Gold Embossed Elephant with Make-a-Wish Shaker Topper

A project from our live show CATCH UP with Simon for MONDAY MADNESS in the HTCN studio broadcast 8th Nov 21 · 11/08/2021 · watch it from 41:30

A delicate shaker card topper featuring a gold-embossed elephant holding a balloon, with a 'Make a Wish' sentiment circle that becomes the balloon window. Watercoloured with iridescent gold confetti paint, it creates a shimmering, celebratory effect.

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Step by step

1. Stamp the Make a Wish elephant design onto watercolour cardstock using embossing ink. ▶ watch 42:00
2. Rub an anti-static bag over the stamped area to prepare for embossing powder application. ▶ watch 42:30
3. Stamp the Make a Wish sentiment circle onto the same piece using embossing ink. ▶ watch 43:00
4. Cover both stamped areas with gold embossing powder, tapping off the excess. ▶ watch 43:15
5. Use a heat gun to melt and set the embossing powder until both designs are shiny and raised. ▶ watch 43:45
6. Die-cut the elephant design using the Make a Wish die, cutting away the balloon portion you do not need. ▶ watch 45:00
7. Die-cut the Make a Wish sentiment circle using its complementary die. ▶ watch 45:15
8. Watercolour the elephant with a light wash of iridescent gold confetti paint, covering the head, arms, feet and ears. ▶ watch 47:00
9. Apply a darker mix of the gold confetti paint to the elephant's dungarees for shading and depth. ▶ watch 48:15
10. Dry the painted elephant with a heat gun to set the watercolour. ▶ watch 49:00
11. Trim away the unwanted balloon portion from the elephant piece with scissors. ▶ watch 49:45
12. Glue the Make a Wish circle under the elephant's arm area to create the illusion of a balloon. ▶ watch 50:00
13. Attach a foam pad to the back of the elephant and position it on your card front. ▶ watch 50:15

Tips from the show

• The iridescent gold confetti paint has lots of mica in it, so apply it lightly to see the full shimmer effect.
• Watercolour the embossed design after heat-setting the embossing powder for best results.
• You can trim away unwanted parts of a stamped design after die-cutting to customise your final piece.

More from this show

• Elephant Easel Card with Spray-Painted Stars
• Gold Embossed Fireworks Shaker Card

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly