“How to do pop up cards” is a question I get asked time and time again, so I thought I would try to figure out how to make a pop up card.

Below you will find a detailed step by step guide how to make a pop up card using a simple technique and a few embellishments.

Pop up cards make people smile as they are fun and give the recipient a nice surprise when they open the card. This pop up card was really fun to make and can be easily adapted to suit the embellishments you have in your card making supplies.

Begin making the pop up cards template by folding a piece of white A4 hammered card stock in half. I have used a bone tool to ensure the edge is folded properly. I have used hammered card stock because it gives a nice texture, however plain card will also work just as well.

Using sharp scissors make two slits in the folded edge of the card 8cm across and 4cm deep.

Fold the two ends of the card leaving the middle piece of card flat.

Next, open the card and fold the two end sections towards you creating little seats.

Then fold the card so it looks the same as the picture above. Cut two more slits 3.5cm from each edge and 3cm deep. Make sure you are cutting the folded edge of the card.

Open the template and fold the new cut pieces towards you as shown above.

When your pop up card template is closed, the outside should look like this.

I wanted to make a pop up card for a birthday for someone that loves cakes, but you can make this pop up card for any greeting card you want by simply using different wording and embellishments.

Next, put together the decoupage or embellishments you are going to use for the inside of the pop up cards seats. Here I have used a number of different cup cakes.

Place the cupcakes on the front of each of the pop up sections you have created. I have used double sided tape to secure the cup cakes in place.

Place your card message above the cup cakes or alternatively you can place the card message on the bottom half and hand write your greeting at the top. The choice is down to you.

You can then accessorise the inside of the card further if you wish. Here I have created some small stands for the cakes to sit on and also placed some small bows in each corner.

Now it is time to design the front of your pop up card idea. Fold another sheet of A4 white card in half and then cut a piece of textured pink card slightly smaller.

Cut a sheet of themed scrapbook paper slightly smaller than the pink card. The reason we are cutting each piece smaller than the other is to give a mat and layered effect when all the papers are attached to each other.

Tie a length of organza ribbon around the left hand side of the themed paper and secure it on the back of the paper using tape.

Mat and layer a happy birthday embellishment onto to same pink card you used before, leaving a thin border.

Attach the happy birthday wording to the right hand corner of the themed paper using 3d foam. Then place the themed paper onto the pink card using double sided tape.

Place the entire panel onto the front of the folded card using double sided tape. When you are happy with both the inside and the outside of the pop up card you can adhere the two together using double sided tape.

So, the question “How to do pop up cards” is answered, “well, quite simply”.

You do not have to be an experienced card maker to learn how to make a pop card. So what are you waiting for? Start making a pop up card today and give someone a pop up card to make then smile.