What happens when you can’t give gifts like normal people? You make them like a goofy person, of course! I don’t really know where I was going with that. I just want to share a sorta ridiculous present I put a lot of time, supplies, and effort into, with hopes of sharing the joy and maybe inspiration.
So, I needed to figure out a gift for Alex for our 1 year anniversary, but came across the challenge of having a grad school budget despite wanting a gift that really dazzled. I figured putting together a photo album was a great idea, but that didn’t feel like enough. I could design it to look professional on Shutterfly? I could paint the cover like I did here for my 2021 photo challenge? Hmmmm, maybe… But then it hit me– make a pop-up book. Have I ever made a pop-up book before, such that this would be a natural consideration? Nope. But as I’ve seen before with myself, I have a craftsy background and the queer audacity that I can make anything I put my mind to (and make a Pinterest board for). I rounded up ideas, made a lot of messes, and, what ended up being a few months later, I had my final project.
I’m not going to show the entire book here, but I will share a number of movable pages that I feel turned out nicely. The one to the right is a hand articulated with strings. When pulled, the hand closes down and holds the other, mimicking the photo next to it.
To the left is a lift-the-flaps mechanism, which reveals an opening/closing curtain. Since the photos were taken at Chicago Magic Lounge, I tried to encompass the red stage curtain like in the pictures.
The following pictures show two little interactive mechanisms. The first is a place to stick your fingers, allowing you to wiggle them as though Alex in the photo is dangling his feet. The next is a butterfly pull tab which reveals a photo beneath it.
I have a number of pages that utilize different pop-up methods. This one works by the umbrella being present from both sides, glued together. When opened, the tension holds the figures up. One I want to mention that is not pictured is a blooming flower pop-up. You can watch the tutorial I used here.
I also utilized flaps to make doors and windows with photos underneath. Weirdly enough, one of the biggest challenges for this page was the doors not staying closed. I noticed that children’s books with this feature use thick cardboard that the pages lodge into, but since my cardboard was too thin, I added metal hardware to keep them closed.
Other pages in the book used other mechanisms. Twice I used turn wheels– one to turn a windmill over a photo that had one in it, and another time to reveal changing background and words. I also had a number of pull tabs for movement, making Alex skate over ice. I used a fabric-like paper to make a fake curtain with strings, that when pulled, opened the window to reveal the photo underneath. Another effect was making a birthday cake pop-up, as shown here.
I am overall really pleased how the scrapbook turned out. I included text throughout to tell the story of our first year together, and added a pocket on the back cover that he can store letters and notes I’ve sent him. I plan to ship it out shortly and will open it with him when I head to Boston next week! Fingers crossed he’ll like it!
Happy reading,
-Beppa