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.

❄️ 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.

🎄 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
📌 Pinterest

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

November 23, 2025November 26, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 22 – A Little Bit of Festive Flora & Oh Deer!

Silly Deer Mishaps + Paper Pumpkin Fun

Today’s challenge theme brought together two fun ideas: festive flora and oh deer—and that instantly reminded me of this month’s Paper Pumpkin kit and its adorably silly deer mishaps. The original kit was designed to create cute tags and gift boxes, but you know me… I couldn’t resist turning those tags into full cards!

A layout sketch for a card-making challenge, featuring a framed design in pale pink against a light blue background.

The TGIFC551 Sketch Challenge (even though it’s finished now) was the perfect layout inspiration. I loved the balance and simplicity of the sketch, and it translated beautifully to both tag designs in the kit.

Transforming the Tag into a Card

To bring out the playful “oh deer!” vibe, I reached for one of my favorite retired sets: Cookie-Cutter Christmas (#142043) with the coordinating punch. That sweet little deer was exactly what the project needed.

I added a festive pop using the Real Red Shiny Ribbon (#165876)—a tiny bow with a big holiday statement!

For the card base, I stamped the Linen Background Stamp (#167107) to add soft texture without overwhelming the design. It really ties everything together and gives the card a more polished look.

The end result?
A fun, festive, simple-to-create card that came together quickly and still feels special and works for both the challenges.

Bonus Card!

Two handmade Christmas cards featuring festive designs, one with a reindeer and a red ribbon, and the other with holiday greenery and a bow.

A handmade Christmas card featuring a festive red and green tag design, adorned with a white bow and greenery, and a 'Merry Christmas' sentiment.

Since I loved the layout so much, I used the second tag design from the kit to create an additional card using the same sketch. Paper Pumpkin always makes it so easy to branch out and try new ideas—whether you follow the directions as-is or grab your supplies and create something entirely different.

Why I Love Paper Pumpkin

These kits are truly creativity sparkers:
✨ Quick projects
✨ Beautiful designs
✨ Endless alternate possibilities

And you never miss out when you’re subscribed!

Click Here to Subscribe

Be sure to sign up so you always get your kit—
or even better, save on prepaid subscriptions starting December 1st!

Promotional image for Paper Pumpkin subscription featuring customizable sentiment stamps and a floral design on a watercolor background.

A card featuring the message 'miss you so much' surrounded by decorative paper cutouts of leaves and flowers, with gold sequins on a textured blue background.

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

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
📌 Pinterest

November 22, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 21 – Santa “Don’t Stop Believin’”

Rockin’ Santa & Snow Globe Dreams (with a Grinch-Inspired Twist!)

Today’s challenge theme was Santa — Don’t Stop Believin’, and my mind went in a dozen different directions before I landed on the perfect idea. Those of you who know me well know that I am a huge Grinch fan. (Yes… he even has his own dedicated section of my Christmas décor!)

There’s a classic image of the Grinch holding a Christmas ornament, and I thought, How perfect would that be for this theme? So I decided to recreate that scene using our amazing Stampin’ Up! products.

Once the idea hit, the wheels started turning fast.

To really bring the magic to life, and because I love pushing the boundaries of our products, I decided to take it up a notch and turn it into a snow globe shaker card using my Flip Flap Technique (which I’m still claiming as my own unless someone can show me otherwise 😉). This time, I added an extra twist — slimline card, giving me plenty of room for the full Grinch-inspired scene.

And yes… the moment you step outside the “intended use” of our products, things get creative fast. This card is no exception! Let’s just say… this card was an adventure!

🎄 Creating the Ornament

The ornament was actually the easy part!

Stylish Shapes Dies (#159183) for the circle
Gold Foil Sheets (#132622) for the topper
Topper from Ornamental Christmas (#166000)
Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine (#164051) for the hanging string

Simple, classic, and instantly recognizable.

💚 Crafting the Grinch’s Hand

This was where things got… creative.

No die gave me exactly what I wanted, so I sketched the Grinch’s hand by hand (pun intended 😉) and cut it from Lemon Lime Twist cardstock.

To add the Grinch’s signature “fur,” I stamped one of the leaf images from the Cheers & Sips set (#165588) in Granny Apple Green. The texture was perfect!

Then I added:

Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends for outlining
Blending Brush for shading
A hand-cut “Santa sleeve” in Real Red, brushed with black ink
And the perfect finishing touch — Fluffy Trim Ribbon (#165849) for the cuff

This combination brought the Grinch’s hand to life exactly the way I pictured it.

❄️ The Background & Final Touches

For the snowy scene, I used the gorgeous Silent Snowfall Specialty DSP (#166062) and added sparkle with a touch of Wink of Stella on the snowflakes.

A few Real Red & White Peppermint embellishments (#164050) tied the festive vibe together.

🌟 Creating the Slimline Flip Flap Shaker

This shaker section was the fun part!

How I Built It:

Cut Granny Apple Green cardstock to 7″.
Score at 3-1/2″.
Trim 1/16″ off one side.
Fold in half.
Layer the snowflake DSP on top.
Die-cut through all three layers at the same time using the Stylish Shapes circle.
- You may need to run it through more than once, but cutting all layers together guarantees perfect alignment.

With the leftover piece of cardstock, I scored it again at 3-1/2″, leaving a 1/2″ tab to connect both pieces.

For this card I used the 3×3 Flip Flaps (#166514). There are multiple different sizes and the one you use will depend on how big your cutout is.

Here’s a quick video of how to assemble it.

Shaker Fillers:

Loose Gold Sequins (#165267)
White hearts from the Loose Valentine’s Assortment (#167074)—a fun sneak peek from our January 2027 Mini preorder!

Everything was sealed together using Tear & Tape.

Important Tip:

Always plan what the interior will look like through the window.
Whatever you stamp inside becomes part of the scene!

💬 Interior Details

Because you definitely can’t put a standard “Merry Christmas” in a Grinch-inspired snow globe card… 😄

I used the Mini Alphabet Dies (#162934) to create my own custom sentiment. Pairing these dies with Adhesive Sheets (#152334) is a must — instant letter stickers for easy placement!

To finish the little interior scene I used:

Pine Tree Trimmings Stamps (#166040)
Pine Tree Trimmings Dies (#166046)
A Little Cheer (#166121)
Jar of Joy (#166176)
And to complete it all, a sweet little heart from the Darling Dinos Dies (#164734)

Many elements shows through the shaker window, adding a beautiful layered effect.

❤️ The Finished Look

This card was definitely on the advanced end of the crafting spectrum, but the result is exactly the whimsical, storybook look I hoped for. A little Santa magic, a little Grinch mischief, and a whole lot of creativity.

It’s playful.
It’s nostalgic.
It’s unexpected.
And it absolutely makes me smile.

Sometimes the “big idea” cards are the ones that make you stop, smile, and believe—and this one did exactly that for me.

A festive slimline card featuring a Grinch-inspired green hand holding a decorative Christmas ornament, decorated with a tree and red elements, set against a light background.

Graphic promoting Day 21 of a 30-day Christmas card making challenge, titled 'Snowglobe Dreams'. The background features a light blue color with snowflake patterns, indicating a winter theme.

👉 Want to recreate it? You can shop current Stampin’ Up! supplies and tools here:
Shop with Me Here

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
📌 Pinterest

November 21, 2025November 26, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 20 – Blessings of the Season

Scripture-Based Messages + Color Challenge #4

Today’s project blended two beautiful inspirations: Blessings of the Season, which called for scripture-based messages paired with gentle imagery, and Color Challenge #4 featuring the Concord & 9th palette of Nectar, Eucalyptus & Blueberry.

To coordinate with Stampin’ Up! colors, I selected Petal Pink, Soft Sea Foam, and Misty Moonlight—a soft and elegant combination that worked perfectly with the peaceful feel of the theme.

Simple, Elegant & Meaningful

For this card, I kept the design very simple to allow the scripture and imagery to shine.

I reached for the Gift of Joy Stamp Set (#169238) and used the lovely three-step flower images. The layered stamping made it easy to incorporate all three challenge colors while still keeping the design airy and light.

For my sentiment, I chose a scripture greeting from the retired Blessings of the Season set (#139919). After stamping, I die-cut it using the Textured Notes Dies (#165555) and then matted it with Petal Pink for just a touch of warmth.

Connecting the Details

To pull the design together, I stamped the flower images in opposite corners—top and bottom—creating a natural frame for the sentiment.

Then came one of my favorite parts: using a Blender Pen and a ruler to draw a soft dashed border connecting the two floral corners. Such a simple technique, but it adds so much charm! Once the entire panel was complete, I cut around it for a polished look.

For the background, I added a layer of Soft Sea Foam stamped with the brand-new Lasting Linen stamp (#167107). This subtle texture gives the finished card a gentle richness without overpowering the simplicity.

The Finished Card

The final result is simple, elegant, and filled with meaning—a quiet, beautiful design built around scripture, soft florals, and one of my favorite color combinations this season.

I love how this one turned out, and I can’t wait to try it again with different sayings in the center. It would be so easy to switch it up for birthdays, sympathy, encouragement, or even a simple “thinking of you.”

Sometimes the simplest layouts are the most versatile.

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

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
📌 Pinterest

November 20, 2025November 21, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 19 – Hope & Light Meets North Pole Workshop?

Today’s Christmas Challenge brought two themes that couldn’t be more different: Hope and Light and North Pole Workshop. Instead of trying to force both themes into one design, I decided to lean into the contrast and create two separate cards—each with its own mood and message, but both built using the same layout and the same product focus:
Watercolor Pencils (#161700 & #149014) paired with Water Painters (#168234).

This turned out to be such a fun creative experiment—one layout, two techniques, and two completely different looks!

The Shared Layout

To keep a unified feel between the two designs, I started with a simple, versatile layout:

Horizontal card base: 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″, scored at 4-1/4
Accent strip behind the focal point: 1-3/4″ x 5-1/2″
Focal image panel: Die-cut using the Textured Notes Dies (#165555) — a perfect little frame for any image
Layered background: 4-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ with the sentiment stamped along the bottom

It’s an easy formula that works for just about any stamp set or technique, which made it perfect for today’s theme split.

⭐ Card 1: North Pole Workshop

For my first card, I reached for a fun retired favorite—Christmas Crowd. It’s full of cheerful, whimsical North Pole characters, and it was the perfect set for a bright, playful look.

A festive holiday card featuring Santa and a group of cheerful North Pole characters, adorned with a vibrant color palette and playful design elements.

A graphic promoting Day 19 of a 30-day Christmas card making challenge, highlighting the theme 'North Pole Workshop' with decorative winter elements.

Technique: Coloring In the Image

For this card, I used the watercolor pencils in the most traditional way—coloring the entire image before blending it out slightly with my Water Painter. This gave everything a soft yet vibrant finish without overwhelming the line art.

Finishing Touches:

Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine (#164051)
Real Red & White Peppermint Embellishments (#164050)

These little elements really pull together that Santa’s-workshop, peppermint-candy vibe.

⭐ Card 2: Hope & Light (Silent Night Style)

For the second theme, I chose the retired Come to Bethlehem (#120591) set—a beautiful, solid-image stamp that has always felt powerful and peaceful to me.

A handmade Christmas card featuring a watercolor silhouette of three camels journeying across a hillside, with a bright star above and a village in the background, paired with a black accent strip and black twine.

Graphic promoting a card making challenge for Christmas featuring the title 'Hope & Light' and 'Day 19' with a snowy background.

Technique: Background Shading with Watercolor Pencils

Since the main image is a silhouette, I used the watercolor pencils differently for this card. Instead of coloring in the image, I lightly shaded a glowing backdrop behind the figures. With a soft wash from the Water Painter, it created a beautiful halo of color that makes the silhouette pop.

Finishing Touches:

Black Baker’s Twine (#155475)
Rhinestone Basic Jewels (#144220)

A little sparkle keeps the “light” theme present while keeping the card simple and serene.

⭐ The Result: One Layout, Two Techniques, Two Totally Different Looks

It always amazes me how using the same basic card design can produce completely different moods depending on the stamp set, colors, and technique.

North Pole Workshop → bright, fun, colorful
Hope & Light → soft, meaningful, peaceful

Both simple.
Both beautiful.
And both incredibly easy to create with supplies you already have.

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

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
📌 Pinterest

November 19, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 18 – Silent Night & Sketch Challenge #4

Today’s Christmas Challenge theme was Silent Night paired with Sketch Challenge #4, and the moment I saw the sketch I knew exactly what I wanted to reach for—the brand-new Swirled Designs Stamp Set (#167030) and Dies (#167032). The stars in this bundle are absolutely stunning, and they instantly sparked the perfect “silent night sky” idea.

Creating the Silent Night Background

I started with a Balmy Blue card base to give everything that crisp winter feel. For the next layer, I added Night of Navy, embossed with the So Swirly Embossing Folder (#163791). This folder adds such beautiful depth and movement—perfect for creating the look of a quiet, swirling night sky.

To bring in that magical Christmas sparkle, I die-cut the large star from the Peaceful Garden Glimmer Paper (#165929). The shine is subtle but so elegant, and it really helps the star take center stage.

Sentiments with a Twist

For the greeting, I reached for the Jar of Joy Stamp Set (#166176) and used the “may your heart be filled with joy” sentiment—except I masked off the word joy to better fit the sketch. I stamped and heat-embossed it in silver, then punched it out with the Triple Banner Punch for a clean finish.

To complete the sentiment on the inside, I added the word “Magic” from the Light & Wonder Stamp Set (#165756) along with a few coordinating stars. It ties everything together so nicely.

Ribbon Tip You’ll Want to Try

You might notice the ribbon on the card looks extra thin—here’s a fun trick! I used the Misty Moonlight Silver-Edged Ribbon (#165931) and simply cut off the silver edge so I could use it like baker’s twine. It adds just a touch of sparkle without overwhelming the design. Such an easy way to stretch your ribbon and get more looks from one spool!

Trying an Alternate Version

After finishing the first card, I wasn’t completely sure how I felt about the open center of the star, so I decided to try a second version. For this one, I traced the die onto a piece of Basic White cardstock and brushed it with Wink of Stella to create a soft sparkle behind the die-cut star. Once I layered the star over it, the whole look felt a bit more full and defined.

I used the same ribbon-cutting technique but added Balmy Blue Sheer Ribbon (#165767) behind the star as well. I even repurposed the extra little silver strips I trimmed away—perfect for accenting the sentiment!

For a final magical touch, I flicked my Wink of Stella across the Night of Navy embossed layer to create a splattered starlight effect. It’s such a simple technique, but it brings everything to life.

Which Version Do You Prefer?

Now the real question… Which one do I like better? Honestly, I’m still torn! The open star has a clean elegance, but the filled-in version has a soft glow that I really love.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—tell me in the comments which one speaks to you!

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

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
📌 Pinterest

November 18, 2025November 19, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Fun Fold Gift Card Holder + Sketch Challenge #5

🎁 How to Make the Fun Fold Gift Card Holder

Card Base

Belly Band

Gift Card Cutout

Interior Layer

Tools That Help

🧝 Elfie Samples

Elfie Cards

❄️ Additional Sample – Christmas Cuties

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

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

Rate this:

Share this:

Silly Deer Mishaps + Paper Pumpkin Fun

Transforming the Tag into a Card

Bonus Card!

Why I Love Paper Pumpkin

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

Rate this:

Share this:

Rockin’ Santa & Snow Globe Dreams (with a Grinch-Inspired Twist!)

🎄 Creating the Ornament

💚 Crafting the Grinch’s Hand

❄️ The Background & Final Touches

🌟 Creating the Slimline Flip Flap Shaker

Shaker Fillers:

Important Tip:

💬 Interior Details

❤️ The Finished Look

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

Rate this:

Share this:

Scripture-Based Messages + Color Challenge #4

Simple, Elegant & Meaningful

Connecting the Details

The Finished Card

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

Rate this:

Share this:

The Shared Layout

⭐ Card 1: North Pole Workshop

Technique: Coloring In the Image

Finishing Touches:

⭐ Card 2: Hope & Light (Silent Night Style)

Technique: Background Shading with Watercolor Pencils

Finishing Touches:

⭐ The Result: One Layout, Two Techniques, Two Totally Different Looks

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

Rate this:

Share this:

Creating the Silent Night Background

Sentiments with a Twist

Ribbon Tip You’ll Want to Try

Trying an Alternate Version

Which Version Do You Prefer?

💕 Let’s Stay Connected

Rate this:

Share this: