
Even though the art of creating a shaker card is not new in the cardmaking world, here is a fun way to change up your shaker card construction a little: try constructing the shaker DOWN INSIDE the card, facing OUT. That’s why I am calling this technique the “shaker card inside out”.
Typically, we spend the majority of shaker card construction working with a cardstock panel. We ink, stamp and die cut, assemble acetate and foam tape, sprinkle goodies inside, back the panel with another panel and adhere to a card FRONT. The “inside out” technique works with the card BASE during the whole construction, building the shaker down INSIDE the card. Here’s how to create your own SHAKER CARD INSIDE OUT.
For this project, I am using products from Creek Bank Creations.
So, let’s begin! Watch the complete step-by-step tutorial HERE:
The key to making a SHAKER CARD INSIDE OUT is folding the card base with an extra 1/8-inch fold allowance. And it doesn’t matter if you are making a side-folding or a top-folding card. When you score the card base, score at the same place you normally score. Then, slide the card over 1/8″ and add an extra score mark. Use a bone folder to crease and fold on both score marks.


Use a set of nesting dies to create the shaker. For this project, I’m using the “Double Stitched Arches” Die Set from Creek Bank Creations. If you are using a nesting die set that has more than three dies, choose any three consecutive sizes for your card. Using the MIDDLE-SIZED die, cut a hole in the front panel where you want the shaker.
If you plan to stamp directly on the acetate, go ahead and do that next. Make sure to use a permanent ink, like Staz On Ink Pads. Use the LARGEST-SIZED die (of the 3 dies you chose) to die cut the acetate. Then, place 1/4″ double-sided adhesive tape on the outside edge of the BACK SIDE of the acetate die cut and adhere it to the FRONT of the card base right over top of the die cut hole. This basically is the same thing as creating a window card at this stage. But, you need to adhere the acetate ON TOP of the card base (and sometimes with window cards, we adhere the acetate underneath the die cut hole).

Die cut a frame using the LARGEST and the SMALLEST of the 3 dies. Adhere over top of the acetate, covering up the adhesive. You could also use the SMALLEST die and cut a hole in a panel of patterned paper or inked cardstock, lay the panel on top of the acetate, and THEN adhere the frame.



Lift up the card front and look inside. You should see a perfect, 1/4 inch “lip” (like a slight “ledge”). THIS is where you will place foam tape to outline the shaker part. Use 1/4″ wide foam tape. It will fit perfectly. I’m using the 1/4″ wide foam tape from Creek Bank Creations (which comes in white, black and clear).


Next, place strips of foam tape around the outside of that foam shaker outline. Remove the release paper from the SHAKER OUTLINE ONLY and fill the shaker window with goodies!


Use the MIDDLE-SIZED of the 3 dies to cut a background from patterned paper or inked cardstock. I cut a piece of white cardstock and then ran it through an embossing folder for my shaker background. Using the MIDDLE-SIZED die means the background will fit PERFECTLY over the foam tape.
Drizzle a little bit of Un-Du Adhesive Remover over the sticky foam outline. The Un-Du temporarily makes the sticky foam NOT STICKY… just long enough for you to perfectly place your background die cut exactly where you want it.
Cut a cardstock panel the same color as your card base and 1/8″ smaller than the size of your card base. Then, remove the release paper from the rest of the foam tape and place the cardstock card panel over top. You could use Un-Du for this step, too, if you wanted.

Now, when you close the card, it folds neatly like a book. The shaker panel is enclosed INSIDE. My favorite part about assembling my shaker card “inside out” is the way it stands up. Do you ever notice that regular shaker cards are sometimes “top heavy”? You will see a big difference in the distribution of weight when you put the shaker INSIDE the card.





Look at the difference between this “inside out” shaker and this “regularly assembled” shaker I made… see how it looks a little “heavy”? Like it might tip forward? Not so with the “inside out” technique!
Try your hand at this fun “inside out” shaker card variation! It might change the way you make shakers! Thank you for following the Sandpaper Road blog!
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