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Area 49

This guide provides information on how to use technology within Area 49, as well as guides for digital technologies and physical projects. Area 49 is available for use by all current students, faculty, and staff.

Supplies

  • Paper in multiple colors (or white to color later)
  • Coloring instruments (crayons, colored pencils, markers, paints)
  • Adhesive (tape or glue)
  • Scissors
  • Optional: embellishments (string, glitter glue, sequins)

Steps

  1. Choose a piece of paper for your base page. Fold it in half and cut it to 4 ½ x 6in.
  2. Choose a piece of paper for your inside page. Fold it in half and cut it to the size of the base page.
  3. Cut two Parallel Folds an inch or two from one another -- one 1in long (about ¼ of the way) and the other 2in long (about ½ of the way).
  4. Adhere the inside page to the base page, but leave the parallel folds free.
  5. Construct the following:
    1. Inside message flap
      1. Cut a shape about 2in x 2in. Write your holiday message on one side and fold the paper horizontally, so the message is on the inside.
      2. Using the same color paper as the inside page of your card, cut a strip about ½ x 3in. Adhere ¼ in of the long end to the bottom inside of the message paper and fold it over the back of the paper
      3. Lay the card flat.
      4. Keeping the message folded, adhere the side without the paper strip to the top left corner of the card. Position it so that the pull strip falls between the card’s two parallel folds from Step 3.
      5. Fold the free edge of the strip back to meet the crease of the card. Fold it under itself and glue that underside to the card’s inside page. This will not be on the same side of the card as the message.
    2. Mittens
      1. Draw or construct a pair of mittens about 1 ½ x 2in.
      2. Adhere them to the 2in parallel fold. (With the card at a 90º angle, adhere them to the top of the surface facing you.)
    3. Fireplace
      1. Draw or construct a fireplace about 2 ½ x 2 ½ in.
      2. Adhere it to the 1in parallel fold. (With the card at a 90º angle, adhere it to the surface facing you. The base of the fireplace should touch the “floor.”)
    4. Rug
      1. Draw or construct an oval rug about 2 x 3in.
      2. Adhere the rug to the inside page in front of the fireplace.
    5. Outer Embellishment
      1. Cut two trapezoids (about 2 ½ x 4in) from two different colors of paper. Reverse the direction of one of the trapezoids, rotate it so that it sits diagonally over the other color, and glue the two together. Glue this to the outside of your card in a landscape format.

Hints & Tips

  • Plan your card. Sketch out what you want the inside of your card to look like. Using this sketch, you will be able to determine what kinds of folds you will use for your pop-ups.
  • As you put the items together, always be sure to fold the card after each add to make sure everything folds correctly and fits within the card.
  • If you will use many pop-up items or items that are larger or heavier, use cardstock or glue two pages together for a stronger base page.

Challenges!

  • Consider embellishments, such as glitter, outlining shapes with cut-out paper trim or markers, or any other 3D options that will still lay flat when the card is closed.
  • Consider more difficult and dynamic options, such as:
  • Make a full pop-up book. Other types of folds and a template for a laser-cut cardboard cover can be found on our Pop-Up Books page.