Genre: Instruction

While designing the back of the cards for my first Christmas range, a New Zealand birds DIY Christmas decorations and gift tag series, I realised I needed to give more in-depth instructions than the space on the back would allow...so here it is. Firstly cut out the parts into workable sized chunks which makes cutting the final shapes easier. Remember to cut in towards the tricky corners to prevent bending the card. I pasted a stiff sketch paper onto the back of the entire card before I started to give extra strength but this is not necessary. You could also paste a patterned paper on the back giving the birds a two sided appeal, instead of having a plain white back. After you have cut out the shapes lay them together how you want them and mark where you are going to cut the slot for the paper fastener as it helps if they all line up. Make this as small as possible, just big enough for the stud's prongs. Living on an island I had a limited choice of paper fasteners (or brads) to choose from but have since discovered Sullivans has a large range of decorative brads they sell for scrap booking (examples below). The finished decorations make great gift tags or tree decorations. To hang them I used fine decorative ribbon (but any string would do) which I taped on the back. It took a bit of trial and era to get them balanced how I wanted them. They are very easy to make, even for people with no patience like me. The range  (from left to right) includes a DIY kea, a fantail, a tui and a morepork (ruru). Click here for stockists, or here for wholesale orders. All images copyright Henri Stone 2012.