If you'd like to make a fun birthday card, using this tearing technique will guarantee you an interesting result! We'd like to see your birthday cards for kids - with the twist that your card needs to use torn paper in some form or other. Any type of paper tearing will do, but we found mulberry paper gives the best effects. 

At Christmas time we love the traditional Scandinavian look of red and white - it's so simple, yet so perfect for tree decorations and fab cards too. So this month we're challenging you to make a Christmas card in just red and white - no other colours at all!

Words and letters aren't just for card greetings and sentiments – you can have a lot of fun using a background that's created with text! So that's your challenge this month. Print lettering directly from your computer on to your card, or use a wordy patterned paper, or get creative with alpha stickers… the choice is yours! The card above was designed by Louise Fortune. She printed out the 'Cheers' background for her cocktail card using bold letters in juicy, tropical colours – perfect for summer!

Everybody knows a keen dog- lover or someone who’s crazy about cats – and some of us are clucky about our chickens, happy to own a hamster or very fond or our fish! For this month’s challenge we want you to have fun crafting a pet- themed card. You can use any colours and techniques you like, then don’t forget to show us your design. Email a photo of your card design to papercraft@futurenet.com

Anna Moore made this card with its super-cute dog and bone tags. Love the row of mucky pawprints!

Here at Papercraft Inspirations none of us can resist quirky crockery, nifty cooking gadgets or pretty kitchen and table linen. So for this month’s challenge we’re asking you to design a card on the theme of ‘In the kitchen’! Cook up a card for any occasion you choose, using any technique you fancy, then email a photo of your delicious design to papercraft@futurenet.com

This elegant place setting card was created with a Sizzix Textured Impressions embossing folder, ref 657669.

Inspired by Elizabeth Moad’s fab punching Masterclass in our May issue, for this month’s challenge we’re asking you to go to town with your punches! Layer up lots of punched shapes or use them in unexpected ways, theming your card for any occasion you like. Once you’ve finished your punched creation, we’d love
to see it – email a photo to papercraft@futurenet.com.

More card challenge ideas:
Forever Friends
PanPastel
LEJ Designs

It’s soft and strokeable yet really easy to cut into shape – yes, we’re big fans of felt! It adds a wonderful, tactile quality to cards that recipients always love.

This month we’re challenging you to create a card that includes felt in any way you like. Go for a design for any occasion you fancy, then show us what you’ve made – email a photo to papercraft@futurenet.com. 

More card challenge ideas:
Try cards with tags!
One-colour challenge
Sweet treats
Things with wings
Winter wonderland
Recipe challenge

Tags are such a versatile embellishment for card making. They make a great place to add your greeting or sentiment, or an extra splash of colour or texture.

This month we’re challenging you to create a card that includes one or more tags!

Choose any card occasion you like, and don't forget to show us what you’ve made – email a photo to papercraft@futurenet.com.

Have you got lots of paper scraps and stash leftovers in one particular colour? Then put them to good use with this month’s card challenge!

See if you can design in one colour and still include plenty of visual interest. You can choose any card theme and any craft techniques you like, then don’t forget show us what you’ve made.

Got a sweet tooth? Then you’ll love this month’s tempting card challenge!

To tie in with our January issue's 10 inspirations for using sweet wrappers (in shops 21st Dec), we’re inviting you to create a card inspired by sweets.

Our designer Lucille has made this gorgeous card to get you started. This jar-shaped shaker card is filled with paper jelly beans! 

Get your creativity flowing and use whatever craft techniques you choose, then don’t forget show us what you make – email a photo to papercraft@futurenet.com. 

More challenge ideas:
Things with Wings 
Winter Wonderland 
Recipe Challenge & more inspiration!