How to Make a Shaker Card With Foam Tape (Gingerbread + Astronaut Ideas)
A strip of foam tape, a clear window, and a handful of sequins. That is all it takes to make a card people pick up and shake.
Shaker cards are one of those projects that look fancy and are secretly simple. The trick is the wall: a ring of foam tape around the window that gives the sequins room to move. Get the wall right and everything else falls into place. I made two for this post, a gingerbread couple for Christmas and an astronaut floating in holographic stars, and I'll walk you through both.
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What is a shaker card?
A shaker card has a little window on the front with sequins, glitter, or confetti sealed inside. Behind the window there is a pocket of space, so when you tilt or shake the card, everything inside moves. That pocket is built with foam tape. It holds the front and back layers apart and seals the edges so nothing escapes.
Why foam tape is the secret
- 📏 Built-in height: our foam tape is 1/8" thick, which gives sequins plenty of room to shake
- 🔒 Seals the pocket: it's double sided, so it sticks to both layers and closes the edges in one step
- ✂️ Thin enough for curves: at 3/16" wide, it bends around a circle window and fits behind narrow frames
- 📸 Acid free and photo safe: safe for scrapbook pages and keepsake cards
White or black foam tape?
Match the tape to your cardstock. The foam edge shows a tiny bit from the side, so you want it to blend in.
- White foam tape for white, pastel, and light colored cards. I used it on the gingerbread card.
- Black foam tape for black, navy, and dark cards, so no white line peeks out. I used it on the astronaut card.
What you'll need
- White or black foam tape for the shaker wall
- Double sided tape for the flat layers
- A clear sheet for the window (acetate or any clear plastic packaging works)
- Sequins, glitter, or confetti for the filling
- Cardstock for your frame, back panel, and toppers (full color lists for both cards are below)
- Your Cricut or Silhouette, or scissors and a circle punch
How to make a shaker card, step by step
Step 1: Cut the frame and the back panel
Cut two matching shapes: a frame with a window cut out of the middle, and a solid back panel the same size. A circle is the easiest shape to start with.
Step 2: Add the clear window
Cut your clear sheet a little bigger than the window and attach it to the back of the frame with double sided tape. The thin tape keeps it flat and hides behind the frame.
Step 3: Build the foam tape wall
Flip the frame over and run foam tape all the way around the window, right on top of the clear sheet. Leave no gaps. Any gap is a spot where a sequin can sneak out. On a circle, short pieces of tape laid end to end follow the curve better than one long strip.
Step 4: Add the sequins
Drop your filling into the window area while the liner is still on the tape. Fill about a third of the space. Too many sequins and there's no room to shake.
Step 5: Seal it up
Peel the liner off the foam tape and press the back panel on firmly, pressing all the way around the edges so the seal is complete.
Step 6: Add your toppers
Layer your cut pieces on the front with double sided tape, or pop a few up with a scrap of foam tape for extra dimension. Then give it a shake.
Project 1: The gingerbread shaker card
A gingerbread boy and girl on a window full of brown sequins and tiny gingerbread confetti. The shine around the window comes from brown mirror cardstock, and her dress sparkles with red glitter.
Cardstock I used:
- Brown mirror for the shiny ring around the window
- Lipstick red glitter for her dress and the little bow tie
- Kraft brown for the gingerbread cookies
- White glitter for the icing
- Smooth white for the base
The gingerbread pieces are layered, and that's where double sided tape earns its spot. Run a strip down the back of each cookie and every layer of icing stays put.
Project 2: The astronaut shaker card
An astronaut floating next to a window full of holographic star sequins. Built on dark cardstock with black foam tape, so all you see is the sparkle.
Cardstock I used:
- Holographic for the visor and the ring around the window
- White glitter for the spacesuit
- Gun metal grey for the suit details
- Smooth black for the outlines and the base
Holographic cardstock shifts color every time it catches the light, which makes it perfect for a space theme. Pair it with holographic star sequins and the whole card glows.
Tips for a better shaker card
- Kill the static: rub the inside of the clear window with a dryer sheet before you add sequins, so they don't cling to it
- Seal every corner: press the foam tape ends tight against each other. Gaps are the number one reason sequins escape
- Want more room? Stack two layers of foam tape for chunky sequins or beads
- Mix your filling: a few bigger shapes with lots of tiny sequins looks fuller and moves better than one size alone
- Keep toppers off the window: let your toppers overlap the frame, not the clear part, so the shake stays visible
Frequently asked questions
What size foam tape is best for shaker cards?
Our foam tape is 1/8" thick and 3/16" wide, a great all-around size for shaker cards. It gives sequins room to move and is narrow enough to follow curved windows.
Should I use white or black foam tape?
Match it to your cardstock. White foam tape disappears behind white and light colors, and black foam tape hides behind black and dark colors so no white edge shows.
Can I make a shaker card without foam tape?
You need something to hold the layers apart and seal the edges. Foam tape does both in one step, which is why it's the go-to for shaker cards.
Why do my sequins stick to the window?
That's static. Wipe the inside of the clear sheet with a dryer sheet before you add the sequins.
Is the foam tape safe for scrapbooks?
Yes. Our white foam tape, black foam tape, and double sided tape are all acid free and photo safe.
Ready to make something shake?
✨ Shop White Foam Tape · ✨ Shop Black Foam Tape · ✨ Shop Double Sided Tape
Black and white are just the start, too. More foam tape colors are on the way. And if you make a shaker card, tag me at @ashleeyfalco. I want to see it shake.
xo, Ashlee