fine tip glue and set aside

3.  For the base use a white A2 size card.  Cut a piece of with 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 then use the 3rd from the largest Pierced Circle die and cut a circle slightly toward the top as shown.  For the piece behind the circle cut white card stock 3 1/2 x 3 1/2

4.  Ink the 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 white card stock with blue TH ink and then splatter with water

5.  Glue the green hill to the back side of the circle and then glue the blue inked piece to the back of the circle.  Make sure not to glue the top of the hill down so you can tuck in the crosses

6.  Add the crosses to the hill and two of the daffodils to the bottom of the card as shown above

7.  Glue the other daffodil and bud to the top left corner and then add your sentiment.  Your card is complete

 

CottageCutz Products

I think this is one of our most beautiful collection so don't miss out!  I think it will sell out fast!

We have more inspiration on our YouTube Channel check it out HERE

Thanks so much for stopping by!  And I will see you next Thursday.

Blessings and Take Care