QUICK AND EASY CHRISTMAS

Deck your halls, tree and anywhere else you fancy with these quirky handmade Santas!

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Materials

Red, white, fleshcoloured and lime card White organza ribbon Pink chalks

Tools

Template: beard (opposite)

Cricut machine with ‘bags, tags, boxes and more’ cartridge Ball-tipped embossing stylus and foam mat Large flower punch

All-purpose glue 3D foam pads Red self-adhesive gemstone

Circle punches, ¾in (2cm), 5/8in (1.3cm) and ¼in (0.5cm) Small holly die cutter Craft knife and cutting mat

Scissors

Use a Cricut machine to cut a wedge-shaped box approximately 3 x 2in (7.5 x 5cm) from red card. Alternatively, use a ready-made box or bought template to create the box.

Assemble the box and punch holes at either side of the point. Thread through 9¾in (25cm) of ribbon and knot on the inside.

Cut two circles of fleshcoloured card ¾in (2cm) and ¼in (0.6cm) in diameter. Using a ball-tipped embossing tool, burnish the small circle (nose) on the back to cup the shape. Punch two tiny holes in the large circle for eyes and add chalk to the cheeks and mouth area.

Use the template to cut a beard shape from white card. Also punch a large flower shape and a 5/8in (1.3cm) diameter circle from white card.

Cut two petals from the punched white flower and bend to create a moustache. Assemble the face and beard using 3D foam pads. Add a die- or hand-cut holly leaf and gemstone berry.

Stick the Santa face to the box using 3D foam pads. Cup the remaining white circle using an embossing tool as for the nose and stick to the box top using a 3D foam pad.

Draw around the assembled box to create a triangle-shaped tag. Add a Santa face, as for the box, to create a fun gift tag. Team with a parcel wrapped in plain green paper for a coordinated look.

For a Hallowe’en or magicthemed party, transform Santa into Merlin! Cut the box from purple card and add stars cut or punched from iridescent paper. Cut the beard and moustache from grey card to complete the transformation. This design could also be adapted to make three wise men.