We’ve got an adorable free gift to help you design some stunning creations – the Apple Blossom Snowflake Penguin 4-piece die set is perfect for a bit of winter crafting. We’ve also thrown in a copy of Cards & Crafts for Christmas for even more festive inspiration!
Sandra Rayner and Fiona Wilkes have created some spectacular Christmas designs using your free gift, as always there were so many we couldn’t fit them all in the magazine. On page 15, Sandra Rayner creates some pretty-in-pink cards along with a few extra special pop-up and box designs...
...we just love this cute collection, and here’s another adorable card made just for us!
Happy Christmas
*50 mins
You’ll need
free gift
white 6”-square scalloped card blank
white & black cardstock
pink, lilac, light green & dark green Bazzill cardstock
Turquoise Craft Creations Centura Pearl cardstock
Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Dies
wreath die
Diamond & Charcoal Tonic Studios Nuvo Pure Sheen glitter
sentiment stamp
Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad
tissue paper
ribbon
PVA glue
3D foam pads
manual die-cutting machine
Step by step
1 Cut a 9.5x12.5cm piece of white cardstock and create a scrunched tissue background. Cut a 2.5x12.5cm strip from the panel and add ribbon and a bow as shown.
2 Matt both pieces onto a slightly larger piece of turquoise cardstock making sure there’s a gap between both pieces. Matt onto a larger piece of lilac cardstock and adhere to the card front as shown.
3 Die-cut a penguin with an extra wing, add glitter and inlay using pink, lilac and green cardstock. Repeat the process but reverse the penguin as shown. Adhere both to the card front leaving a space for the sentiment.
4 Die-cut a wreath from pink cardstock and five pieces of holly from the free gift. Die-cut a small circle from white cardstock and stamp the sentiment. Adhere the wreath, sentiment panel and holly together and fix to the card front using 3D foam pads to finish.
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And if pink isn’t your colour, why not try this beautiful design from Fiona Wilkes?
Snowball penguin
*45 mins
You’ll need
free gift
white rectangle card blank
white, black, red, pale blue & dark blue cardstock
Crafter’s Companion Watercolour card
silver non-shed glitter card
Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour paints & paintbrush
Diamond Ranger Stickles glitter glue
clear ZIG Wink of Stella Glitter Brush markers
red sticky tape
red gems
red ribbon
blue & white sequins
3D foam pads
manual die-cutting machine
Step by step
1 Cut a strip of red cardstock and adhere down the centre of the card blank. Cut a rectangle of watercolour card smaller than the card blank and use watercolour paints and a clear glitter pen to create a snowy background. Leave to dry.
2 Layer the watercolour panel on top of a very slightly larger piece of dark blue cardstock then onto a larger piece of pale blue cardstock as shown.
3 Tear a strip of white cardstock, trim and adhere to the bottom of the watercolour cardstock. Decorate the torn edge using glitter glue and leave to dry.
4 Wrap a piece of red ribbon around the bottom of the watercolour panel and adhere into place on the reverse. Attach the watercolour panel to the centre of the card front.
5 Die-cut an adult and baby penguin from co-ordinating cardstock and adhere both to the card front. Die-cut a holly sprig from blue cardstock and attach as shown.
6 Add sequins to the background around the penguin. Tie a bow and use sticky tape to attach to the card front and embellish using gems to finish.
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On page 28 of this issue, Carol Jones brought you some brilliant budget makes demonstrating how to create FIVE Christmas cards for just £10! Her clever crafting meant she had enough materials left to create a bonus project just for you. This gift tag is the perfect accompaniment to one of your budget Christmas cards.
*25 mins
You’ll need
Simple Stories Classic Christmas City Sidewalks 12x12” double-sided cardstock
tag die
pearls
reinforcer
manual die-cutting machine
Step by step
1 Die-cut a tag from white cardstock then die-cut a slightly smaller tag from the remaining City Sidewalks cardstock. Ensure there’s a house at the bottom as shown.
2 Trim two checked strips from City Sidewalks cardstock and layer all of the pieces together as shown.
3 Cut a hole at the top of the tag and add a reinforcer. Tie a piece of ribbon through to finish.
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If all that wasn’t enough, we’ve even got some last-minute Christmas makes designed by Cheshire Crafts. Check out these sparkly creations…
*Happy Christmas
*30 mins
You’ll need
white 8”-square card blank
red & gold Mirri Card
starry cardstock
Crafter’s Companion Die’sire Essentials Words Bundle – Celebration
Tonic Studios Star Die & Shaker set
red & gold stars
manual die-cutting machine
Step by step
1 Cut a 71/2”-square piece of starry cardstock and die-cut three stars as shown. Fill in the plastic star shapes using red and gold stars.
2 Insert the stars into the apertures, remove the sticky backing and attach to red Mirri Card on the other side of the starry cardstock. Adhere the panel to the card front.
3 Die-cut the sentiment from gold Mirri Card and attach to a square of red Mirri Card. Adhere to the card front to finish.
Christmas tree
*25 mins
You’ll need
white 4x6” card blank
red & gold Mirri Card
Precious Marieke The Nature of Christmas Christmas Tree die
Crafter’s Companion Die’sire Essentials Words Bundle – Celebration
manual die-cutting machine
Step by step
1 Cut a 3x41/2” piece of gold Mirri Card and a 21/2x8” piece of red Mirri card.
2 Die-cut the Christmas tree onto the red Mirri Card and layer onto the gold Mirri card as shown.
3 Die-cut the sentiment onto red and gold Mirri Card and adhere slightly off-set to give the shadow effect.
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Don’t forget, we also promised you a BONUS digi stamp so you can recreate The Paper Nest Dolls’s cover card! Click here to download it and turn to page 45 in the magazine for step-by-step instructions.
I can’t wait to see what designs you create using this adorable free gift – don’t forget to send your letters and cards to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or pop them in the post and be sure to look out for your creations in our next readers’ gallery!
That’s all for this issue – mark your calendars for 19th October and visit www.moremags.com/pe152 to order your copy when it goes on sale.
Happy papercrafting!
Ria
Editor
