Hunkydory Festive Foiled Fan Cards - an Honest Appraisal

 

Now I love Hunkydory papercraft products, they make the most amazing range of items, mostly printed here in the UK. I have loads of their little books of images, pocket pads, card packs and mirri card.

So, when I went shopping at Craftmania recently, I picked up a pack of their festive fan card blanks as well as the Christmas bookmark toppers and foiled mat packs which co-ordinate together. The Magical Season Bookmark topper pack is great because it contains so many different types of images - religious, cute penguins, dogs in hats, gnomes etc!

But the fan card was a nightmare to fold - it is pre-scored, but I found it really hard to get the top and bottom fan shapes to protrude together! This card took several attempts ,including searching for online demos, before I could make it work. And I cannot make lie flat to get it in an envelope, it springs up again! I wouldn't want to send it in the post in case of damage.

So, I have given up attempting to make anymore of the fan cards and I am just using the bookmark toppers without them

I couldn't see them go to waste, so chopped out the foiled diamond shapes and and central panel to use as mats and backgrounds.

More Card Candy

 

Just a couple more birthday cards made with the stamp I posted about back in April with different coloured card candy dots and with a 5 x7 inch sized card.

Ciao Bella Seventies Junk Journal Book

 

On my last trip to Craftmania in May I bought the Afternoon Tea Junk Journal by Ciao Bella, which I have used quite a lot, so this time I bought another  - the Seventies.

It's full of cool, retro images with a strong music vibe - LP covers, cassettes, sheet music, acoustic guitars etc

Ideal to make some quirky, vintage style birthday cards

Next going to work on a scrapbook page with some old photos from that decade.

Variety

 

I bought a pack of 40 cards & envelopes, thinking they were folded cards, but upon opening, discovered they were just single sheets, so I have had to be inventive to utilise them as background papers for birthday cards 

So I have used dogs & cats - plus the Temu toppers to make the most of the floral backgrounds

.........still got lots left to use up though!

Blast from the Past - HOTP

 

I've been gifted lots of unused papercraft books by the US company, Hot of The Press, including these colour themed Sarabooks pads

Made a couple of tag cards from the purple pack

and another tag card from the classic pad - might keep most of this one  aside for Christmas cards

These books were produced over 15 years ago, one is dated 1998! Rather than following their dated fancy fold  designs, I've used the backing papers for more a more current styled cards

Trip to Craftmania, Gt Yarmouth

 Whilst my daughter went on all the rides at Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, I took the opportunity to visit Craftmania nearby and ended up with this haul!

Craftmania is run by Jamie Rodgers, who also owns Creative Expressions. However, the shop stocks lots of other brands such as John Next Door, Hunkydory, Scrap Boys, Ranger & Julie Hickey 

I loved his own brand Happy Birthday to You die, and quickly rattled off a couple of cards using it.

The place is stuffed full of tempting papercraft goodies, and I came home with stencils, dies, inks, stamps  and a Junk Journal Book by Ciao Bella

They also have an amazing inspiration Room  with loads of cards made from their products, plus some real bargains from the end of ranges, where I picked up this parrot die set

and some vintage swan papers at knock-down prices. I can highly recommend a visit to anyone who is in the Norfolk/Suffolk area, but you will need some time to wander around it. Just as I pulled up, a lady parked and went inside, whilst her husband or partner got out and took a dog for a walk!

They also have an online shop too www.craftmaniacrafts.com which has free postage on orders over £15. 

Card Candy Galore

 

Back in 2010 I won a large box of Craftwork Cards Candy dots in assorted colours.  They have appeared in my blog over the years here, here and here

I did buy a Christmas tree stamp which uses them and featured that back in Nov 2023.  I  have just bought this Bubble Bloom flower  stamp off eBay to try and use up few more.

However, it only uses 16 per stamp (the smaller dots are Nuvo Drops), and I have hundreds to use up!

Wedding Bells

 

I felt in the mood to make some wedding cards recently

It must be that spring is in the air

or perhaps that we are planning a wedding in the family for later this year!

These are always lovely cards to design and make

Especially using embossed backgrounds and the 'happy couple' silhouette die  that I have had for years!

Easter Cards

 

Just made a selection of Easter cards

Some with a religious theme

but many featuring cute Easter  eggs and bunnies!

Last of the Christmas Cards

 

Just had time to make a few  more Christmas Cards before I pack away all my Xmas stash until next time.

Despite making hundreds of cards in 2025, I still have 3 large boxes of paper, mirri card, stamps & embellishments ready for next year.

But they are now all safely stowed away until September, when the Christmas spirit will emerge again!

So many cards....

 

Well, I'm pleased that I have managed to make so many Christmas Cards this year.

They say that giving of cards is dying out, and I understand that postage costs are unfortunately so high, but it is still lovely to have a display of cards on the mantlepiece.

I have managed to donate over 300  Christmas cards to good causes and charities this year, along with making another 50 for families & friends, I just love this hobby! I like the creativity of making something from scratch - often with no idea how they will turn out in the end, reusing and recycling materials. It can be done at any time of the day or night and can doesn't need to take up much time. Plus it also helps to reduce stress and give a feeling of achievement. Carry on Crafting!