96th Post: Pop-up Card Story & GIVEAWAY!

As promised, here is the story of the pop-up card I made for the 2011 Six Degrees of HLM International Card Swap!  The idea came to me a few years ago--I wanted a challenge, and to learn about pop-ups.  I borrowed some lackluster books on the subject from the library and scrutinized another couple of pop-up cards I'd received and kept from over the years.  Then this February, I attended a friend's art night one wintery Thursday evening and developed this prototype (remember to click once on each photo for a closer view):

It didn't close properly, and the measurements were far from exact, but it worked, and it helped me to develop my design for the final card.  So I began cutting out or creating the various components.  Roads, buildings, trees, suns, lakes, sailboats, the grassy forefront, the blue sky, and fluffy clouds.  Not to mention the base of the card, made of black cardstock.

Then I began to assemble.

I knew that I wanted it to be not only a pop-up scene but also an actual card, where a message could be written without obstructing the view (haha!).  So I designed this tri-fold cover for the card.  You'd unwind the string from the button, unfold the top flap to reveal the message first, then carry on unfolding to reveal the surprise that is the cityscape.

To hold the card open for display, you can fold the top flap back and re-tie it to the button.

Here is some detail:

And so, in honor of my approaching 100th post, I am offering you a chance to win one of these most excellent cards.  If I were to try to sell this card, I'd have to charge some exuberant amount of money for the time it took to make it. So I'd rather not bother, and instead I'd like to make your day!

To enter your name for the giveaway, there are many things you can do. The more you do, the more times your name will be entered into the drawing:

1.) Simply leave a comment on this post. (For instructions, see right.)

2.) For an additional entry, become a follower of my blog!  (Click on the Follow button to the right, right below my contact email.)

3.) Tell your friends!  For anyone who either leaves a comment (and tells me you sent them) and/or becomes a follower, you get another entry. 

4.) If you live nearby, signing up for one of my classes (click here to learn more) gets your name entered into the drawing two more times.

Anyone can enter--I'll send this card anywhere in the world and include an envelope.  This drawing will close at midnight (mountain time) on Tuesday, July 12, and I'll announce the winner in my next post.  Remember to come back next week for another giveaway (one each week through my 100th post), and good luck!

(Special thanks goes to my photographer sister Ashley for taking these fabulous photos! To see more of her work, click here.)