More pop-up cards!

So my friend Holly (who should not be confused with Holle, notice the spelling diff) said to me the other day:

Holly: You know, I liked your blog a lot better before you started posting all the scrapbooking stuff.

Because Holly (unlike Holle) is very subtle.

No, it's true. People have always preferred when I blog about embarrassing incidents rather than, you know, the stuff that pays for this blog. That pesky scrapbooking stuff. (By the way, Holly would never use the word "stuff", but I run a PG-13 blog here)

And if you'd all just run out and buy a pop-up die (or two, or three, or seven) then I could spend all my time consoling you. You know - like "Drat. I had a rotten day, but at least I didn't do . . .(insert stupid thing that Karen did and blogged about) so there's that!"

But until I gain fame and fortune (and a housekeeper) from this pesky scrapbooking stuff, I'm just going to keep on posting it, in a desperate attempt to make you feel like your lives will end if you don't own a Sizzix Big Shot Machine and a few Pop-up Dies. (By the way, scientists have discovered that a lack of die-cutting has killed a few mice. Or something. No, it's true!)

Which brings me to my first offering . . . the Pop-Up House Die turned into a haunted house card: (click on the pic for bigger view)

 

This is actually version 2.0, after a few edits. John got home from work yesterday and we had a convo like this:

Me: Hey! Check this out. What do you think?

John: Pretty cool. Not sure about the amount of webbing, though. And that stuff on the roof looks like you had a piece of scotch tape on your hand, flung it off, and it landed on your project. Oh, and I doubt that the owl would stay perched on the chimney long enough for a spider to spin a web around his legs.

Me: But what do you really think? (Sarcasm . . . so good at the sarcasm!)

And then he had to make dinner because I was, you know, fixing the stupid card!!

A little lesson about people who are really sarcastic. It's very, very hard for us to resist an opportunity. Knowing this (as I do) about John, I reacted with laughter at this later exchange as we watched So You Think You Can Dance:

Me: What is Cat wearing? She's always wearing weird things. She really needs a new stylist.

John: Yes. I agree. Her outfit is completely overworked . . . much like your Halloween card.

*sigh*

Here's the thing about the Pop-Up House Die - you have to think about what else it can become. What can it be? Can it be a church? A barn? A gingerbread house? How about a dog house: (click to make it bigger)

 

Lucy is doing well, thanks for wondering. The other day I heard this exchange between Karl and Emma:

Karl: Lucy, you're a menace! You're a bad menace!

Emma: Actually, she's really good at being a menace. She's bad at being a "good girl".

Karl: You mean she's bad at being good and good at being evil?

Emma: Exactly.

So there ya go. Even the kids are on to her. Why did we get a dog again? Someone remind me. Was it because I wanted all my shoes chewed up? Did the idea of holes in my yard sound charming? Was my life sadly devoid of barking? Not enough hair on my couch? What?!

But I digress . . .

Let's look at a couple of cake cards. Refer to the post below this one for more info on the Cake die, including a tutorial that you can download to make stronger, happier cakes.

I am absolutely LOVING Sizzix's Mat Board with the pop-up dies, especially the cake. If you make the card itself out of something heavy, like mat board, it will hold itself open in the full upright position, which is the best position for viewing the cake. This particular cake has tiers made from white paper with lacy ribbon sewed to it. I also used the Textured Impressions Wedding Set for the front and back of the card.

Here's a similar card, this time using transparencies for the tiers with KI Memories glitter stickers decorating the transparency tiers.

  

Other Sizzix dies used: Textured Impressions Wedding Set #2 and Flourish #2

And now let's look at the Pop-up Ball Die: (click to make the photo bigger)

 

The pop-up ball is one of the most versatile dies, because it can be whatever you decorate it to be. In this case, I stitched it to look like a baseball. Here's how:

 

Construct the ball according to the die directions but stop before adding the rubber bands. Hold up the sides in the finished "ball" position and pencil in the stitch lines. For each line you'll need spaced needle holes along the pencil line and then offset holes to make "V" stitches. Make sure you erase your pencil lines before stitching. You'll have to stitch each panel individually, so this is no quick process. I recommend a comfy spot on the couch during "Wipeout" or something.

One last sample, this one using the Spinning Platform Die. This die is probably the MOST versatile of all the pop-up dies because whatever you put on it is what's going to spin up into a pop-up position when the card is opened. Notice that I added brads under the platform to reinforce the connection. Totally optional, but an easy addition to make sure that your platform doesn't pull up, depending on what adhesive you chose.

 

Other Sizzix dies used: Pop-up Tree die (used flat for branches), Circle Scallop, Textured Impressions Flowers/Paisley, Baby Bird, Textured Impressions Thank You Set #2

Bonnie (*she's awesome) is making cards using the tree, heart and beach chair. My friend Tara is also working on a few, so stay tuned for more ideas.

RKQOTD (Me: Karl, put this bottle in the recyle bin, please. Karl: <examining the bottle> Well is it completely empty of all food and liquid residue? Me: <blink, stare, blink, stare> Karl: Because it says that on the top of the recycle bin. Me: Ah.)

Comments

[alaina]

Super cute cards!

[Linda Fulghum]

Oh Karen, I saw your dies at GASC last week and they are darling. However, I don't own the Big Shot and am reluctant to buy another die cut machine. I already have the original Sizzix, a Zip-e-mate and a Cuddlebug. Is there a way to use your dies in these machines?

[Holly not Holle]

So you managed to insert a tidbit involving John, and one about Lucy too, that's progress. Still too much scrapbooking.... stuff, though, so people reading this that still scrap with paper (like animals) should totally buy more dies. :)

[sandy kanapilly]

really cute samples, Karen!

I met you last week at the Archiver's in Westminster, CO...thanks again for all you shared! You and Bonnie had the most wonderful ideas ;o)

I am wondering if you know of a place that I can get a pocket envelope die cut for wedding cards? Just wondering ;)

Sandy

[Carol]

Wow, I LOVE that dog house. You're right, I've made a gingerbread house, but I need to think of what else it could be.

On the wedding cake with the clear layers, can you see the mechanism (post) in the center or do the flowers disguise it?

Carol
Extreme Cards and Papercrafting

[Desire Fourie]

Oh wow Karen, your pop creations are just awesome. Its real jaw dropping stuff. I especially love this birdie perching on a branch one. Great colour combo. Just don't know how you come up with such stunning designs ... your Mojo must be hyper active. Keep well. Greetings from South Africa. Hugs Desire

[Chris S.]

Never fear Karen! I am totally convinced that I do not own a certain number of pop-up dies, the fabric of time itself will be irrepairably damaged and everyone on the planet will be forced to relive their most embarrasing moments over and over again, not to mention propelling our world into darkness and total chaos.