You’ve heard of a jack-in-a-box, but now say hello to a cat-in-a-box! This pop-up creation looks just a lucky Chinese cat, except you can make your own out of just the craft essentials. The lever mechanism may look complicated, but with our nine easy steps, it’s a doddle to create.
1. Score card
Score a long strip of card to form four sides and a tab. Cut a 2cm flap into one side panel.
2. Fix box
Score tabs in the top, fold and assemble. Cut a 2cm square out of a 7cm square of card and fix to the top.
3. Make another
Make a smaller second box with open flaps at the top, then fix on top of the larger one.
4. Weight down
Cut, score and fold a cat’s head from card, then tuck in coins to weigh it down and tape it closed.
5. Score tubes
Make two 7cm long card tubes and on one, clip four tabs into the top and one on the bottom.
6. Join tubes
Fold in the top tabs to close the tube and fix the head on top. Stick to the tab on the second rectangular tube.
7. Feed through box
Feed the tube arrangement through the square holes in the top and side of the bigger box.
8. Attach lever
Attach the side flap to the underside of the lower tube. Add a circle of card on the end to complete the lever.
9. Decorate outside
Decorate the outer sides, tubes and flaps with washi tape. Add curled ribbons to finish.
Our guide on how to use the Silhouette Portrait by Susan Niner Janes is great for beginners who are just getting to know this great machine.
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