Who doesn't remember being a kid and playing with Spirograph sets to make really neat drawings. With a little bit of patience and a good pen you could make incredible designs. The mathematical terms for these geometrical figures are hypotrochoids and epitrochoids.
Invented by British engineer Denys Fisher, Spirograph was introduced to North America in 1966 and its been a hit with kids and adults ever since. Black ink on white paper gives this easy craft a surprisingly sophisticated look. I include instructions on how to make the card boxes that they are displayed in so you could also make these as gifts.
These little cards were made using card stock (the wieght of these were 110 lb. weight), a thicker paper than regular white paper. Card stock can be easily bought at office supply stores and also at craft stores but they tend to be more expensive at craft stores. Look for it on sale.
Using a white sheet of card stock 8 1/2 x 11 inches score (take the edge of a dull object such as a letter opener or bone folder and draw a crease into the paper) a line 3 1/2 inches from the long edge and fold along this crease. Trim the excess paper. Keeping the paper folded cut three, 3 inch sections. These are your blank cards. Practice with your Spirograph on some scrap paper until you have some designs that you are pleased with. Take a blank card and unfold it. Center your Spirograph over the middle of the card front. Using a good fine point pen draw out your design. Let the ink dry before refolding and storing in a box. We made a selection of 12 cards for each box.
Card box for 3 x 3 1/2 cards.
We used black card stock to make the base and white card stock to make the lid but you could use white card stock for both the lid and base.
Card box for 3 x 3 1/2 cards.
We used black card stock to make the base and white card stock to make the lid but you could use white card stock for both the lid and base.
To make the base. Using black or white card stock of 8 1/2 x 11 cut paper 8 1/2 x 9 1/2. Score 1 1/4 inch along all edges. Cut tab on each side. Bend all score marks and glue tabs to make box base.
For box lid cut white card stock to 7 5/8 inches x 8 5/8 inches. Score 3/4 inch along all sides. Cut tab on each side. Take a finished card and cut the front off, you could carefully print on the bottom of this card front using the same pen you used for the design, "12 Handcrafted Cards". Using a glue stick glue it in the center of the lid. Bend all score marks and glue tabs to make box lid.
For box lid cut white card stock to 7 5/8 inches x 8 5/8 inches. Score 3/4 inch along all sides. Cut tab on each side. Take a finished card and cut the front off, you could carefully print on the bottom of this card front using the same pen you used for the design, "12 Handcrafted Cards". Using a glue stick glue it in the center of the lid. Bend all score marks and glue tabs to make box lid.
The smaller cards have decorative lines as well as the Spirograph design.
Using card stock 8 1/2 x 11 score a line 2 1/2 inches from the edge, this will be the front of the card. Draw a pair of black lines parallel to each other 1/8 in away from the edges of the front of the card. Fold along the scored line, trim paper beyond fold. Cut 4, 2 1/2 inch strips, these are you blank cards. Practice with your Spirograph on some scrap paper until you have some
designs that you are pleased with. Take a blank card and unfold it.
Center your Spirograph over the middle of the card front. Using a good
fine point pen draw out your design. Let the ink dry before refolding
and storing in a box.
Card box for 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch cards is the same construction as the 3 1/2 card box but different dimensions.
To make the base. Using black or white card stock of 8 1/2 x 11 cut paper to 6 1/2 x 6 1/2. Score 3/4 inch along all edges. Cut tabs on each side. Bend all score marks and glue tabs to make box.
For box lid cut white card stock to 5 7/8 x 5 7/8 inches. Score 3/8 inches along all sides. Cut tab on each side. Take a finished card and cut the front off, you could carefully print on the bottom of this card front using the same pen you used for the design, "12 Handcrafted Cards". Using a glue stick glue it in the center of the lid. Bend all score marks and glue tabs to make box lid.
Card box for 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch cards is the same construction as the 3 1/2 card box but different dimensions.
To make the base. Using black or white card stock of 8 1/2 x 11 cut paper to 6 1/2 x 6 1/2. Score 3/4 inch along all edges. Cut tabs on each side. Bend all score marks and glue tabs to make box.
For box lid cut white card stock to 5 7/8 x 5 7/8 inches. Score 3/8 inches along all sides. Cut tab on each side. Take a finished card and cut the front off, you could carefully print on the bottom of this card front using the same pen you used for the design, "12 Handcrafted Cards". Using a glue stick glue it in the center of the lid. Bend all score marks and glue tabs to make box lid.
You can use different coloured card stock and inks for more colourful variety of cards. Try red ink on orange paper or dark blue ink on purple paper or blue paper.
Whatever choices you make the final results will be stunning.
Even though this is one of those simple crafts that we learn to do as children the end results can be fabulous.
Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2009
Morestylethancash
Whatever choices you make the final results will be stunning.
Even though this is one of those simple crafts that we learn to do as children the end results can be fabulous.
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Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2009
Morestylethancash
This is too cool, it is so simple and elegant. I can't wait to get started.
This is great!!! I loved Spirograph when I was younger - and now I can enjoy it again! Thanx!!!