With a twist…
Making shaker cards can be time consuming but the result is really worth it. For today’s card, I was inspired by the Altenew course: With a twist, which focuses on some different takes on tried and true card making standards. Within the course, the instructor focused on using different color combinations, cutting out different parts of the card front to reveal images inside and making shaker elements on cards. For this card, I would like to show you how I put together a double shaker. A double shaker means that the shaker can be seen from both the front and inside of the card. Please read on for some tips on how to make this card.
Deciding on a shape and design
Since you will be doing some die cuts into your card base, it’s important to map out your design and decide where you will be cutting your shaker window. This is also the time to decide on any design elements as well as sentiments. Once the card is put together, it becomes difficult to change anything.
For this card, I wanted the shaker window to be in a heart shape. Since it is close to Valentine’s day, I wanted to make a Valentine Card. I decided on a 2 3/4” heart from Hero Arts infinity dies. I also wanted the sentiment to be die cut from Altenew Alpha Dies. The panel on the inside of the card will be showing through so I decided to make a pattern using stamps, embossed resist and distress Inks.
All elements cut and ready for assembly: front panel, top folding card, inside heart, sentiment and heart frame.
First I built all of the elements I was going to need to put this card together.
1. Front panel– this needed a heart die cut out of it. On a A2 sized piece of Neenah solar white 80lb, I centered the heart die and cut out the heart.
2. Top folding card– this needed a heart cut out of the front. I put the front panel I had just die cut the heart from, placed it on top of the front of the card making sure the back of the card was unfolded and lined up the heart die. I then ran this through the Cuttlebug machine.
3. Inside heart-On a piece of Bristol smooth cardstock, I repeatedly stamped a flower image from Altenew Peony Bouquet set with Versamark and then used Brutus Monroe alabaster White embossing powder to emboss the images. Then I used Distress Inks in: Spun Sugar, Worn lipstick and Picked raspberry to create an ombré panel with the flower images resisting the ink. I then burnished perfect pearls onto the piece for added shimmer. Then I used the heart die and one size larger, placed them inside each other and die cut the panel. This gave me the inside heart and a thin heart frame to add to the front of the card.
1. Front panel– this needed a heart die cut out of it. On a A2 sized piece of Neenah solar white 80lb, I centered the heart die and cut out the heart.
2. Top folding card– this needed a heart cut out of the front. I put the front panel I had just die cut the heart from, placed it on top of the front of the card making sure the back of the card was unfolded and lined up the heart die. I then ran this through the Cuttlebug machine.
3. Inside heart-On a piece of Bristol smooth cardstock, I repeatedly stamped a flower image from Altenew Peony Bouquet set with Versamark and then used Brutus Monroe alabaster White embossing powder to emboss the images. Then I used Distress Inks in: Spun Sugar, Worn lipstick and Picked raspberry to create an ombré panel with the flower images resisting the ink. I then burnished perfect pearls onto the piece for added shimmer. Then I used the heart die and one size larger, placed them inside each other and die cut the panel. This gave me the inside heart and a thin heart frame to add to the front of the card.
 This panel is for cutting the heart which will be on the back panel of the card |  This blended panel is for die cutting the sentiment with Altenew Bold Alpha Dies |
4. Sentiment– on a piece of Bristol smooth cardstock, I used the same Distress Inks to build an ombré gradient. I then used Altenew bold alpha dies to cut out LOVE from the panel. I also cut the same letters out of white cardstock three more times to build a stacked sentiment.
5. Foam backing– using the front panel, I measured and cut a piece of fun foam. I then placed the die heart onto the front panel/fun foam sandwich and ran it through the cuttlebug. This gives me an even raised dimension that will allow me to build room behind the front panel so the shaker bits can move around.
6. Acetate– I cut out two 3” squares of acetate to act as the windows for the shaker.
5. Foam backing– using the front panel, I measured and cut a piece of fun foam. I then placed the die heart onto the front panel/fun foam sandwich and ran it through the cuttlebug. This gives me an even raised dimension that will allow me to build room behind the front panel so the shaker bits can move around.
6. Acetate– I cut out two 3” squares of acetate to act as the windows for the shaker.
Putting together the elements
In assembling this card, it’s important to dry fit all the pieces to make sure everything lines up before gluing anything.
1. Sentiment-stack the die cuts by gluing them together. I use Gina K connect glue because it’s a liquid adhesive that has a precise tip.
2. Set up the front panel– first place one acetate window behind the heart cutout. I use score tape for adhering the pieces because it’s strong and I don’t have to wait for it to dry or worry about it leaking anywhere. Then adhere the fun foam to the front panel making sure the heart cutouts line up. I add score-tape now to the fun foam making sure to get the tape close to the edge of the heart cutout. Do not remove the paper backing at this time. At this time I add the heart to the back panel and dry fit everything to make sure it all works.
3. Add shaker bits. First I take the powder tool I use for embossing and put powder around the edge of the cutout and lightly on the pieces of acetate. This way shaker bits won’t cling to the sides and are more likely to move around freely. Add enough shaker bits that there are plenty to move around but not too much that they get stuck. I like to add sequins of different colors and shapes as well as seed beads and chunky glitter flakes.
4. Very carefully remove the backing from the score tape. This is a bit like the game, Operation, where you do not want to jostle the card too much or else the shaker bits will jump out and possibly stick to the tape. I remove the backing near the cutouts add the acetate and then remove the rest of the backing.
5. Add the front panel to the card base making sure to line up the cut out windows.
6. Shake it!
1. Sentiment-stack the die cuts by gluing them together. I use Gina K connect glue because it’s a liquid adhesive that has a precise tip.
2. Set up the front panel– first place one acetate window behind the heart cutout. I use score tape for adhering the pieces because it’s strong and I don’t have to wait for it to dry or worry about it leaking anywhere. Then adhere the fun foam to the front panel making sure the heart cutouts line up. I add score-tape now to the fun foam making sure to get the tape close to the edge of the heart cutout. Do not remove the paper backing at this time. At this time I add the heart to the back panel and dry fit everything to make sure it all works.
3. Add shaker bits. First I take the powder tool I use for embossing and put powder around the edge of the cutout and lightly on the pieces of acetate. This way shaker bits won’t cling to the sides and are more likely to move around freely. Add enough shaker bits that there are plenty to move around but not too much that they get stuck. I like to add sequins of different colors and shapes as well as seed beads and chunky glitter flakes.
4. Very carefully remove the backing from the score tape. This is a bit like the game, Operation, where you do not want to jostle the card too much or else the shaker bits will jump out and possibly stick to the tape. I remove the backing near the cutouts add the acetate and then remove the rest of the backing.
5. Add the front panel to the card base making sure to line up the cut out windows.
6. Shake it!
 Stacking the die cuts gives them dimension. Using a blended piece is really easy and gives a uniform and unique look. |  Dry fitting the card front panel, foam, acetate pieces and the card base to ensure proper alignment. |  All taped up and ready for acetate and the card base. |
Final assembly
After all the elements of the shaker were put together, I then completed the rest of the card. To the front of the card I used a T-ruler to line up the stacked die cut letters. Below the E, I stamped the word YOU from Simon Says Stamp + Altenew Fabulous You stamp set. On the inside of the card, I stamped LOVE and “you always” in Gina K black amalgam ink. To the front, I added die cut hearts from the Concord & 9th All About You die set.
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Bonus Card
Using left over pieces to the first card, I made a bonus card. On an A2 top folding white card made out of Neenah 110lb cardstock, I used My Favorite Things Tiny Hearts Background Stamp to emboss hearts with Hero Arts Pink Prismacolor embossing powder. I then used the left over white embossed ombré panel to help cut out a piece of fun foam. I then used the same method as above to build a shaker card except I only used one piece of acetate. On this acetate I white heat embossed a sentiment: love you always from SSS + Altenew Fabulous You stamps set. Acetate will warp and melt under the heat gun, so you need to use heat resistant acetate. I use heat resistant acetate from Crafters Companion. This way the sentiment is apparent on such a busy background. I think a die cut inlay sentiment would be neat here, too. I added acetate and the fun foam to the back of the embossed panel, filled the space with shaker bits and adhered the whole thing to the card base. It is now ready to brighten someone’s day!
 Heat embossing with Hero Arts Pink Prisma powder. This is the front of the card base and will show through the window. |  Dry fitting the card elements together to make sure they fit. |
Thank you for joining me today. I hope this post informed you about building shaker cards. Making shaker cards is fairly easy but just takes a bit of planning and preparation. I’d like to know which card is your favorite: the double or single shaker. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.