CHRISTMAS CARD- Joy to the World 7 by 7 inch Decoupage and insert Mini KitCompleted by Pamela Horton The whispering Platypus

This is a beautiful Kit from Clare Walker in her usual pen and water colour style, and absolutely so easy to work with. I printed off each of the sheets of the kit onto gloss ivory 180gsm light card, and read the instructions needed to make up the topper. I used a craft knife to cut out the framed area on the piece to be used as the topper, and edged the inside edge of the frame, and the outer edge of the topper. To do this carefully, I have some helpful instructions below.

I made a base card in Cream 15 x30 cm folded and edge it with a metallic gold pen, using a metal (Plastic is Ok as well), ruler, and a scrap pad underneath. NOTE: It is important to wipe the edge of the ruler after each use to avoid any smudges, as the pen does not dry immediately.

I then made up the backing sheets, of which there are 4. The largest one is a 14cm square green textured card, within the tones of the holly, but slightly darker. The next largest is 13cm square and is the same ivory card I used to copy the kit. The next backing sheet is 12.5cm square in a plum shade to coordinate with the topper and the ribbon I have used. The fourth and smallest of the backing sheets is the same ivory card, and cut at 11.5 square.

Before I attached any of these together, I edged them all in the same manner, as above, with the gold metallic pen. I also edged the full topper piece ,with the sentiment, in the same manner and used double sided tape to attach the organza 2.5 cm wide ribbon across at the back of this part of the kit. I needed to make sure the tails to tie the bow were equal lengths on the left hand side.

I left the tails loose at the left hand side while I put the backing sheets together, step by step with double sided tape. Once the backing sheets were together, including the sentiment topper, with the ribbon attached, I tied the bow, and used padded double sided tape to attach them all to the main card. I used double sided padded tape to attach the cut out frame section of the topper and all the elements, including the Merry Christmas which I had mounted onto card and edged with the gold pen.

I used Clare's "Mistletoe and Berries" Background sheet, cup797371_79993 ,and the extra topper from the kit for the insert and included the photograph. I will use a blank piece of paper to write a personal Christmas message for this very special card.

I know this is one kit, every one should have in their stash, the results are well worth the time.

Thank You Clare, as I say "keep them coming our way"

A big Hug Pamela Horton