Pop-Up Paper Structures

This book is subtitled "The Beginners guide to creating 3-D elements for books, cards, and more" and I think anyone interested in creating 3-D paper crafts should definitely invest in this book. It is a great reference book which explains, step-by-step, how to make a variety of pop-up structures. Once you know these basics, you can create almost anything!

For ages, pop-up cards and books have fascinated both children and adults. Can you imagine how much fun you could have creating your own? This book can help you do just that - make everything from simple gift tags to personalized books. You can learn 12 pop-up techniques and try your hand at one or all of the 7 projects shared.

This book starts out by explaining the basic supplies you will need, most of which you may have lying around your house. You can get started with supplies as basic as paper, ruler, and scissors. To expand on the basics, you will want a craft knife and mat, creasing tools, a few different adhesives, and embellishing objects such as stickers, stamps, and brads. It also explains the basics of how pop-up structures work and how they are constructed, along with a list of all the terminology used in the book.

The author then shares three chapters featuring instructions for making specific types of pop-up structures. These are broken down into groups featuring simple 90 degree pop-ups, intermediate 90 degree pop-ups, and 180 degree pop-ups. Altogether, you will learn how to make 12 different pop-up designs: six 90 degree designs, both simple and intermediate, and six 180 degree designs. All of the directions are easy to understand and there are many photos and illustrations included to help you understand exactly how each design is constructed.

Finally, the author shares directions to make several specific projects. These include pop-up note cards, a bouquet of flowers pop-up card, pop-up house, pop-up gift tags, and pop-up books. I love the little dog house pop-up she created, which can also easily be modified into a haunted house for Halloween or a gingerbread house for Christmas. I also cannot wait to try my hand at making a personalized pop-up book; I think this would be a fun way to make altered art!