Before I became interested in drawing and found the Zentangle method I loved making cards and scrapbooks. Well actually, I still do, but my emphasis these days is on enjoying and teaching the Zentangle drawing method. I share how I got started with Zentangle and my artistic journey here.

A Twisted What?

I couldn’t resist sharing with you my newest favourite card design that I tangled to cheer up a friend. This card has an amazing surprise inside and is sure to please everyone.

Happiness - Graphic 45 Nature's Sketchbook

I used Graphic 45 Nature's Sketchbook paper collection to beautify the card and kraft cardstock as the base. As you open this amazing card you begin to see movement and wonder what's happening.....

Twisted Pop-Up Card with Graphic 45 Nature's Sketchbook paper

Finish opening the card and you are presented with a wide panel of images and a place for a personalised sentiment.

Twisted Pop-up Card with Henna Drum tangle pattern

I tangled different versions of Henna Drum on the pop-up panels and colored them with Prisma pencils. I kept the color scheme consistent by using colors that complemented the paper design.

You can find step-outs for Henna Drum on TanglePatterns.com. I don't know who originated this card design but you can find lots of samples on Pinterst and video tutorials on Youtube.

Twisted Pop-up Card Tutorial

In my tutorial you will find a summary of the steps to make this fabulous card. The final card is 4 1/2 by 5 1/2 which is the right size to fit into a regular small envelope. So let's get started .......

Step one - Collect paper and tools

You will need a few sheets of your favorite designer paper and a complimentary solid cardstock for the base. My sample has kraft color cardstock and a small piece of black to mount the sentiment. I also used 4 different pages from Graphic 45 Nature's Sketchbook paper collection.

For tools, I used:

12 inch paper trimmer (I don't recommend using scissors to cut the paper because it's almost impossible to get a perfectly straight cut)
Scoring board with scoring tool (you can use a butter knife and a ruler too!)
ruler
Adhesive - Scoretape (or any double sided tape)and tacky glue

Step two – Paper Cutting

Base Card parts - Kraft Cardstock

Cut the card base to 4 1/4 x 11, score at 5 1/2 inches on the long side

Score at 5 1/2 inches on the long side of the paper as shown

Cut the pop-up mechanism 3 x 8 inches and
- score down the long side at 4 inches
- score down short side at 1 1/2 inches
- make a mark at 2 1/2 inches from each corner with a pencil
- using a ruler and your scoring tool (bone folder), score from mark to mark twice forming a diagonal cross - as shown below

I marked the score lines with ink so that you can see them clearly

Cut the panel that forms the background for your tangled sections 10 inches by 3 3/4 inches and score at 2 1/2, 5, and 7 1/2 inches
Cut the small panels for your focus tangles. I used good quality drawing paper cut to 2 1/4 x 3 3/8

Decorative paper Preparation

You may choose any type of design for the front of your card. I chose a simple one with a centre message and two base colors. You can get as fancy or as you desire – it’s your card! For my sample I cut the following:

two decorative paper panels at 4 x 5 1/4, one for the front and one for the back of the card
two inside panels at 4 x 5 1/4
one side strip at 1 1/2 x 5 1/4
a piece of black cardstock to layer the sentiment panel at 3 x 4 1/4
for the inside sentiment piece I used drawing paper cut to 3 1/2 x 2 inches
4 sections for tangling cut from drawing paper at 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 inches

Step Three – Tangle and Colour

Henna Drum is a perfect tangle to compliment this fabulous paper collection. On each panel I drew the pattern coming from different angles.

Prisma pencil crayons were used to color my Henna Drum. The colors are rich and blend nicely. You can use any type of pencil or marker that works with your designer paper.

Collect all the parts of the card and prepare to assemble ......

Step four – Assemble

Next I used two-sided tape (score tape) to stick the decorative panels to the base card. It is important to work from the base of the card up to the last piece on top.

Adhere designer paper to front of card
- add the side strip
- the black paper
- finally add the sentiment panel on top of the black paper
Adhere the paper to the back of the card. I don’t always put designer paper on the back of my cards but in this case it adds weight which helps when opening this particular card.
Adhere paper to the inside panels – top and bottom
Adhere the tangled sections to the panel

Step Five - Add Pop-up Mechanism

Fold along all the score lines of the pop-up mechanism so that it lays flat like the picture below. You will push in the side portions of the cardstock which will become clear once it has been folded.
Add tape to the triangle shape - on both sides. If you flip the piece over you will see that there is also a triangle on the back of the piece.
Remove the tape backing on one side and carefully place the tip of the triangle at the top center of the bottom part of the card as shown .... Press firmly to make the tape stick to the card base.

Now remove the tape backing from the top of the pop-up panel and close the card. Press firmly to ensure that the tape sticks!

Open the card slowly so that you can see the pop-up mechanism work and be sure that it is securely attached.

You are now ready for the next step - attaching the beautifully tangled panel.

Step six - add the tangled panel

Next you will add the decorative panel to the pop-up mechanism.

Open card and lay flat
Add tape to the upper right corner and lower left corner of the pop-up panel

Place folded decorative strip at top of card.
Remove tape on the right side of the pop-up panel and close card. The tape will adhere to the decorative strip.

Now remove the tape from the lower left side of the pop-up panel
Be sure the decorative strip is completely folded and close the card. This will cause the left side of the pop-up panel to adhere to the decorative strip.
The panel is now attached! Be sure to press firmly where there is tape to ensure it sticks.

Step seven – Admire your lovely card

The last step of the Zentangle method is to stop, take a moment to breathe and admire your work at arm’s length. It's a good idea for me to apply this concept to life in general and I should take time to appreciate having time to craft!

That's it for today. I hope you enjoyed making this twisted pop-up card. Now that I have sent this one off to my friend I may need to make one to keep!

Happiness is ...... a great sentiment for today!

Have fun creating your own Twisted Pop-up card.

Happy Tangling!

Nancy