Saturday, 24 October, was the perfect day to get cosy indoors and turn our thoughts to making Christmas cards. Autumn storms were hinting that winter was on its way.

Bianca’s account of the workshop

I prepared a few basic pieces for each of you and brought a larger bag so you could all take home plenty of materials from my stash.

The idea was to get a practical feel for building an upright scene inside a card. I could show how to handle the structural and spatial challenges with a few examples. Before long, the “framework” was there, ready to be brought to life.

For one of you, it was a cosy fireplace, a comfortable sofa corner and a baking tray full of treats. For another, a peaceful snowy landscape with a fox and a squirrel felt just right. The next had fallen for three little mice putting baubles on the Christmas tree. A stained glass window here, an ornament there, with elves, snowmen, Santa Claus and more to choose from.

The highlight was the die-cutting and embossing machine. Everyone got to try it for the first time with a design of their choice.

Thank you all for a lovely Saturday morning and for your creative ideas for putting what you had learned into practice.

What the participants took away

The time at the card workshop flies by. Bianca prepares everything and has a huge choice of paper and designs for cutting and embossing. You can get started straight away and make your card your own. Bianca offers tips whenever you have a question, and you go home with a lovely card. I’d happily come again. Marlen

I always get a bit tangled up when it comes to 3D and paper. Front can quickly turn into back, and a neatly attached elf ends up crumpled inside the card instead of standing up. I eased myself in, starting with some ornaments and carefully removing the leftover bits with a needle. Then it all went really well. Bianca had prepared everything with such care. We had a lovely time together. Kathleen

Susanne was glad to have all the materials ready and enjoyed taking her time to find just the right piece for the best spot on her card.

A few glimpses from the morning

Apples and small snacks are ready for the workshop group.
A little something to keep us going
A die-cutting machine and a range of Christmas cutting dies.
Cutting dies, paper and the machine
Boxes and trays hold a wide choice of paper and craft materials.
Materials to browse and mix
Small paper designs and card materials are spread across the table.
An idea takes shape, one piece at a time
A hand holds open a pop-up card above the Christmas designs.
A little winter scene unfolds
A white Christmas card with three little mice and stars on the front.
Christmas card with three mice
Our heart rating for this moment:

On 14 November, Bianca will be hosting another creative workshop, this time making little angels from felted wool.

See the felted angel workshop →