Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Mid Week Midnight Madness "Carolyn's Shaker Card Tutorial"


Below is this weeks fabulous Tutorial from our very own Design Team Member Carolyn.

"How to Make a Shaker Card"
There are so many ways out there anymore to make a shaker card, but I would like to show you today how I make a traditional shaker card. It really isn't very hard once you get the hang of it, and they really are so much more fun than a typical card that you can't "play' with. They are so much fun for the holidays and especially if you have children on the card giving list. However, I am thinking that I have heard of so many adults really enjoying playing with these too. So, let's get started...
These are the basics to get your shaker card going.
You can choose whatever shaker material that suits your card best.
~Nice heavy cardstock, because shaker cards can tend to get a bit heavy and really need a nice supportive base to keep it sturdy.
~Any other papers that you will be using to design your card with.
~Dimensional tape I like to use the Bumblebee scissors when cutting the dimensional tape, because they don't stick to the tape like some scissors do.
~Ruler
~3 in 1 craft glue
~Acetate for the clear shaker window
~Nestability or anything that you use to cut your frame with.
~Whatever shaker material that you choose. I chose to use both, stars and snow for mine, but there are many things that you can fill a shaker with.

You'll want to have your image cut out so that you know how big it is going to be and how big of a card that you are going to need to work with in order for the shaker to fit and still give you room to decorate it. Prepare your image by coloring it, layering or glittering, and let it dry before going any farther. While you are waiting for your image to dry, you could always start working on your card base and getting it ready, since you should know the size of card that you will need at this point. Once you are done with your card base, decide where you want your image to be on your card and then measure a piece of desired cardstock to match the size of the paper that your image is on. Take your nestability or whatever you choose to cut with (it can be any size or shape that you choose), then center it on your cardstock and cut out the center of the cardstock. This is going to be your shaker window. Be sure to leave enough room on ALL sides to be able to fit the double sided dimensional tape. You don't want that to be sticking out anywhere.
Decorate that Shaker window cardstock any way that you like. You can run it through the cuttlebug and emboss or whatever you would like. I like to get this piece all decorated before I put the card together, but you don't have to do it that way. You can piece your card together first and then decorate it. I kind of like to see what things are going to look like before I put it all together in case I don't like it, then I can change it. The next step is something that you must take your time and be patient and precise. I like to put a fairly thin line of glue down each side of the backside of the cardstock shaker window. Do ensure that the glue line is even and covering each of the sides. Do not overdo the glue though, because it will run when you try to secure it and it can seep into the window area. This will really upset you as you will have to cut a new piece of acetate and try again. Carefully place your acetate down on the glue side of the cardstock and again wait patiently for this to dry, because it can slide and ruin all the work you have already done if it is not completely dry. This is where you should be right now....Your window piece should be ready to go.
Ok, get your dimensional tape out and your shaker material ready
This step is also VERY, VERY important!! You must line your shaker window with dimensional tape and you ABSOLUTELY MUST line your tape up evenly to have the tape meet perfectly at each corner. Do not allow any gaps in the tape, or else your shaker material will leak out. Unless you have a really thick dimensional tape, you will find that you are probably going to have to double layer the tape to give enough room for the shaker material to move around.
Add your shaker material, but be careful not to overdo this either, because even though you may think you need more, you really need very little to fill these windows up without having it overtake your image. Some shaker materials can seem to be static-y (don't know if that is a word), so you might want to check this out before using it. I had heard somewhere that if you rub a dryer sheet over your clear window that it won't stick, but I can't see that not smudging or scratching the window, so I have not tried this myself. Remove the backing on the 3d tape and get ready to place your image over the window. It's hard to know how you are placing an image when you are doing it upside down, but try to place your image as evenly as you can to line up with the tape on the shaker window. When you get your image placed where you like it, be sure to press down around the frame to secure the tape to the image with no gaps or openings for your shaker material to leak out of.
This is what it should look like when you have completely secured your image to the window.
Now your have your completed shaker window, and all you have to do is decide where you are going to place it on your card, and then glue it down.
Your shaker material should flow freely within the window if all was done correctly, and you are ready to give your fun, interactive card to someone special in your life.

I would absolutely love to see your shaker project that you try and hope that this tutorial will make it a little easier as well as possibly inspire you to try one of your own if you haven't done one before. I am happy to answer any questions that you have or look at your links of your projects if you wish to contact me, and thank you very much for taking the time to view my tutorial.
http://creativecardcorner.blogspot.com/
Have a wonderful day, and Happy Crafting! : )

Thank you Carolyn, what a wonderful tutorial. If any of you give this a try, PLEASE come back and leave us a link, so we can check it out :) As always, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments :)

Priscilla

30 comments:

  1. Wow what a great idea. I love th combo of papers and images, The layout is amazing please keep it up and much happy crafting to you. From Nikola @ Onyx arts

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  2. fab card and great tutorial

    Victoria
    x

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  3. This is stunning love the image and the tutorial is great. luv gina xx

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  4. this is gorgeous!!! Thanx for the great tutorial :)

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  5. Way to go Carolyn! I have never made cone of these cards before - and now I have no excuse! This look fabulous, thank you for such a great tutorial!! Your card is stunning!! God bless you!

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  6. WOW!! this is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talent. xo Jackie

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  7. Carolyn, you did an amazing job with this one. I just love the way the little door opens for such a sweet surprise inside! Well done!
    Hugs,
    Charlotte
    XXX

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  8. Fabulous Tutorial and card, love the stars and the snow!! TFS

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  9. Awesome Card ! I love the color combination and how you made the snow in the shaker =) I think im going to give it a GO =)

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  10. Wow, that card is sooooo cute. I love the little girl and those colors. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Oh wow!! Carolyn, what a really awesome tutorial!! I just ADORE your creations and this is just exceptional!! Thanks for sharing!! HUGS

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  12. Thank you for finally teaching me how to make one of these! I've been so afraid and you make it look so easy! Excellent job, Carolyn! :)

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  13. Wow, what a great tutorial and wonderful project.

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  14. Super cute card! And a great tutorial =)

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  15. how totally adorable that card is. I just may have to try this out.

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  16. Beautiful card and really great tutorial!!!

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  17. Really cute card...love the tutorial..I'm going to try this!

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  18. Absolutely beautiful Carolyn. I must try this one...Loz

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  19. Thank you for this great tutorial! Your card is beautiful!!

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  20. What an awesome tutorial Carolyn!!! Just love your card!!!

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  21. Thank you so much for the fantastic tutorial, such a lovely card.
    Love Sarita xx
    PS: I have just received your gorgeous envelope template that I ordered from you a few weeks ago, and I am so pleased with it. I was so inspired when I saw your fantastic creations using this template.
    I know it will get a lot of use and I can't wait to have play. I will let you know when I make my first creation with it!
    My full name Sarita Simmonett (from the UK).
    My blog is http://littleprincesscards.blogspot.com.

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  22. Thank you for sharing your talent and ideas with us!!!
    love your work!!
    Eleste from Greece!!!

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  23. Thanks for giving my tutorial a try, Loz! I loved your card! I hope that if any others give this a try that you will post your link here for us to see. I'm so excited to see what you guys come up with!

    Carolyn :)

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  24. WOW - your shaker card is GORGEOUS! At the risk of sounding really silly - how do you make your "hinged" window covering??? I'm not sure how to use my nestability to leave one side uncut. You can tell I'm still new to all of this. Thanks!

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  25. I am thinking that I should have added that to my tutorial ;)

    If you put a heavy piece of cardstock or even just a doubled piece of paper under the part of your nestie blade that you don't want to cut, you will have a perfect fold for your door to open and close without having to worry about gluing anything down. Works like a charm :) Thank you for asking, and I hope your project turns out beautifully. We would love to see it!

    Carolyn

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  26. for Chris Olsen,
    I'm in Elizabeth, NJ. You can throw a stone across the Arthur Kill and you hit Staten Island.

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  27. Such a great tutorial, Thanks so much for sharing!
    Hugs,
    Cabio

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  28. Awesome tutorial and Beautiful card!! When I seen Angelas card for the DT, I knew I had to come check this out. I love making shaker boxes but never really knew how to incorporate them into a card without them looking bulky!! Thanks for finally showing me!!!! Can't wait to play!!!

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