Spring Gnome with Wreath and Nest Card

A project from our live show Brand Showcase in the HTCN studios - FUNKY FOSSIL - broadcast Friday 25th Feb 22 · 25/02/2022 · watch it from 16:00

A charming spring card featuring a little gnome peeking over a twiggy wreath die-cut, with paper-pieced hat details and delicate heart embellishments. The design creates a sweet, whimsical look with layered colours and mixed media elements.

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Apply salvage patina distress oxide around the edge of your card panel using a blending brush for a soft, fresh blue border. ▶ watch 16:30
2. Stamp the music script background stamp in warm breeze ink, holding the stamp in your hand to create partial, tone-on-tone impressions rather than full coverage. ▶ watch 17:00
3. Cut two wreath dies from contrasting colours—a goldy-green for the underneath layer and brown for the top—and offset them slightly to show both tones. ▶ watch 19:30
4. Adhere the layered wreath dies to the centre of your card to create the focal point. ▶ watch 20:00
5. Stamp the gnome character onto white card using a stamping platform for precision. ▶ watch 20:30
6. Watercolour the gnome, then stamp the same gnome image onto patterned paper from your stash to create a paper-pieced hat in a different colour. ▶ watch 21:00
7. Fussy-cut the paper-pieced hat and adhere it over the gnome's original hat to add dimension and pattern. ▶ watch 21:30
8. Position the gnome so it peeks over the top of the wreath, creating the effect of looking into a bird's nest. ▶ watch 22:00
9. Cut small heart and flower die elements from the wreath bundle and cluster them around the gnome and wreath for added detail. ▶ watch 22:30
10. Stamp the 'Spring is in the Air' sentiment onto dark brown card and adhere it to the bottom of your card for contrast. ▶ watch 24:00

Tips from the show

• Stamp only partial images rather than whole stamps to create interesting background layers without overwhelming the design.
• Paper-piece elements by stamping them onto patterned paper and cutting them out to add colour variation and texture.
• Look beyond the full stamp image and use individual elements like just the gnome's head peeking over other design elements.

More from this show

• Night Sky Moon Card with Distress Oxide

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly