How To Make Outrageously Cute Easter Cards

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Learn how to make an outrageously cute card just in time for Easter. Read on for step-by-step instructions.

This is a very long article but you can make an awesome card with what you learn here.

Before and After Outrageously Cute Easter Card

What kid wouldn't love a card that changes when you pull a tab on it? This card uses Lawn Fawn's Picture Changer products to do just that.

To create the card we're going to begin by blending the card front. We'll do so by using a white A2 size card panel (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″). And we're going to begin to create some puffy clouds across the sky. You can do this using any cloud stencil and blue ink.

Realistic clouds are easy to make by blending with a light hand at first. And then making it darker as you get closer to the stencil, moving to a different section of the stencil for each row of clouds. And this results in a variation that makes the clouds look different from each other and more realistic.

Next we'll create the grass using the same technique with a grass stencil and green ink. I don't have a grass stencil so I used the back of a grass die.

Stamping and Coloring Outrageously Cute Images

We're going to stamp all of our images next. We'll begin with the “before” image and we'll stamp it in the center of an A2 piece of white cardstock. Hint: If you stack the white cardstock over the panel you just colored you can determine the best place to center your image where it will sit on the grass. And we'll stamp it one more time on masking paper. We'll do this because we're going to mask off the image to create the background. Now we'll do the same with the “after” image.

Now we'll stamp a bunch of extra images from the stamp set to add to the front of the card.

Next we'll do some simple coloring with alcohol markers to color in all of the images. And we'll fussy cut out all of the extra images (not the before and after images) and the two masks that we've stamped.

Preparing Before and After Scenes

Once all the images are colored and cut out we have to create the backgrounds for the before and after images. We'll start by removing the backing paper for the masks and attaching them directly over their respective images.

Then we're going to try to duplicate the first background we created for the the before and after scenes. To do this I find it helpful to cut out the frame from the base background (the first one we created) so that you can see where the clouds and grass line up.

Then, we can remove the masks once the backgrounds for the before and after scenes have been created. And next we will use the Magic Picture Change dies to cut them out. You want to use the die with the horizontal slats and the big rectangle over the slats with the before image taking care to center the slats over the area that matches the little box we cut the frame out of (should have the before image in it).

And then we do the same thing with the die with the diagonal slats and the after image.

Creating the Magic Mechanism

Now is what we've been waiting for. We're going to put it together.

The first thing we're going to do is add some strong double-sided adhesive tape to both sides of the little flaps on each side of the before image. And then we're going to fold the flaps along the score lines (folding towards the back).

Next we're going to remove the backing paper from the tape that is now facing the back side of the image and we're going to fasten the flaps. As a result, these flaps create a channel for the other piece to move within. Hint: you can use a bone folder to flatten the flaps if they didn't lay down flat.

Assembling the Magic Mechanism

Now we'll brush anti static powder over the before and after pieces. We do this because it will help the pieces to move better. And now slip the small rectangle (the tab) at the top of the after image up through the slot in the before piece making sure that both pieces are facing the same direction.

At the same time, slip the loose ends of the horizontal slat pieces from the front piece (before image) in between the diagonal slats of the back piece (after image). This is easy to do, if it's done carefully.

Then carefully pull the tab so that the after back piece comes all the way up and meets the front piece at the score line. Move the piece back and forth ensuring that the movement is smooth and working properly.

When you're satisfied that it the mechanism is working properly, then from the back of both pieces fold the front piece at the scoreline (at the top) down. Make sure your score line is crisp. Then, one at a time, remove the backing paper from the other side of the little tabs on each side and fasten them to the piece you just folded down.

Assembling the Outrageously Cute Before and After Card

Using a tape runner, add adhesive to the back side of the outside frame we cut out of the first background panel that we created. And then center it on the card base. Next, using a tape runner, center the inside frame (with the stitched edges) over the front of your magic mechanism.

And now add some adhesive to the back side of the mechanism and attach it to the card base taking care to line up the design.

The last things we're going to do is to heat emboss the card sentiment with white embossing powder onto a scrap of colored cardstock. We'll trim the sentiment and then pop it up with a scrap of foam tape. We'll attach the bunnies and the eggs that we fussy cut out using liquid glue. And finally we'll die cut “pull” from the same scrap of cardstock and then attach it to the tab with liquid glue.

Supplies

• Cardstock: Card base – Neenah Classic Crest 110lb Solar White; Card panel – Neenah Classic Crest 80lb Solar White
  • Stamp: Lawn Fawn Easter Before ‘N After

• • Stencil: Tonic You Make The World Go Round (discontinued); a good substitute is My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil

• • Die: Lawn Fawn Magic Picture Changer, Magic Picture Changer Add-on; Grass die – My Favorite Things Mini Slimline Outside the Box Grassy Hills Die-namics or Lawn Fawn Grass Stencil

• • Ink: Distress Oxide Mowed Lawn, Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers; Multi Media – Hero Arts Intensified Black; Watermark Ink – Versamark

• • Embossing Powder: Lawn Fawn White

• • Alchohol Markers: Copic V01, RV00, RV11, YR16, Y02, YG00, B00, BG01C0, C2, W0, W2, E11, E13, E15, E33

• • Masking Paper: Gina K Designs Masking Magic

• • Adhesive: Score-Tape 1/8″; Gina K Designs Dot Adhesive Runner; Gina K Connect

• • Anti-static powder: Ranger Anti-static Pouch

Looking for More Ways to Make Cute, Unique Cards?

Check out Spark Your Imagination With This Swashbuckler Card

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