It’s time for another 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge, and this week’s theme is “Baubles”.
Now, I have plenty of bauble stamps and dies in my craft room, but as soon as I saw the theme I remembered a gorgeous sheet of Stampin’ Up! designer series paper featuring beautifully illustrated Christmas baubles. Sometimes the patterned paper is so pretty that it deserves to be the star of the card, and that’s exactly the approach I took for this week’s Design Team project.
With just a few simple embellishments and a little sparkle, this card came together quickly but still packs plenty of festive impact. Here’s how I made it.
Materials Used
- Card Base: 6″ square white deckle-edge card
- Designer Series Paper: Stampin’ Up! Christmas baubles design
- Cardstock: Night of Navy, White, Pool Party and Red Glitter
- Die: Alphabet dies by Craft Addiction UK
- Sentiment Stamp: Christmas (script font) Stampin Up (retired)
- Black Ink
- Crystal Effects
- Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
- Liquid Glue
Step 1: Create the Background
I began with a 6″ square white deckle-edge card base, one of my favourite card sizes for showcasing larger pieces of designer paper.
A piece of the Stampin’ Up! baubles designer series paper was trimmed to fit across the top section of the card front and adhered using liquid glue.
I absolutely love this paper. The beautifully decorated baubles immediately fulfil the theme, so there was very little else needed to create an eye-catching design.
Step 2: Add the Colour Strips
To separate the patterned paper from the sentiment area, I added three narrow strips of cardstock across the width of the card using up several of pieces from my scraps box.
Rather than introducing new colours, I simply picked out three shades already featured in the paper:
- Night of Navy
- White
- Pool Party
This little detail helps tie the whole design together and gives the eye a gentle transition between the busy pattern and the clean white space below.
Step 3: Create the Sentiment
For the greeting, I wanted something bold but still elegant.
I die cut the bold letters to spell the word “Merry” from red glitter cardstock, adding a lovely pop of festive sparkle against the white background.
Below this, I stamped the word “Christmas” in black ink, choosing a flowing script font to contrast with the chunky die-cut lettering.
I really like mixing fonts on cards. The combination of bold and delicate lettering adds interest while keeping the sentiment balanced.
Step 4: Add Some Extra Sparkle
As if the glitter cardstock wasn’t enough, I decided my baubles deserved a little extra festive shine!
Using Crystal Effects, I carefully added glossy highlights to several of the bauble images on the designer paper.
While the Crystal Effects was still wet, I sprinkled over a little Dazzling Diamonds glitter, concentrating it on one side of each bauble.
The result is a beautiful combination of shine and sparkle that catches the light as the card is moved, giving the baubles a wonderfully festive finish. It’s difficult to capture this in a photograph, but the shine and sparkle are just beautiful in real life.
Final Thoughts
I love how this card proves that you don’t always need lots of stamping or intricate die cutting to create something special. A beautiful piece of designer paper can do much of the hard work for you, especially when it’s complemented with a few carefully chosen embellishments.
Adding the glossy Crystal Effects and glitter was the perfect finishing touch, giving the baubles even more sparkle and making them look almost like real glass ornaments hanging on the tree.
If you’re joining us for this week’s 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge, why not take a look through your patterned paper stash? You might just find the perfect design waiting to become the focal point of your next Christmas card.
We’d love to see what you create, so head over to the challenge blog and join in the festive fun!
Happy crafting!
Lily-by-Gilly 