Has anyone else noticed that 2024 is simply flying by and September’s just around the corner? As a crafter I’m acutely aware that holiday season is fast approaching. In Canada Thanksgiving comes first in early October, followed by Halloween and finally Christmas. For me this manic crafting season is a great opportunity to get rid of card, paper and embellishment scraps that tend to accumulate when you’re not paying attention. So for today’s Christmas card project I decided to fall back on a favourite colour combination; black, red and gold.

DESIGNING WITH CARD SCRAPS

While I had a vague idea what I wanted to create, the actual dimensions were totally based on the size of the pieces I found in my scrap pockets.

I started with my Real Red scraps and found a piece that was 3-1/4″ x 4″. So then I went looking in my Basic Black Card scraps for a piece that I could cut down to 3-3/8″ x 4-1/8″. Once that was done I layered the two pieces together using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

Next I found a small scrap of Gold Foil Sheet and cut it out using the small scalloped-edge die from the Unbounded Love Dies set. Then I went back to the Basic Black scraps for a strip that was 1-5/16″ high. Unfortunately there was nothing that size, but I did find one 1-1/4″ high that would work and trimmed it down to 3-1/4″ wide. Then using liquid glue I fixed the gold die-cut frame onto the centre of the black strip. Finally I added the assembled piece across the centre of the red background with Black Stampin’ Dimensionals.

TIP: When attaching dark layers consider using Black Stampin’ Dimensionals instead of the usual white ones. That way they’ll be less distracting. The Black Stampin’ Dimensionals Combo Pack contains 200 regular sized Dimensionals as well as 480 mini ones.

GOING FOR GOLD

Although the layout of the card would be simple I wanted to add a touch of luxury and more gold was the answer. But first I needed an A2 card base and for that I cut a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ piece of Thick Basic White Card. With the long side at the top I scored it at 4-1/4″, folded it along the scored line and then sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

For my sentiment I chose “Wishing you a festive Christmas” from the Trucking Along Stamp Set. Using VersaMark ink I started by stamping it in the bottom right corner on the front of the card base. Then I sprinkled it with gold powder from the Wow! Metallics Embosssing Powders pack. After tapping off the excess I removed a few stray specks, before melting the rest with my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

As I thought about how I would decorate the inside of the card and envelope my eyes were drawn back to the Trucking Along Stamp Set. There I noticed a small outline image of gifts that would be perfect. So I cut a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card and took out a Basic White Medium Envelope. Using VersaMark ink I stamped the gifts in the bottom right-hand corners. Then as before I added gold embossing powder, tapped off the excess and after clearing some stray specks melted the rest.

All that was left for me to do was fix the Basic White layer inside the card base with liquid glue. Then using Black Stampin’ Dimensionals I added the red and black layers to the card front and my Santa inspired card was complete.

TIP: It’s always satisfying to know I’ve made a project and am left with less scrap pieces that I started with. If you want to get a better idea of my card scrap storage solution here’s a quick video I filmed back in 2017. Seven years later I still have that original tin and all my current scrap card pieces still fit.

PRODUCT LIST

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES – The Trucking Along Stamp Set is part of the Stampin’ Up! Online Exclusives range. These items are subject to availability and may be discontinued without warning.

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Trucking Along Stamp Set in a bundle with the coordinating Trucking Along Builder Punch (not used today). I also bought the Unbounded Love Dies in a bundle with the Unbounded Love Stamp Set (not used today). Buying coordinating products using a ‘bundle’ item number saved me 10% off the cost of buying them separately. I’ve included links to both bundles below in case you want to explore these further.