Handmade by Natty

Hi everyone!

I'm posting this a little early so that you get a kickstart to your creative plans for 2021!

The handmade card challenge is back for another year – once again with the aid of inspiration found on Pinterest.

But with the added twist of a focus colour for each month. 🙂

Here's how the 2021 card challenge will work:

• On the 1st of the month, I'll share a Pinterest prompt here on my blog.
• The prompts will include many elements – you can interpret what you see in any way you like: design elements, colour combos, words, patterns, objects, layout… so many possibilities! Whatever inspiration you take from the image, incorporate it in your card! As always I will try to come up with a list of what immediately springs to mind when I look at the image to give you a few ideas if you're stumped.
• What about Christmas cards? As we reach the end of 2021 the prompts will become more festive and wintry themed, but there's nothing stopping you from creating a festive card from the images posted each month. In fact, you might welcome the challenge to get ahead!
• How many cards you make is totally up to you, but the more the merrier!
• All prompts past and present for this challenge can be found here on my blog, and you can find them easily by clicking on the 2021 card challenge tag over there on the left.
• Speaking of tags, if you're also on Instagram then I'll be using the hashtag #2021handmadecardchallenge for any posts related to this challenge, feel free to use this tag on Instagram too!
• You can share your cards by linking them up here on my blog – just add a comment to the relevant monthly prompt – or by sharing them in the dedicated challenge thread over in the UK Scrappers card forum.
• If you are ever stumped about the layout of your card, then definitely check out the sketches I pin to my Pinterest board here, hopefully there will be something there to inspire you!
• What if you don't have time to start now or play along every month? No problem! Just dive in and out of the challenge when you feel like it. 😀 Do as much as you want or as little. It's always lovely to have lots of people sharing their makes, but real life doesn't always allow for crafty time as we well know!

Now with all the formalities out of the way, it's time to get on with the show.

The colour focus for January is: Metallic tones

A here's your Pinspiration for January:

{Pinterest pin}

And here are some initial ideas to get you started:

• Splatter background – use watercolours and metallic paint to splatter colour onto a plain background, you could even use black or dark grey as your background with this technique
• Stars galore – whether as the main focal point or as a background, stars are always a great design element for birthdays and much more. Why not create a star shaker window and include star confetti inside?
• String – bunting, balloons, garlands, pompoms, rosettes, twine with buttons
• Numbers – celebrating an important date (wedding/birth) or a big birthday or anniversary? Why not include the special date on your card or the numbers in question?
• Fancy lettering – focus on a sentiment or word art with a lovely lettering style
• Wish – include wish, wishes, wishing on your card
• Cheers! – feature champagne, beer, gin, wine, or a cocktail of your choice
• Blackboard background – create your own blackboard background with black cardstock and white ink for a chalk effect
• Sparkle – glitter will add pop to any project you make in January

Here's to a happier 2021 with much crafting!