Visible Image Hygge

Our design team theme for Visible Image this week is Hygge. Although the concept originated in Denmark, it’s embraced throughout Scandinavia, including Sweden, to find warmth and joy in simple, comforting moments, during the winter months. 

My brief was to make something other than a card, so I designed this little stand-up fireplace made entirely from card. It features stamped logs; a brickwork interior and a mindful sentiment displayed as a framed picture on the mantelpiece. My aim was to create something that feels homely and heart-warming — a small reminder to pause, breathe, and enjoy the moment. 

At the heart of Hygge is the feeling of warmth, comfort, and togetherness — and few things capture that better than a fireplace. In many Scandinavian homes, the fire becomes a natural gathering place during the long dark winter months. A spot where family and friends come together to share stories, sip something warm, and enjoy the gentle glow of the flames. It represents more than physical warmth; it embodies emotional warmth, peace, safety, and belonging.  

I began by stamping the log images from the A Splash of Whisky stamps set onto an A4 sheet of Taupe Arden Creative Card.  

Once the stamping was complete, I used a scoring board to score the card as shown. I cut off the top section of the card then folded back each side to start forming the 3D fireplace shape.

To continue the wood effect, I added more log stamping along the sides. 

Around all the edges, I blended Scorched Timber Distress Ink to give the piece a warm, slightly aged look — just like a real, well-loved fireplace. 

For the inside of the fireplace, I used an offcut of white card. I placed the Distressed Brick stencil over it and applied layers of Distress Oxide inks to create a realistic brick effect of the fire area. 

To create the fire itself, I die cut some offcuts of card using the Framed Fibres die. These pieces were arranged to resemble flickering flames within the fireplace.

To complete the look, I added small pieces of black card along the base to form the fender. 

Finally, I added the mindful sentiment from the Happiness Matters stamp set to the mantelpiece, framing it like a small piece of artwork.  

 Here is is once more

This make is a simple but meaningful reminder to pause during the darker months of the year. By recreating a miniature paper fireplace, I wanted to bring that same spirit into my design: a reminder that even in the coldest seasons, we can create our own moments of light, warmth and calm.

Back soon,

Keep snug during these darker months of the year,

Jane x