10.28.2008

art days: spooky pop-ups!

This year I get to be art mom again in the 7 year old's class. It's one of my favorite ways to pass a morning. I think the most popular project we did last year was pop-up card-making, so we tried it again except this time we made pop-up haunted houses with graveyards since it's almost Halloween. Plus everything is more fun for kids, I've found, if you can somehow work in death.

This is the boring adult one that I made for the example. The kids' scenes were so much better but I didn't bring my camera and they took them all home so you'll just have to imagine little paper houses with lots and lots of tombstones glued all over them, and lots and lots of skinny pop-out haunted structures.

In case you've never tried a pop-up, here's a quick how-to. You can adapt it into all kinds of things, building on the idea of a piece of paper folded in half, and cutting lines in pairs. Draw your lines (here's for one haunted mansion: very easy), cut, and reverse-fold the paper between your two cuts (see how I just bent the paper the other direction, in the fold?). To add tombstones just cut little tomb-y shapes, and make paper tabs to glue on the back (the tabs are better than just glue or tape because they also help to prop up the tombstones from behind).

You can also make moving-mouth pop-up cards very easily - again, a total hit with the kids. They will think you are a magician. Instructions are here. Here's the 5 year old's...(You could totally make a vampire!)

Have fun scissoring...

12 comments:

melissa said...

Yes, kids do seem fascinated with any deathly creature or object. I'm certainly going to try this with my kids. I'm sure they'll love it!

Anonymous said...

Your description is hilarious!

Jess said...

I did the Pop out house last year and it was a BIG hit!
We have a birthday coming up, and I think I'll try it with the card.
Thanks for the constant inspiration!

tammy said...

Too cute Lynne!!!I can jsut imagine the kids' versions!!!

sew nancy said...

Oh, how fun!
I'm going to try this out sometime with my boy
I think the moving mouth one will be a big hit.
Happy almost Halloween!

Bethany said...

I think that's sooo great that you do this with the kids!!! I bet they have a ball! And you're right-- kids can be so creative. I am laughing that "death' is such a huge subject matter for kids!! My son has been known to draw a skull or two but my daughter totally objects to it... she's into anything cute!! (you should see the paper silhouette puppets on my blog... you have me thinking now!!)

Unknown said...

YOu are so much fun!!!
♥Jen

Anonymous said...

This is great ! I did the same a few years ago ! I did some pop-up cards with the kids too :) If never you want to have a look, everything is on my blog at “à l'école” you are welcome :) You give me the desire of doing it again :-) It's lovely !

Unfurled said...

Just a quick note t say that I received my village frock pattern in the mail yesterday and it's so GREAT. The instructions are as funny, creative and inspiring as your blog. I'll be sure to post my finished frock if I ever, you know, finish one.

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Super cute! I'll be linking!

erika said...

these cards are great, I should make that with my girls someday!

Kari said...

Great idea, and it can be adapted to so many different holidays. I'm thinking gingerbread cottage...