How to Make a Pop-Up Heart Card

Steps

1. 1. Fold the Red Construction Paper in Half for the Heart Card

   Take a sheet of red construction paper and fold it in half so the short edges meet. Run your hand along the fold to press a sharp crease.

   Tip: A crisp fold makes the card stand up and close neatly later. Press it twice.

   

2. 2. Trace a Larger Heart Around the Template Against the Fold

   Set the template on the folded paper with one side of the heart touching the folded edge. Keep it near the bottom, but leave room around it.

   Tip: Leave about half an inch of space around the template. A bigger card gives the spiral more room.

   

3. 3. Cut Out the Heart Card Without Cutting the Fold

   Cut along the line through both layers of paper. Cut on the inside of the marker line so no black shows on the finished card.

   Tip: Keep the red scrap paper. You need it again for the spiral heart.

   

4. 4. Trace and Cut Two White Hearts for the Card Lining

   Fold a half sheet of white paper in half. Place the template in the middle of it this time, away from the fold, and trace close around it.

   Tip: Plain printer paper works fine here. Rob uses it in place of white construction paper.

   

5. 5. Glue the White Hearts Inside the Red Heart Card

   Open the red card flat. Rub glue stick over the back of each white heart and press one onto each inside half of the card.

   Tip: Glue right to the edges of the white hearts so they do not catch when the card opens.

   

6. 6. Trace and Cut Two Red Hearts From the Folded Scrap Paper

   Go back to your red scrap paper. Fold it if it is not folded already, and trace the template once more in the middle, away from the fold.

   Tip: Hold the two hearts pinched together the whole time so they do not slide apart.

   

7. 7. Cut a Spiral Into the Stacked Red Hearts for the Pop-Up

   Pinch the two red hearts together and start cutting in from one side. Follow the shape of the heart around and around, moving inward each time, like peeling an apple in one long strip.

   Tip: Turn the paper, not the scissors. It keeps the curve smooth and the rings even.

   

8. 8. Glue the Two Centre Hearts of the Spiral Together

   Lay the spiral down so the two layers line up again. Gently peel back one layer at the middle so you can reach the small center heart.

   Tip: Use a small dab of glue. Too much creeps onto the inner rings and they will stick.

   

9. 9. Glue the Outer Spiral Ring Inside the Heart Card

   Set the spiral heart inside the card, on top of one white heart. Put glue only on the two top bumps of the outer ring and part way down the outside edge.

   Tip: Line the spiral point up with the card point before you close it. A crooked spiral pops up crooked.

   

10. 10. Glue the Other Side of the Spiral and Open the Pop-Up Heart Card

    Flip the card over and open the other side. Glue the top two bumps of the outer ring on this side, the same as before.

    Tip: Write your message on the outside of the card, or put I on one side and U on the other.