dry embossing - Right as Rain

Winter Wonderland: A-Frame House Card

Hello! Are you embracing the magic of the winter season? This winter-themed card showcases an A-frame house set in a serene, snowy forest. The festive sentiment “Fa La La La” adds holiday cheer.

I revisited a previous design but gave it a fresh twist by using different colors and changing how I added snow to the scene. I explored a variety of techniques for adding snowy details to cards HERE.

- Dry-emboss light-teal cardstock with a snow folder. I used an embossing folder made by Sizzix, now retired. Add panel to A2-size card base.
- Cut a snowbank from Snowdrift cardstock and add to the background. I used a die in the now-retired Spellbinder Camper Life set.
- Cut the Layered Narrow Pines from Snowdrift cardstock. Each tree has two parts. To create a snow effect, apply Cosmic Shimmer – Fluffy Stuff – White to the overlay pieces and heat set. Assemble.
- Cut the A Frame House from a variety of cardstock colors. I used a Taylored Expression brick embossing folder to add texture to the chimney. Add Cosmic Shimmer – Fluffy Stuff – White to the top of the chimney and the roof and heat set.
- With dies in the Lawn Fawn Build-A-House Beach Add-On and Build-A-Cabin sets, cut windows and a light. Assemble and add to the house.
- Press the sentiment in Thunder ink (Jet Set ink set) with the Mistletoe Greetings plate and cut with the coordinating plate.

I am entering this card into the Simon Says Stamp Challenge with a theme of Cold & Frosty.

Penguin Birthday Card Idea Using Winter Supplies

Hello! Winter-themed crafting products aren’t just for Christmas! Today, I’m sharing a playful winter birthday card featuring a penguin holding balloons, set against a snowy, dry-embossed sky. You can easily repurpose supplies designed for holiday cards, like snowflakes, snowy skies, and winter-themed focal die sets, to celebrate birthdays during the cold winter months. It’s a great way to stretch your crafting supplies. For more inspiration, I did something similar on this card. Spellbinders is holding a Big Holiday Wrap-Up sale, now until December 25, 2024, at 11:59 PST.

- Create an A2-size card base with gold cardstock.
- Cut a soft blue cardstock with a die in the Essential Stylish Ovals set and dry-emboss with the Sparkling Snow folder.
- With the next larger oval in the set, cut textured white cardstock. Add the dry-embossed panel and add the assembly to the card base.
- Cut the penguin with dies in the Playful Penguins set and assemble.
- Cut the balloons with the Birthday Bliss set (the November 2024 Small Die of the Month offering) and assemble. Trim the bottom of the balloon strings.
- Press the Let’s Celebrate sentiment in black on Snowdrift cardstock. Cut with a die in the Essential Stylish Ovals set and one of the Color Block Scenic Scape dies.

Spellbinders | Winter Birthday Card

Hello! Winter birthdays offer a special kind of celebration, blending the magic of the holiday season without veering into full-on Christmas themes. Featuring a sweet mouse dressed in a cozy scarf and sweater, holding a balloon, this card combines winter magic with birthday joy. With a snowy ground and snowflakes in the sky, it’s perfect for anyone celebrating their special day during the colder months!

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Dry-emboss arch-shaped cardstock, cut with a die in the Essential Arches set, with the Floating Balloons folder.
- Cut white-textured cardstock with a die in the Color Block Scenic Scape set and again with a die in the Essential Arches set. Add to the dry-embossed balloon arch; add assembly to the card base.
- Stamp the Monster Birthday Sentiments on Chamomile cardstock and cut with a die in the Color Block Balloons set. Assemble and add to the card base.
- Cut the mouse from a variety of cardstock colors with the Dancin’ & Giftin’ Mouse set. Assemble and add to the card base with foam square adhesive. This mouse die set was originally released with a Christmas collection. I gave it a fresh twist by adding a balloon from another set—showing how versatile Christmas-themed products can be with a few simple changes.
- To reinforce the winter theme, embellish card with snowflakes cut with a die in the Christmas Wreath Add-Ons set.

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

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?