Die-Cut, Stamped, Embossed Christmas Cards Technique

I designed these narrow Christmas cards, 3.25 x 6", to fit lavender envelopes that I already had. Techniques and media used are stamping, dry/heat embossing, die-cutting, embossing folders, cardstock, ink, glitter, embossing powder, Washi tape, ribbon trim, rhinestones, gel and paint pens and gel plate-printed background papers.

I die-cut the Christmas trees and snowflakes shapes with dies in 2 sizes/designs from Aliexpress. I like these trees because they have nice cut-out designs in the branches. 

 

After trimming my gel plate-printed papers, I dry-embossed them with an Aliexpress snowflakes embossing folder. I highlighted some of the dry embossed snowflakes with silver metallic gel and paint pens.

 

Joy Peace Love is stamped/embossed with a sentiment stamp from an Aliexpress holiday set. I refreshed my Stampabilities embossing ink pad with a few drops of glycerin spread across the top and lightly pressed in with a spoon. It has lasted well over 2 years. You can get a bottle of glycerin at most drug stores or the pharmacy of discount stores.

 

The heat embossing of the stamped text was done with Ranger Snowflake Embossing Tinsel (a combo of white embossing powder and silver glitter) and Joann Craft Essentials Silver. I kiss-trimmed each sentiment.

 

I stamped inside sentiments of Merry Christmas and a Joy To The World wreath, with the same Aliexpress holiday set, with Memento Tuxedo Black. You can see part of these sentiments in image #2, where I off-stamped on little pieces of card stock.

 

I adhered Washi tape from Amazon and Aliexpress and mini ribbon trim to the embossed panels and glued them to the folded, white cardstock. After I attached the snowflakes and trees, I positioned the Joy Peace Love sentiments and glued on. 

 

I embellished each card with glitters and rhinestones from various sources.

 

I stamped my logo on back with a Zazzle customized stamp in My Favorite Things Boysenberry.

 

These multi-technique holiday cards came out very well to be a rushed job. Next year, I'm going to start earlier, I always say!

 

Merry Christmas! Joy, Peace & Love To You & Yours!

 

Note: Products without links means I couldn't find them or I don't remember where I got them.

Double-Embossing Technique On Star Of Jesus Cards

 

Ran across these lovely, Star of Jesus cards in my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts Facebook group. I wondered if they were embossed but thought the stars looked thicker than expected. Did the crafter use some type of ultra or super thick embossing powder or enamel?

It turns out that crafter, Michelle Moussan, used the easy double-embossing technique. She explains below:

I die cut the star and then did the double embossing. After I melt the first layer of embossing powder, I ink it again with embossing ink and add a second layer of embossing powder. I then added small bits of highly reflective glitter. Like I said just a bit so it wouldn’t be overwhelming just catch the light a little. 

Embossed Cards Design by Michelle Moussan

The double-embossed effect can work with what we have, rather than buying another product, such as ultra thick embossing powder. Just a few minutes more are needed to get the look. Designs can even be embossed a third time. 

It would seem that generally, the thicker the embossing will be, the less intricate the design will need to be. Heavy embossing may over fill detailed areas.

How To Make A Mason Jar Shaker Card

 

Mason Jar Shaker Card Design by Artsy Craftery Design Studio

This is my first shaker card design and my first time using my BiraCrafts Stamping Pro stamp platform. This stamp platform is unique in how it works and I love using it already. So glad I saved money and bought it.

Die cut red glitter hearts for mason jar handmade card.

I don't have step-by-step images for this project, only finished product. I was rushing, as I made it, to get this card into the mail.

For the mason jar shaker window and flower stems, I used Stampendous! Fran's Bouquet For You clear stamps set. Couldn't find this set at Stampendous!'s website, so it may be discontinued. I bought it on Ebay in a pack with 2 other sets. I found it alone at Ebay and Amazon, if you want to look.

Create a handmade shaker window for your card.

Fran's has some pretty, little stamp sets at Stampendous! I love the Fruity Drinks clear stamps set but while I got a good bargain on the 3-set pk at Ebay (one set was used), on the site that set is $16.00.

You know these craft supplies are expensive! That's why I'm always seeking bargains. I keep a wish list of craft stuff and it's often a long while before I buy a new product. I have to watch my budget very carefully but that does not stop me from crafting whenever I want to. I use lots of generic products as well as found, salvaged and recycled things.

Cut die cut glitter hearts in half to make falling petals.

For the stamped hearts I used a stamp from an Aliexpress set and My Favorite Things Boysenberry Premium Dye Ink Cube. Any heart stamp in the size you prefer and any stamp ink will do. I colored the inside of the hearts with a hot pink gel pen and added a heart sequin to the center of each.

I stamped the leafy vines using Stampendous! Perfectly Clear Stamps Encouraging Words set and My Favorite Things Limelight Premium Dye Ink Cube, and added highlights with gel pens. You can see the stamp set at Etsy and Ebay. I stamped the word Hello and the sentiment panel inside using Aliexpress stamps also and Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink pad.

Handmade mason jar shaker window tut at Printaphoria blog.

The shaker window was made by stamping the mason jar twice, once onto the card and once onto a piece of card stock. I decided to color in the flower stems and the inside of the mason jar on the card to simulate water. I used pastels, Gelatos and gel pens. I won't do that again because it caused the shakers to drag and stick when shaking the card. It would be better to use colored card stock. I guess the media, no matter how dry after applied, are substances that grab glitters and other tiny shaker pieces.

I cut out the mason jar from the card stock and cut a piece from a sheet of salvaged clear plastic that would fit behind the mason jar cut out. I glued them together and set aside. I then cut small pieces of double-sided sticky foam, removed the protective tape from one side and adhered them around the border of the mason jar image that I had stamped onto the card. I ensured that there were no spaces between the sticky foam pieces, that I butted against each other, for the shakers to fall out.

You can use salvaged foam pieces and scavenged plastic to make your handmade card shaker windows.

I salvage any foam that is sticky on both sides with protective tape that has to be pulled away. You can use sticky foam strips, foam weather stripping rolls (cut your pieces to size), etc. You can even use foam pieces in a pinch that are not sticky and that you'd have to glue down.

I added my shakers inside the foam walls that I stuck around the border of the mason jar image on the card. I used glitter, sequins, rhinestones, flat sequins, etc.

Use a variety of shaker pieces for your mason jar shaker window.

I used an Aliexpress heart die to die cut fuchsia red hearts from My Favorite Things Replenishments Celebration Glitter 6x6" cardstock pk. The paper is beautiful but the last time I checked they did not have that pk anymore. I cut some of the hearts in half to make petals. You can see that I glued a couple of the hearts inside. I ended my crafting session by accenting this handmade card with sequins and rhinestones and brushing a green stamp pad over the edges. I signed it and sent it on it's way to my friend for Valentine's Day.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Don't use media to color inside shaker windows.
• Design a more interesting background for the card front.
• Wipe the inside of the shaker window with an anti-static pouch before assembling.