Mariposa Magic!

I was asked by many readers of my blog to publish a tutorial for the Fireworks card. So, here it is, with slight modifications, a step-by-step guide for this rich pop-up technique.

1. The first thing I did was to stamp LOTS of these pretty butterflies from a Stampendous! stamp set. The ink pads are by Colorbox, and I think it’s a lovely collection. The color range goes from soft pink to coral and bordeaux, it’s not too sweet and matches lots of my favorite paper packs. A little beginner’s stamping tip: if you’re using the same stamp with several different ink shades, and – like me 😉 – you are too lazy to clean it after each stamping, I suggest following these rules: never use a light shade after a dark shade (but the other way around) so the ink pad won’t get dirty. Second rule- never mix colors (red after blue, yellow after green, etc.). I followed these rules and used each stamp starting with the lightest shade, then stamped with a little darker shade and so on. Once dried, I cut the butterflies with an x-acto knife. Some will be used on this card, some on a future project.

2. Now, choose your exterior and interior papers for the card.

3. Measure and score the exterior paper. I made the card 12X17 cm (to fit a 13X18 cm envelope). Important! Measure your card with an extra 1/2 cm, and score the center fold as shown to create a double fold (like the cover of a thin book). The reason for doing this is that the card is very thick, with lots of layers of paper.

4. Take the interior paper and turn it on it’s back. Now, I measured the paper on each side 11.5X16 cm, to eventually receive a 1/2 cm border between the interior and exterior papers. I added to that calculation 6 extra cm, to create 3 dividers in the middle of the card. If you’re confused at this point, continue reading- I think the next steps and pictures will clear it out for you.

5. Fold the scored paper so you’ll receive an “accordion” as shown in the picture (notice that the paper is facing UP here).

6. Turn the interior paper on it’s back again and glue the folded “valleys”. I held the glued dividers with clips, to make sure they’ll stick firmly.

7. Glue the interior paper to the exterior one. You will obtain the complete base of the card, with three small dividers in the middle.

8. I wanted to create a paper meadow, so I cut different green card stocks and some patterned paper, in the shape of grass stems. When I made the Fireworks card, I used several patterned papers which made a colorful and busy background. Here, because the butterflies are colorful and detailed, I preferred to keep a solid background.

9. Start assembling the grass stems onto the card, gradually. Pay attention to depth and composition, using the different dividers on their back and front.

10. Decision time! If you’re going to use punched (rather than stamped) decorative elements, you can have the card open 180 degrees, with the central elements standing perpendicular to the card (as shown below). In that case- make sure you use only double-sided patterned papers (and that whatever is on the other side works for your color combo). If you’re stamping the images, read the next steps.

11. Glue both far ends of the dividers to each other and to the side of the card. Hold it tight until the glue dries. Use a strong glue and make sure it doesn’t detach when opening the card.

12. The card is now ready for placing the butterflies in the grass. Use the layers and height of the card well, glue the stamped images below, in front and between the grass stems, to enhance the richness and depth.

13. Done!!!

Have fun with it and be creative!
ShirA