The Nutcracker Papers

Nothing quite says Christmas like the classical opening notes of The Nutcracker, and that’s exactly what’s inspired this all-new paper collection – if that wasn’t obvious! Jane Farnham has captured the magic perfectly with graceful ballerinas, stacks of inviting presents, classic drums, glowing candles and more. We make it easy every month for you to download your bespoke papers and get crafting straight away, so what are you waiting for?

How do you add even more pizzazz to these papers? You follow Sarah Jackman Read’s lead. Layer the papers onto glitter card (oo-er!) before matting onto white cardstock for a stark contrast. She’s done that for each of these makes and don’t they all look fantastic? Learn to make three greetings, plus a 2D stocking decoration and pillow box, perfect for small gifts.

Christmas Ballerina Z-Fold Card
1. Trim white card to 17cm x 24cm. Score down from the long edge at 8cm and 16cm. Mark 7cm up from the bottom-right corner, then draw a line from here to the top of the first score line. Trim off the excess above the line. Valley fold the first score line and mountain fold the second to make a z-fold card.

2. Matt the panels with pink glitter card. Snip lengths of star paper and nutcracker paper to 6.5cm wide, then adhere to the panels, trimming the tops diagonally to fit. Secure our ‘Be merry’ sentiment to the front with 3D foam pads.

3. Cut out a fairy and present, then attach above the sentiment with 3D foam pads. Trim two more fairies and a Christmas tree. Fix to the top of the other panels to finish.

Christmas Mice Stepper Card
1. Create a 14.5cm square top-folding white blank and matt the front with teal glitter card. Adhere mouse paper, 13cm square, on top. Die cut a 10cm square through the front.

2. Trim white card to 11cm x 14.5cm. Score down from the short edge at 5cm and 10cm, then mountain fold the first score line and valley fold the second. Secure the flap to the bottom of the card to make a stepper greeting.

3. Matt the front panel with teal glitter card. Fix foliage paper, 3.5cm x 13cm, on top. Layer star paper onto the central panel. Attach a sentiment at the front with 3D foam pads. Adhere foliage paper, 14cm square, inside. Cut out a mouse and a bauble, then suspend inside the aperture.

2D Paper Christmas Stocking
1. Use our stocking template to draw and cut out a stocking from white card. Matt with pink glitter card. Use the template again to draw and trim a smaller stocking with heel and toe detailing from patterned papers, then fix on top.

2. Trim decorative borders to fit across the top and secure in place. Fold a hanging loop from patterned paper, then adhere. Layer a sentiment onto pink glitter card, before attaching at the top with 3D foam pads.

Nutcracker Christmas Card
1. Create a 10cm x 14cm top-folding white blank. Matt with teal glitter card. Fix nutcracker paper, 8.5cm x 12.5cm, on top. Trim teal glitter card to 9cm x 10.5cm and round off the corners with a punch. Layer onto white card, then round off the corners.

2. Adhere our ‘Merry & magical’ sentiment on top. Cut out two nutcrackers, then secure to the back of the sentiment so they peek out diagonally. Attach the panel to the top of the card with 3D foam pads. Trim two sprigs of holly and fix to the sentiment with 3D foam pads.

Christmas Pillow Box
1. Use our pillow box template to draw, cut out and score a pillow box from white card. Matt the top with teal glitter card and snowflake paper. Use the template again to trim paper for the sides, then fix in place.

2. Adhere a candy cane border across the top. Fold the sides inwards to create the pillow box. Cut out a Christmas tree, then attach to the top with 3D foam pads.

Loving our paper collections? We’ve got lots more for you to enjoy.