Spinner Card with Dangling Elephant

A project from our live show CATCH UP with Simon for MONDAY MADNESS in the HTCN studio broadcast 22nd Nov 21 · 22/11/2021 · watch it from 2:15

A charming A5 card featuring a spinning elephant charm that dangles from the centre of a circular aperture. The card combines watercoloured backgrounds with paper elements and embellishments to create a dynamic, interactive greeting card.

You will need

Izink Dye Based Ink Pad 5 X 5CM - Cassis 050821QSEE IT 943382 TV - 100268 - HTCN - Stamps By Me Standard Paintbrush Set - 061121ASEE IT Stamps By Me 4MM Jewels - White Opal - 041021ASEE IT Versafine Ink Pad - Onyx Black - 300921CSEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Cut your card blank to 7.5 by 5.5 cm, then cut a purple layer at 5.25 by 7.25 cm and a white layer at 5 by 7 cm. ▶ watch 3:00
2. Position the three layers and die-cut circles through all of them at once to ensure perfect alignment. ▶ watch 3:15
3. Glue the purple layer onto a tent-fold card base using double-sided tape and wet glue around the edges, positioning it to create a white border. ▶ watch 4:00
4. Stamp small designs (parcel, cupcake, balloon) randomly across a media paper panel using black ink, allowing some images to overhang the edges for an artistic effect. ▶ watch 5:00
5. Apply water around the stamped images, avoiding the images themselves, then drop purple dye-based ink into the wet areas and push it around with a brush to create a watercoloured background. ▶ watch 7:30
6. Heat-dry the watercoloured panel, then stamp and watercolour the main elephant character using the same purple ink, layering water and pigment to create depth and shading. ▶ watch 11:15
7. Create the dangling element by placing double-sided tape in the centre of a pre-cut circle, then tie white thread with a knot and secure it to the tape. ▶ watch 15:00
8. Glue two watercoloured elephant stamps to either side of the thread, ensuring they are symmetrical and balanced for even spinning. ▶ watch 16:30
9. Secure the dangling elephant assembly into the circular aperture using double-sided tape, ensuring good clearance all around. ▶ watch 18:30
10. Glue the watercoloured background panel onto the card base, aligning it carefully so the dangling elephant sits perfectly within the frame. ▶ watch 19:30
11. Glue a larger die-cut circle around the aperture to neaten the edge and frame the design. ▶ watch 20:45
12. Stamp a sentiment onto a small circle of card, watercolour it to match the background, then glue it onto foam pads. ▶ watch 22:00
13. Create a decorative banner element by punching a 1.5 cm strip of card with a banner punch, cutting it down the centre, and gluing both pieces either side of the sentiment. ▶ watch 24:15
14. Glue white opal jewels randomly onto the card for sparkle and added dimension. ▶ watch 25:45

Tips from the show

• Pre-cut elements ahead of time to keep the demonstration engaging.
• Use mixed media card for watercolouring as it allows you to push water around more easily than standard stamping card.
• White opal jewels take on the colour of the card they are placed on, making them a versatile embellishment choice.

More from this show

• Celebration Balloon Cluster Card with Paper-Pieced Elephant

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