On the Outside Looking In: Creative Window Cards
31 May 2009
Author: Holly Craft
Everyone loves a Grand Opening! That is true of retail stores, but it is also true in card making. The front of a card can present a playground for activity. Cards with “grand openings” are fun to make and to receive. Let’s look at some exciting window cards that you can make.
Shaker Cards:
Our first example is a shaker card. A shaker card includes an enclosed visible space that holds something to shake. Things to consider are the shape of the opening, what is being placed in the space and how much thickness is needed to give room for movement.
Shaker cards are built in layers, beginning with the front of the card. Cut your opening(s) in this front layer. The next layer will be a clear material such as acetate or clear plastic packaging. The third layer provides the thickness that allows the movement to occur. Several lightweight materials can be used for this layer including craft foam, foam core or corrugated cardboard. Cut an opening slightly larger than the opening on the front of the card. Securely adhere this layer to the clear layer and insert your shaker material. You can choose anything that will fit in the space and move freely, such as confetti, glitter, sand, small shells or punched paper pieces. The back layer gives you another opportunity for decoration. It will be seen through the opening. In the daisy example above, the back layer provides the color for the flowers. It could also become your focal point. You could feature beach scene on the back layer with sand and shells in the shaker. Make a shaker card and your recipient is sure to get all shook up!
Spinner Cards:
Our next example of a grand opening is called a spinner card. The opening in the front of the card provides space for an object that has been wound up to spin once released from the envelope. We used two owl punch outs suspended on a thread that is secured between the front layer and the card. Before mailing we manually flipped the owl around several times, twisting the thread. When released from the envelope, the owl will spin in the opposite direction and amaze the recipient!
Construction of this card is simple. Decide what you would like to spin, what type of opening you want and what you want the viewer to see through the opening.
Diorama Cards:
Our last example is a diorama. This style of card layers openings to create a stage. You can use stamped images, photographs, decorative paper, etc. Each layer has extensions on the sides that connect to each other at different depths. When completed, the diorama will flatten to the side for ease in mailing. You can make your diorama as simple or as grand as you desire.
There are so many creative ways to make window cards. Hopefully, this glimpse from the outside looking in will inspire you to create a grand opening in your cards!