52 Christmas Card Throwdown Sketch Challenge

Hello! Today I am sharing a Christmas card created for the Sketch Challenge at the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown.

52 Christmas Card Throwdown November Sketch

I absolutely love participating in sketch challenges. The limited choice in terms of design pushes me to think innovatively. Instead of feeling restricted, I find that my imagination thrives! Additionally, challenges that don’t have specific manufacturer affiliations or brand restrictions make it possible for me to explore my vast collection of crafting supplies. I can reach into my stash of paper, stamps, and dies and mix-and-match!

52 Christmas Card Throwdown | Sketch Challenge

  • I cut a 4 1/4″ square of the tree patterned paper with a now-retired Lil’ Inker stitched die and added it to a 4 1/2″ card base of TE Mulled Wine cardstock. (As I mentioned in this post, patterned paper offers a quick and convenient way to add character in cardmaking. I found a now-retired package of Taylored Expressions patterned paper with a variety of coordinating papers.)
  • With one of the Tag Stacklets 3 dies, I cut the ornament from patterned paper and Snowdrift cardstock. I used a die in the Build a Scene – Rolling Hills set to cut a snowbank from Snowdrift cardstock and added it to the ornament.
  • I cut a strip of the striped paper 1 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ and added it to the background and the ornament to the strip.
  • With the Taylored Expression Little Bits Snowman die set (now-retired), I cut the pieces and assembled the snowman. I used the Little Bits – Snowflake Confetti set to cut snowflakes from the Snowdrift cardstock. I adhered the snowman and snowflakes to the circle ornament and tied twine at the top.
  • I used the Savvy “Let It Snow” rubber stamp, (bought over a decade ago at the Impress stamp store in Seattle), for the sentiment and cut it with a die in the TE Mini Tags set (the set is now retired, although there appear to be similar small tag dies on the Taylored Expressions site). I added the tag to the ornament with an enamel dot.

52 Christmas Card Throwdown | Sketch Challenge

This challenge gave me the perfect excuse to revisit forgotten gems in my stash.


Spellbinders | Merry Mugs and Lattes

Hello! I am sharing a heartwarming Christmas card adorned with a pair of steaming mugs crafted with the Merry Mugs die set from Spellbinders. The coordinating Santa’s Sippin’ Sayings stamp set provides the delightful sentiment – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Latte.” Both sets are part of the Merry Mugs & Circle Delights Collection. This coffee-themed card captures the season’s coziness and togetherness. I recently posted about the hot beverage theme in cardmaking HERE. Scroll for info about a sale at Spellbinders featuring amazing deals!

Spellbinders | Merry Mugs and Lattes

    • Create an A2-size card base and adhere patterned paper. Patterned paper offers a quick and convenient way to add character to your card backgrounds, which I discussed in this post about paper-based background choices in cardmaking.
    • With the Merry Mugs die set, cut mugs, snowflake, tree, whipped cream toppings, candy cane, chocolate, and marshmallows from a variety of cardstocks including foam and glitter. Assemble as required.
    • Stamp Santa’s Sippin’ Sayings sentiment in green ink and cut with rectangular or banner die.
    • Add sentiment and mugs to card with foam and dot adhesive.

Spellbinders | Merry Mugs and Lattes

Perfect for coffee lovers and Christmas enthusiasts alike, this coffee-themed card is perfect for sharing the warmth of the season. Looking for more inspiration with the Merry Mugs & Circle Delights Collection? Check out this post.

The Scary Good Sale at Spellbinders is on now through Tuesday, October 31, 2023.


Impression Obsession | Santa Mug

Hello! Today, I am sharing a hot beverage-themed Christmas card featuring the Santa Mug die set from Impression Obsession. I recently posted about the hot beverage theme HERE. This Santa Mug immediately caught my eye when I saw the Impression Obsession September release. Impression Obsession is a company whose products I have been buying for years.

Impression Obsession | Santa Mug

I happily stumbled upon the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown with the theme Christmas Cup.

52 Christmas Card Throwdown

  • Stamp Nordic Stripes in red ink on white cardstock. Cut to A2-size and add to card base. After I wrote about Creating Card Backgrounds with Stamps, I reorganized my background stamps and rediscovered this one!
  • Stamp In & Out 11 sentiment in black on to patterned paper. Cut with die in the Lawn Fawn Small Stitched Rectangle set (3 3/4″ x 5″). Add to card base.
  • Cut Santa Mug pieces from a variety of cardstocks. I used black glitter foam for the eyes. Add assembly to card front with foam adhesive.

Impression Obsession | Santa Mug


Spellbinders | Snowman’s Winter Wonderland

Hello! Beyond the confines of the snow globe, I’ve ventured into the winter wonderland using the very same dies from the Spellbinders Simon’s Snow Globe and Snowman Scene sets as I did on this card. These versatile dies allowed me to create a captivating winter scene without the globe.

Spellbinders | Snowman's Winter Wonderland

  • Create A2-size card base from Brushed Gold cardstock.
  • Cut Cosmic Sky cardstock panel to 3.625″ x 4.875″ with die in the A-2 Matting Basics A set and dry-emboss with the Stargazer folder.
  • Stamp Snowdrift cardstock in black with sentiment in the Santa’s Sippin’ Sayings set. Cut using the 3.625″ x 4.875″ die on the bottom and sides and a snowbank die in the Snowman Scene set on the top. Use the other snowbank die in the same set to cut another snowbank in the same way. Use a snowbank die in the Simon’s Snow Globe set to cut the third snowbank. Add snowbanks to dry-embossed panel. Add panel to card base.
  • Cut snowman and trees with dies in the Snowman Scene set. I dabbed glue on to the small trees and added dry glitter. Add trees and snowman to card front.

Spellbinders | Snowman's Winter Wonderland


Spellbinders | Festive Christmas Ornaments

Hello! Today, I am delighted to share a whimsical and festive holiday card featuring new die sets and stamp set from the Merry Mugs & Circle Delights Collection at Spellbinders by Nichol Spohr. Adorned with three charming ornaments, including a jolly Santa Claus, this slimline card is sure to bring a smile to its recipient’s face.

Spellbinders | Festive Christmas Ornaments

Spellbinders | Festive Christmas Ornaments

Save up to 40% on select Spellbinders dies, now through October 13.

Spellbinders Die-cutting Sale