Shaker Cards contributed by ?:
If you are anything like me, the idea of making a shaker card was met with trepidation. What image would I use? Just how easy (or hard) is it to cut that foam core stuff? What on earth would I put inside it? Comments from friends who have made shaker cards added to my lack of enthusiasm for them too. "Foam core…UGH!" was enough to make me run the other way. But after doing some research and seeing samples of shaker cards at a convention I recently attended, I've come to the conclusion that these unique cards are well worth the effort.Some of the things I've learned include:
Any image is appropriate for making a shaker card. You don't have to have a large image that you can cut the center out of, in fact, using smaller images gives more room for imagination. For example, one of the cards I saw at the convention used images of vegetables. The shaker part of the card was a square cut out of the center. The vegetables were stamped on a separate piece of cardstock, colored and cut out and glued in place around the shaker area.
You are not limited as to what you can use as "fill" for a shaker card. Some examples of fill are tiny beads, shrink plastic, glitter mixed with clear liquid soap, coins, sand, mini sea shells, mini M&Ms, potpourri, confetti, die cuts and seeds. When using liquid soap as a fill, it's probably a good idea to omit the foam core or fun foam. Use only enough soap to make the shaker area slightly squishy, any more than that and there could be a small "explosion" if you send it through the mail. Seal the two layers of transparency together with double sided tape to help ensure there will be no leaks.
Don't overfill your shaker card. Approximately one teaspoon of fill is more than enough. Mixing fill items adds interest. One teaspoon of tiny beads and 3 or 4 shrink plastic images adds to the "personalization" of the card and allows you to carry the card theme into the fill area. For example, if your card has a cow theme, you could use a combination of tiny beads and cow shaped die cuts as fill.
Fun foam can be used as a substitute for foam core. If you prefer a "thicker" shaker card, but still like the ease of cutting the fun foam, layer your fun foam to the thickness you like. (I believe, although I am not 100% positive, that fun foam comes in different thicknesses. Check with your local craft store).
Remember that your layering, starting from the bottom, should be folded cardstock, transparency, foam core (or fun foam), filler, transparency, and finally a piece of cardstock to finish it off. The front piece of cardstock should be the same size as the folded cardstock.
Overhead projector sheets bought at an office supply store are much cheaper than transparencies being sold specifically for shaker cards through RS vendors. If you are planning to emboss on the transparency, make sure you purchase the heat-sensitive product.
When cutting the foam core make sure you have a protective surface underneath, such as a self-healing cutting mat or a cutting board.
When cutting the hole in the foam core cut it slightly larger than the hole in the cardstock. This will prevent edges of the foam core showing through the transparency. Also, when cutting your foam core to the size of the card, cut it slightly smaller for the same reason. (Of course, I also saw one site that recommended the foam core be cut to the exact size of the card stock.)
If you prefer a "finished" edge on your cards, glue a narrow ribbon around the card where the foam core is visible. Remember that everything listed above is just one persons opinion. When you begin making shaker cards you will find shortcuts and preferences of your own. Let your imagination soar!
The procedure and materials required for making shaker cards are basically all the same. I've tried to combine all the information to reflect on any variations there may be. The list of materials is as follows:
Sharp exacto knife (or scissors)
Stamped image(s)
Foam core (or fun foam)
Stiff clear plastic transparency
Cardstock
Double stick tape
"Filler" for the shaker cardNow let's get on with actually making the card!
Start by cutting the cardstock, foam core and transparency to size.
For example's sake lets use the following measurements: 1 ~ 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 piece of cardstock (folded in half as the body of the card)
1 ~ 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 piece of cardstock (this will be the front panel of the card)
1 ~ 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 piece of transparency 1 ~ 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 piece of foam core (or fun foam, whichever your preference)
Stamp your image onto the 4 1/2 X 5 1/2 piece of cardstock (this will be the front of your finished card). Cut out the opening that will become the "shaker" part of the card.
Lay the piece of cardstock you just decorated over the piece of foam core. Placing the image face down will protect it from any accidental pencil marks. Trace the shape of the opening onto the foam core.
Cut the opening in the foam core using an exacto knife. To decorate the back of the window of the shaker card, stamp your chosen image or background onto the front piece of the folded cardstock and color as desired.
Line all 4 edges of the foam core with double sided tape. Carefully attach it to the front of the folded piece of cardstock.
At this point, put your fill into the opening. See above for list of fill ideas. Remember not to fill the opening with too much fill.
Place another layer of double sided tape around the foam core. Carefully lie the transparency over the tape, being sure to line up the edges.
Place a layer of double sided tape around the edges of the transparency.
Place the front panel of the card over the tape, being careful to line up the edges.
If you want to "finish" off the card, carefully glue ribbon around the exposed edges of the foam core.
Voila! You're done! Sit back and admire your finished project! There are a few variations to the above directions for making shaker cards. If you want a "see through" shaker card, you would have 2 pieces of transparency instead of one, and you would cut through all layers of cardstock except for the back of the folded piece of cardstock.
Good luck with your project and happy stamping!