Hello and welcome.
It’s time for another 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge, and this week we’re following a lovely sketch featuring four panels in different sizes, with a separate sentiment panel.
I really enjoyed working with this sketch. The four-panel design gives plenty of opportunity to mix patterns and textures, while still creating a clean and balanced layout. For my Design Team card, I decided to keep things soft and wintery, using a dsp in white, pale blues and muted greys, with lots of texture and a little sparkle thrown in for good measure.
Here’s how I made my card.
Materials Used
- Cardstock: White
- Designer Series Paper: Soft, muted blue and grey tones
- Embossing Folder: Spellbinders 3D Flurry of Snowflakes Embossing Folder
- Die: Sweet Confections Label and Banner Etched Dies from Sweet Street by Tina Smith, Spellbinders
- Sentiment: Cut-apart sentiment from the co-ordinating DSP pack
- White Glitter
- Liquid Glue
- Foam Adhesive
Step 1: Create the Four Panels
I began with a white card base and cut the four panels to match the different sizes shown on the sketch.
For two of the panels, I used white cardstock, which I embossed using the Spellbinders 3D Snowflake Embossing Folder. I love the depth and detail that a 3D embossing folder adds, and the snowflakes seemed the perfect choice for this wintry design.
The remaining two panels were cut first from white card and then a mat layer from designer series paper in soft, muted shades of blue and grey. The floral and foliage pattern has a lovely understated feel and works beautifully with the crisp white embossed panels.
I really like how the combination of patterned paper and embossed cardstock creates contrast while keeping the overall colour palette soft and cohesive.
Step 2: Arrange the Panels
Once all four panels were prepared, I arranged them on the card front following the sketch.
The different sizes create plenty of movement across the card, while alternating the patterned and embossed sections keeps the design from feeling too busy.
I always think sketches are a great jumping-off point. You can follow them quite closely, as I have done here, but the choice of papers, colours and embellishments allows you to make the finished card completely your own.
Step 3: Create the Sentiment Panel
For the sentiment, I used one of the Sweet Confections Label and Banner Etched Dies from Sweet Street by Tina Smith for Spellbinders to cut a pretty shaped panel from white cardstock.
Rather than stamping a sentiment, I chose one of the cut-apart sentiments from the same DSP pack. The soft colours and style matched the rest of the card perfectly, and using one of these little pieces is such an easy way to make use of every part of a beautiful paper collection.
The sentiment panel was then positioned across the card as shown on the sketch.
Step 4: Add Some Wintery Sparkle
Of course, I couldn’t make a Christmas card without adding a little sparkle!
I added a little liquid glue around the edge of the sentiment panel, as well as over the flowers and foliage on the designer paper.
While the glue was still wet, I sprinkled over white glitter. The result is a lovely frosty effect, almost as though the flowers and foliage have been touched by a sprinkling of winter frost.
It’s one of those details that is rather difficult to capture properly in a photograph. The white-on-white sparkle is subtle in a picture, but in real life it looks absolutely beautiful, especially when the card catches the light.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed putting this card together. The combination of soft blue, muted grey and crisp white gives it such a peaceful, wintry feel, while the embossed snowflakes and touches of glitter add just enough texture and sparkle to make it feel festive.
I also love how the four-panel sketch makes it possible to combine several different elements without the card becoming too complicated. The two embossed panels bring texture, the patterned panels add colour and interest, and the sentiment panel pulls everything together.
If you enjoy working from sketches, why not join us for this week’s 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge? It’s always fascinating to see how differently everyone interprets the same starting point.
Head over to the challenge blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have created, then have fun putting your own festive spin on the sketch. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Happy crafting
Lily-by-Gilly 