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.

Father's Day pop-up card that features origami DAD letters and paper balloons on red and white striped baker's twine

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.



All Things Paper is an AWIN (Etsy) affiliate.
Ann Martin
Ann Martin

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Comments

  1. Oh my goodness, that is the cutest card EVER!!! LOVE! xoxo

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    Replies
    1. very cool for cool dads

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    2. Yeah thats a brilliant idea i l♡ve this.��

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  2. Really very sweet!! I like this card a lot.

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  3. Thanks for a great step-by-step. I think I will try it. Best wishes, Carina

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  4. very nice, like the folding, and thanks for the step by step pics!!!!!
    Paula

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  5. That is fantastic! thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling sunday!

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  6. Really lovely and something different, great instructional too! thank you

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  7. This is delightful & thank you so much for the printable too!

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    Replies
    1. Help! Do you have any images if the folding for this DAD card? It's so wonderful and I need to make it for Father's day this year.. thanks so much

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    2. Hi Diane, in case you missed the explanation above, this is what it says: 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.

      You might also want to watch Gathering Beauty's origami alphabet video that I have added to the post. While her letters are not exactly the same as shown on the original card, they can be substituted. Follow along with the video that is posted above to see how to make a D and A.

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    3. Hi Ann, I've been trying to follow the instructing and still get stuck on Step 7.. I did watch the video an with respect, the letters are not as cute.

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    4. My best recommendation is to ask Karla directly. She is on Instagram and her website is https://writtenwordcalligraphy.com/. I see it has a chat feature so try typing in your question and hopefully she will respond with a photo of that step. Specify which letter you are having trouble with - D or A.

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  8. This is lovely! Thank you so much!

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  9. i got stuck on step 5 of the letter D. how did you make the house shape?

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  10. Dear the lovely, Ann Martin. My name is Meytri from Indonesia. I thank you so much for the idea, I really like it a lot. But, is there any way that I can learn how to make other letters? Except the D and A, I mean. Just in case if I would like to make another words or another cards for others, not only for 'DAD'. I'm just wondering if you would teach me how to do it, I would be thankful. Once again, thank you so much. I'm waiting for your reply soon :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Meytri, I'm glad you enjoyed the project. I suggest you check with Karla Lim of OhSoVeryPretty.com She designed this project as a guest post and may know how to do the other letters. You'll see an email envelope icon at the top right of her home page.

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    2. thank you so much. hope she'll reply my comment soon. love your work :')

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  11. In love!!

    I posted your idea in post "Parents Day" in my blog.

    If you want, visit it.

    Thanks!!

    Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you like the project and thanks for sharing the link.

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  12. PERFECT!! I'm making these now! Great tutorial!

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  13. Very, very cool.
    I would use.

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  14. Thanks for this tutorial! I made this card for my dad and he loved it!

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    Replies
    1. Is there any way you could help me with this please? I've not been able to figure out the instructions and cannot find any images on the folds. Help.

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    2. Hi Diane, in case you missed the explanation above, this is what it says: 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.

      You might also want to watch Gathering Beauty's origami alphabet video that I have added to the post. While her letters are not exactly the same as shown on the original card, they can be substituted. Follow along with the video that is posted above to see how to make a D and A.

      Delete
  15. You're very welcome... I'm glad you found it useful!

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  16. I'm really confused on how to do the letters can you add some pictures?

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    Replies
    1. Aw, I'm sorry you're confused... perhaps watch the video that I've added to the post. The letters aren't the same as the originals, but they can be substituted. Good luck and let me know how you make out.

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  17. i dont see the pictures with the steps...and the steps are confusing and hard to follow...pls help me..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karla no longer has photos to share with the one exception that is shown. However, the instructions are clearly written and you should be able to make the card by referring to it and the text. You might also watch the 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. Good luck!

      Delete

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