29 juil. 2025

Apple-Themed Teacher's Appreciation Card Tutorial

Designer: Marcia Izabel Marchiori

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Level: Beginner

Teachers do so much every day, and a handmade card is a lovely way to say thank you!

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create an apple-themed appreciation card with sweet 3D paper apples that add a playful, handmade touch. It’s a simple and meaningful project, whether you're crafting it with your kids or making it on your own.

If you want to show a teacher how much they are appreciated, this card is a beautiful way to begin. So gather your materials, and let’s get started!

Tools & Supplies Needed

• OLFA CM-9x12-01/YEL Double-Sided Self-Healing Cutting Mat

• OLFA AK-4 Cushion Grip Art Knife Paired With Curved Blade

• OLFA QR-6x12 6" x 12" Frosted Acrylic Ruler

• White cardstock, letter size, suitable for printing

• Optional, if crafting with kids: OLFA ESK-1 Beginner Craft Knife with Stand

• Patterned cardstock

• 1/4" double-sided tape

• Hot Glue Gun

• Square Envelope

• Pencil

• Printer

Instructions

1. Print the template to scale directly onto white cardstock.

2. Using OLFA art knife, cutting mat, and ruler, cut out the square that will be the front of your card, and set it aside. Cut both half-apple templates.

3. Grab patterned paper (two matching patterns). Score and fold it with enough space to use the half-apple template. The folded edge will be the center of your apple.

4. Trace the half-apple template onto the folded patterned paper, back side.

5. Using the OLFA art knife paired with the curved blade, cut along the traced half-apple. The curved blade helps cut curved lines more easily. Repeat this to create eight sets of smaller apples (two patterned papers per set).

6. Repeat this process for the bigger apple (the one that goes inside the card): fold patterned paper (for the bigger apple, use three layers of patterned paper), trace the template onto the folded paper (back side), and freehand cut the apples using the OLFA art knife paired with the curved blade.

7. Using the OLFA art knife, trace the template and freehand cut eight small leaves and one bigger leaf from green cardstock.

8. Fold a letter-sized patterned paper in half lengthwise (only the front side should be patterned; the back should be white). Then, using the OLFA art knife, cutting mat, and ruler, cut a 5 1/4“ square out of it. This will be the base of your card.

9. Assembling the apples: Using a fine line of hot glue, adhere each set of smaller apples together by their center. Glue each small apple onto the front of the card, lining them up on top of each printed line as shown below.

10. Assemble the three layers of the bigger apple: start by using double-sided tape to adhere the first layer by its fold in the folded center of the inside part of the card, leaving about 1 inch from the center-bottom, then repeat the process using hot glue to attach the next two layers at the center.

11. Using hot glue or double-sided tape, adhere the leaves.

12. Using double-sided tape, adhere the printed white cardstock square onto the front of the card. And just like that, your card is complete and full of love.