Bear, Santa & Reindeer Gift Tags

Hello! Adding a handmade touch to holiday gifts makes them even more special! Today, I’m sharing a set of three Christmas gift tags I created using Spellbinders dies. The tags feature a bundled polar bear, a classic Santa, and a festive reindeer—all designed to coordinate with the gift wrap for presents I’ve prepared for my granddaughter. Whether you’re crafting for loved ones or adding a personal flair to your own gift-giving, these tags are sure to inspire!

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I used three sets from the Merry Mug & Circle Delights Collection, (introduced in 2023)—Festive Ornaments, Whimsical Winter Critters, and Santa’s Festive Circle Crew—to cut the pieces for the gift tags.

Polar Bear Gift Tag

Santa Gift Tag

Reindeer Gift Tag

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How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

Hello! You can bring the magic of winter to your handmade cards with a variety of techniques for adding snowy details. In this roundup, I’m sharing cards from past blog posts to illustrate different methods for adding snow, offering inspiration rather than focusing on specific products.

Snow can be featured in different areas of your cards, such as softly layered on the ground, gently falling in the sky, or as striking accents and focal points with die-cut snowflakes. I won’t be specifically mentioning where dies are used to create the snowflake accents, but you’ll see them featured in many of the examples throughout.  Click on the card image to be taken to the original post for additional details.

One of the simplest ways to create a snowy scene is by using a hill die to cut white cardstock, adding instant winter charm to your card.

How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

For an extra touch of sparkle, you can use glitter cardstock or glitter foam to create a snow-covered ground.

How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

Glitter cardstock can be used to create focal items, such as sparkling snowmen, adding a festive and eye-catching touch to your card. When I use glitter cardstock for a snowman as a focal point, I don’t use it for the ground, as it would make the snowman less distinct and take away from its prominence. I own one die with snowflakes, and I used it on the card below, along with smaller die-cut snowflakes.

One easy option to use patterned paper featuring snowflakes or a gentle snowfall, instantly setting the scene for a winter feel. The style and color of the paper helps set the mood and tone for your card.

How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

Another way to add snow is by using a background stamp. The ink color, along with the style and scale of the snowflakes, shapes the overall feel of the card, with subtle changes creating entirely different effects.

How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

An embossing folder can add texture to create a snowy sky or overall background, with the style of the snow adding character to your card.

How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

Stencils are a great way to add a snowy sky, whether you’re using designs like snowflakes, snowfall, or flurries. Applying white stencil paste through the stencil creates a textured, dimensional effect.

How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

White embossing paste can be sprinkled with glitter before it dries, creating a beautiful, sparkly effect that enhances the snowy scene.

How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

When I want to achieve the look of snow on greenery, such as evergreen trees or sprigs, I use various embossing powders to make the greenery look as though fresh snow has gently settled on it.

How to Add Snow to Your Handmade Cards

I hope these examples inspire you to get creative with adding snow to your cards. There are many ways to capture the magic of winter—how will you add snow to your next card?

Traditional Christmas Mantel Card

Hello! A decorated mantel embodies the warmth and joy of the holiday season, making it the perfect inspiration for a Christmas card. Mantels are often the focal point of a home, traditionally adorned with garlands, stockings, and festive decor to set the tone for cozy holiday gatherings. This handmade card captures that charm with a beautifully crafted Christmas mantel, created entirely with Spellbinders products. The embossed background adds depth and elegance.

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Traditional Christmas Mantel Card

    • To begin, create an A2-size card base with glitter gold cardstock.
    • Cut a rectangle from Snowdrift cardstock with the largest die in the Nestabilities set.
    • Dry-emboss the rectangle with the 3D Vintage Ornaments folder and adhere to the card base.
    • With dies in the Mantel Village and Mantel Decorations sets, cut the mantel, houses, reindeer, banner, trees, and greenery from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble individual elements.
    • Cut foam with the mantel die and adhere to the back of the die-cut mantel.
    • To create depth on the mantel, attach the assembled houses and sentiment banner to the back of the mantel. Adhere the greenery to the reindeer and then attach that assembly to the front of the mantel.
    • Finally, add the assembly to the card base, adding the trees to the card base on either side of the houses.

Traditional Christmas Mantel Card

I previously shared a card created with these products HERE.



Penny Black Snowy Woodland Christmas Card

Hello! There’s something magical about a quiet winter scene, and this Christmas card brings that feeling to life. Using all Penny Black products, I created a serene woodland setting with three stamped evergreens and two die-cut cardinals nestled in the trees. The background features a subtle snowflake pattern stamped onto woodgrain cardstock, adding texture and a hint of rustic charm. A simple winter sentiment completes the card, making it a perfect way to spread warmth and joy this holiday season.

Penny Black Snowy Woodland Christmas Card

    • Stamp the Snowflake Pattern background in white pigment ink on woodgrain cardstock, trim to A-2 size, and add to a card base. I have never stamped onto the woodgrain cardstock before; it is something I will definitely do again.
    • Stamp the All Things Evergreen trees with Oxide inks on Sea Glass cardstock.
    • Cut white cardstock with the largest Classy Frames die.
    • Stamp the When Snow Falls sentiment in black ink above the trees. Trim the panel to fit within the Classy Frames die.
    • Cut the snowbank from white cardstock with a die in the Border Collection set. Trim the snowbank as necessary and adhere to the tree panel.
    • Add the frame to the scene and adhere the assembly to the card base.
    • Embellish with birds cut from red cardstock with dies in the Winter Trees set (now retired) and snowflakes cut from white cardstock with a die in the Around Town set.

Penny Black Snowy Woodland Christmas Card

Blending both old and new Penny Black products, I’ve crafted a fresh and timeless Christmas card that captures the peaceful beauty of winter.


Festive Deer Card for 52CCT Challenge

Hello! I’m sharing an entry for the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown! This simple, yet colorful, card brings holiday cheer with a playful die-cut deer and JOY sentiment.

52CCT24-41

The sketch inspired me to keep the layout clean, letting the patterned paper and focal point really stand out.

Festive Deer Card for 52CCT Challenge

    • With the 4 1/2″ die in the Large Stitched Square set, cut the background paper. Add to a card base.
    • Cut a white cardstock strip and die-cut the top with a die in the Stitched Hillside Borders set. Add to a patterned paper strip and adhere to the card background.
    • Cut the Cheery Deer, including the string of lights, from a variety of cardstock colors and assemble.
    • Cut the sentiment with Alphanumeric Bold letter dies from white foam and adhere to the card front.

Festive Deer Card for 52CCT Challenge