Waterfall Card Tutorial
This step-by-step tutorial reveals the secrets of these gorgeous waterfall cards – the perfect technique for hiding a special message!
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You will need:
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If you have never tried making a waterfall card it may be a good idea to practise making the working parts with some cheap card, and keeping this as a template for future reference, before using your best cardstock.
You can use any small images or even die-cuts to decorate the individual toppers for the waterfall, but they do need to be flat so that the movement of the waterfall is smooth. I would advise matting and layering cardstock on the front of the card to give more stability for the moving parts, and using a strong card for the base card.
To make the mechanism you need a strip of card 4cm or 5cm wide and 25cm to 29cm long, depending on the size and number of toppers you add to the waterfall. The strip is scored and folded with the first score line the same size as one of the toppers, and then at equal increments of 1.5cm or 2cm for the number of toppers you are adding. You need to make sure that the tail at the back is longer than the scored section to give you a tab to pull. Fold the score lines a few times to make sure the mechanism works well.
The narrow strip across the card is holding the waterfall in place and needs to be attached with more than just glue. It is best to use brads, eyelets or even staples to ensure the strip is secure. The longer unscored piece of the waterfall mechanism is placed between the narrow strip and the card base. Line up the edge of the scored end with the bottom of the strip and attach the scored front only to the strip with strong adhesive. The toppers can then be to added to the mechanism by attaching at each score line. Place the toppers just below the score lines as this will give the best flipping action when complete.
Have a go – these cards are easy when you know how. You could even add a secret message to the back of the waterfall as an extra surprise.
Cut four pieces of white cardstock to measure 5cm square. Stamp images and a sentiment on each of the squares and matt onto 5.5cm squares of coloured card, leaving narrow borders
Cut a 5.5x22cm strip of coloured card. Score and fold at 5.5cm, 7cm, 8.5cm and 10cm to create the waterfall mechanism
Cut a 14cm square of white cardstock and stamp images in the corners. Cut a 2x14cm strip of coloured cardstock. Attach the coloured strip across the white cardstock, securing with brads at each end. Matt onto coloured cardstock and attach to the card front
Attach the waterfall mechanism by sliding the longest unscored piece between the strip and the card base. Line up the edge of the scored end with the bottom of the strip and attach using double-sided tape
Attach the stamped sentiment to the bottom of the strip. Apply adhesive to the scored sections of the strip only and fasten on the remaining stamped squares
Punch a hole at the end of the strip and attach a piece of ribbon. When you gently pull the ribbon the images will flip one at a time and slide behind the strip. Stamp a sentiment onto the card front. Add gems as shown to finish
You will need
- White 21x10.5cm card blank
- White & purple cardstock
- Hobby Art Just For You stamp set
- Pumpkin Spice, Persimmon, Pink Grapefruit, Wheat & Purple Hydrangea VersaMagic inkpads –
- Brads
- Ribbon
- Pearls
- Double-sided tape
You will need
- White 18x13cm card blank
- White & orange cardstock
- Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Circles dies
- 2” circle punch
- Crafter’s Companion Butterfly Lullaby Just For You stamp set
- Persimmon, Night Sky & Purple Hydrangea VersaMagic inkpads
- Tumbled Glass Rnger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
- Brads
- Ribbon
- Gems
- Doubled-sided tape
- 3D foam pads
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White 14.7cm-square card blank
- White & orange cardstock
- Inkylicious Make a Wish stamp set
- Purple Hydrangea VersaMagic inkpad
- Brads
- Ribbon
- Gems
- Clear glitter
- Glue pen
- Double-sided tape
You will need
- White 18x13cm card blank
- White & dark blue cardstock
- Leane Creatif Blossom stamp set
- Persimmon, Pink Grapefruit & Purple Hydrangea VersaMagic inkpads
- Die’sire Essentials Thank You die
- Brads
- Ribbon
- Pearls
- Double-sided tape
- Manual die-cutting machine
You will need
- White 18cm-square card blank
- White, pale orange, light blue & dark blue cardstock
- Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Sixteen dies
- Die’sire Flowers For All Occasions dies
- Die’sire Essentials Happy Birthday die
- Dried Marigold Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
- Brads
- Ribbon
- Gems
- Double-sided tape
- 3D foam pads
- Manual die-cutting machine
