3 Garden Shutters Card Ideas with Interactive and Layered Designs

Interactive cards create an element of surprise by inviting the recipient to pull, slide or open part of the design. In this tutorial, you’ll discover three ways to create with the Garden Shutters Collection by Becca Feeken. The first two projects use kinetic shutter mechanisms that open when the recipient pulls a tab, revealing decorative layers and sentiments. The third project demonstrates how the collection’s intricate frames and floral dies can be used on a traditional layered card without an interactive mechanism. Along the way, you’ll learn how to assemble shutter layers, add metallic shadows, color delicate die cuts and build dimension with nested frames. These ideas include 5 x 7-inch and A2 card formats for encouragement, birthdays and congratulations.

Hello, crafty friends! This is Hussena from Quill and Punch Works, and I’m honored to be guest posting on the Spellbinders blog today.

I’m sharing three cards made with dies from the Garden Shutters Collection by Becca Feeken. This unique collection can create an interactive element of motion: pull a tab and the shutters open to reveal a surprise. The individual frames, flowers and decorative layers can also be used on traditional cards.

Project Snapshot

Skill Level	Advanced
Approximate Time	45 Minutes Per Card
Project Type	Two kinetic shutter cards and one traditional layered floral card
Techniques	Interactive card construction, layered die cutting, Copic coloring, ink blending, hot foiling and dimensional assembly
Occasion	Encouragement, birthday and congratulations
Finished Size	5 x 7 inches and A2, 4.25 x 5.5 inches
Featured Product	Garden Shutters Collection by Becca Feeken

What You’ll Need

Spellbinders Products

• Garden Shutters Collection by Becca Feeken
• Butterfly Bliss Garden Shutters 5 x 7-Inch Card Base Etched Dies
• Daisy Delight Garden Shutters A2 Card Base Etched Dies
• Eyelet Lace Frame Etched Dies
• Primrose Heart Façade Etched Dies
• Fluted Classics Rectangles Etched Dies
• Sweet Cottage Flowers Etched Dies
• All Occasion Sentiments Stamp and Die Set
• Mini Sincere Sentiments Glimmer Hot Foil Plate and Die Set
• Gold Glimmer Hot Foil
• Snowdrift Color Essentials Cardstock
• Alabaster Color Essentials Cardstock
• Waterfall Color Essentials Cardstock
• Pink Sand Color Essentials Cardstock
• Graphite Color Essentials Cardstock
• Onyx Color Essentials Cardstock
• Mirror Gold Cardstock

Other Supplies

• Neenah Solar White Cardstock
• Copic Markers
• Peeled Paint Distress Ink
• Picked Raspberry Distress Ink
• Twisted Citron Distress Ink
• Versafine Onyx Black Ink
• Sponge daubers
• Stamping platform
• Liquid adhesive
• Foam adhesive
• Tape runner
• White fun foam sheets

Card 1: Butterfly Bliss Interactive Encouragement Card

The first project uses the Butterfly Bliss Garden Shutters 5 x 7-Inch Card Base Etched Dies to create a delicate encouragement card. Additional elements from the Eyelet Lace Frame and Primrose Heart Façade sets add flowers, butterflies and intricate details.

Build the 5 x 7-Inch Shutter Mechanism

1. Die cut the kinetic layer from Snowdrift Cardstock three times.
2. Fold the pieces according to the die set’s assembly instructions.
3. Die cut the coordinating 5 x 7-inch card base.
4. Adhere the folded kinetic layers to the card base with liquid adhesive.

The mechanism may take a little time to understand on the first card. Once you become familiar with how the folded pieces connect, assembling additional shutter cards becomes easier.

Add the Decorative Rectangle Layers

Cut the Decorative Rectangle Insert from Snowdrift and Mirror Gold Cardstock. Layer the white piece over the gold piece, offsetting it slightly so the metallic cardstock creates a narrow shadow.

Color the Flowers and Butterflies

Cut the butterflies and primrose flowers from Snowdrift Cardstock using dies from the Butterfly Bliss and Primrose Heart Façade sets. Color and shade the white die cuts with Copic Markers.

If you prefer not to color the pieces, cut the flowers, leaves and butterflies from coordinating colored cardstock. Cut the butterfly bodies from Mirror Gold Cardstock and attach them to the colored wings.

Hot Foil the Encouragement Sentiment

Use Gold Glimmer Hot Foil to foil a sentiment from the Mini Sincere Sentiments Glimmer Hot Foil Plate and Die Set onto Onyx Cardstock. Cut it with the coordinating die and attach it to the card with foam tape.

Add the Eyelet Border and Pull Tab

1. Cut Waterfall Cardstock with the Scallop Rim and Outer Eyelet Insert from the Eyelet Lace Frame set.
2. Attach the decorative layer to the front of the card with liquid adhesive.
3. Cut the pull-tab pieces from Waterfall and Mirror Gold Cardstock.
4. Layer the pull-tab pieces and attach them to the back of the upper front panel.
5. Add the flowers and butterflies with foam adhesive.
6. Attach the completed panel to a side-folding Waterfall card base.

When the recipient pulls the top tab, the shutters open and the interior scene appears.

Designer Tip: Before adding dimensional decorations, test the pull tab several times. Make sure the shutter layers move freely and do not catch on foam adhesive or overhanging die cuts.

Card 2: Daisy Delight Interactive Birthday Card

The Daisy Delight Garden Shutters A2 Card Base Etched Dies create a smaller interactive card measuring 4.25 x 5.5 inches. Hussena used soft pink, cream and gold cardstock to make a floral birthday card.

Assemble the A2 Kinetic Layers

1. Cut the A2 kinetic layer from Alabaster Cardstock three times.
2. Fold the layers according to the assembly instructions.
3. Attach the folded pieces to the die-cut A2 card base with liquid adhesive.
4. Cut the Design Rectangle outline and insert layers from Pink Sand and Alabaster Cardstock.
5. Attach the decorative rectangles to the front and back of the shutter layers.

Color the Daisy Die Cuts

Cut the angled flowers, side flowers and stems from Snowdrift Cardstock. Add color and simple shading with Copic Markers.

You can also color the white die cuts with Distress Inks or watercolor brush markers. Alternatively, cut each component from colored cardstock for a quicker assembly process.

Add the Birthday Sentiment and Reverse Decorations

Cut the “Happy Birthday to You” sentiment from Mirror Gold Cardstock and attach it to the card with liquid adhesive.

For the reverse layers, cut additional flowers, stems and butterflies from Snowdrift Cardstock using the Daisy Delight and Butterfly Bliss dies. Color the pieces with Copic Markers and add light shading to the petals.

Create the Frame and Pull Tab

1. Cut the A2 card-base layer from Graphite Cardstock.
2. Cut the kinetic layer twice and use the pieces to create a frame.
3. Attach the frame layers with liquid adhesive.
4. Cut Alabaster Cardstock with the Large Rectangle Outer Rim and Insert from the Fluted Classics Rectangles set.
5. Attach the decorative rectangle to the panel.
6. Cut the pull-tab pieces from Pink Sand Cardstock.
7. Attach the pull tab behind the upper and lower frame pieces to create the motion.
8. Add the flowers with foam adhesive.
9. Mat the completed panel with Mirror Gold Cardstock.
10. Attach everything to a top-folding Pink Sand card base.

Designer Tip: When making multiple interactive cards, die cut all three kinetic layers for each card at the same time. Keep each card’s mechanism together in a labeled stack until assembly.

Card 3: Layered Floral Congratulations Card

The Garden Shutters accessory dies also work beautifully without the kinetic mechanism. This 5 x 7-inch congratulations card combines the Eyelet Lace Frame and Primrose Heart Façade dies with layered flowers and an elegant central sentiment.

Build the Layered Eyelet Frame

1. Trim Pink Sand Cardstock to 7 x 10 inches.
2. Score the cardstock at 5 inches to create a top-folding 5 x 7-inch card base.
3. Cut Alabaster Cardstock with the Scallop Rim and Outer Eyelet Insert dies.
4. Cut another Alabaster layer with the Inner Rectangle Outline and Eyelet Insert dies.
5. Attach the inner rectangle over the larger eyelet frame with foam adhesive.
6. Cut the smallest rectangle and oval layers from Alabaster Cardstock.
7. Attach them over the frame with foam adhesive.

Color and Assemble the Flowers

Cut the flower and leaf layers from Snowdrift Cardstock using the Primrose Heart Façade dies. Add Coral color to the centers of the petals. Color the leafy branches with Seaweed and Siren shades.

Cut additional foliage from Snowdrift Cardstock with the Flourished Fleurit and Sweet Cottage Flowers dies. Color the pieces with the same palette so the floral arrangement remains cohesive.

Create the Layered Congratulations Sentiment

1. Cut the Inner Oval Outline from Alabaster and Mirror Gold Cardstock.
2. Use the negative Alabaster oval to stamp a sentiment from the All Occasion Sentiments set with Versafine Onyx Black Ink.
3. Layer the Alabaster oval over the Mirror Gold piece, offsetting it slightly to create a metallic shadow.
4. Attach the sentiment to the center of the card with foam adhesive.
5. Arrange the flowers and foliage along the left side of the frame.
6. Use liquid adhesive and foam adhesive to create varied dimension.

Tips for the Best Results

• Follow the die set’s mechanism diagram. Check the fold direction and placement of every kinetic layer before applying adhesive.
• Test the movement frequently. Pull the tab after each major assembly stage to confirm that the shutters open smoothly.
• Keep adhesive away from moving areas. Excess glue or foam tape can interfere with the shutter mechanism.
• Use metallic cardstock as a shadow. Offset Mirror Gold layers slightly beneath white or cream die cuts for a refined accent.
• Color before assembly. Add Copic Marker or ink shading to the flowers and leaves before attaching the pieces to the card.
• Control the dimension. Keep moving mechanism layers relatively flat and reserve foam adhesive for decorative areas that will not obstruct them.
• Use both positive and negative die cuts. A negative oval or rectangle can become a sentiment panel or decorative frame.

Ways to Customize Garden Shutters Cards

• Change the hidden sentiment to suit birthdays, weddings, encouragement or congratulations.
• Use patterned paper for selected shutter or frame layers.
• Cut the flowers from colored cardstock instead of coloring white die cuts.
• Add photographs or small messages behind the shutters.
• Use only the frame and floral dies when you do not want an interactive card.
• Replace gold cardstock with silver, rose gold or another metallic finish.
• Create a coordinated card set by repeating the same base design with different color palettes.
• Add butterflies, gems or hot-foiled greetings to personalize the finished cards.

Interactive Garden Shutters Card FAQ

How does a Garden Shutters card work?

The card uses folded kinetic layers connected to a pull tab. Pulling the tab moves the shutter panels and reveals the design or sentiment inside.

What sizes can I make with Garden Shutters dies?

The projects in this tutorial include a 5 x 7-inch Butterfly Bliss shutter card and an A2 Daisy Delight shutter card measuring 4.25 x 5.5 inches.

Do I have to make an interactive card with these dies?

No. The decorative frames, flowers, butterflies and other individual dies can be used independently on traditional cards, as demonstrated by the layered floral congratulations card.

How do I keep the shutter mechanism from sticking?

Use adhesive sparingly, keep foam tape away from moving areas and test the pull tab before adding the final decorations.

Can interactive shutter cards be mass-produced?

Hussena notes that these cards can be produced in multiples. Die cutting the corresponding mechanism pieces in batches can make the assembly process more efficient.

More Interactive Card Ideas from Spellbinders

• Make Easy Interactive Cards with the Garden Shutters Collection
• Explore More Garden Shutters Card Inspiration
• Create Elegant Cards with Garden Shutters Dies
• Discover Love-Inspired Interactive Card Ideas
• Make Three Playful Interactive Cards

Create Cards with Motion and Surprise

The Garden Shutters Collection offers two very different creative directions: build a kinetic card that opens with a pull tab or use the intricate frames and flowers on a traditional layered design. Begin by carefully assembling and testing the mechanism, then add decorative elements where they will not restrict movement. Whether you choose the 5 x 7-inch or A2 format, the opening shutters create a memorable surprise for the recipient.