DIY Turkey Pop-Up Thanksgiving Card Craft With Template

DIY Pop Up Turkey Card With Cricut

As the leaves turn brilliant shades of gold and crimson, and the aroma of roasted turkey fills the air, it can only mean one thing – Thanksgiving is just around the corner! This cherished holiday brings families together, fostering warmth and gratitude. What better way to express your appreciation than with a personalized touch with a one-of-a-kind pop-up turkey card lovingly crafted by you? 

For this Thanksgiving DIY project, I will use a Cricut machine to cut and score our turkey card template. Follow along with the easy step-by-step instructions and full video tutorial to make this fun Thanksgiving craft!

Supply List

• Medium-weight cardstock paper. My favorite resource is the 12×12 Cardstock Shop 
• Lightweight pearl paper
• A cutting machine. Any of the full-size Cricut machines will work. I am using my Cricut Maker 3, but the Venture and Explore models can work, too!
• Craft glue. I used the Bearly Art glue, which dries clear and works well with any papercraft projects. 
• Scoring wheel or scoring stylus to use with your Cricut machine. 
• Brayer tool

How To Make A Turkey Pop-Up Card With Cricut Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

This turkey pop-up card is one of the easier pop-up designs to create from our Fall Collection. To get the most comprehensive tutorial, click play on the video below. You can also keep reading for a high-level step-by-step tutorial.

Design Space Set Up

1. Join or log into the Abbi Kirsten Craft Vault to download this Thanksgiving turkey pop-up card design. 
2. Import the turkey pop-up card SVG file into Cricut Design Space. Read a full step-by-step tutorial on how to upload your own SVG files to Cricut.
3. I do not recommend scaling this card down, but you could scale it up a little if you have a large mat like the 12 x 24-inch mat. Always scale as a group.

4. Ungroup the file and select the lines to change the Operation to Score – see the video for more details. The primary scorelines are on the turkey feathers and the card base. 
5. Select both the base and scorelines and use the Attach tool at the bottom of the Layers Panel to hold the scorelines in place. 
6. Click on the Make It button and select the material, which, for me, is medium-weight cardstock. The exception to this is the lightweight cardstock (50lb) for the double layer of turkey feathers. For the light paper, I am using the pearl paper setting. 
7. Load your cardstock onto the cutting mat and get each layer cut out.
8. Cricut will prompt you to load your scoring wheel or stylus for the mats that have the scorelines attached. 

Thanksgiving Turkey Pop-up Card Assembly

1. To start, use glue to add all the elements of the turkey’s face, like the eyes, beak, hat, etc. 
2. Next, fold along any scorelines for the turkey, and then fold your turkey in half and glue it together. 

3. Fold the two bottom tabs at the base of the turkey so they are flat.
4. Grab your inside card piece and crease it down the center. 
5. Insert the folded tabs from the base of the turkey into the inside card piece and secure it with glue. The turkey tabs will go into the first of the three slots. See the video here for more clarification. 

5.  Get the second feather layer and fold the tabs so they are pointed out. Place the tabs through the second set of slots for the inside of the card and secure them with glue. 

6. Fold the tabs at the top of the turkey’s bottom and secure them with glue to the first main turkey piece in the center. 
7. Repeat steps 6-7 with the final turkey feathers, adding them to the last set of slots on the inside card piece. Now that all of your pop-up pieces are in place, we can move on to the turkey’s feathers.

Adding on your turkey feathers

1. You can fold the feathers before or after you glue them together. I find gluing first and aligning the score lines easiest. 
2. Once glued, start folding the feathers back and forth like an accordion. Make sure the outer tabs are facing down when you start and finish. 
3. Seat your turkey feathers over the backside of the turkey and secure the tabs with glue on each side.
   

4. Add the card cover to your card insert piece and decorate the outside with the extra fall leaves.
5. Write a sweet message inside and gift this Thanksgiving turkey pop-up card to a loved one or hostess this holiday season!

What about envelopes? 

For handmade pop-up cards, envelopes can pose a challenge at times. It is not uncommon for some edges of the pop-up elements to slightly stick out of the card.

I like to use a pretty ribbon or twine to tie the card shut like a gift, then slide it into the top of my gift bag or box for the recipient to open! You can also purchase large cardboard envelopes to slide these cards into.

How much did you like making your own pop-up card? You can wish your friends and family a happy Thanksgiving with this festive turkey card craft during the autumn months. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

More Fall Pop-Up Card Designs

Get access to this pumpkin and black cat pop-up card design along with our autumn tree pop-up card, sunflower basket pop-up card, and Thanksgiving turkey pop-up card! All these card designs and more are available in the Craft Vault for Premium Members!