My daughter Ava and I just love a spot of crafting. At the beginning of the school holidays, one of the first places we head is Hobbycraft, as it’s been our go-to craft supplier for an age now. When Hobbycraft asked if we’d like to get stuck into some crafty projects*, we both (literally) jumped for joy. Plus they’ve given me a discount code at the bottom of this post for you to get 15% off any crafting goodies online (excluding sewing machines), available until the end of July.

We settled upon a couple of paper crafting projects for our crafty day. We were both very keen to get stuck in with some die-cutting, as we’d seen a demo of the Sizzix limited edition mint and silver big shot die cutting machine, which looked very easy and a lot of fun.

Ava has a bit of a thing with Toucans, so when she spotted that there was aTropical bird set of dies, we decided to make some artwork for her room. We’d been inspired by the amazing blog section on theHobbycraft website, so many projects to give you inspiration. We also decided to make some cupcake toppers, as we could squeeze a bit of baking into the day too.

To show off our crafty makes, we’ve styled our table up with a rainbow and gold tassel garland, which we hung above the table. We scattered some party confetti and also a pom pom garland for some pops of colour. The gold wire led star lights are just perfect for the adding a bit of sparkle to any display. We popped some philo pick bundle in some pretty vintage glasses. And we used some yellow chevron paper napkins and a vintage cake stand to display those yummy cupcakes.

Below, I’ve listed everything you need, with full instructions to make these fun items.

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Toucan Art Box Frame

You will need

~ White box frame

~ Card stock, we used textured card stock and smooth turquoise set
~ Die-cutting machine we chose this one: Sizzix limited edition mint and silver big shot die cutting machine as it matches the colours in Ava’s room
~ Tropical bird die set
~ Flower layers and leaves die set
~ Funky floral dies
~ Die pick
~ Glue pen
~ Scissors
~Small foam pads & Larger foam pads
~ Assorted buttons
~Cutting mat (although no actual blade was used we found this useful for protecting our table)

Instructions

First choose your colour scheme, then select yourcard stock. Open yourframe and using the backing board as a template, cut out a piece of card the same size that will be your background.

Next, you need to get to grips with yourSizzix big shot die cutting machine. The one we chose is the starter kit so comes with everything you need. We found the instruction sheet very helpful. It’s all operated by hand and so simple for adults and children alike.

We started with a simple one so we could practice, we cut a piece of paper, popped it on the mat, placed the die on the top of that, and then covered with the other mat.

Next, you wind the the layered mats through the machine, it’s so easy. The instructions recommend winding through three times, we found this was enough, forward then back, then forward again.

With your die pick push the shape out, and there you have it! You can place several dies through at the same time, which is what we did for our leaf and flower shapes. Make several leaves and flowers in your chosen colour scheme and put to one side.

Now make yourtoucan, which comes as one completedie. Place it through the machine as many times as the colours you would like it in. We did this in black, yellow, pink, purple and green.

Using the picture on the packaging as a guide, cut out the various parts of the toucan.

Assemble your bird art by starting with the green section, and building on top, sticking with yourglue pen. Now lay everything on your background and decide how you will display it all.

Once you have a plan, start to assemble your actual art. Use small foam pads and the larger foam pads to make your creation have a 3D effect. First stick your leaves, then put a foam pad down., add a flower on top.

Put two foam pads on top of one another to make the next flower stand in front of the last. Repeat for all four corners.

Attach a fewbuttons withfoam pads for a finishing touch. Pop your creation in theframe and you’re done!

Here’s the finished piece, ready to be displayed pride of place in Ava’s room.

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Tribal Word Cupcakes & Toppers

You will need:
For the Toppers

~ Card stock, we used textured card stock
~ Die-cutting machine, such as Sizzix limited edition mint and silver big shot die cutting machine
~ Sizzix tribal words dies~ Flower layers and leaves die set
~ Funky floral dies
~ Die pick
~ Glue pen
~ Scissors
~Cutting mat (although no actual blade was used we found this useful for protecting our table)
~ White lollipop sticks
~ Mini glue gun

Instructions: Tribal Word Cake Toppers

Using your die cutting machine, cut out thetribal words. Ava chose yellow for these so they would stand out from the pink, red and green flowers.

Then cut out your flowers and leaves using the flower layers and leaves die set and the funky floral dies. We used red and pink for the flowers and green for the leaves.

Next, cut out a small piece of card around 1cm x 2cm that will be your backing for the pieces you have cut out.

Take yourglue pen and then stick a leaf then a flower and then repeat.

With yourglue pen, stick your tribal word over the top.

Makes sure it’s dry, then turn over. With your glue gun add a dot of glue. Attach your  lollipop stick holding in place for a few seconds – as the glue is hot, this is a job for the adults!

For a really neat finish, cut a small piece of card slightly smaller than the base card and stick over the top.

And there you have it! An inspirational word cupcake topper.

Instructions: For the Cupcakes

As we’d been super busy crafting we wanted an easy option for the cupcakes. This cupcake mix kit was so easy!

We iced ours with Dr Oetker vanilla flavour cupcake icing for ease, then topped with cake Angels carnival sprinkles and our homemade cupcake toppers.

Our crafty day was truly fabulous, some real mother and daughter bonding time. I hope you like our creations as much as we do and they’ve definitely got us thinking for more crafty days in the summer. ThanksHobbycraft for some lovely memories. Ava has another list incoming to stock up on more dies and paper stock, she’s hooked.

Ps: Don’t tell anyone… but I am too!

Amy x

To get 15% off any crafting goodies (excluding sewing machines), use code DIY15, applicable online only until the end of July.
For more information please visit www.hobbycraft.co.uk

Photographed, written and compiled by Amy Davies Pereira ofLittle House In London.

*Although this is a paid collaboration with Hobbycraft, all views, makes and opinions are my own. I only work with bands a truly love and rate.

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