Category: Techniques

Day 30 – Let It Snow!

Merry Little Moments & a Snow-Kissed Finale ❄️

Wow… I can’t believe this is the end of the 30-day challenge. I’m honestly so proud of myself for participating in both challenges every single day. This month stretched me, inspired me, and filled my craft room (and heart!) with joy. Thank you for being here with me through it all!

Today’s theme was Let It Snow – Merry Little Moments, and the goal was to create an all-white card using white layers, vellum, and sparkle for a snow-kissed look. And let me tell you… this one really challenged me.

❄️ Attempt #1… and Why I Started Over

My first try used gold and some retired products, and while it wasn’t bad, it wasn’t the pure snowy look the challenge called for. So I scrapped it and decided to try again.

This time, I went looking for inspiration and came across a gorgeous design I had cased before by the wonderfully talented Melody Hyde. Her vision jump-started my creativity, and I began brainstorming ways to tweak her idea to make it my own.

A handmade all-white greeting card featuring a layered design with a white embossed tree, the letters 'BRR', and decorative embellishments, set against a softly textured background.
A close-up of a handmade card featuring layered white elements, including the letters 'BRR' embellished with sparkle, tied with white twine, and adorned with iridescent dots for a snow-kissed effect.
An all-white handmade card featuring a textured tree design, embellished with sparkle and pearls, capturing a serene, winter-themed aesthetic.

🎄 A Frosty, Sparkling Design

I stamped the tree from the Ornamental Christmas Stamp Set (#165991) with white ink and embossed in white then cut with the matching Dies (#166000) I used the Perennial Postage Dies (#162607) to create a layered, textured winter scene.

Vellum Panels

I die-cut three small postage shapes from vellum, then stamped the star image from Spooky Halloween (#166192) in White Craft Ink and heat-embossed them in white.

The soft vellum + snowy embossing instantly gave the perfect frosty feel.

The BRR Message

Using the Mini Alphabet Dies (#162934), I cut out the letters BRR.
Tip: To add dimension without wrestling tiny pieces of Dimensional foam, I rolled up Mini Glue Dots to pop the letters up slightly. Perfect lift—zero frustration!

I also brushed each letter with Wink of Stella for a sparkly, icy shimmer.

✨ Wink of Stella Magic

Did you know you can use Wink of Stella with the emboss resist technique?
I used it on my die-cut tree, and the sparkle settled right into the embossed design. It created the most beautiful, snowy glow—subtle but magical.

🎀 Finishing Details

To complete the card:

  • I tied it together with White Baker’s Twine
  • Added Frosted Iridescent Dots (#165766) for the perfect snow-kissed sparkle
  • Kept everything in soft whites and vellum layers for that peaceful winter moment

This final project feels serene, frosty, and completely fitting for the last day of the challenge.

❤️ Reflecting on the Challenge

One of today’s prompts was to share my favorite card from the entire month… and honestly? I’m not sure I can. There were so many I loved creating for different reasons.

But my favorite part of this challenge wasn’t any single card—
it was sharing each project with you, reading your comments, and having you join me along the way. Thank you again to everyone who crafted, encouraged, watched, liked, or simply followed along.

A digital banner for a card-making challenge featuring a snowy blue background with snowflakes, text reading 'Card a Day in November! Card Making Challenge Christmas Card Edition DAY 30 Let it Snow!'

I hope you’ll continue to join me as I keep sharing what I love.
Here’s to many more Merry Little Moments together. ❄️❤️

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

A beautifully crafted Christmas card featuring a window scene that displays a peaceful nativity setting on one side, while the inside is adorned with cozy holiday elements like hanging stockings and warm colors.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

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#StampinWithCandice #StamperCandi #ACardADayInNovember2025 #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge #ChristmasCards #HandmadeCards #CreativeTechniques #HolidayCrafting #cardmaker #cardmaking #christmascards #handmadecards #papercraft #StampinUpKits #christmaschallenge

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 28 – Cardinals in Winter with Silent Sparkle

A Peaceful CASE of GDP524 Inspired by Cordula De

Today’s themes were all about the quiet beauty of winter—the hush of falling snow and the peaceful stillness it brings. When I saw the prompt, I immediately thought of the Global Design Project #GDP524, where we were challenged to CASE a gorgeous winter design by Cordula De. It was the perfect layout and technique for today’s soft, serene inspiration.

I’ve admired so many beautiful samples created for this challenge, and I wanted to keep my version simple and close to the original. The result is a calm, snowy design with just a touch of sparkle and one bright, cheerful pop of cardinal red.

❄️ Snowflakes & Soft Winter Hues

For the snowflakes since I don’t have the current set, I reached for the retired Joyful Flurry (#159804) stamp set. It was just the right style—delicate and elegant—for a peaceful winter card.

Color combo:

  • Pool Party
  • Lost Lagoon

Soft, icy, and perfect for silent snowfall vibes.

To build the background, I used a sneak peek of an upcoming product—
the Lovely Stripes 3D Embossing Folder (#167179).
It added gorgeous texture without overwhelming the design.

🟥 Adding a Subtle Cardinal Touch

The cardinal element turned out to be trickier than I expected—I realized I don’t have many bird stamps! But tucked deep in my stash, I found the perfect tiny cardinal in the very old Jolly Bingo Bits set. It was just the right size for a small pop of color without taking over the card.

I colored the little bird using my Stampin’ Write Markers (hot tip: these are on the Last Chance List, so make sure you grab yours before they’re gone!). I fussy-cut the cardinal and popped it up with a Mini Dimensional.

A card featuring snowflakes and a cardinal with the text 'IT'S A SEASON OF magic & wonder' in elegant calligraphy. The design showcases soft winter hues and a serene aesthetic.
A promotional graphic for a card making challenge titled 'Card a Day in November' featuring 'Day 28 Cardinals in Winter' with a snowy blue background and text overlay.
A promotional graphic for the '30 Day Christmas Card Making Challenge' featuring a soft blue background with snowflakes, displaying the text 'Silent Sparkle' along with a reminder to keep designs soft, subtle, and sophisticated.

🎨 Masking, Texturing & Sparkling

For the main technique:

  1. I cut a piece of Masking Paper (#155480) to 1″ × 2-3/4″.
  2. I placed it where I wanted my sentiment to be, then stamped my snowflakes.
  3. For the two larger snowflakes, I stamped off first to soften the look.
  4. The smallest snowflake was stamped full strength for contrast.
  5. A little Wink of Stella added the perfect bit of winter sparkle.

To add texture to the focal panel, I lightly distressed the edges with the side of my scissors. It gives such a soft, handcrafted look.

And while the card didn’t need ribbon… I really loved the gentle touch it added.
I tucked a strip of the retired White Woven Ribbon (#164634) behind the focal piece and tied a tiny knotted embellishment with a Mini Glue Dot.

✨ Quick, Easy, & Peacefully Wintery

This card came together so quickly—and I absolutely love the gentle, snowy look paired with that tiny burst of cardinal red. It’s amazing how a simple design can carry so much quiet charm.

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

A beautifully crafted Christmas card featuring a window scene that displays a peaceful nativity setting on one side, while the inside is adorned with cozy holiday elements like hanging stockings and warm colors.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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#StampinWithCandice #StamperCandi #ACardADayInNovember2025 #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge #ChristmasCards #HandmadeCards #CreativeTechniques #HolidayCrafting #cardmaker #cardmaking #christmascards #handmadecards #papercraft #StampinUpKits #christmaschallenge

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 26 – Woodland Christmas Wonderland

A Sneak Peek of a Brand-New Stamp Set!

Today’s themes were both centered around the woods, so it was the perfect opportunity to share a sneak peek from the upcoming Mini Catalog! I’m so excited to introduce you to the brand-new Aspen Grove Stamp Set (#167018). This set is stunning and incredibly versatile—perfect for winter scenes, masculine cards, nature themes, and yes… even Christmas.

Graphic for 'Card a Day in November' challenge featuring 'Woodland Christmas' theme, with snowflakes and a pastel background.
A graphic promoting the 30 Day Christmas Card Making Challenge, featuring the theme 'Woodland Wonderland' with a light blue background and snowflake designs.

I can already tell this is going to be one of my new go-to sets, and I can’t wait to design even more cards with it.

🌲 A Woodland Window Christmas Card

To create today’s project, I paired the new Aspen Grove set with a retired favorite, Dashing Deer (#147728). The deer fit perfectly into the woodland scene and brought the entire design to life.

I chose a muted, natural color palette:

  • Very Vanilla
  • Crumb Cake
  • Pecan Pie
  • Early Espresso
  • Mossy Meadow
  • Touch of Cherry Cobbler (just enough to add color without breaking the rustic feel)

The tones stayed soft and woodsy—perfect for today’s “Woodland Wonderland” vibe.

🦌 The Window Card Technique

I wanted the deer to appear in full on the inside of the card, but only peeking through the trees from the front. The Stylish Shapes Dies (#159183) worked beautifully to make this window opening.

Important tip:
I originally tried cutting four layers at once… and quickly found out that wasn’t going to happen! 😆
I ended up cutting two layers at a time and working my way through the stack. Much better results!

🌳 Texture & Finishing Touches

The Birch Wood 3D Embossing Folder added amazing texture to the front panel. Once embossed, I used a Blending Brush to lightly add ink over the raised areas—making the grain pop and deepening the woodland feel.

To finish the design, I wrapped the card with Early Espresso and Old Olive Linen Thread (#165986). The natural fibers tied the whole rustic theme together perfectly.

🎁 What Do You Think?

I’m so excited about this new Aspen Grove set. It’s unique, natural, and incredibly inspiring—and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it next month!

Are you excited to try this set for yourself?
I’d love to hear what you think of today’s sneak peek and window card!

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

A beautifully crafted Christmas card featuring a window scene that displays a peaceful nativity setting on one side, while the inside is adorned with cozy holiday elements like hanging stockings and warm colors.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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#StampinWithCandice #StamperCandi #ACardADayInNovember2025 #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge #ChristmasCards #HandmadeCards #CreativeTechniques #HolidayCrafting #cardmaker #cardmaking #christmascards #handmadecards #papercraft #sketchchallenge #christmaschallenge

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 25 – Yule Be Amazed – Color combo

Playful Woodland Critters + Witty Wordplay + Color Challenge #5

Today’s challenge brought together two fun themes: Yule Be Amazed—full of playful woodland critters and witty wordplay—and Color Challenge #5 using the Concord & 9th palette of Wildberry, Lakefront, and Harbor.

To match this with Stampin’ Up! colors, I chose a bright, cheerful combination of Lost Lagoon, Balmy Blue, and Melon Mambo. At first, I wasn’t sure how to bring both themes into one card. Woodland critters made me think browns and greens… not exactly what this color combo offers!

So I turned to my wall of retired stamp sets in search of inspiration—and that’s when the answer practically jumped off the shelf.

⛄️ When Snowmen Become Woodland Critters

I spotted the retired Spirited Snowmen Set (#148072) and instantly thought of one of my favorite children’s books—
“Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner.

In the story, the snowmen come to life and play outside in the woods after dark. And that’s when it hit me:
If snowmen can play in the woods at night… why can’t they count as playful woodland critters?

With that little spark, everything fell into place.

A handmade card featuring a whimsical snowman skating on ice, surrounded by a soft, snowy background with blue hues. The snowman is wearing a colorful scarf and a hat, and there is a sentiment that reads, 'your friendship warms my heart.' The card is adorned with a sheer ribbon and decorative elements inspired by a playful woodland theme.
A greeting card featuring the phrase 'winter cheer' in bold red text on a light blue banner, surrounded by decorative snowflakes.

🎨 Coloring the Scene

To get a soft, playful look, I stamped the snowman in Black StazOn (#101406) on Watercolor Paper (#149612).

Then I used my Water Painters (#168253) and the ink pads in my three challenge colors to bring him to life. Watercoloring gave the image a gentle, whimsical feel—perfect for the theme—and made it easy to blend shadowing under him so it looks like he’s skating on ice.

For additional details, I used:

  • Pumpkin Pie (nose)
  • Pecan Pie (arms)
  • Basic Gray (skates)

A touch of Wink of Stella on the snowman and skates added the perfect shimmer.

❄️ Building the Background

To create the snowy nighttime feel, I used the Snowy Delights Decorative Masks (#165808) with a blending brush. The soft Balmy Blue and Lost Lagoon inks blended beautifully behind the snowman and tied the entire color combo together.

🎀 Finishing Touches

The final details pulled everything together:

  • Balmy Blue Sheer Ribbon (#165767)
  • Three Banner Punch (#167050) for the sentiment
  • A soft matting layer in challenge colors

The finished card is sweet, whimsical, and full of playful charm—perfect for sharing a little holiday cheer.

A whimsical snowman with a pink and teal scarf and a carrot nose, smiling while skating. The image is outlined with glitter for added shimmer.
A promotional image for the 30 Day Christmas Card Making Challenge, featuring color challenge #5 with swatches of Wildberry, Lakefront, and Harbor.
A graphic displaying 'Day 25 Yule Be Amazed' for a card making challenge, featuring a snowy background with blue and white snowflakes.

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

A beautifully crafted Christmas card featuring a window scene that displays a peaceful nativity setting on one side, while the inside is adorned with cozy holiday elements like hanging stockings and warm colors.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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#StampinWithCandice #StamperCandi #ACardADayInNovember2025 #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge #ChristmasCards #HandmadeCards #CreativeTechniques #HolidayCrafting #cardmaker #cardmaking #christmascards #handmadecards #papercraft #christmaschallenge

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 24 – Twinkle All the Way & Tree-mendous Wishes

A Sparkly Technique Using Iridescent Treat Bags!

Day 24 is here, and today was full of sparkle with the themes Twinkle All the Way and Tree-mendous Wishes. On my live, I shared a fun technique using the Iridescent Treat Bags (#166204) in a completely unexpected way to create a gorgeous, shimmering background.

Two handmade holiday cards featuring intricate sparkling trees, each tagged with the word 'merry', set against a softly colored background with embellishments.

If you missed the live, be sure to catch the replay—you’ll definitely want to try this one!

✨ Using Treat Bags for Sparkle (In a Whole New Way!)

The magic of this card starts with the treat bags themselves. Instead of using them as packaging, I cut the bag apart to create a flat section large enough to run through my die-cutting machine.

Then I glued that piece directly onto my background cardstock.

Because these bags have a beautiful pink/yellow iridescent shimmer, the color shifts depending on the cardstock behind it:

  • My first sample used Pretty in Pink
  • During the live, I used Bubble Bath

Both produce totally different looks, and that’s what makes this technique so fun!

For today’s project, I paired the shimmer with the retired Decorative Trees Dies (#164084) for a clean, elegant seasonal look.

🎄 Building the Card

To keep things quick and easy, I went straight to page 24 of the Annual Catalog and pulled inspiration from one of the tag templates. (If you need a catalog, send me a message—I’d be happy to get one to you!)

Here’s how the card came together:

Layers & Elements

  • Background: Silent Snowfall Designer Series Paper (#166062)
  • Tree Layering:
    • One solid shimmery tree
    • One intricate tree cut from Peaceful Garden Glimmer Paper (#165929) layered on top
  • Tag & Sentiment:
    • Cut using the Merry Tags & More Dies #(#165639)
    • Tag created from the Celebration Expressions Memories & More Card Pack (#165307)
      • Not a Christmas pack—but the colors and designs worked perfectly (and bonus: tons of great backgrounds for future cards or scrapbook pages!)

Finishing Touches

  • Sheer Balmy Blue Ribbon (#165767)
  • White Baker’s Twine (#155475)
  • Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems (#165615)

And one fun detail about this project:
There is no stamping on the entire card!
It’s a great reminder of how versatile your dies, embellishments, Memories & More packs, and specialty papers can be.

Card on top is Bubble Bath Background – Card on bottom is Pretty in Pink Background.

A festive card featuring a pink tree die cut on a tag, with the word 'merry' in blue, placed on a light blue background. The card is adorned with light blue ribbon and colorful embellishments.
A decorated tag featuring a pink and white Christmas tree with glitter accents, the word 'merry' in blue, and pink sequins on a light blue background.
Graphic promoting Day 24 of a Christmas card making challenge, featuring the text 'Tree-mendous Wishes' with a snowy background and pine tree silhouettes.
Graphic for Day 24 of a Christmas card making challenge featuring the theme 'Twinkle All the Way' with instructions to add sparkle, light strings, or starry elements.
A handmade card featuring a decorated tag with a pink and gold Christmas tree and the word 'merry,' placed on a blue cardstock background.
A colorful holiday card featuring a pink and silver glittery Christmas tree with the word 'merry' in blue, embellished with pink sequins and set against a light blue background.

🌟 Bonus Samples

I also created a few additional samples to showcase how cool it looks when you emboss the iridescent treat bags. On the shaker card sample, I paired the treat bag layer with white cardstock—you can really see the yellow shimmer come to life!

A festive card featuring a translucent tree design with a snowman in a winter scene, surrounded by colorful sequins, on a pink and blue background with the text 'tis the season' at the top.
A festive shaker card featuring a clear tree shape filled with sequins and a snowman drawing, set against a pink polka dot background with a sentiment that says 'tis the season.'
A colorful card featuring the word 'JOY' in white, embellished with sparkly ribbons and layered iridescent elements in shades of pink and purple.

This is definitely a technique worth trying on multiple projects.

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

A beautifully crafted Christmas card featuring a window scene that displays a peaceful nativity setting on one side, while the inside is adorned with cozy holiday elements like hanging stockings and warm colors.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

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#StampinWithCandice #StamperCandi #AC

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 23 – Elfie Time!

Fun Fold Gift Card Holder + Sketch Challenge #5

Today’s theme was Elfie Time, and the moment I read it, I knew exactly which stamp set I had to pull out—my beloved retired #Elfie (#150509). Pairing it with Sketch Challenge #5 inspired a playful twist: a Fun Fold Gift Card Holder!

This design is so easy to create and perfect for the holidays—because who doesn’t love receiving (or giving!) a cute handmade gift card holder?

I shared the full tutorial during a live in the Card A Day in November 2025 group as well as on my YouTube and Facebook pages. If you missed it, no worries—you can still catch the replay. And huge thanks to Kevin for inviting me on to share this project!

🎁 How to Make the Fun Fold Gift Card Holder

This fold comes together quickly and can be decorated for any theme or season. Here’s the basic template:

Card Base

  • Cut: 9-1/2″ x 5-1/2″
  • Score at: 3-1/2″ and 7-1/2″
    This creates:
  • A 3-1/4″ panel (the main front)
  • A 4-1/4″ panel (the inside)
  • A 2″ flap (perfect for the pocket)

Belly Band

  • Cut: 1-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ (or longer depending on embellishments)
  • Wrap loosely around the card so it slides easily.

Gift Card Cutout

You’ll need circle punches or dies:

  • 1-3/4″ for the pocket opening (#119850)
  • 2″ for the decorative circle layer (#133782)

Interior Layer

If you’re using a different color inside:

  • Cut 2-1/2″ x 5-1/4″
  • Make sure it extends past the punched opening for a clean look.

Tools That Help

  • Bone folder (#102300)
  • Tear & Tape (#154031)
  • Mini Glue Dots (#103683)
  • Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals (#144108)
  • Circle punches/dies

And then… decorate to your heart’s content!

🧝 Elfie Samples

Of course I made more than one! Here’s what I used:

Elfie Cards

Color combos:

  • Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Summer Splash
    Others:
    • White Baker’s Twine (#155475)
    • Real Red & White Peppermint Embellishments (#164050)
    • Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems (#165615)
    • Forever Plaid Embossing Folder (#164049)
    • A Little Cheer (#166121)
    • Stylish Shapes Dies (#159183)
    • Wink of Stella (#141897)
    • Blending Brush (#160518)
    • Masking Paper (#155480)
    • Blends – Poppy Parade, Summer Splash, Pool Party, Pecan Pie, Petal Pink, Pretty in Pink

Both versions turned out adorable and festive!

A handmade holiday gift card holder featuring a playful elf design, with a red and teal color scheme and a greeting saying 'A Holiday Hello'.
A Fun Fold Gift Card Holder featuring a playful elf design with a greeting that says 'A Holiday Hello' on a light blue background.
A festive Fun Fold Gift Card Holder featuring a playful elf illustration, with a greeting that says 'A Holiday Hello'. The card is decorated with a turquoise background, red accents, and snowflake patterns.

❄️ Additional Sample – Christmas Cuties

I also made a version using the retired Christmas Cuties (#139787) paired with the Need for Tweed Designer Series Paper (#166144) for a quick, textured background.

Color combo:

  • Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
    Others:
    • Real Red Baker’s Twine (#164051)
    • Shimmer Star Foam Stickers (#166202)
    • A Little Cheer (#166121)
    • Perennial Postage Dies (#162607)

A different look but just as charming!

A handmade gift card holder designed for the Christmas season, featuring an elf illustration, festive patterns in red and green, and the greeting 'Happy Christmas.'
A festive handmade card featuring a cheerful elf character, surrounded by red and green decorative elements. The card includes the text 'Happy Christmas' and is embellished with twine and stars.
A green fun fold gift card holder featuring a cheerful elf stamp, twine embellishment, and festive colors. The inside displays a message with star accents.

🎄 Do You Love This Fun Fold as Much as I Do?

I adore how quick and adaptable this Fun Fold Gift Card Holder is, and I can’t wait to see what you create with it!

If you try this fold, please share your photos—I love seeing everyone’s creative twist on the design.

👉 You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

A beautifully crafted Christmas card featuring a window scene that displays a peaceful nativity setting on one side, while the inside is adorned with cozy holiday elements like hanging stockings and warm colors.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Contact me today to place your order!
435-232-2655 Cell ( Call or Text)
andersoncandice@hotmail.com

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

📺 YouTube
📘 Facebook
📸 Instagram
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#StampinWithCandice #StamperCandi #ACardADayInNovember2025 #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge #ChristmasCards #HandmadeCards #CreativeTechniques #HolidayCrafting #cardmaker #cardmaking #christmascards #handmadecards #papercraft #sketchchallenge #christmaschallenge

CandiceLeave a comment