A magical cardmaking project with a floating surprise inside!
Hello crafty friends!
Today I’m sharing a special pop-up card I made using some of my favorite Polkadoodles goodies !
I actually first made a version of this card for a Bee Happy Weeklies challenge with a Shades of Green theme — and it turned out so pretty that I just had to recreate it using Polkadoodles elements. A few people asked if I could share a tutorial, and since I’m not the most extroverted person to make a video tutorial, I thought I’d walk you through the steps here on my blog instead.
But before we jump in — a HUGE thank you to Sarah Trebilcock, from whom I first learned this gorgeous pop-up card design. The butterfly template I used in my first version is from her freebie in her Ko-Fi Shop, and she also has a video tutorial if you prefer watching step-by-step (plus, she’s so funny and easy to follow).
So let’s dive into the Polkadoodles version of this cute, dimensional butterfly card!
Materials Used
Cricut Maker
Butterfly die cuts – I used Polkadoodles’ Winnie Sunshine Delights Embellishments Bundle and cut them with my Cricut. I love this set because it's colorful and has lots of elements. I over cut so many butterflies and I will probably use them again with another Polkadoodles project.
Plain white cardstock
Acetate
Bearly Art Glue
(Optional: Ohuhu markers if you plan to color your own butterflies)
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Prep Your Pieces
Start by cutting your butterflies. Use at least two different sizes for a more dynamic look.
Score a white 8.5” x 11” cardstock in half at 5.5” to create your card base.
Make the Pop-Up Mechanism
Main Mechanism:
Cut a piece of white cardstock to 6” x 2.5”
Score the long side at 1.5”, 3”, and 4.5”
Score the short side at 0.5”
Support Strip (for additional butterfly):
Cut a strip to 1/4” x 6.5”
Score at 1.5”, 3”, 3.25”, 3.5”, and 5”
I tried using acetate for this part but noticed it held creases too much, which affected the pop-up action. I recommend using white cardstock instead.
Fold & Shape the Mechanism
Fold the 0.5” side tab backward
Fold at 3” inward
The 1.5” fold goes outward, and the 4.5” fold inward
Cut the middle 0.5 strips at the bottom and trim edges of the outer rectangles into tabs (these will be glued to your card later)
Create Triangle Folds:
Mark the center of each panel at 3/4” from the edge
Fold corners into the center point to form triangles
Alternate the folds so you end up with:
3 triangles folded to the back (middle + 2 sides)
2 triangles folded to the front (second and fourth positions)
Burnish all folds really well! It's ok if they don't look pretty, they won't be obvious once you put all the butterflies!
Adding the Butterflies
Cut 1.5” and 2” acetate (or cardstock) strips at 1/4” width — these will act as “arms” to hold the butterflies in mid-air
Begin attaching strips to the folded triangles:
Side triangles: 1.5” and 2” strips each
Next triangles: 1.5” strips
Middle triangle (back): two 2” strips
Middle triangle (front): two 1.5” strips
Add butterflies to the strips, checking each time that they don’t interfere with folds or stick out when the card is closed.
Middle Floating Strip:
Fold the long scored strip (1/4” x 6.5”) into a W with an M in the middle.
Glue the two ends of the “W” to the middle triangle of your mechanism
Add folded butterflies on top and in between for extra dimension
Squish to adhere the butterfly properly 
You can also add butterflies to butterflies! 
Reminder to always fold to check if butterflies get stuck to other butterflies! 
Assembly Time
Adhere Mechanism to Card Base:
Lay the pop-up mechanism in the center of the folded card base (8.5” x 5.5”)
The triangle in the middle should align with the card’s fold
- Hold the tab at the bottom with one finger and do not let go. Fold the mechanism flat to one side. Once the mechanism is flat, hold it down with your other hand and slowly let go of the bottom tab, making sure that the mechanism won't move.
- Check that no butterflies are protruding out of the card. If so, adjust the placement of your mechanism or move the butterflies (just carefully removed the glued butterflies).
- Glue the tab that’s on top
Close the card and press firmly to adhere
Open and repeat with the other tab
Final Checks:
Open and close the card a few times to make sure butterflies don’t catch on each other
Add more butterflies to the back or on top of other butterflies as you wish!
Decorating the Card Front
Cut white cardstock to 5.25” x 8.25” (base)
Cut patterned paper to 5” x 8”, glue on top of the white cardstock
Cut a square 3.25” x 3.25” and raise with foam tape - adhere to the card front
Add a 2.75” x 3.75” patterned paper layer
I used a repeated Grateful sentiment (created using Cricut’s Print Then Cut) on a 2.5” x 4” rectangle
Only adhere the middle so you can tuck ephemera between the layers
- Decorate with more Polkadoodles elements and embellishments
- Glue this to the card
This card is such a showstopper when opened — those butterflies really do look like they’re fluttering out of the card!
If you want to try this project, I hope this blog tutorial helps you get started. And if you do make one, please tag me on Instagram, @my.cat.and.crafts or Facebook, My Cat and Crafts so I can see your magical creations!
And don’t forget to check out all the amazing designs at Polkadoodles!
Happy crafting!
xo, Ana 🦋
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