Blog Posts

Creative ways to recycle wrapping paper

So, Christmas is over and the January birthdays are rolling in fast. It's easy to get buried under a giant pile of wrapping paper at this time of year, but don't throw it away! Here at Spotlight we’ve put our heads together and come up with some great ideas to ...

Special occasion stationery

Designing and creating your own invitations along with co-ordinating stationery can make your wedding, birthday, engagement, anniversary or other special celebration more memorable & distinctive. Hints for creating your own designer stationery. • Decide on the theme or mood of the occasion. • Select a range of papers to suit ...

Scrapbook paper - the basics

Most scrapbook paper or cardstock is available in 12” x 12” (30cm x 30cm) sheets. Some smaller formats 8”× 8” and 6”× 6” are also available. Scrapbook papers and cardstock come in a wide range of colours, patterns and textures and are available in single sheets, packs or tear- off ...

Inside the studios of creative women

In the late 1920s the famous English author, Virginia Woolf, delivered some essays that came to be published under the title, ‘A Room of One’s Own’. In the years since, these writings have become famous for one of the key messages they presented; that “a woman must have money and ...

Artist profile - Katherine Rees

Twenty-six-year-old Katherine Rees is the perfect example of the talented indie crafters now coming out of Australia. Her website has been up and running for more than six months and, under the business name of Macho Bantam Cards, she sells her gorgeously artistic work. Every card is drawn, painted, pressed, ...

Indie craft report

Changes are afoot in the craft scene and major players in the industry are finally sensing the shift. Carrying the moniker, ‘indie craft’, this new trend sees 18 to 35-year-old crafters taking to needle, thread, the computer, the recycle bin, you name it, and coming up with beautiful, cheeky and ...

Memory Art - Where life is your muse

Memory art is a term that has been used in recent terms to describe a new wave of creative work being produced by people whose original scrapbooking forays have evolved, now, into works of creative wonder. Three leading women in the field - Carol Wingert, Helen Bradley and Nic Howard ...

Projects

Gloss embellishments card

This unconventional card gives you the opportunity to play with new papercrafting gadgets.

Sports theme greeting card

The great thing about becoming adept with papercrafts is that you can create whole themes for parties & special occasions. These can carry through everything from the invites to your album pages & add a new dimension of creativity to the experience.

Knitted friendship card

Whether you're known for your knitting or the recipient is, this card is perfect for yarn lovers!

Collage card

There's a textural beauty & artistry to collage works that make them beautiful to look at & addictive to make.

Merry Christmas Card

As seen in 2010 Christmas Guide page 22. Cardmaking for Connoisseurs from Fundamentals.

Happy day card

Tailor the text on this card to suit the occasion in your life.

Stamped silhouette card

Learn to use feature stamps & embossing ink in this impressive beginner project.

Black tie scrap - thank you card

Themed paper crafts are a growing trend, allowing us all to create consistent looks to all communications, no matter the occasion.

Travel cards

Don’t rely on shop bought cards. Use your own unique photography to say hello

Bon voyage card

Buy purpose-designed travel scrapping embellishments or recycle real life examples in this project.

Smart card

A card within a card, an RSVP within an invitation... you choose!

Snowman card

When it’s cold outside, stay inside & make this vety cute Frosty the snowman card.

Bicycle bon voyage

Learn how to turn beading/craft wire into a fun card accent.

Love card

The eternal symbol of love - the heart - adds 3-D effect to this sweet card.

Dream card

Dreams, a secret pocket & a touch of flourish. Divine!

Retirement card

Cut, fold & glue your way to a personalised message.

Bella card

Now, this is beautiful

A gift with punch

Gift voucher swipe cards are all the rage but are not the easiest gift to dress up. Here we’ve created a way to display & present the card. And we’ve turned a favourite punch it into a handy foam stamp.

New arrivals!

Use this card as a gift for new parents or to announce new arrivals. Whether it be a Boy or a Girl.

Father’s Day card design

Your Dad is unique so make sure his card is too.

Open mouth card

Lead little hands through a practical project with this simple, useful idea. Also useful for teachers and childcare professionals.

Pop-up Dad card

Lead little hands through a practical project with this simple, useful idea. Also useful for teachers and childcare professionals.

Dog 4 Dad card

Lead little hands through a practical project with this simple, useful idea. Also useful for teachers and childcare professionals.

Friend card

Perfect idea for teenagers

Shirt card

Try & find patterns to really match your dad’s shirt and tie!

Rotary cutter pouch

The 'get creative' magazine Creative Coordinator received one of these bags as a gift and asked the maker if we could feature it as a project.

One perfect day

The great thing about handmade cards is that you can tailor them for completely personal occasions

Hand painted hello

You don’t need to be Picasso to create your own whimsical cards, complete with orginal artwork.

Graduation card

Include event specific details - like the square academic cap, or mortarboard used here - to add pizzazz.

Slice-o-cake card

This 3D paper sculpture is fun & surprisingly simple to make.

Just thanks

Utilise the great range of decorative papers now on the market for your card designs.

Butterfly birthday card

A beautiful card can take a little more time but the results speak for themselves.

Birthday words

A gorgeous birthday card for someone special

Star card

Think beyond traditional red & green for Christmas this year.

Rickrack Christmas card

Have fun with old fashioned rickrack & seasonal embellishments.

Snowman greeting

Groups of embellishments combine with one larger motif to create balance in this design.

Christmas card

Use hot glue as a fun way to embellish cards.

Silver Peace Card

As seen in 2010 Christmas Guide page 22. Cardmaking for Connoisseurs from Fundamentals.

Trois Generation Pinwheel

This season pinwheels are the latest and greatest fashion trend for paper-craft decorations. They are appearing on cards, in wedding decorations and as party props. Pull out your paper supplies and join the craze!

Felt Trees Card

As seen in 2010 Christmas Guide page 22. Cardmaking for Connoisseurs from Fundamentals

Noel Card

As seen in 2010 Christmas Guide page 22. Cardmaking for Connoisseurs from Fundamentals.

Embossed card

Hone your embossing skills when you try these four fun card techniques.

Daisy chain card

This wonderful 3-D card will enhance a gift or look great on its own.

Fabric postcards

Now you can try your hand at one of Nic Bridges’ designs for a Christmas postcard.

First day of school

A card that’s ideal for the first day at a new school or just to mark a new school year.

Christmas place cards

A quick fix for last minute table decorations.

Card - art

Taking the time to make your own cards makes the gesture extra special.

Goals 2009 card

Once Christmas is out of the way, use your creative skills to put some time into YOU!

Elephant card

One of our in-house graphic designers, Sonia Barras, has utilised household items in these gorgeous, funky cards.

Dancing girl card

One of our in-house graphic designers, Sonia Barras, has utilised household items in these gorgeous, funky cards.

Fun in the sun card

A perfect project to keep your tweens to teens creative!

Lantern card

I love cardmaking and this one is really easy to create!

Love note

Use card making skills to send a special message.

Valentine card

Punched shapes from a soft drink can, combined with ink and hand sewn elements, go together to make this fun St.Valentine’s Day card.

Get the basics - Paper cutters & trimmers

Full details regarding the basic tools you'll need.

How to - Apply gold leaf

Step by step lesson - for teachers or learners.

Pocket love

A pocket full of love for that someone special

How to - tint paper

We revisit different foundation techniques.

Friends forever

What better way to tell your mate they're great?

Autumn card

Capture the colours of an ‘Indian summer’ & play with specialty papers in this unusual design.

Packing tape transfer card

Household objects - tape & old magazines - generate new ideas.

Easter card

Use a flower punch & ribbon in this pretty greeting.

How to - Use Fiskars Xpress shape cutter

We revisit different foundation techniques to refresh your skills.

Egg banner

You can give this as an Easter card as well.

Easter card

Cute little chicken!

Mother’s day gift set - card

Incorporate beading wire into a papercraft project with this lovely set.

Stamped dimensional card

Turn a simple rubber stamped image into this cute dimensional card.

‘quilty’ card for Mum

This technique is based on the stack & slash method of creating blocks for a quilt but, instead of using fabric, we’ve used paper.

Appliqué heart

Perfect project for crafty tweens and teenagers

Flower pot card

Your mum will love this gorgeous card you’ve made for her!

Black & White Card

A beautiful card to make

Fun Happy Birthday Card

Especially from the Jenni B Collection 'Acid Free' scrapbooking & Card Keepsakes.

Baby Girl Card

Especially from the Jenni B Collection 'Acid Free' scrapbooking & Card Keepsakes.

Jenni B Love Card

Especially from the Jenni B Collection 'Acid Free' scrapbooking & Card Keepsakes.

Formal Happy Birthday Card

Especially from the Jenni B Collection 'Acid Free' scrapbooking & Card Keepsakes.

Jenni B Collection Invitation

Especially from the Jenni B Collection 'Acid Free' scrapbooking & Card Keepsakes.

Wreath Christmas Card

Hang this on your door this Christmas.

Christmas Cardmaking

Making your own Christmas cards don't have to be a chore. Grab one of our 6" x 6" paper pads, a set of die cuts and journalling tags and you will soon have a stash of cards ready in no time.

Vintage Christmas Card

Making your own Christmas cards don't have to be a chore. Grab one of our 6" x 6" paper pads, a set of die cuts and journalling tags and you will soon have a stash of cards ready in no time.

Be Merry Cardmaking

This bright and cheery range makes creating your own gorgeous Christmas cards a breeze!

Baby Cards

Lullaby

After Five Tree Decoration

Use various papers from the After Five collection to cut out a number of various sized flowers from this page. Cluster and adhere groups of flowers on the tree. Use a combination of handmade (instructions below) cut out flowers cut out acetate leaves and adhere using some strong glue. Attach ...

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