Twinkle & Sparkle: Craft Fair #2 in KSA

This is one of my long overdue posts but… life. So anyway, here it is. 

Last year, one of my “bucket list” goals for Saudi Arabia was to join a winter market here, just to thread the waters of handmade products and see if there’s really a market for it. Luckily, my very first winter market with Eurovillage turned into a success (you can read about that here!).

So when I got invited to join another Christmas market happening just a month after my first pop-up, I honestly thought,

“What are the odds of having two successful pop-ups in a row?”

Plus… this one was happening just in someone’s house. I was like, hmmmmm…

But Amanda, the organizer, was confident. She mentioned she used to be an event organizer back home. She also said she wasn’t sure how busy the foot traffic would be, but the way she carried herself and spoke about the event? I believed her. So I said yes.

And I’m so glad I did.

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A Christmas Market Inside a Home 

First of all, Amanda’s house was beautiful. It felt so special that she opened her home to all of us vendors and guests. She divided the house into different sections to accommodate the sellers. There were three “rooms,” and the flow reminded me of IKEA, from the entrance to the living room, kitchen, dining area, and entertainment space (where we were set up). There was a natural path that allowed guests to see every seller without feeling crowded.

The event was called Twinkle and Sparkle Holiday Craft Market, and it also included a toy drive for orphans in the area. I loved that it wasn’t just about selling, there was heart behind it too.

We were allowed to drop off our items before the event day so unloading wouldn’t eat into setup time. This time, my “staff” consisted only of my husband because our friends were already in Manila for the holidays.

Setup was quick. We only had one table this time (unlike my first pop-up where I got 2). I wasn’t able to display everything, but honestly, I didn’t mind at all. It felt lighter and less overwhelming. I just bring stuff out when we sold something to replenish what got sold.

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And Then… The Waiting

But the waiting didn’t last long.

There were always people coming in throughout the afternoon. Sometimes it was one or two guests browsing, sometimes big groups arriving together. Since guests were intentional about going to a Christmas market in someone's house, I think most of them had one goal, to buy something.

And sales?

Hehe. They were good.

Considering that the table fee was cheaper and the event time was shorter, I actually earned more than my first pop-up. Not something I expected at all.

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Memorable Moments 

There was also a booth dedicated to cat adoption and rescue - which, of course, made me happy.

Amanda also organized door prizes. Vendors donated items, and she placed them in four different gift bags. Then she hid chips around the house, and whoever found them won a prize bag.

And guess what? A Filipino friend who came with her family found the last chip and won the final door prize! I was so happy for her and her daughter!

Now for my favorite customer moment…

A little girl was looking at one of my handmade albums, the most expensive one I sell, priced at 100 SAR (around Php 1,500). When she told her dad she wanted it, I was mentally preparing to hear him say no.

Instead, he said,

“If you’re getting one, you should get one for your sister too.”

She walked to the other side of the table and picked another pink album for her younger sister (maybe around five years old). I was so taken aback. They chose two of my favorite pink shaker albums, and I like that she knew exactly what she wanted.

I suddenly felt like 100 SAR might be too much, so when they asked how much, I immediately said, “80 each.” Hehe. Sometimes I am not the best businesswoman, but I was just so touched.

I also loved seeing local Arab women in abayas and covered faces browsing Christmas cards. There was even one who bought a card! It made me smile seeing different cultures appreciating handmade holiday pieces.

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My Little Haul 

And yes… I shopped too.

I got:

• A Saudi Arabia coloring book from Sophie Doodle Art

• Cat earrings (of course!) from Cura9.8

• Gingerbread cookie kit from One More Bite

Balance in the universe restored. 

⸻

Two for Two 

So I guess this makes it two for two for pop-ups here in KSA.

Another one for the books. Another bucket-list moment checked. Another reminder that sometimes, you just have to say yes and see where it leads.

And honestly? I can’t wait for the next one. 

Down the Rabbit Hole with Miqueka Scrap's Maravillas

 Before we move on to Miqueka Scrap’s Valentine’s Day collection, I didn’t want January to pass without sharing one of the sweetest themes she released, Maravillas.

“Maravillas,” meaning wonders, is a charming Alice in Wonderland–inspired collection that instantly pulls you into a whimsical little world. Think storybook details, playful elements, and that magical feeling of tumbling down the rabbit hole into something delightful.

While the collection features soft light pink and blue patterned papers, I found myself completely drawn to the bold red and black designs. There’s just something about that contrast — classic, vibrant, striking, and very Wonderland. Focusing on those colors made my projects feel extra vibrant and full of personality.

For this collection, I created two projects, and of course, I started with my usual favorite: a mini album.

Mini Album – Down the Rabbit Hole

This mini album was such a joy to create. The Alice in Wonderland theme made it easy to lean into interactive details and layered embellishments. I added plenty of frames, floral accents, and the adorable mini die cuts included in the collection. There are tuck spots filled with tags, sweet little heart trims, and interactive elements throughout.

Every page truly feels like a tiny Wonderland moment waiting to be discovered — like opening a door that says “Drink Me” and not knowing what magical surprise awaits inside.

Watch my flip through here:

Mini Disc Journal – Scrapbusting, Wonderland Style

And because we crafters absolutely do not throw away scraps this cute, I used the leftover pieces, including the negative frames from the mini album, to create a mini disc journal.

This project is simple, cute, functional, and easy to make. It’s one of those satisfying scrapbusting moments where everything comes together effortlessly. The cohesive colors and embellishments made it feel perfectly “Maravillas,” even though it was made entirely from leftovers.

I love when a collection stretches this far — one main project and a bonus one from scraps? That’s crafting magic right there.

If you loved the papers and embellishments I used in these projects, you can get your own Maravillas collection here.

Before we say goodbye to January and step into all the hearts and florals of February, I hope you’ll take a little detour down the rabbit hole too. After all, sometimes the most wonderful creations begin with a bit of curiosity… and maybe just a sprinkle of madness.

Because in our craft rooms, we’re all a little mad here, and that’s what makes it magical. 

If you love daily (okay… almost daily, I promise I try!) crafty projects mixed with adorable cat content, I’d be so happy to have you follow along on my socials! 

Instagram: @my.cat.and.crafts

Facebook: My Cat and Crafts

Come for the creativity, stay for the cat photos!

And of course, don't forget to follow Miqueka Scrap too! I swear, I love love love her collections as well as the rest of the teams projects too!

IG: @miquekascrap

Digi Choosday Project | Nuts About You - Slider Card with Acetate

I saw this card on Facebook a few months ago and immediately knew I had to make one. So when this Digi Choosday DT prompt came up and the theme was slider card, I knew this was the perfect time to finally try it.

The only problem?

I had no idea how to get an image onto acetate.

The original card I saw was hand drawn, which wasn’t an option for me since I wanted to use a Polkadoodles digi stamp. What I thought would be a quick experiment turned into days of trial and error… and even went past the due date (so sorry, Nikky!). I also had an asthma attack in the middle of crafting, which didn’t help at all.

But sometimes the best projects come from persistence, right?

The Trial-and-Error Phase

Before I got to the final card, here’s what I tried:

• Printing directly on acetate – it worked, but the print was messy.

  
  
  
  

• Cutting the image in vinyl – the lines were way too fine, the weeding was a nightmare and some details didn’t cut at all.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Tracing the image with fine-tipped Ohuhu alcohol markers – it worked, but I really didn’t like how it looked.

  
  
  
  

• Trying vinyl again – still didn’t capture the full image properly.

After all that, I went back to the very first method and decided to print on acetate again, but more carefully. I also let it dry for a while before working on it, also making sure I won't touch the print.

I’m actually typing this as I go through the process of making the card because I promised myself I’d submit it today… so here we go! 

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Materials Needed

• Digi Stamp: Polkadoodles Nuts About You – Too Cute 

• Acetate

• Cardstock

• Pattern Paper: Polkadoodles Love & Kisses Papers 2

• Glue

• Foam tape

• Ohuhu Alcohol Markers

• Vinyl (for sentiment)

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How I Made the Slider Card

1. Print your digi stamp on acetate.

   Do this first so it has plenty of time to dry while you work on the other steps. Once dry, cut the acetate to 4.25 x 5.5 inches, making sure the digi stamp is centered.

   
   
   
   

2. Print the same digi stamp on white cardstock, also centered and at the exact same size. Cut this cardstock to 4.25 x 5.5 inches as well. This alignment is important for the slider effect.

3. Color the digi stamp on the white cardstock.

   
   
   
   

   I used Ohuhu Alcohol Markers:

   Y11, Y49, YR1, YR33, E69, Y515, Y145, YR00, YR314, WG4, CGII07, Y12, YR95.

4. Cut your sentiment in vinyl and carefully adhere it to the acetate.

   
   
   
   

5. Create the frames:

   • Cut one 4.25 x 5.5 inch frame with a 5/8-inch border from solid cardstock.

   • Cut one 4 1/8 x 5 5/16 inch frame with a 1/2-inch border from pattern paper.

     
     
     
     

6. Adhere the two frames together, then stick them onto the acetate, making sure the digi stamp and sentiment are centered within the frame.

   
   
   
   

7. Attach the acetate to the colored digi cardstock using foam tape.

   
   
   
   

   Place the foam tape only on the sides and bottom, making sure it’s concealed by the frame. Leave the top open so the slider can move freely.

8. Adhere everything to your card base.

   
   
   
   

9. Create the slider insert:

   Cut a piece of white cardstock to 3 3/8 x 6 inches (this may vary slightly depending on your foam tape thickness). This piece should slide perfectly between the acetate and the colored image layer.

   
   
   
   

10. Decorate the slider insert if you like — I used a corner puncher for a simple detail.

And there you have it!

A simple-looking card that magically turns colorful once the white cardstock is slid up. 

This project definitely tested my patience, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. Sometimes crafting is about the process just as much as the finished piece... struggles, asthma breaks, messes, and all. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope this inspires you to try an acetate slider card too!

Would also love for you to follow my socials! I just reached 1502 followers on Instagram and 510 on Facebook and would be trilled to have more!

Instagram: @my.cat.and.crafts

Facebook: My Cat and Crafts