Christmas Card – Stampin' With Candice

Create with Candice Challenge #CWCC002 – A Colorful Twist on Christmas!

Sometimes the best inspiration comes from a project you’ve already created! That’s exactly how this month’s Create with Candice Creative Challenge came to life.

Last week, I introduced our second creative challenge, and this time we’re playing with COLOR! 🎨

The Inspiration Behind the Challenge

It all started with a card I created for the Global Design Project’s CASE the Designer challenge featuring Krista Frattin.

I loved the colors in her original design, but since I was using the Holly Jolly Branches Bundle, I wanted to give my card a little more of a Christmas feel.

I started with a Lost Lagoon background and, of course, added Old Olive for my Christmas tree. I swapped in Barely Blush for a softer touch, but the real surprise was my fourth color — Cherry Cobbler!

I had this beautiful, large Cherry Cobbler ribbon that I really wanted to incorporate, so I decided to go bold. To finish things off, I added a little sparkle with Silver Foil Sheets and some Basic White to balance everything out.

Not only did I love how the finished card turned out, but I absolutely fell in love with how these four colors worked together!

And just like that, I had the inspiration for our next challenge!

🎨 Your Challenge: Four Colors, Endless Possibilities!

For Create with Candice Challenge #CWCC002, I’m challenging you to create something using these four Stampin’ Up! colors:

Lost Lagoon
Cherry Cobbler
Barely Blush
Old Olive

You can also incorporate neutral colors and a little metallic sparkle, just like I did!

The best part? Your project doesn’t have to be Christmas-themed!

That’s one of the things I love most about color challenges. The same combination can inspire completely different projects depending on the stamps, papers, and designs you choose.

Whether you create a card, scrapbook page, gift packaging, or something entirely different, I can’t wait to see how you bring these colors to life!

A Little More Inspiration!

Of course, I couldn’t stop at just one card!

After creating my original Holly Jolly Branches card, I decided to see how these colors would work with something completely different. I pulled out the Rolling Waves Bundle and created another sample.

Then, during my Monday Live, I went back to the Holly Jolly Branches Bundle, this time playing with a different layout and incorporating the Shining Star Dies, our Product of the Month.

I love how each project has its own personality, even though they’re all using the same four colors!

Be sure to catch the live replay! I’ll show you how I created the whimsical ribbon background and share more about the special textured paper I used. It’s a fun little detail you won’t want to miss!

🦋 Ready to Take the Challenge?

Now it’s your turn!

I hope you love this color combination as much as I do and will join me for this month’s creative challenge.

Challenge Deadline: Saturday, November 21, 2026

That gives you plenty of time to pull out your supplies, get creative, and share your project!

Remember, everyone is welcome to participate, and you don’t have to use Stampin’ Up! products.

Visit my Create with Candice Challenge page for all the details on how to participate and share your creations.

When sharing on social media, be sure to:

Use our challenge hashtag #CWCC002
Include #CreateWithCandice
Tag Stampin’ With Candice so I can find your project and share your creativity with our community!

I can’t wait to see what you create with these colors. Will you go with something festive, or will you surprise me with something completely different?

Happy Creating! 💜

Learn • Connect • Create • Grow

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.

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October 25, 2026

CandiceLeave a comment

Shining Stars & Holly Jolly Branches | Global Design Project #GDP568

This week’s Global Design Project Challenge #GDP568 was another fun CASE the Designer challenge, featuring the talented Krista Frattin!

All week long, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to create for this challenge. I had a few ideas floating around, but nothing was really coming together. Then, toward the end of the week, my Stampin’ Up! order arrived with this month’s Product of the Month — the Shining Stars Dies! ⭐

OMG! I was so excited to get my hands on these dies, and as soon as I saw them, I knew they would be perfect for this challenge!

I decided to pair them with the Holly Jolly Branches Bundle and step a little outside my usual Christmas color palette. I took inspiration from Krista’s beautiful colors, changing them up just slightly to give my card a more festive feel.

And I have to say, I absolutely LOVE how it turned out!

Creating the Background & Adding Layers

I started with Lost Lagoon for my background, stamping a subtle pattern of stars using white ink. I love how the soft white stars add interest without taking away from the focal point.

Next, I stamped my Christmas tree in Old Olive and began building layers with the Holly Jolly Branches Bundle and Shining Stars Dies.

To add a little sparkle, I die-cut several trees and stars using Silver Foil Sheets. I love how the metallic accents catch the light and give the card that extra touch of holiday magic!

A Sneak Peek at Something New!

One of my favorite details on this card might be a little difficult to see in the pictures.

The greeting, several of the trees, and some of the stars were all die-cut from the new Textured Canvas Specialty Paper, coming in November as part of Stampin’ Up!’s Online Exclusives!

This paper is so cool! It adds a beautiful, soft texture to your projects, but what’s even better is that you can stamp directly onto it!

I also used a Blending Brush to add Old Olive ink to a few of the canvas stars, giving them a little extra color and dimension. It’s such a simple way to customize the paper while still allowing that wonderful texture to show through.

One of the things I love most about being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is getting early access to new products like this!

And speaking of being a demonstrator, there’s an awesome joining special happening in October! If you’ve ever thought about joining my team, I’d love to share more with you. You can also visit the GROW section of my blog to learn more about the creative opportunities and benefits of being part of my team.

Ribbon, Stars & a Little Whimsy

To finish building my design, I added some Barely Blush stars and ribbon, along with the new Cherry Cobbler Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.

We’ve had ribbon similar to this in the past, and it’s always been one of my favorites for Christmas projects. There’s just something about those festive stripes!

But did you notice the wispy ribbon flurries tucked behind the trees?

This is such a fun technique, and it’s one I recently shared when creating my Spooktacular Gift Bags!

By carefully pulling out one of the main threads from the ribbon, you can separate the fibers and create these wonderful, delicate wisps. I tucked them behind my trees, letting them loop and flow naturally across the card.

I love how they add movement, texture, and a little bit of whimsy without overwhelming the design.

For the finishing touches, I added a few Iridescent Pearls and layered my Lost Lagoon panel onto Cherry Cobbler cardstock, all mounted on a Barely Blush card base.

Those little details really brought everything together!

Sometimes the Best Projects Are the Unexpected Ones!

When I first sat down to create this card, I really wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. I had a general idea, a new set of dies I couldn’t wait to play with, a color palette that was a little different from my usual Christmas combinations, and beautiful challenge sample for inspiration.

But once I started creating, everything came together surprisingly easily!

I love the mix of textures, the unexpected colors, and all those wonderful layers. It’s definitely one of those cards that looks more complicated than it actually is and has that WOW factor I love!

That’s one of the reasons I enjoy participating in creative challenges so much. They encourage me to try something different, look at my supplies in a new way, and sometimes discover combinations I might never have thought to use.

What do you think? Would you use Lost Lagoon, Old Olive, Barely Blush, and Cherry Cobbler for a Christmas card?

Have You Gotten Your Shining Stars Dies Yet?

If the Shining Stars Dies aren’t already on your wish list, you might want to add them! ⭐

They’re this month’s Stampin’ Up! Product of the Month, which means you can purchase them for just $5 with a qualifying $75 order!

I have a feeling these dies are going to be popular, so I wouldn’t wait too long if you want to grab a set before they’re gone.

Ready to shop? Visit my online store at candiceanderson.stampinup.net.

And remember to check out the other amazing creations for #GDP568. There’s always so much inspiration to be found!

Happy Stamping!

Learn • Connect • Create • Grow 🦋

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October 11, 2026

Candice1 Comment

Create Stunning Christmas Cards: CASE Techniques

This week’s Global Design Project challenge, #GDP560, is another fun CASE the Designer challenge, featuring Charlet Mallett!

I love CASE challenges because there are so many different directions you can take the inspiration. You can focus on the colors, layout, technique, or even just one little element that catches your eye.

For my card, I chose to focus on Charlet’s background technique and a similar layout, but gave it a Christmas twist using the Pretty Poinsettia Bundle. 🎄

I absolutely love how the soft background adds interest without competing with that gorgeous poinsettia. It really helps the rich colors and dimension of the flower pop!

That’s one of my favorite things about CASEing another designer—you can start with the same inspiration and create something completely your own. ❤️

Want to See How It Comes Together?

Check out my reel for a quick recap of how to create this stunning card!

Then use these quick tips when creating your own:

Create your own stencil. Cut the leaves from a thick piece of paper. I used one of the cardboard backers from a Designer Series Paper pack. Keep an extra piece handy to cover any open areas as you move the design around your background.
Start with watercolor paper. For the best results with this background technique, watercolor paper gives you a little more freedom to work with the water and ink.
Make your own color spritz. Add a few drops of reinker to a color spritzer along with water to create the soft background color.
Add some splatters. A Water Painter makes it quick and easy to add those little splatters of color that give the background even more interest.
Give your poinsettia dimension. Ink the edges of the poinsettia petals and leaves, then gently curl them with a Bone Folder before assembling. This adds beautiful depth and texture.
Customize your Rhinestones. Use Stampin’ Blends to add color to your Rhinestones so they coordinate perfectly with your project.

✨ Want to create your own?
Click here for a complete list of the products I used and an easy way to place your order.

No matter where your creative journey takes you, I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s learn, create, connect, and grow together—one project at a time. 🦋

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August 16, 2026

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.

🎨 Masking, Texturing & Sparkling

For the main technique:

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

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

November 28, 2025

CandiceLeave a comment

Day 27 – Farmhouse Holiday: Ready to Jingle & Mingle

A Little Red Truck, a Christmas Tree, and the Perfect Thanksgiving Crafting Day

Happy Thanksgiving!
I honestly can’t think of a better way to celebrate than spending time doing what I love—crafting! And when today’s theme brought together Farmhouse Holiday + Jingle & Mingle, I knew exactly what I wanted to play with.

Because if you know me (or if you’ve ever stepped foot into my home during the holidays), you already know I’m obsessed with the little red truck hauling a Christmas tree. I have plenty of decorations to prove it! So when Stampin’ Up! released the Road to Christmas Kit (#166227), I knew immediately it was coming home with me—and I’ve been saving it all month for today’s challenge.

Two holiday-themed cards featuring vintage red trucks filled with Christmas trees, surrounded by festive decorations and cheerful sentiments.

Graphic announcing Day 27 of the 30 Day Christmas Card Making Challenge, featuring a light blue background with decorative snowflakes and a call to create a festive party or celebration vibe.

Of course, I started by making the cards exactly as instructed (because the kit is adorable!), but then I wanted to get creative. Today’s featured card is my all-out farmhouse holiday spin with one of my favorite fun elements…

A pop-up arch!

🚚❤️ Building the Pop-Up Arch Feature

To transform the kit pieces into something extra special, I started with the Everyday Arches Dies (#164629).

Layered Arch Design

I cut the background piece from the kit using one of the arch dies.
Then I cut a slightly larger arch from kraft cardstock.
To create the pop-up mechanism, I folded a piece of kraft cardstock in half and cut the arch again—but this time leaving the top edge just over the fold line, so it didn’t cut all the way through.
I scored the top of that folded arch at 2-1/2″.
Then I attached the full kraft arch to the lower part of the folded piece.
This allows the entire arch to pop up beautifully when the card opens!

It adds such a fun, dimensional farmhouse feel.

📨 Modifying the Kit Elements

🎄 Card Base Details

To build the card base:

I cut the card front from the kit in half.
Trimmed it to 5-3/8″ x 4-1/8″.
Mounted it on a Cherry Cobbler base cut to 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″.

💬 Sentiments & Envelope Magic

Instead of using the English phrases from the kit, I grabbed one of the greetings in a different language and layered my own sentiment on top using the Greetings for You Mix & Match Ephemera Pack (#166208).

Then I pulled out one of the kit envelopes (which are WAY too fun to use only as envelopes!). I cut it open and:

Trimmed the center to 5-1/4″ x 4″ for another project.
Used the leftover side strip as a perfect decorative layer behind my sayings—both outside and inside!

Tip:
You don’t need to put the entire strip behind the whole sentiment—just enough to peek out. That allowed me to stretch the piece for both front and inside sentiments.

For the inside, I layered the sentiment on Cherry Cobbler and Lost Lagoon cardstock so the pop-up arch had something sturdy to catch on when standing.

A bit of red baker’s twine finished the front perfectly.

A handmade Christmas card featuring a little red truck loaded with gifts, surrounded by pine trees, and embellished with a pop-up arch design.

A pop-up Christmas card featuring a vintage red truck carrying gifts, with a backdrop of green trees and a sentiment that reads 'Happy Christmas.' The card is designed in a farmhouse style.

🎄 Quick, Easy, and Kit-Friendly

One fun thing to note:

There is NO stamping on this card!

Using the kit + ephemera + a few dies made this pop-up card fast, unique, and perfectly on-theme. This is exactly why I love Stampin’ Up!’s kits—they make it so easy to elevate a project with a few added touches.

❤️ What Do You Think?

I love how farmhouse and festive this turned out—and that little red truck makes me happy every time I see it. If you’re a farmhouse Christmas fan too, you will love the Road to Christmas kit.

Would you try a pop-up arch card like this?

✨ Bonus Project!

Remember that extra piece I trimmed from the envelope? I couldn’t resist turning it into another card! I pulled out my beloved retired Trucking Along Set (#162299) and created a fun bonus project using that piece.

I love when a single kit piece inspires multiple cards—and this one came together so easily with that adorable little truck!

A festive handmade card featuring a red truck with a Christmas tree, surrounded by pine trees, and accented with red embellishments on a patterned background.

A festive card featuring a little red truck carrying a Christmas tree, surrounded by green pine trees and a celebratory message.

Want more details on how I created this bonus card?
Let me know, and I’ll be happy to post a full tutorial! 🚚🎄✨

👉 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

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November 27, 2025November 27, 2025

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

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