Christmas - Right as Rain

Elegant Christmas Card with Bells

Hello! This elegant Christmas card features die-cut bells framed by a label die, creating a festive focal point. Embellished with holly sprigs and tied with a gold ribbon, the card is finished with a timeless seasonal greeting.

- Stamp Snowflake Pattern with Memento Toffee Crunch ink on kraft cardstock for a tone-on-tone effect. Trim to A2-size and add to a card base.
- Heat-emboss the sentiment (SU Tidings & Trimmings) in gold on a red cardstock panel. I have had this stamp set for many years and never used it.
- Cut a frame with the largest die in the Classy Frames set from soft-white cardstock. Trim the sentiment panel to fit within the frame and glue the frame to the sentiment panel. Add assembly to the card front.
- Cut gold cardstock with the Christmassy set to create two bells. Add Potting Soil ink to the bells to create depth. Archival ink is permanent. I tried used Distress Ink (non-permanent) and it did not stay on the gold cardstock.
- Cut greenery with dies in the Christmassy set and assemble.
- I tied the bells together with ribbon (Crinkle Ribbon by Tim Holtz Idea-ology), which I dyed with Tarnished Brass Distress Spray. It appears that this ribbon is no longer made. I have used the ribbon several times in the past.

This card combines both new and older products, showing how timeless designs can work together.

Die-Cut Staircase Christmas Card

Hello! There’s joy in breathing new life into older crafting supplies, and this Christmas card is a perfect example. With timeless Poppystamps dies, I created a nostalgic scene that exudes cozy charm. The patterned paper mimicking vintage wallpaper, cream cardstock for the staircase, and rich red accents capture the essence of a classic home. A die-cut staircase adorned with garland and stockings, a faithful dog resting on the floor, and a textured ground created with the Penny Black Allover Stitches embossing folder all come together seamlessly. This card demonstrates how older products can still craft something truly magical.

I cut the Poppystamps Elegant Stair Frame from Memory Box Woodgrain Paper in Cream. The dry-embossed ground is SU Cherry Cobbler, which coordinated with the patterned paper I used for the sentiment and stockings. I cut the dog from SU More Mustard.

Poppystamps Dies (now retired): Patient Pup, Elegant Stair Frame, Leafy Garland, Stocking Garland

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!

Scroll for Early Black Friday sales at Spellbinders and Hero Arts!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

FYI – Black Friday Savings have begun at Spellbinders!

- 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.

I previously shared a card created with these products HERE.