A Glittering Card for the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown sketch challenge

This week’s 52 Christmas Card Throwdown is a sketch challenge, and I used dsp and sparkles to bring the design to life. Sketches are such a brilliant way to stretch creativity—they give you a framework, but the details are all yours. Here’s how I built my festive take on the sketch.

Step 1: The Base Card

I started with a classic A6 base card in Basic White cardstock. This clean, crisp foundation is always my go-to for sketch-based designs, as it lets the decorative layers shine.

Step 2: Layered Squares

Using a small stitched square die from the slatted square collection by Craft Addiction UK, I cut four squares of designer series paper (DSP). You get so many dies in this die set and they can be used in many ways. To give the dsp squares a little more character, I then cut four slightly larger squares of Basic White cardstock using my Tim Holtz deckle edge trimmer. The DSP squares were adhered onto the deckle-edged bases, creating framed panels with a lovely textured edge.

Step 3: The Sentiment

From the cut-apart sheet in the paper pad, I selected a co-ordinating greeting and layered it onto a piece of Basic White cardstock, again trimmed with the deckle edge trimmer. This gave it a cohesive look with the four DSP squares while letting it stand out as the card’s focal sentiment.

Step 4: Following the Sketch

All five pieces (the four layered DSP squares plus the sentiment) were adhered to the card base with foam adhesive. This added depth and shadow, while keeping faithful to the sketch layout.

Step 5: Adding Sparkle and Shine

For that festive finishing touch, I used a Quickie Glue Pen to add glue to some sections of the foliage, then sprinkled on Dazzling Diamonds glitter. The sparkle is subtle but magical when it catches the light.

To make the berries pop, I applied Crystal Effects, giving them a glossy, dimensional shine.

Step 6: Snowflake Accents

Finally, I scattered a few small snowflakes across the design, die cut using the Sue Wilson Bold Snowflake Flurry die set by Creative Expressions. They tie everything together and add a delicate wintery feel.

Why This Card Works for the Challenge

The sketch provided the perfect structure, while the mix of textures—stitched edges, deckle frames, glitter, gloss, and layered snowflakes—ensures the card feels festive and full of interest. It’s simple yet striking, and a joy to put together.

If you’re joining this week’s sketch challenge, I hope this gives you some inspiration to dive into your own papers and create a card that sparkles this season!