Sunday, 1 February 2026

Brilliant Baubles

Sparkles Christmas Challenge 180 has just gone live and Dawn has chosen Baubles as our theme for February.

I love anything Nordic from Poppy Stamps - they assemble quickly and look amazing and the their Layered Ornaments are no exception!   I found a pretty paper pad (Walking in a Winter Wonderland by Craft Sensations) and chose this glittered starry paper as the base for my Nordic bauble and teamed it with some silver mirri card.

The hardest part about the design of this card was what to do for a background - I wanted to give the impression that these baubles were hanging on a tree but didn't have a suitable foliage background stamp or embossing folder.  I was about to give up when I remembered a technique I haven't used for a while.  I call it faux embossing - using the same coloured die cuts on a panel so that it resembles an embossed background.  

I cut loads of foliage (Sizzix Winter Foliage) from white card stock and placed the pieces randomly on a white background, going off the edges of the panel and trimming afterwards.   

The looped strings (PoppyStamps Little Bow and String) were laid flat on the card and the baubles were mounted on foam tape.  To support the sentiment banner (Spellbinders Handmade Sentiments) I used small pieces of foam tape on either side of the middle bauble.

I am grateful for and would like to enter the following challenges:
NBUS Challenge #83 - NBUS Ornament and Bow and String Dies;
Kraft Chicks Week 5 - Anything Goes;
ABC Christmas Challenge - A is for Anything Christmas Goes;
Merry Little Christmas Challenge #66 - Anything Christmas Goes;
Alphabet Challenge Blog - T is for Texture;
Papercraft Challenge #126 - Anything Goes;

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you go away a little inspired!  Your visits and comments are always a joy and always appreciated!  And if you leave a comment, I’ll know you were here and how to find you!

Kate

8 comments:

  1. Such a great card, Dawn. Using die cuts on the background is ingenious and creates a fabulous added interest. Thank you for joining us at ABC Christmas Challenge xx Lynda/Loopyloo DT

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  2. Beautiful card, like the delicate embossed background and the baubles are striking on it!

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  3. This is so beautiful! I love the faux embossing technique! Going to have to remember that one. :)

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  4. Spectacular card! Love that you used the EMBOSSING twist. Such a pleasure having you join the Anything Goes challenge with Krafty Chicks this week.
    Diane - DT KCC

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  5. I am inspired! Thank you for the reminder about the faux embossing, Kate! You did a brilliant job of it to provide foliage for your gorgeous baubles! I love the silver with the baby blue! Thank you for inspiring everyone with your NBUS and thank you for your visit to the Playhouse and your lovely welcome back! Hugs, Darnell

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  6. A very pretty seasonal card. Loving your baubles on the embossed card. Thanks for sharing with us in our Texture challenge at Alphabet Challenges. Caz. DT.

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  7. A lovely seasonal card. I like the baubles on the embossed background. Thanks for sharing with us in our Texture challenge at Alphabet Challenges. Caz. DT.

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  8. Beautiful card!
    Thanks for playing at the ABC Christmas Challenge!
    Helen x

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