Stand-up pictures and figures

Nearly any figure or photo can be made into a free-standing figure with a few simple cuts.

Supplies:
Duplicates of the figure or photo, mounted on heavy paper or cardboard
Sharp scissors, craft knife or paper cutter

The key to the success of the project is interlocking slits in the figures. By cutting one from the top and the other from the bottom, the figures can be slid into the corresponding slits at right angles.  The figures will then be able to stand.

The finished figures can be mounted for display, hung for decoration or used in other projects such as dioramas. Make stand-up photos for gifts - just print two copies of each photo.


A few cautions:

Use extreme care with cutting tools when children are present. Consider doing the cutting ahead of time or outside of the meeting room or work area if the children are very young.

Correct placement of the slits is crucial, especially for asymmetric items such as photos. Make the placement easy by turning one copy of the photo upside down and placing it face down on top of the second photo. Cut both at the same time, to the midpoint.