DIY: Origami Pop-Up Father's Day Card

Two friends, Karla Lim and Sheryl Yen in Vancouver, Canada, combine their talents to share all sorts of beautifully photographed craft and cooking tutorials on their new blog, Oh So Very Pretty. I asked Karla, who especially enjoys paper crafts and calligraphy, if she would like to create a guest post for Father's Day. I absolutely love this clever folded letters card she sent over and hope you (and your dad) will too.

Edit: Unfortunately Karla and Sheryl's site is no longer available and they are unable to retrieve the photos with the one exception below. However, the instructions are clearly written and you should still be able to make the card by referring to the photo and text. 

 

Karla's new website is Written Word Calligraphy. She can be contacted there or on Instagram.

 

You might also want to watch Gathering Beauty's origami alphabet video that I have added to the post. While the letters are not exactly the same as shown on the original card, they can be substituted.

Welcome Karla!

Hi everyone, while I know dads in general would probably prefer a new electronic gadget as a Father's Day present, show yours some affection by giving him a card made with love.

I must say I had a hard time conceptualizing the design at first. I like doing so many different types of paper crafts and couldn't decide which one to do! Mother's Day cards are always filled with flowers and hearts - it's almost too easy to make them, so I just decided to throw a little of everything I enjoy into this card. It's pop-up, origami, and calligraphy all rolled into one.... every bit of awesomeness is squeezed into the design, kinda like my dad!

Materials and Tools:

Origami paper or scrapbook paper: a variety of patterns (up to 5)
Card stock: 2 sheets (or use 5 x 7 inch card blanks); kraft and charcoal
Baker's twine
Scissors
Craft knife
Double-sided tape
Hole punch (1/8 inch)
Felt-tip pen
Ruler
Paper cutter - optional

Let's start with the origami letters. Make 2 letter Ds and 1 letter A by following the instructions below:

Origami letter D:

1. Cut a 5x5 inch square from a sheet of patterned origami or scrapbook paper.
2. Fold the sheet in half.
3. Fold the sheet in half again, and unfold it.
4. Bring the sides to the middle fold, and unfold it. This will make 4 even sections.
5. Open up one of the sides and flatten it, so that it resembles a little house. Do it on the other side too.
6. Tuck the outer halves of the house behind it.
7. Make triangular folds and then flip the origami over and do it again on the other side.
8. Fold the tip up so that it meets the middle of the origami, and then unfold. Do the same for the other side.
9. Tuck the folded tips in the fold to hide them.
10. Do the same for the other folded tip and you are done with letter D!

Origami letter A:

1. Cut a 5x5 inch square from a third sheet of patterned origami or scrapbook paper.
2. Fold the sheet in half.
3. Fold the sheet again in half, and unfold it.
4. Make a triangular fold so that the top right corner meets the middle of the origami.
5. Do the same for the other side.
6. Fold the side again until the edge meets the middle of the origami.
7. Do the same for the other side and flip the origami over.
8. Fold the two tips that you can see up. (Note: if you used thicker paper, you might need to use double-sided tape to keep the tips up.)

Now you're done with the hardest part of this tutorial! The next step is to prepare a card for the pop-up construction.

1. Print out the Happy Father's Day lettering on a sheet of kraft card stock or a 5 x 7-inch card blank: Father's Day Printable Card PDF [edit: not available]

2. If you printed on a card stock sheet, use scissors or a paper trimmer to cut it down in size along the printed guidelines to 7 x 10 inches. Fold this rectangle in half to make a 5 x 7-inch top fold card with the lettering placed on the inside lower portion.

3. Along the card's spine, make six cuts through both layers of cardstock to create three 1/2 inch wide and 1-inch deep strips that are perpendicular to the fold and evenly spaced.

4. Open the card and poke the strips forward. This creates the pop-up effect.

5. Use double-sided tape to attach the back of each DAD letter to a pop-up strip.

6. Your card will have a Happy Father's day note in calligraphy written by yours truly, but be sure to add your own note or even just simply "Love, [insert your name].

7. To add some extra oomph, cut circles from a couple of different scrapbook papers, punch a small hole in each, and tie on a piece of twine so they resemble balloons.

8. Use double-sided tape to attach the balloons to the card and stick the strings to the backs of the origami letters.

9. Finish your card by placing another 5x7 card behind the pop-up card to hide the cut-outs.

10. Use double-sided tape to adhere the cards to one another, checking to be sure it closes smoothly.

And voila! You are done with your pretty card made with love just for your dad.

What's cool about this design is that it's versatile... you can place the origami letters on the front instead of inside, or make something totally different to adhere to the pop-up strips. There are so many possibilities! All that matters is that you do it with love.

My dad has played such a significant role in my life, always supporting me and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. He's a great example of hard work that pays off. It's only fitting that I give back some of that love in what I love doing best, crafting. Enjoy card making for Father's Day!

Love,
Karla

 

As mentioned above, the origami letters shown in this video by Emma of Gathering Beauty can be substituted.

 

More Father's Day card making ideas: here, here, and here.

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