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Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Let's Get Together Mechanical Card

This card features a double moving mechanism that blends perfectly with the background and makes the cuties float towards each other.

The front of the card is a faux stitched white panel with two scalloped circle cutouts for the characters to peek a boo.
I used a strip of polka dot patterned paper that set the color palette for the front, so I used a bright pink, Neenah 80lb heavy weight cardstock for the lower strip for the XOXO word to be carved. I figured a thick cardstock would work better for this.
The sentiment comes with Frankie the Fox Stamp Set and was stamped using Versamark Ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder.
I love how the faux stitching around the circles and the front panel came out.

This front panel was mounted on the card base. It is a good idea to use a scoring board on the base to achieve a clean fold.


For the inside, I used two of the characters from the last OAK Tree Stamps Animal Parade release, Lana the Sheep and Frankie the Fox. They were stamped using Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored with COPIC markers, using a very simple three tone shading. For smooth color blending I used Express blending cardstock. The outer shape was cut using the Electronic Dies OAK Tree stamps gives for free at their site and used the Hinge Method that Kay Hall from Clever Someday shared a while ago that allows for exact offset cutouts..
Putting together the mechanism is very simple:

Start by inking the edges of the green and blue panels using Distress Ink on a Mini Ink Blending Tool, I used Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean. Then, stamp the sentiment on the green bottom panel, I used Versamark Ink and white embossing powder. Next, adhere both panels flat on your card base, a strong  tape runner is fine for this. Make sure you keep the positioning marks on top.
Positioning marks should be visible when gluing the panels
Use this image for reference.
Score and fold the mechanism tabs
I lightly inked the clouds using a little tumbled glass Distress Ink on a Mini Blending Tool.
Scored pieces as they come out of the machine.

Folded Mechanism
Folded Mechanism
Apply Glue (liquid glue) to the larger side of the green tabs. Don't go over the scored line or the mechanism will not work properly.
Align the corners of the lower mechanism to the reference marks and press firmly.

You can turn the free ends of the tabs and fold them back to avoid gluing them. 
For the top mechanism, apply glue on the large flaps

 Align the pieces to the positioning marks on the blue cardstock and to the fold of the base card. Larger mechanism should be placed on the right side.
Click to enlarge.
Align the fold of the mechanism to the fold of the base card.
Notice the positioning mark coincides with the 45° fold on the tab.
Close the card to make sure the tab is corectly positioned
Repeat the process qith the opposite tab.
Close the card and press firmly
Now for the tricky part, glue the characters to the mechanism.
Lay the mechanisms flat and fold back only the end of each one and apply liquid glue.
Place Frankie aligning the top slit to the edge of the tab.
Repeat the same with Lana on the opposite side, Try to match their hands so they touch when you open the card.

I used a sharp object to make the mechanism "pop" from its flat to its active position.
Use a sharp or thin object to lift the mechanism.
Characters should "float" when mechanism is active.
Open and close the card several times to train the folds. Characters should meet in the middle when fully open.

I'm so happy with how this card turned out The possibilities are endless, wedding invitations, Valentine's cards, Christmas cards, you name it.

Supplies List

If links don´t seem to open, please right click and select "open link in a new tab", it should take you to a save file dialog. Let me know in the comments if links don´t work, thanks.

2 comments:

  1. Awesome!! I love mechanical cards. Thanks for sharing your talents and skills.

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  2. This card is so cute. And thank you for sharing your files. I love how the two critters come together. Sweet.

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