Archive for the ‘Tutorial’ Category
May 10th, 2013 | 
Author: Hey There!
In case you didn’t see it at the time and also to include the files into my archives, I am sharing a project I previously posted on the KNK design Team blog.
I have a Twirly Card to share today, I have seen them referred to as a Pop-Up Twirly Card but essentially the motion of opening and closing the card causes a skewer on the inside of the card to twirl, this allows you to attach an element to the skewer which will also twirl. This style of card can look complicated but worry not, I have made a Cut File (at the end of the post) which may tempt you to give it a go :)
The picture below shows all of the materials you will need for the card base, you will need:
1 copy of the Twirly Card Cut File cut just smaller than A4 / letter size with your chosen KNK machine, I cut mine with Make the Cut and my Zing.
1 sheet of A4 / letter size Card
Strong adhesive tape
Twine or similar thread
1 Skewer
Starting with the cut file piece, fold along your dashed lines ensuring that your tabs fold inward, it should look like the picture below:
Feed the skewer through the space for it at the end of the tabs then wind some twine around your skewer a few times. Thread the twine through the holes in the card and attach to the back with some strong tape ensuring that your skewer twirls when your card opens and closes. You may find that the twine won’t let you open the card fully, this is fine as long as there is lots of spin:
Cover all of the edges of your card with glue or tape, you can also see here where I attached the twine:
Glue/tape your card base mechanism onto your folded A4 / letter sized piece of card, one side at a time. The outer layer of card is slightly larger which allows us to trim away the surplus with scissors and have a neat and tidy edge.
To prevent the skewer from slipping through the tabs I used a small strip of adhesive tape on the skewer ends then wrapped some of my twine around it and liberally coated it with some glossy accents and allowed it to harden. You can repeat the process if needed to form a larger stopper.
Your card base and mechanism is now finished and you can decorate your card. I cut some tall letters for the front of my card and popped them up with some 3d foam pads.
You can now add an image or sentiment to the skewer inside of your card, experiment with the size to ensure that it will twirl freely before you attach it permanently. For the best results use 2 copies of your twirly element and sandwich the skewer between them.
As mine is a Birthday Card for my Dad, I layered my letters in different shades of shimmery blue card stock, I hope it will catch the light when he opens the card and it twirls. The letters are also included as a cut file at the end of the post.
Here are your Free Cut Files – Formats: ai, dxf, gsd, mtc, pdf, studio & svg:
(click on the link below the image to download)
Twirly Card Digital Cutting File by Bird
DAD Digital Cutting File by Bird
Posted in 
Well hello there and welcome to the very first project to be made at the brand spanking new Birdhouse! Some parts of the house still need attention and a few boxes are yet to be unpacked but we can’t let things like that stop us from crafting, can we? ;)
I have a daisy edged card cut file for you today and I’d like to show you how I used a cheats method to create a stained glass look. You may remember I used different coloured pieces of vellum to create a stained glass look on my Mothers Day Card, well it can be tricky where you have fine cuts to hide your edges behind so on today’s card I used markers to get a similar effect in no time at all.
Pic 1: I cut the card base and the front panel as they appear in the cut file at 5.75 inches high to fit into a 6 inch envelope. I also cut the outline of the front panel in vellum to create my stained glass layer.
Pic 2: I stuck my vellum down to the back side of the front panel with a glue pen.
Pic 3: Still working on the back side of the card and vellum, I used Copic markers to colour the middle of my flower and the stem & leaves. You only need to add one layer of marker as it may start to streak if you add too much. The best bit about this technique is that it is very forgiving as you can colour outside of the lines, just as long as you stay behind the card and don’t veer into a neighbouring vellum window.
Pic 4: Turn your flower over and there are no signs of glue or colouring outside of the lines, they are all hidden :)
Pic 5: I glued my flower down to the card base ensuring to match up the window sections, wet glue makes this so much easier. Your card now looks neat on the inside and outside!
Pic 6: I decorated the front of my card with some broderie anglaise trim and yellow seam binding (Mimosa). My sentiment is printed onto some card then cut with a spellbinders circle die, I added an eyelet to turn it into a little tag then I tied it to my bow.
Pic 7: This is how the card looks when it stands up.
Here’s your Free Cut File – Formats include ai, dxf, gsd, mtc, pdf, studio & svg:
(click on the link below the image to download)
Hi Guys!
Today I am sharing my first post as part of the Team KNK Design Team in case you didn’t see it at the time. My project was first posted in January and was a card for Valentines Day but the heart card base can also be used for other occasions such as Anniversaries or Engagements by replacing the cupid with a different image or smaller heart to spin in the middle.
As we have a couple of weeks until Valentines Day I thought I’d sneak in with a Valentines card just in time. I have a Suspension card for you today, a suspension card sounds complicated but it is simply where an element of your card is suspended by thread which allows it to spin, it’s an easy way to create a lot of impact.
If you wish to make today’s card all you will need is your chosen KNK machine along with some card, thread and adhesive as I have included the cut files I made for this project for you to download at the end of this post.
I used Make the Cut to cut one copy of the heart card along with 2 copies of the cupid (ensuring that he fits inside the heart card opening). If you are using single sided paper or textured card you will need to use the mirror function for one of your cupids. All of the pieces you need for this project are shown in the picture below.
To assemble your card, add some thread to the front of the card base, down the center of the heart opening. Using invisible sewing thread or fishing line can be a great choice as it is difficult to see once the card is finished but any thread will be just fine. Using a strong adhesive tape is recommended here, I have used a red liner type.
Once you have added your thread you can add the front layer to your card which will hide your adhesive. At this stage I also added my heart (cut from glitter card) to the inside of my card base, it will fit just inside the heart opening and show through when the card is closed.
Now we need to assemble our little cupids. I’d advise attaching the hair and wings with glue then adding the extra body piece and arm with 3d foam pads or glue dots to add some dimension. The bow and arrow is glued to the back of each completed cupid.
Cover one of your cupids with adhesive tape then open up your card and lay him under the thread.
Lay the other cupid over the top of the first to sandwich the thread between the two of them and you are done! This is how your card will look when it is closed.
When your card stands open your cupid will spin and you can aim him towards the heart inside the card if you like ;)
Here’s how the card looks straight on when it’s open.
Here are your Free Cut Files – Formats: ai, dxf, gsd, mtc, pdf, studio & svg:
(click on the link below the image to download)
Cupid Digital Cutting File by Bird
