Rotating Rainbow Reveal Card

A project from our live show CATCH UP with Simon for MONDAY MADNESS in the HTCN studio broadcast 25th Oct 21 · 10/25/2021 · watch it from 19:30

An interactive card with a rotating mechanism that reveals a rainbow when turned. The front features a stormy cloud scene with rain, and pulling the ribbon handle rotates a circular disc behind an aperture to show the rainbow.

You will need

Izink Pigment Ink Pad 5 X 5CM - Light Blue 060821HSEE IT Izink Pigment Ink Pad 5 X 5CM - Light Green 060821SSEE IT Izink Pigment Ink Pad 5 X 5CM - White 060821TSEE IT Versafine Ink Pad - Onyx Black - 300921CSEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Glue a white card layer onto a blue card base to create the front panel. ▶ watch 20:15
2. Use a white pen to trace around a template showing the cloud aperture and shapes you wish to cut out. ▶ watch 21:30
3. Pierce the centre of the aperture with scissors, then carefully fussy-cut around all the cloud shapes and details. ▶ watch 22:15
4. Use a cloud stencil and white ink pad to dab cloud patterns across the blue area to break up the solid colour. ▶ watch 24:00
5. Use a white pen to outline and enhance the cloud definition for added depth. ▶ watch 26:15
6. Glue rainbow ribbon across the bottom of the card to create the ground for character placement. ▶ watch 27:45
7. Create the rotating disc by layering coloured card (red, yellow, green and blue) in concentric rings to form a rainbow. ▶ watch 29:15
8. Trim the excess coloured layers flush with the blue base layer using scissors. ▶ watch 30:30
9. Draw white raindrop shapes of varying sizes across the blue side of the disc using a white pen. ▶ watch 33:00
10. Add watercolour detail to some raindrops and use a fine brush to add coloured water droplets for depth. ▶ watch 34:45
11. Pierce a hole through the centre of the rotating disc and the card base to align them. ▶ watch 35:30
12. Insert a split pin through the hole to create the rotating mechanism. ▶ watch 36:15
13. Attach a ribbon loop with a star to the split pin on the front as a pull handle. ▶ watch 36:45
14. Test the rotation mechanism and trim any areas that catch or obstruct smooth turning. ▶ watch 37:00
15. Apply double-sided tape around the edges of the rotating disc, avoiding the centre mechanism. ▶ watch 38:45
16. Use a pale blue ink pad and cloud stencil to lightly add cloud detail to the white card blank edges. ▶ watch 41:15

Tips from the show

• Layer coloured card rings together using the inner rings as guides to ensure perfect alignment for the rainbow effect.
• Trim areas of the rotating disc that catch to ensure smooth, easy turning.
• Apply masking tape over the split pin at the back to reduce friction and help the mechanism turn more smoothly.

More from this show

• Stencilled Star Background Card with Elephant

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly