"OWL IN THE TREE" POP UP CARD - TUTORIAL

This is a card which had been formulating in my mind ever since I received the Creative Stamping magazine, issue #83, which I had ordered for delivery from the UK. 

The magazine included an "extra" set of free stamps, which had an owl in it.

With the owl being such a good size I thought it would look great in a pop up box card, which was shaped like a tree. 

I also thought that it would make an ideal male birthday card. Perfect for my brother, who's birthday is in November.

So today I finally got around to creating it.....................

THIS IS WHAT I USED:

• Black Card 270 gms
• Cream Card 270 gms
• White Card 200 gms
• Owl Stamp
• Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks
• Leaf Punch
• Strip of Acetate
• Wet glue
• Double Sided Tape
• Hot Glue Gun

HOW TO MAKE IT:

For the main pop up box:

1. Cut a piece of brown card measuring 8.5 inch(wide) x 3.5 inch(high) and score along the width at 2.5 inch, 4 inch, 6.5 inch and 8 inch.

Cut the narrow strip at a slight angle, both at the top and bottom, so as to create a tab. 

For the inserts:

1. Cut 2 pieces of brown card measuring 3.5 inch(wide) x 1.25 inch(high) and score both pieces along the width at 0.5 inch and 3 inch. 

Fold and burnish all the score lines (as in the photo above) 

Creating the box:

Glue the tab on the main piece and stick it to the opposite side to make the 'box' shape. (refer to photo above).

Glue the tabs for the inserts with wet glue, so there is some wiggle room, and slot the inserts into the box. (refer to photo). 

Keep checking to make sure the inserts won't stop the box from folding flat to go into an envelope.

To decorate and embellish:

Cut the layers to decorate the box:

1.  Cut 2 pieces of brown card measuring 2.25 inch x 3.25 inch
2.  Cut 2 pieces of brown card measuring 1.25 inch x 3.25 inch

Emboss the layer pieces with a wood grain embossing folder and accentuate the wood effect by sponging with Distress Oxide inks.

Glue the layers to the front, back and sides of the box.

The owl stamp:

1. Stamp the owl onto white card with black ink and colour it in.
2. Fussy cut the stamped owl ready for inserting it into the pop up box.

Tree branches:

1. Sketch branches to your liking onto brown card. Remember that they will need to fit inside the box in such a way that they won't go beyond the confines of the envelope when the card is folded flat.
2. Run the branches through the wood effect embossing folder and highlight their colour with the Distress Oxide inks.
3. Make a tree stump style of branch which will raise the stamped owl up a bit higher in the box.  (refer to photo further down and to photo of finished card).

Make the autumn leaves:

Smear Distress Oxide ink onto a glass mat (use autumn leaf colours). Spray with water and 

"smoosh" white card onto it so that the colours are picked up randomly.

Let the ink dry, then punch out leaves with a leaf punch, or cut leaves with a die or craft knife.

Adhere the owl to the tree stump branch and glue it into the box. Add in the other branches. 

Again, remember to keep checking that the tree branches will stay within the confines of the envelope when the card is folded flat.

With a spot of hot glue, attach the leaves where you want them onto the tree branches.

The Moon:

Cut a circle from cream card, which has had a thin watery layer of Distress Oxide smooshed onto it in patches, to indicate craters.

Cut another circle the same size for the back of the moon. Sandwich a strip of acetate between the two circles and glue them together. Use the acetate to glue the moon in place in the pop up box.

To finish:

.

Create a sentiment and attach with dimensional foam to the front of the pop up box. Also glue a piece of plain card to the back - for writing your message. 

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The card was great fun to make and I think my brother will be pleased with it.