This Easy Gingerbread House Pop-Up Card Is 3D Fun!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE GINGERBREAD HOUSE POP-UP CARD DESIGNS

First, download my Gingerbread House Pop-Up Card files from my free library – look for Design #772. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the SVG folder, you’ll find “score” and “no-score” versions of my card to cut on a cutting machine. The “score” versions require a Scoring Stylus or Single Scoring Wheel to create smooth lines for folding. If you don’t have a scoring tool, or if you prefer dashed cut lines, you can use the “no-score” versions instead.

I have included “score” and “no-score” versions of my matching envelope design, as well. If you’d like to make the envelope, follow along with my How to Make an Envelope Tutorial to assemble it.

You’ll also find an SVG folder with a card to cut on the Cricut Joy. It follows a slightly different assembly process, which I’ve also provided in this tutorial.

There is a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand, too.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR GINGERBREAD HOUSE POP-UP CARD DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.
   NOTE: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select the “card” SVG file of your choice.
   NOTE: I’ll pick the “no-score” version.
5. Click “Open” and then “Continue.”
6. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.
   
   
7. In the Layers Panel, click the arrow beside the design’s group to reveal all the layers.
   NOTE: On your Canvas there are three tiers for your pop-up card: the house tier, the tree tier, and the gingerbread people tier. Each tier has four layers with different areas cut out to create colorful designs.
8. Click “Save” and give your project a name so you can find it easily.
9. “Ungroup” the design to work with the elements separately.
   
   
10. If you’re cutting the “score” version of the pop-up card, follow the steps from my scoring tool tutorial to adjust your file.
11. To change the color of a piece to match the cardstock you’ll cut it from, select the piece in the Layers Panel, click the Color Box next to “Operation,” and choose a new option.
12. Layer order matters for this project! Write down your layer colors from top to bottom so you have them later, even if you use the same colors I do (brown, then white, then green, then red).
    
    
13. Your project is ready to cut!

CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
2. Click “Make.”
3. On the Prepare screen, make sure the Material Size matches the material you’re using.
   NOTE: I’m using 12” x 12” material for everything.
   TIP: You can combine your mats of the same color to save time and materials. Visit my DIY Lollipop Holders tutorial to learn how.
   
   
4. Select the first mat so it loads first on the next screen and click “Continue.”
5. On the Make Screen, set the Base Material for your first mat. I’m using:
   “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” setting with “More” pressure for my brown regular cardstock mats and my red and green foil mats
   
   “Glitter Cardstock” with “More” pressure for my white glitter cardstock mats
   
   NOTE: If you don’t see a certain material in your materials list, click on “Browse All Materials.” Enter the material’s name in the search box, select the correct option from the results list, and click “Done.”
   TIP: Changing the Pressure to “More” results in a cleaner cut.
   TIP: To save time between cuts of the same material, check the box next to “Remember material settings.”
6. Place your first mat’s cardstock face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat.
   
   
7. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
8. Check that your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
9. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
10. Press the flashing middle button to begin cutting.
11. When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the middle button again to make a second pass of cuts in the same spots.
12. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the cardstock.
    TIP: Be careful when removing intricate pieces. Use a spatula to carefully remove any intricate parts and a weeding tool to pop out any small stuck pieces. If you have trouble with any of your cuts, check out my Cricut Tips & Tricks for Cleaner Cuts.
    
    NOTE: Glitter can stick to the blade and cause trouble on your future cuts, so I recommend cleaning it after each sheet of glitter cardstock. You can take the housing and blade out of the clamp, press down on the plunger, and carefully poke the blade into a ball of aluminum foil several times, or clean it with an alcohol wipe. Be careful, it's sharp!
13. Repeat Steps 6-12 to cut the rest of your mats.
14. Lay your pieces face up in organized piles by tier and layer order.
    
    

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR GINGERBREAD HOUSE POP-UP CARD

1. Line up the house tier’s first and second layers face up.
   
   
2. Flip the first house layer face down.
   
   
3. Working quickly, add craft glue all over the back of the first layer, close to the edges, and around the cutouts (the precision tip on the Bearly Art glue works great for this!).
   TIP: If the glue is drying too quickly, glue the top section first, then the bottom section.
   NOTE: Adding glue to the back of each layer keeps glue away from cutout areas.
   
   
4. Flip the second layer face down onto the back of the first layer and align the edges and cutout areas.
5. Press down and smooth to adhere.
   TIP: Use a brayer to make sure the pieces are flat and secure.
6. Flip both layers over and use your finger or a paper towel to wipe away any excess bits of glue.
   
   
7. Allow the house tier’s first two layers to dry.
   TIP: If any edges aren’t sealed well, add craft glue and press to adhere them.
8. Lay the house tier’s first two assembled layers face down, and the third layer face up.
   
   
9. Working quickly, add glue all over the back of the second layer, close to the edges and around the cutout areas.
10. Flip the third layer face down onto the back of the second layer and align the edges and cutout areas.
11. Press down and smooth to adhere.
12. Flip the attached layers over and wipe away any excess glue, then allow the layers to dry.
    
    
13. Lay the house tier’s three assembled layers face down, and the fourth layer face up.
14. Working quickly, add glue all over the back of the third layer, close to the edges and around the cutout areas.
15. Flip the fourth layer face down onto the back of the third layer and align the edges and cutout areas.
16. Press down and smooth to adhere.
17. Flip the attached layers over and wipe away any excess glue, then allow the layers to dry.
    
    
18. Follow Steps 1-17 to assemble the four layers for the tree tier, and again to assemble the four layers for the gingerbread people tier.
    
    
19. Next, lay the assembled tree tier face down.
20. To create an accordion fold so your card pops up between tiers, start by folding the right side inward along the innermost crease line.
    
    TIP: Use a scraper tool to sharpen the folds.
21. Then fold the right side outward along the crease line adjacent to the last fold.
    
    
22. Fold the right side inward again along the next crease line.
23. Then fold the right side outward along the final crease line.
    
    
24. Repeat Steps 20-23 to make an accordion fold on the left side of the tree tier.
    
    
25. Lay the house tier face up.
26. Press the tree tier’s left accordion fold down, and add glue to the top flap.
    
    
27. Flip the tree tier over, and align the glued fold with the house tier’s bottom right corner, flush along the bottom and side edges.
28. Press and hold to adhere.
    
    
29. Flip the tiers open so the tree tier is face down, then add glue to the right accordion fold’s top flap.
    
    
30. Flip the tree tier over, and adhere the glued flap to the house layer’s bottom left corner.
    
    
31. Next, lay the gingerbread people tier face down.
32. Follow Steps 20-30 to make accordion folds on the left and right sides of the people tier, and then attach the people tier on top of the tree tier.
33. Your gingerbread house pop-up card is ready!
    
    

VARIATION: JOY-SIZE POP-UP CARD ASSEMBLY

1. Follow Steps 1-18 from the full-size pop-up card assembly instructions above to assemble the three card tiers.
   
   
2. Lay the assembled tree tier face down.
3. Fold each of the tree tier’s two side pieces along the crease lines in opposite directions to create an accordion fold (see Steps 20-24 in the full-size card assembly above).
   NOTE: The tree tier’s side pieces are the longer ones.
   
   
4. Add glue to the top of one of the folded side pieces.
5. Flip the glued piece over and align it with the tree tier’s bottom right corner, with the long, folded edge flush on the right side.
   
   
6. Repeat Steps 4-5 to adhere the other folded side piece in the tree tier’s bottom left corner.
   
   
7. Glue the tree tier’s attached sides to the house layer (see Steps 25-30 in the full-size card assembly above).
   
   
8. Lay the assembled gingerbread people tier face down.
9. Repeat Steps 3-7 to fold the gingerbread people tier’s side pieces and adhere them to the people tier and then the tree tier.
   NOTE: The gingerbread people tier’s side pieces are the shorter ones.
10. The Joy version of your gingerbread house pop-up card is ready!
    
    

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF

You now have an amazing gingerbread house pop-up card for spreading some holiday cheer! Just slip the card in an envelope and mail it to a friend or loved one–but plan for extra postage since your pop-up card is a bit heavy. You can even hand deliver the Joy version for a special surprise!