How to Make A Shaker Card + Shaker Card Fillers!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE SHAKER CARD DESIGN

Download my free shaker card templates from my resource library -- just go to the red bar at the top and look for Libraries, then either click Get a Password (if you don't yet have one) or click Enter the Library. You can find the pattern by searching the page for design 281 and then click it to download an SVG cut file for cutting with a Cricut or another cutting machine, or to download a printable PDF.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND CUT THE FILE

Let me show you how to cut the cardstock for this project on a Cricut cutting machine. First, upload the SVG cut file you downloaded in step 1 to Cricut Design Space.

Tip: If you're not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you're on an iPhone or iPad, here's how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.

There are two different designs -- the hello card and the love card -- and I'll show you how to put the "love" card together in this tutorial!

After you've placed the design on your canvas in Design Space, click Ungroup in the upper right so you can work with your layers easier.

This project requires folding. There are score line layers, and those require a scoring tool, such as the Scoring Stylus or Scoring Wheel. To use one of those two tools, you must set and attach the score lines in this tutorial. This is different than is shown in the video, as Cricut Design Space has changed since the video was made. If you don't set and attach your score lines, your score lines will cut rather than score.

First thing you want to do is zoom out so you can see the whole design and hide or delete the black layer with the directions. You can do this by selecting the black layer in the Layers panel on the right and clicking the Eye icon or the Delete icon.

Now you need to set and attach your score lines.

HOW TO SET & ATTACH SCORE LINES

To set and attach score lines in this project, select the design on the Canvas and click Ungroup. Now begin checking the Layers panel for layers that look like nothing more than empty, uncolored lines -- those are the score lines. Another way you can identify the score lines in this project is to look for two layers that are in a small group with themselves -- in these small groupings, the top in the score line and the bottom is the base layer.

So once you've found a Score line, select it in the Layers panel, then go to the Operation menu, and choose Score. You should see that layer change from Basic Cut to Score in the Layers panel. Now hold down the Shift key and select the layer below that, then click Attach. Your Score line is now set and attached to its base layer. It's very important you tell Cricut Design Space which layer you want scores by attaching it, or you'll just have scoring happening on empty mats. Continue going down the Layers panel until all layers that just seem like empty lines are set to Score, and make sure you Attach them to the layer immediately below it each time. When you feel you've got them all, click Make It and carefully check each mat. If you see any mats that appear to just be odd black lines, that means you forgot to attach some score lines to their base layers. Go back and find them, and then select the score line and the layer immediately below that, and click Attach.

This is how your project should look when all score lines are set and attached:

Now you could just go ahead and click the Make It button now but there are some things you can do to customize this design first! The white rectangle with decorative corners is intended for you to add a handwritten or machine-written message.

So if you want to use your Cricut machine to write a message, here's how you set that up!

1. Select the text tool.
   
2. Type your message in the box that displays after selecting the text tool. To put text on separate lines as I have, just press the Return key between the lines.
   
3. Next, select a font by clicking on Fonts in the upper left and clicking one to select it. If you want just single line writing fonts, click Filter to find just writing fonts, then click on one that looks good to you. I’ve chosen DJ Flirt for this card, which comes in a Regular style and a Writing style — you can switch between these two with the Style dropdown menu. If you choose a writing style, Design Space will automatically switch its type to Draw for you. If you chose a regular style as I have here (because I think the bubble letters look cute on this card), you’ll need to manually change it’s type from Cut to Draw in the Operations menu yourself. Also note that not all fonts are free and if there is a price, it will be displayed below the font name, but if you're a Cricut Access member, most of these fonts are included — learn about Cricut Access.
4. Adjust the font size, letter space, alignment, and placement of the text layer on the white card until you are happy with it. You can use the alignment menu to center align the words, and use the resize handle in the lower right corner to chang the size for your words.
   
5. This last step is super important. Select both the white rectangle and your text layer then click Attach in the lower right corner of your screen. To select multiple layers at once, click on the first layer then hold down your shift key to select the second layer.
   

I've included two different envelopes for you to use. One can be cut using a 12x12 mat, while the other requires a 12x24 mat. Hide or delete the envelope layer you don't want to use.

You are now ready to cut your card. Click the "Make It" button in the upper right, click Continue, then select Medium Cardstock for the material. I changed the cutting pressure from default to more to be sure it cut all the way through.

Place your cardstock on your mat, place your pen in clamp A, load it into your machine, and press the flashing button to begin!

After you finish cutting your white layer, you'll want to replace the pen with the scoring stylus so it scores the other layers as necessary.

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE THE ENVELOPE

Now that you have your card and envelope pieces cut, let’s assemble them. Find the large envelope piece and fold the cardstock on the score lines. I use the scraper tool to get a nice crisp fold.

Next, add double-sided adhesive to each side of the longest flap.

Fold the large envelope flap up.

Tip: You can add a strip of double-sided adhesive to the top of the envelope and then add a piece of parchment paper over the adhesive. That way it is ready to seal when you want to use the card or it's ready for someone else to seal if you give the card away.

If you cut the larger mat envelope, make sure to glue your accent paper to the inside of the envelope.

STEP 4: ASSEMBLE THE SHAKER CARD

Glue the contrasting strip of cardstock to the left edge of the card's front.

Take the three hearts cut in glitter cardstock, add adhesive to the back of each, then place on top the matching heart cut out on the shaker card.

Flip your cardstock over and place clear acetate or window plastic over the hearts using double-sided adhesive tape -- do not use the mounting tape, as you want the acetate to be flat against the card here.

Next, cut strips of the foam mounting tape in half and place around each of the three hearts. You want to make sure that the tape ends all touch one another, forming a wall around the hearts, as this is where you will put the confetti/glitter and you don’t want any to come out. Add a few pieces of foam tape to the right side of the card front as well.

Fold the larger rectangle piece in half. This piece is the body of your card.

Now it's time to grab your glitter! I found it easiest to put the glitter into a small piece of folded cardstock and pour it into the heart sections on your shaker card. You could also use a small dish or spoon.

Place your folded card on top of the pink cardstock you just filled with confetti. Make sure the leading edge of the folded card is placed on the edge with the glitter confetti-filled hearts.

Open your shaker card and attach your personalized message insert to the inside with double-sided tape.

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Glue the word "Love" on top of the white cloud-shaped piece.

Attach the white cloud-shaped piece of cardstock to the front of the shaker card.

Your shaker card and envelope are all done! Give it a shake to see how it works!