Creating and receiving a shaker card is so much fun, as it’s something a little bit different, tactile and interactive. The foundation of a shaker card is a sealed unit within the card, into which you can add sequins, small die-cuts, beads or anything appropriate. Normally you would seal the shaker element behind acetate, using a layer of 3D foam tape to give the shaker elements room to move within the unit.

The minor disadvantage of this is that when the card is standing, the shaker elements naturally fall to the bottom of the unit – and the effect can be lost. However, when you use a different material such as tulle, to seal the shaker card, the effect can be quite different.

Tulle is a great product to use when creating shaker cards as it is inexpensive, lightweight and doesn’t add any bulk to your finished project, making it easier and more cost-effective to post. It also adds a touch of glamour and creates the illusion of the shaker elements floating, as they tend to catch on the tulle netting, although a quick shake of the card and they will reassemble in a different arrangement!

With the tulle being sheer, it really does look like the shaker elements are floating in an aperture almost creating a bokeh effect, which, with a patterned paper such as the one used on the ‘Make a wish’ card, creates a very pretty finish.

I’m sure you’ll agree that using tulle on your shaker cards adds a little extra style to your makes. It is so easy to work with and can be used to create shaker pockets of any shape and size.

Happy birthday

Step by step

1 Follow the step-by-step guide below to create the tulle shaker panel.

2 Die-cut a stitched rectangle frame larger than the aperture from white cardstock and adhere around the aperture.

3 Finish with a stamped sentiment adhered in the top-right corner as shown.

How to… create a shaker panel using tulle

1 Trim a 12cm square of geometric paper and use temporary adhesive to position on the front of a 12.5cm-square card blank. Use tape to secure a 5cm-wide rectangle die on the card front.

2 Die-cut an aperture through the card front and patterned paper as shown.

3 Adhere a piece of tulle large enough to cover the aperture over the card front and another piece behind the aperture in the patterned paper. Fill the aperture on the card front with sequins then adhere the patterned paper with the tulle aperture over the top.

Top tip

Ensure to adhere the tulle securely both on the card front and the patterned paper

Have a beautiful day

Step by step

1 Trim a 12x17cm piece of ombré flourish paper and position on the front of a 12.5x17.5cm card blank.

2 Die-cut the small circle frame at the top of the card front, creating an aperture through the patterned paper and card blank.

3 Adhere tulle to cover the aperture on the card front and behind the aperture on the paper.

4 Place sequins in the tulle aperture on the card front, securing in place firmly. Adhere the paper on top, encasing the sequins between two tulle-covered apertures.

5 Die-cut the scalloped flower from pink pearlescent cardstock and white cardstock and adhere to the front and back of the aperture.

6 Die-cut a couple of leaves from white and adhere as shown.

7 Trim a 2.5x12cm piece of white cardstock and stamp the sentiment. Layer onto pink pearlescent cardstock leaving a narrow border and adhere under the flower shaker. Add pearls to finish.

Best wishes

Step by step

1 Trim a 12.5x17cm piece of ombré paper and position to the front of a 12.5x17.5cm card blank using temporary adhesive.

2 Use the rectangle die from the Spellbinders Coralene’s Frame to cut an aperture through the patterned paper and card front.

3 Adhere a piece of tulle large enough to cover the aperture to the card front and behind the aperture on the paper.

4 Place sequins in the tulle aperture on the card front and adhere the paper over the top, sandwiching the sequins between the tulle apertures.

5 Die-cut the fancy Coralene Frame from white cardstock and adhere over the top of the aperture on the card front.

6 Die-cut and layer the Cosmos flowers from ombré paper and white cardstock. Die-cut the foliage from white cardstock and adhere to the card front as shown.

7 Stamp the sentiment and decorate with pearls to finish.

Download 105 Free Printable Papers!

Make a wish

Step by step

1 Trim a 14cm square of purple paper and adhere to the front of a 14.5cm-square white card blank using temporary adhesive.

2 Die-cut the solid butterfly from in the top-left corner of the card front and paper to create a butterfly-shaped aperture.

3 Adhere a piece of tulle over the front of the aperture on the card front, ensuring to place adhesive as close to the outline of the shape as possible. Repeat on the back of the aperture shape on the paper.

4 Place sequins on the tulle aperture on the card front and adhere the paper over the top, sandwiching sequins between the tulle.

5 Apply VersaMark ink over the solid shape die-cut from Step 2 and heat, then apply clear adhesive and Glamour Dust to create a sparkly butterfly.

6 Die-cut the filigree butterfly from patterned paper and adhere over the top. Only apply adhesive to the body, allowing the wings to flutter freely.

7 Adhere the finished butterfly in the bottom-right corner of the card front then finish with an off-set layered die-cut sentiment as shown.

Floral birthday

Step by step

1 Die-cut two 14cm scalloped circles, one from pink pearlescent cardstock and one from white cardstock. Score the white die-cut shape across the top, 2cm down to form a hinge, then adhere to the pink one to create a shaped base card.

2 Die-cut the corresponding nesting circle from ombré heart paper then position on the card front and adhere using a touch of temporary adhesive.

3 Die-cut an 8cm circle aperture through the patterned paper and the card front.

4 Adhere a piece of white tulle over the aperture on the card front and behind the aperture in the patterned paper.

5 Place sequins in the tulle aperture on the card front and adhere the paper over the top, securing the sequins between the two tulle apertures.

6 Use the 8cm circle die to cut the largest stitched scalloped circle to create a frame, then adhere around the aperture.

7 Stamp and die-cut the daisy flowers, layer and adhere on the left-hand side of the aperture, adding the leafy branches behind.

8 Add a stamped and die-cut tag sentiment plus a rhinestone sparkler in the centre of the flower to finish.

Find more floral all-occasion cards on CraftWorld

Happy crafting,

Mike