Sparkly Elephant Card

I recently made this super cute and sparkly elephant card for a little girl in my life who was turning 1! The polka dot elephant is a free SVG from Cutting for Business. I cut it out in lilac and two shades of turquoise, and I just think it is adorable! I drew the eye in, as I just wanted a small dot. I attached the elephant using foam pads and layered him on various bits from my stash, including this amazing sparkly purple paper and some pearly purple paper. I was able to use some offcuts from making the card to decorate the envelope, which I always think is a cute addition :) I can see myself using this elephant more in the future!

LOTV James the Bear Christmas Cards

And so my obsession with Lily of the Valley continues. I bought these Merry Beary Christmas card toppers for my Christmas cards this year. I just fell in love with James the Bear, he is SO gorgeous. I realised a flaw though - I'm sending these to hang in other people's houses, but I want some beary goodness in our house! I will have to see if I can make some Christmas decs. Maybe bunting?!

I spent a while trawling the internet for free printable papers, specifically red and Christmassy. I found lots, and printed my few favourites out to pair up as appropriate. (A Google search will lead you to plenty!) I've organised all my free printable papers on my computer now, so I can search for what I want by colour/texture/theme - really useful!

I also pulled some cream card and various different gold cards from my stash. Confession: I used to really dislike the colour gold, but this year I've really come round to it. I think I even like it.

And of course, it's me, so the cards needed some extra sparkle! The top card, with the yellow star, got some pearly paint. Most of the cards got Stickles glitter on the furry trim and pom pom of the hat - so cute! And this little one above got lots of red glitter all over his tinsel.

Oh, and I mounted the James the Bear toppers with 3D foam, just so he stood out a little bit more. Doesn't he look cute all wrapped up in the snow?

Polka Dot Unicorn Card

In the masses of craft supplies I have inherited over recent years were some die cut sheets from Lili of the Valley, including a collection of unicorns. This unicorn is mounted on some awesome polka dot paper I received free with a magazine, some textured cream card and some pearlised dark turquoise paper. I added some extra glitter to the unicorn's horn, because what's a unicorn without some sparkle?! These are such cute creatures, and the fact that they're pre-cut make card making a breeze! I did have to trim them slightly to smooth off edges, but I will consider buying more in the future.

Festive February: Bauble Christmas Cards

For Christmas 2015, I received a really cool Christmas card from a friend where she had made baubles out of strips of different paper and ribbons. I really liked the idea, but wanted to simplify it to make it easier to "mass" produce. I also had a Graze subscription around that time, and noticed that the Christmassy designs on the delivery boxes had great patterns, so I put them all aside for a few months...

I cut a larger bauble for each card from the Graze designs (and some other glitter card I have) in both "bauble" shapes and with my circle punch. I used a smaller circle punch to cut complementing baubles out of a range of papers from my stash.

I added some embellishments to each bauble, be it a strip of glitter tape, some glitter gel pen, or other such sparkly bits. I drew hanging threads directly on to the card background, before attaching the larger baubles raised with foam dots, and the smaller baubles flat. They're quite simple cards, but I like to think they're effective.

(I just love the red robin and blue snowflake design from Graze!)

Christmas 2015 - Fircones

I seem to have developed quite a collection of fircones over the years, and decided that is was about time I had a go at doing something with them for Christmas! 

I tried two different techniques. The first, above, I glued glitter on the inside "branches" of the fircone. I like that it is subtle but definitely sparkles when hanging from the tree.

The second, below, I painted the tips of the fircone white, before adding a very fine white glitter. Whilst it is certainly striking, I find the white a bit overpowering for my liking.

I have two giant fircones still sat on the side, as I cannot quite decide how to decorate them... Any ideas? :)

Lotus Flower Canvas

I have had so much fun working on this commission for a friend!

The inspiration was a lotus flower, India, bright reds, pinks and golds, and a bit of sparkle!

I know it's hard to see, but the petals have pearly highlights, and the background is scattered with gold and red glitter... A lovely sparkle in the sun :)

[Acrylics on canvas.]

Christmas Tree V: Glittery Felt Baubles

These are actually based on a badge I designed a couple of months ago (I haven't quite perfected them yet, which is why I haven't shared!)

They are a nightmare to stitch together, but they have such a lovely form when finished :)

I've just made a white ball and a deep blue ball. They add some nice sparkle :)

Have you made any felt decorations? I'm trying to find ideas for next year already hehe!

See what else is on my Christmas Tree!

Christmas Tree I: Crochet Snowman

Christmas Tree II: Orange and Grapefruit Slices

Christmas Tree III: Crochet Snowflakes

Christmas Tree IV: Star Wars Snowflakes

Christmas Tree V: Glittery Felt Balls

Christmas Tree VI: Angel Bunny 

Christmas Tree VII: The Finished Tree
Christmas Tree VIII: Next Year!