Sunday, July 22, 2012

Tool Bench Card  EZ3D PopUps  Level 2    Lesson 2

Materials needed: Template, cardstock, craft knife, ruler, pencil, printer.


If you have practiced the second generation cutting in the previously posted template, you should be able to make this card easily.  The directions are included with the PDF template.  You only have to make 4 vertical cuts with the craft knife.  You will see that I don't have a lot of dotted folding lines on the final card template.  I don't like to see those on finished cards, so I set up the template so you can fold and cut without them.

Just follow the guides on the direction page of the template and you will do fine.  You will need to kiss cut the mountain (ridge) folds.  That means you cut with little or no pressure so only the top layer of card stock is cut and allows the paper to bend forward into a mountain fold.

This would make a great card for Father's Day or for a birthday for anyone who loves working with tools.  If you need me to make a tutorial on how to fold this card, please let me know in the comment section. Have fun!

Click here for the PDF template.


 Contacting me: To leave a comment, click on the word Comments in the box below the post. All comments are approved by me before publishing. If you would like me to contact you directly, let me know that and include your e-mail address in the comment box. I do not publish comments with e-mail addresses, so your address is safe.

 If you enjoy collecting these patterns and don't want to miss one, PLEASE follow me by e-mail and add my e-mail address to your address book. Look for the red arrow in the right hand column. Fill in the e-mail box and click submit. Your e-mail address will never be sold or distributed or used for any reason other than sharing EZ3D content and news. If you have a Facebook account, would you please take a few seconds and like me on Facebook. Thanks so much and have fun!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

EZ3D PopUps Sneak Preview of Upcoming Projects

Hi, Everyone!

I hope you have working on the vertical box exercise that was featured on the previous post.  I am still tweaking the templates for the Pop Up cards that we will be making based on that exercise, so in the meantime I am giving you a sneak preview of our upcoming projects.

I use a grid to design the templates for all my OA and Pop Up cards.  Eventually the flat grid is turned into a working 3D model.  I adjust the model so that it works properly and eventually it looks something like this:



Here is a view of the back of the model:

Once I have the working model adjusted and if I am going to be working in color, I add colors and textures.  Here is an in-progress sample based on our recent Level 2 exercise.





and a preview of some of our upcoming models.




Here is an overhead view so you can see the depth of the cuts.


 When the model is complete, it is inserted into an outside sleeve, either by slots, picture corners or adhesive. The top of the outside sleeve can be decorated.


That's all for now.  It's back to the drawing board to continue preparing your next free template.
See you soon!

Grandma Jean


Contacting me: To leave a comment, click on the word Comments in the box below the post. All comments are approved by me before publishing. If you would like me to contact you directly, let me know that and include your e-mail address in the comment box. I do not publish comments with e-mail addresses, so your address is safe. 


 If you enjoy collecting these patterns and don't want to miss one, PLEASE follow me by e-mail and add my e-mail address to your address book. Look for the red arrow in the right hand column. Fill in the e-mail box and click submit. Your e-mail address will never be sold or distributed or used for any reason other than sharing EZ3D content and news. If you have a Facebook account, would you please take a few seconds and like me on Facebook. Thanks so much and have fun!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

EZ3D PopUps Level 2 Lesson 1 Vertical boxes

EZ3D PopUps Level 2  Lesson 1 Vertical Boxes

Please read the previous post regarding Level 2 materials and techniques.  

Materials needed: Template, printer paper, craft knife, ruler and scoring tool.

Vertical box. Practice this first.
After practicing the first box, you will add a second
generation cut to create two box shapes.
Let's get started.  Click HERE to download the PDF template.  You will get two pages. One is the first generation cut with the directions on it.  Do that one first.  Cut the border away from the template and then score and cut according to the directions.

Slip your hand into the slot and bend
forward on the valley fold.

Slip your fingers behind the slots and bend the valley fold forward and crease. Also pinch forward the valley fold lines to the right and left of the slot.  Make sure the paper is creased only on the dotted lines.













Turn the paper upside down and repeat the procedure.








Keeping your hands within the slots, pinch the mountain (ridge) fold forward.  Make sure the paper is only bent on the lines.







Making sure that all the creases are folding in the right direction, fold the template flat,  firmly crease the folds and then pop up the paper.





The next diagram includes a second generation cut (which means you cut into a fold created by the first generation cut.)

Cut the border away from the template, score all the lines and then cut them.  Starting with the largest box first, follow the same procedure you used in the first template.  Then apply the procedure to the shorter box. Carefully close the card so that all the folds are going the right way, crease and then pop up the card.

Our next project will be creating a fun pop up card using what we learned today.  


Contacting me: To leave a comment, click on the word Comments in the box below the post. All comments are approved by me before publishing. If you would like me to contact you directly, let me know that and include your e-mail address in the comment box. I do not publish comments with e-mail addresses, so your address is safe. 


 If you enjoy collecting these patterns and don't want to miss one, PLEASE follow me by e-mail and add my e-mail address to your address book. Look for the red arrow in the right hand column. Fill in the e-mail box and click submit. Your e-mail address will never be sold or distributed or used for any reason other than sharing EZ3D content and news. If you have a Facebook account, would you please take a few seconds and like me on Facebook. Thanks so much and have fun!

EZ3D PopUps Level 2 Materials and Techniques

EZ3D PopUps  Level 2  Materials and Techniques

In Level 1,  we explored Origamic Architecture basic cuts, using a pair of scissors.  Our projects always started with the paper folded in half to create the first fold. Because we used scissors and made parallel cuts into the folds, the depth and height of the objects were always equal.  To create the creases, we simply folded the flaps back and forth.

Now it's time to explore more complex patterns.  In most cases, the cuts will still be parallel, but not always exactly symmetrical and the depth and height may not be equal. We shall learn to score by indenting and "kiss cutting" the paper or card stock and executing more complex folds.

Tools needed: Template, cutting mat, ruler, scoring tool (bone folder, embossing tool, butter knife, or steel crochet hook,) and craft knife.


My favorite new scoring tool is a steel crochet hook.  I found a
pack of vintage crochet hooks at a thrift store for $1.  

A cutting mat of some kind is absolutely essential in all papercrafts involving craft knives.  However, if you can't afford to buy one, just make sure you have something under your paper when you cut, so you don't damage your table or desk.

A scoring tool can be anything that is narrow and can impress the paper or cardstock without cutting it.
My favorite new scoring tool is a steel crochet hook.

A ruler is important for scoring and for cutting long straight lines. When using a ruler for either scoring or cutting, place the ruler on the edge of the line, put the tool tip in the middle of the line and nudge the ruler up against the tool.  Move the tool to the other end of the line and nudge the ruler to it there too. Keep doing that until you have the ruler exactly where it needs to be and then use your tool.

A craft knife is essential!  Scissors are good for cutting away outside borders and making symmetrical cuts in folds, but once you get into asymmetrical cutting,  using scissors will more than likely result in inexact cuts.  My favorite craft knife of the moment is the Fiskar's Fingertip knife, pictured above. It's the one with the funny orange handle. It took some getting used to, but now I love it.

Paper and card stock.  Because cardstock is more expensive than printer paper, I always recommend practicing your cuts and folds on heavy printer paper. 24 or 28 lb paper is ideal for this, however 20 lb can work too.  It just a little flimsy and may not stand up by itself.

When scoring on paper, you can just use the indenting method (pressing on the dotted lines) and fold the paper in the direction it's supposed to go.  The paper is flexible enough to do that. You can't really kiss cut paper because it doesn't have the layers that card stock has.

When using card stock, you can use the indenting method too, but you may have to flip the card stock  over and indent from behind.  The obvious drawback to this is that you usually can't see where the lines are.  Some people mark the lines with tiny pinholes.  Another way is to indent all the ridge lines first, turn the paper over and indent them again on the back. When that is done, go back to the valley fold lines and score those.  The valley scores will want to go only forward and the ridge lines will be able to fold both ways.  If you are using 65 lb cardstock, you may be able to use a light box and be able to see the lines but I haven't tried that myself, so I don't know if that will work.


Kiss cutting is cutting the top layer of the card stock so it fold in a forward direction. It takes some practice to do it correctly.  Practice on a plain piece of card stock.  Use a ruler.  Use very little or no pressure and run the craft knife alongside the ruler. Then feel the paper - there should be a very light cut there.  Bend the paper so the cut opens slightly and lets the paper bend. Some people like to flip the craft knife upside down and use a little pressure.  Whatever works for you.

You may want to use a combination of indenting and kiss cutting. Indent for the long lines and kiss cut for the short ones. What ever works for you.



Contacting me: To leave a comment, click on the word Comments in the box below the post. All comments are approved by me before publishing. If you would like me to contact you directly, let me know that and include your e-mail address in the comment box. I do not publish comments with e-mail addresses, so your address is safe.


 If you enjoy collecting these patterns and don't want to miss one, PLEASE follow me by e-mail and add my e-mail address to your address book. Look for the red arrow in the right hand column. Fill in the e-mail box and click submit. Your e-mail address will never be sold or distributed or used for any reason other than sharing EZ3D content and news. If you have a Facebook account, would you please take a few seconds and like me on Facebook. Thanks so much and have fun!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

EZ3D PopUps  OA Lesson 14 Double Steps Forward

Materials needed:  Template, printer paper, scissors, pencil (optional)

Click here for the template.

If you have never done a project like this, please download and complete Lesson 1 , and also watch the short video - How to unfold and pop up the pattern.     Then download  Lesson 13 Steps Forward and complete that.  Lesson 14 uses the same procedure with the exception of adding another pair of steps to the main structure.  This kind of OA is sometimes called fractal cutting.  The procedure is fairly simple -  you start with a primary shape, (first generation) then cut into the valley fold of the shape to create the next one (second generation) and then cut into the valley fold of the second to create a third generation.

Some tips for you:  A pencil or similar object can be used to help pop up the smaller flap.  When cutting on the black lines, cut a teeny bit past the end to help your flap fold properly on the dotted lines. Be careful to hold the second and third generations by the fold when you cut and also make sure that only the flap is being creased.   It's sounds difficult and confusing to talk about this but once you do it, you will understand.  If you need me to make a video of this, just drop a line in the comment form.  Have fun - another project is coming soon.

The procedure is the same as Lesson 13 with the exception of
adding another pair of steps to the center shape.
The project can be enjoyed vertically as well as horizontally.



As the flaps get smaller, it is helpful to use something thin like a pencil to help pop them out. 


This is how the project looks from behind.



 Contacting me:
To leave a comment, click on the word Comments in the box below the post. All comments are approved by me before publishing. If you would like me to contact you directly, let me know that and include your e-mail address in the comment box. I do not publish comments with e-mail addresses, so your address is safe. If you enjoy collecting these patterns and don't want to miss one,

PLEASE follow me by e-mail and add my e-mail address to your address book. Look for the red arrow in the right hand column. Fill in the e-mail box and click submit. Your e-mail address will never be sold or distributed or used for any reason other than sharing EZ3D content and news. If you have a Facebook account, would you please take a few seconds and like me on Facebook. Thanks so much and have fun!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

EZ3D PopUps OA Lesson 13 Step Forward


NEW! EZ3D PopUps OA Lesson 13 Step Forward Template

Materials needed: Template, scissors, printer paper.



Well, finally, a project for you.  (And another one is on it's way, so check back tomorrow.)

Here we are at Lesson 13.  Learning how to make steps. This is an important thing to know for classic Origamic Architecture and it's also very handy for regular pop-ups cards and other papercraft.

Before trying this out, make sure you have already done (or know how to do) Lesson 1 and watch the little video.  (See site index.)

All the steps follow the same procedure, just do them in order.  Please let me know if you need a picture tutorial.  I will be happy to make one for you. OK?  Ready, Set. Go!



Contacting me:

To leave a comment, click on the word Comments in the box below the post. All comments are approved by me before publishing.

If you would like me to contact you directly, let me know that and include your e-mail address in the comment box.  I do not publish comments with e-mail addresses, so your address is safe. 

If you enjoy collecting these patterns and don't want to miss one, PLEASE follow me by e-mail and add my e-mail address to your address book.  Look for the red arrow in the right hand column.  Fill in the e-mail box and click submit.

Your e-mail address will never be sold or distributed or used for any reason other than sharing EZ3D content and news. If you have a Facebook account, would you please take a few seconds and like me on Facebook. Thanks so much and have fun!