ADD A LITTLE SPRING TO YOUR CARDS - IT’S EASY!

Hi Stampers!

Do you ever want to add a little more dimension to your cards, but you don’t want it to add to the cost of postage. Would you like to add a little something inside, but don’t want the hassle of a pop up element? Why not try a spring? They are easy to create and you have the supplies needed sitting right in your craft space. Let’s look at the sample cards:

VIDEO

CREATING THE SPRING

This is a basic pattern for the dimensional spring. The width of the cardstock can vary depending on the size of the image or greeting. 1/2” -3/4” is a good starting point. The spring can be cut into two or three springs. 

You will need

  * Cardstock - any color will work. Use scraps pieces.

  * Paper trimmer 

  * Scoreboard or trimmer with scoring blade

What To Do

  * For a basic spring cut a strip of cardstock 3 1/2” - 3 3/4” long x 1/2” wide (or any width you like). 

     If the cardstock is 3 1/2” long the glue tab will partially cover the under side of the first section of the 

     spring. If it is 3 3/4” long the glue tab will cover the entire under side of the first section of the spring.

  * Score as shown in the diagram above.

  * Fold as shown in diagram

  * Apply glue to top of end piece and slide this tab under first section of spring

  * If the spring is too wide, cut it in half - cut across folds.

  * Glue the spring to the image or greeting, then adhere to the card.

FORMULA FOR CUSTOMIZING SPRINGS

It is easy to customize the spring by using the formula  - section width x 5. and score the halfway point of the second and fourth sections. Here is an example:

* Section Length = 1/2”

* Length of cardstock - 1/2” x 5 = 2 1/2” 

* Width - your choice - let’s make it 1/2” too 

* Cardstock will be 2 1/2” x 1/2”

* Score every 1/2” (1/2”, 1”, 1 1/2” and 2”)

* Now score at the halfway point of the second and fourth sections - half of 1/2 is 1/4 so the halfway point between 1/2” and 1” is 3/4”. Move on to the section between 1 1/2”and 2”. Moving over 1/4” from 1 1/2 puts the score line at 1 3/4”.

* Fold as shown in diagram above - the M V M M V M pattern.

NOTE 

* I understand the spring construction and customizing the size might seem confusing and overwhelming. Watch the corresponding video. Make one. Make another one. You will get the hang of it. After you make a few customizing the size will make sense.  

* As for the glue tab - some people prefer it be shorter than the first tab, for various reason - to easily identify the first tab (far left) section from the glue tab, some feel it adds less bulk and makes the spring easier to manipulate late.  To me, it makes no difference. I gave you both options so you can decide for yourself.  Either way you will get the same result. 

FOR THE CARD

WHAT YOU NEED

* Card Base - A-2 size- 8 1/2’ x  5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Mats & Panels for Portrait card 

   Larger one - Cardstock for mat - 4 3/4” x 2 1/2” Patterned Paper - 4 1/2” x 2 1/4”

   Smaller one - Cardstock for mat - 4 1/4” x 2 1/4”

* Mats & Panels for Landscape Card

   Larger one - Cardstock for mat - 3 3/4” x 2 1/2”. Patterned Paper - 3 1/2” x 2 1/4”

   Smaller one - Cardstock for mat - 3 1/4”x 2”  Patterned Paper - 3”x 1 3/4”

* Cardstock for greeting and images

* Spring (s)

* Inside panel - white or light colored cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”(optional)

*Stamps, dies, inks, markers, adhesives, etc

WHAT TO DO

* Adhere patterned papers to mats. 

* Adhere larger matted panel to left side of card base centering between the top and bottom. 

* Adhere smaller matted panel with its left side about the center of the card. It will overlap the other matted panel a bit. 

* Adhere the “spring(s)” to the back side of the focal image and / or the greeting and adhere to card

* Stamps inside of card or stamp inside panel and adhere to inside.

* Add spring to image for inside the card and adhere in place.

SPRINGY SANTA

PORTRAIT VERSION

The springs give the image and greeting a lot of dimension without a lot of bulk. Simply push down on the image and greeting and the card will slide right into an A-2 size envelope. I used one spring on the image and two on the greeting.

LANDSCAPE VERSION

INSIDE - SPRINGY SANTA

Using a spring to an image inside a card is a twist on a pop up image. The spring give the image dimension like a pop up image, but it adds virtually no bulk.

POLAR BEAR HOLIDAY

PORTRAIT VERSION

The greeting and bear image each have one spring adhered to them. There is a mini glue dot holding the bear’s ear to the greeting.

LANDSCAPE VERSION

I put s bit of glue along the bottom of the bear image to attach it to the greeting. This “grounded” my bear and kept it from looking like it was hanging in space.

VIDEO CARDS

PORTRAIT VERSION

INSIDE - SNOW GIRL ON SPRING

LANDSCAPE VERSION

INSIDE - SNOW GIRL ON SPRING

These cards were created using  SNOW MUCH FUN stamps, dies, and patterned paper from Doodlebug Designs. All other supplies are from Stampin’ Up!

SNOW MUCH FUN PAPER

SNOW MUCH FUN BUNDLE

TODAY’S CARDS

So there you have it, an easy, lightweight, and thrifty way to add dimension to the inside or outside of your cards.  The springs are a good alternative to a pop up when you just want to add a little something extra to your card. 

That’s all for today! Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim