Guest Paula Montgomery designed and demonstrated how to make this three-dimensional card that folds flat when closed.
Materials:
black permanent ink pad
assorted rubber stamps
cleaning solvent
4-1/4 " x 5" piece of "sky" background paper*
two 4" x 6" pieces of acetate
7" x 15 " card stock
4-1/4" x 7-1/2" card stock
scissors
craft knife
cel-paints or acrylic paints
paint brushes
palette
ruler
glue stick
*The sky paper can be scrapbook paper, a page from a magazine, stamped, or a real photograph.
Note: This card has three layers enclosed in a frame; the first two layers are acetate and represent a foreground and a middle ground. The last (background) layer is a sky scene.
Steps:
1. Decide what stamps you want on the foreground and stamp them on one sheet of the acetate. (Note: Masking isn't encouraged as it is difficult to do on acetate .)
2. Then decide which stamps you will use on the middle ground. Think of creating perspective as you do this. The stamps on the first layer will appear to be closer than those on the middle layer. So, choose stamps that are either smaller or use a background stamp to create some depth. Stamp them on the other sheet of acetate .
3. Cut 1/2-inch square notches out of each of the four corners of both acetate sheets (figure A).
4. When you have stamped front of acetate with permanent ink, turn it over and apply cel-vinyl colors to the reverse side, leaving the "sky" area unpainted so your background will show through. Paint details first (eyeballs, centers of flowers, patterns , etc.); then proceed to the larger sections (figure B). If possible, also apply the darkest colors before lighter areas. Don't "stroke" the paint as you would other painting surfaces; push the brush around in small circular motions to prevent streaking. Make sure your brush is heavily loaded with paint. Although you will want to thin cel-vinyl paints slightly, care must be taken to not thin them too much. The paint should be the consistency of condensed milk. However, you can always give it a second coat.
5. To make the frame: Divide the 7" x 15" piece of card stock into thirds (5-inch increments); score along each third and fold. Measure and cut a 3-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangle out of the center of the top third using a straight edge and a craft knife. That will leave a 1-1/4-inch border on the sides and 3/4-inch border on the top and bottom of that opening.
6. Fold the top third over on to the middle third. Using a pencil, lightly trace the cut out opening. Cut out that traced shape from the middle third as well (figure C).
7. Return to the opening in the top third. Lightly draw a line parallel to the sides, 1/4-inch away from and slightly longer than the opening. Using a craft knife , cut the pencil lines to make slits (figure D).
8. Use the 4-1/4" x 7-1/2" piece of card stock to make the background "sky" support piece. Measure, score and fold in 1-1/4 inch on each side of the 7-1/2-inch side . That will leave a 5" x 4-1/4" center section.
9. Cut 1/2-inch square notches out of all four corners (just like you did on the acetate pieces).
10. Next, use a craft knife and straight edge to make slits for the acetate tabs to fit into. On those folded-down 1-1/4-inch flaps you made in step 8, draw two parallel lines 1/4 inch apart and 1/2 inch from the scored/folded lines. These two lines should be centered and about 2-3/4 inch in length. The second line should line up exactly with the 1/2-inch notch on each side (figure E). Don't worry about getting those slits exact. You can always make them a little longer if necessary.
11. Now score and fold on an imaginary line that would lie on the outside slit (the one that lines up exactly with the 1/2-inch notches). Glue your sky piece in the center of this background support.
12. If you plan on decorating the frame front (the top third with two slits flanking the frame opening), do that now. It will be too difficult to do after you assemble the card.
To assemble the card:
13. Flip the tri-fold frame over so the wrong side is facing up and put the top third (with the two slits flanking the opening) at the bottom. Set that aside for now.
14. Take the card stock background piece with the sky scene and make sure that it is folded. It is essentially a "U" shape with two 1/2-inch sections acting as tabs. Take the middle ground acetate piece and insert the tabs into the slit in the middle of the 1-1/4-inch portion that is perpendicular to the flat sky. If the acetate tabs don't fit or fit tightly, just cut the slit a bit more. You'll want to have a little slack (figure F).
15. Now, with the background/sky card stock attached to the middle ground acetate , insert the card stock tabs into the slits of the frame. Come up from the back of the frame. As you look at it, your stamped picture on the middle ground acetate and the sky piece should be right side up. Take the foreground acetate and insert the tabs into the slits of the background piece. Now, fold it back on itself along the fold of the frame. The middle section covers up the "guts" and the last section acts as the base so it can stand up. Make sure you put it in right side up before you glue. Also, make sure it will fold down flat. Go back and put glue around the outer edge of the middle third of the frame and fold the portion with the acetate and background to the glued section (figure G).
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