Hi. Welcome to a little bird crafts.
Do you like to make interactive cards? Let’s make a 5×7″ swing card with a moving butterfly. I’ve wanted to make this butterfly “move” for a long time and this technique isn’t too difficult. This idea was inspired by Charee Filimoehala.
- Cut a piece of cardstock to 5 inch by 8.5 inch to create a card base. (Confession: the card above is 5.5″ x 8.5″. That doesn’t fit in a standard envelope, so the instructions are adjusted.)
2) On the long side, make two score lines: score at 2.75″ from the left and at 3.5″ from the left. Fold along the score lines – it will make it easier to see for the next step.
3) Place the center of a butterfly die over the left score line. Using the partial die cutting* technique, run your “sandwich” through your die-cutting machine cutting only the left side of the butterfly. Keep the die in place for step 4. (*With partial die cutting only part of the die is cut instead of the whole design. This is done by placing the top cutting plate over only the desired area to be cut.)
4) Place the cutting plate over the right side of the butterfly just to the right side of the 3.5″ scoreline and run through your die-cutting machine.
5) The area between the score lines should not be cut. Make sure the cuts are all the way to the score/fold lines. If they aren’t quite there, use detail scissors to cut to the score line.
6) Cut two butterflies. One for the front and one for the back. I used the large Layered Butterfly set from Annette Green of Elizabeth Craft Designs. Because I added the decorative black layers, my monarch butterfly is five layers thick! It worked, but that was pushing the limit for layers.
7) Adhere the butterfly to both the front and back sides of your swinging element with glue or tape. Precision scissors may be helpful to trim tiny areas that interfere with the ability of the butterfly to move through the opening.
8) Embellish your card however you like. I used the beautiful patterned paper from the Harmonious Hodgepodge paper pack. The tiny butterfly stamp is from the Flowers & Nature set and the sentiment is from Playful Sentiments.
There is plenty of room on the back of the card to include a message.
What do you think? Will you try this? Please tag me if you do (@alittlebirdcrafts). I’d love to see what you make.
Thanks so much for reading along. Happy crafting!
Di/a little bird crafts
All Elizabeth Craft Designs products are linked below. By following the links, you will receive 10% off of your qualifying purchase and I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you. https://ecraftdesigns.com/ALITTLEBIRD28
Supplies: US & Canada links Europe links
Layered Butterfly 2134 https://collabs.shop/b6a8cl https://collabs.shop/n7rpcf
Playful Sentiments CS403 https://collabs.shop/uzipnc https://collabs.shop/tzpyja
Flowers & Nature CS385 https://collabs.shop/ztp6sx https://collabs.shop/l0jpav
Harmonious Hodgepodge C024 https://collabs.shop/ro766x https://collabs.shop/2d3hzd
Fine Pointed Tweezer https://collabs.shop/sn45ce https://collabs.shop/gzxino
a little birdie told me.... 