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Day 10: Wrapped in Love

This is a super quick and easy card to make! Elements from the Season of Celebration Mix & Match Ephemera pack (#168494) do all the fun work.

Basic White card base: 5½: x 8½" score at 4¼" 

Secret Sea layer: 4" x 5¼" and the second embossed layer 3¾" x 5"

Adhere layers and then add to the front of the card. Adhere the three packages from the ephemera pack. Stamp the greeting (from Holly Jolly #168273) add a mat behind it and pop it up on the card. 

Viola'

Day 9: Christmas Cheer 

The Christmas Crew stamp set (#168377) just makes me happy, so it was the first one I thought of for this prompt.

I stamped and colored all the images with Blends (Pecan Pie, Light Crumb Cake, Light Black, dark Petal Pink and Pool Party). I then die cut them out along with several trees. It's hard to tell, but did sponge a little bit of Peaceful Pine ink onto the trees. I created two snow drifts and covered them with Wink-a-Stella to give the "glistening snow" effect. I embossed the first layer with an older snowflakes folder and then put everything together to create the cheery snowy scene. 

The bear, moose and greeting were all added to the card front with dimensionals.  

(Oh and just in case you are wondering, the greeting is from the October Paper Pumpkin kit)

 Day 8: Elegant Christmas

Nothing say elegant to me more than the sparkle of gold! In this case, die cut gold foil leaves and gold heat embossed background! 

This beauty was created using the Pretty Poinsettia bundle (#168147) and the Nature's Frame background stamp (#167963)

The Real Red flowers and Garden Green card base add to the classic elegant feel.

 Day 7: Hats off to Santa

Part of the Card a Day in November - Christmas Edition

I don't own very many, if any Santa stamps, so I had to do my own thing for this challenge prompt.

The crazy part of my brain went straight to creating my own Santa by hand cutting pieces to make Santa's face and hat.....I know call my crazy, I can take it!

I added stitching to all the pieces with either a black or white marker and glued them all together. 

 I came back to my right mind to die cut the holly & the greeting label which I die cut from the Stitched Stocking Dies (#168230). I also used A Stitched Season DSP (#168223 which is on the Last Chance list) and the Swirls of Magic embossing folder for the background. 

Ho Ho Ho

2026 Card Sketch #40 

PRINT CARD SKETCH

Let's jump right in and take a look at the first card. This card was made using just about everything in the Neutral Noel Suite (168469). I wanted to challenge myself to make a card that didn't use the little house from this suite and I think this turned out pretty nice. The extra added gold accents and paper really elevate it the next level.

The next card was posted early this week on my Facebook page as part of the Card a Day Challenge I'm participating in with my friend Kevin Theesen.

This card was made using the images included in the A Little Christmas DSP (#168414) and a greeting from the Holly Jolly stamp set (#168273) I just love how the little mouse looks like he's running into the scene. Yes, the little mouse and packages were fussy cut form the paper, even his little tiny tail! I used the Dream Snowflakes Hybrid embossing folder to complete the feel of the card.

Lastly, I had some Hot Foil Buffalo Check (#170590) and Hot Foil greetings from Magical Christmas (#170592) on my desk, so I thought I would use them to create a card. This card is so shiny and beautiful in person, but the picture doesn't really show you well. I also used the Timeless Herringbone Embossing Folder (#169736) to give the black mat a little bit of texture and I heat embossed both the bear and the little stars behind the bear for added detail. The bear and the little bird are from the Woodland Wishes stamp set (#168243)

 Day 6: Winter Wonderland

For the Card a Day in November Challenge - Christmas Edition

I wanted to put the feeling of being outside in the crisp winter air, with glistening snow silently falling all around me into a card. This is what I came up with. A beautiful shaker card with "snow" falling all around the woodland animals.

I started by embossing a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" piece of white cardstock with the Dreamy Snowflake 3D embossing folder (#168384) and adhere it to the 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" score at 4 1/4" card base in Secret Sea. I then cut a 2 1/2" x 5" piece of Winter Dreams DSP (#168315) and adhered that to the left side of the card front.

I then stamped a 3 1/8" x 4 1/4" piece of white piece of card stock with the large image for the Woodland Wishes stamp set (#168243) I colored around all the animals with a light Pool Party Blend and lined the animals with the light Smokey Slate Blend.

I then cut another 3 1/8" x 4 1/4" piece of card stock in Secret Sea and used my trimmer to cut out the inside of this piece leaving me with a 1/8" outer frame. I cut a piece of window sheet in the same size and glued it to the frame. Line the back of the frame with dimensional strips. place your "snow" in the middle of the white stamped image piece and carefully lay the frame on top to form a shaker panel. This panel is then glued to the front of the card.

Stamp a greeting and adhere it to the card. Add any additional embellishments you like. I used the Adhesive Backed Snowflakes (#168316)

Hope you give this kind of card a try!

Day 5: Home for the Holidays

Part of the Card a Day 2026 November Edition by Kevin Theesen

For me "Home for the Holidays" literally means being or going home to be with family, so the Welcome Noel Bundle (#168465) was the prefect choice to make this card. I also wanted to rely the warm fireplace glow, so I decided to create a luminary card with a mini tea light. The only product not in the Neutral Noel Suite (#168469) was the the die from the Flourish & Frames hot Foil Bundle (#170064) that created the center card "opening". 

It looks a little complicated to make, but it's really not. It's a basic easel card, with an added flap. Start with a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of paper. score at 5 1/2" and 2 3/4". Because you want to see through the vellum, without seeing anything behind it, I added another flap at the bottom of the card base. This flap is 4 1/4" x 6", scored at 1/2" on the 4 1/4" edge. Attach this flap using the 1/2" section to the bottom of the card base. I hope these pictures help show you want I'm trying to explain. I added a 1/2 circle punched opening so when the card is being opened, it will indicate that you need to open the enter flap too. 

Day 4: Let it Snow

The prefect bundle for this card just had to be Dreamy Snowflakes (#168385) This bundle comes with everything you need to create an amazing snow scene. The beautiful stamps, die cuts and 3D embossing folder. For this card, I used low tack masking tape to section off half of the card front. I then used Azure Afternoon and Gorgeous Grape ink with blending brushes to create the background. The same colors were used to stamp the snowflakes and greeting, which is from the Pretty Poinsettia stamp set (#168140) 

 

Day 3: Santa's Workshop

For Day 3 of the Card a Day in November 2026 Christmas Edition I created a night time wooden wintery scene outside Santa's workshop. Oh no! I I just realized....Santa doesn't have his beard! Oh well, he's still cute! I used the Christmas Crew bundle (#168377) for Santa, the Dreamy Snowflakes Embossing Folder (#168384) and the Welcome Noel Bundle (#168465) for the trees. I also used the Everyday Arches dies (#164629) for the opening and a small piece of the Winter Dreams DSP (#168315) for the snow filled night sky.

 Are you up for a good challenge? I always think "oh, I won't be able to keep up", but this is my three time at joining a Card a Day Challenge and so far I've completed all the days! This is the second year in a row of doing Christmas cards and it really gets you going. A little bit like card sketches, it's a starting place. You can join too. Look for Card a Day November! 2026 Christmas Edition by Kevin Theesen on Facebook. I'd love to see what you create and if you follow me on Facebook, you can post a picture of your card for each day in November. It doesn't matter that were already on Day 3, you still have time to catch up, but if you only get a few cards done, it will still be fun.

Here are my to cards for Day 1 and Day 2 prompts.

Day 1: Have a Mice Christmas

The DSP, A Little Christmas really did most of the work and the 3D Snowflake embossing folder tied it all together. Isn't that little mouse SO cute! It's a really simple card layout, in fact isn't my 2026 Card Sketch #40 layout! 

Day 2: Deck the Halls

This fun slimline card uses a brand new stamp set called Cottage Kindness. It's not a Christmas set, but that is the beauty of our stamps. They can be used for any season.

I pulled out all kinds of stamp sets and goodies to make this one, including Woodland Wishes for the little animals and some scraps of gold foil. 

Here are the basic measurements. The card base is 8" x 8", scored at 4". The first layer is 3 3/4" x 7 3/4". The Silver Slate door panels are 1 1/2" x 3 3/4" and 1 1/2" x 2 3/4" with the white layer being 1/8" smaller on both side.

For all the other details, let you imagination run wild and create your own unique holiday inspired front door!

I think this is the best Poinsettia die Stampin'Up! has ever had! This beautiful purple poinsettia card was made with the Pretty Poinsettia stamp set (#168573) and the Swirls of Magic embossing folder. I used both the dies and the impression plate to get all the details on both the flowers and leaves. I then sponged a little Gorgeous Grape ink onto the white flowers and Soft Sea Foam ink on the Soft Sea Foam leaves. I heat embossed the greeting with silver embossing powder and colored in the "JOY" with Highland Heather blends. Finally, I die cut some fern pieces from the Fern & Flora dies in silver foil. Everything was put together and added to the front of the card.

PRINT CARD SKETCH

How did you like card sketch #39? I thought it was another fun sketch to move every which way and just enjoy the creative process. As with any sketch, it's there to help get you going, but you don't have to stick to the sketch exactly, so let's see what I came up with.

My day started with me cutting cardstock for some card kits and as we all know we are always left with these 1/2" strips of cardstock after cutting mats for the insides of the cards. SO...that's were I started with the sketch. I wanted to use some of these strips (instead of throwing them away like I normally do) Both of these cards use the same layout and stamp set/bundle (Holly Jolly #168280), just different color schemes. The first card is Barely Blush, Lost Lagoon and Pool Party while the second card is Garden Green and Real Red.

I kept the stripy theme going on this card, but this time the strips are 1/4" instead of 1/2" like in the cards above. This card uses the beautiful Radiant Sunflower bundle (#168359) to create the flowers and I added a little piece of the Texture & Tone DSP (#168532) I used the die form the same bundle to create the greeting rectangle.

Lastly, I thought I should try to create an easy card where the DSP did all the work for me. Both of these cards use the Beautiful Gallery DSP (#165196) which is on the Last Chance list, to create the focal point of the card. Super easy to create, but look amazing. I added a greeting from the Words & Wishes stamp set (#167889) for the card with the ships, a little Early Espresso flag and a few manly gems. For the floral card, I die cut a label from the Sweet Words & Labels dies (#167627) and stamped it with a greeting from the Phases & Frames stamp set (#167581)

I hope this card sketch inspires you to head into your crafty space and just start playing, you'll be surprised what you can create in not time at all!  

What should we do with those 1/2" strips we create almost every time we create a card... toss or keep?

I'm pretty inclined to toss them (yes, I feel guilty every time!), but if I keep them, they just lie around. I think I'm going to do something with them, but never do!

Today was an out of the ordinary day. I actually did something with them! Lost Lagoon, Pool Party and Barely Blush 1/2" strips were glued every which way, simply across the paper, others started in the center, while other went two different directions. I created three background pieces and then turned them into these three extraordinary cards! 

I used the Holly Jolly Bundle (#167280) to add the the whimsy of the card and the Tile Garden dies (#168573) to add some fun details. 

 

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2026 Card Sketch #38

This multiple layer card sketch is a little more involved to use, but the end results are worth it! To make cutting the DSP a little simpler, I came up with a "cut a stack" way of cutting the DSP. This method allows you to cut the DSP for three cards at the same time! Again you can use any element for the circle. 

 

"Cut a Stack" diagram

Stack three pieces of DSP measuring 3" x 4 3/8" together and cut according to the diagram.

PRINT CARD SKETCH

The first card using the Creative Celebrations Celebration DSP (#168499) for both the main paper and the center element. I love the bright colors of this DSP and the cute squirrel! I chose a greeting from the Dreamy Snowflakes stamp set (#168378) to tie greeting to the scarf & mittens on the squirrel. 

This card used the Sunflower Fields (#168351) for the main paper and the center fussy cut flower. I added in a greeting strip just to change things up.

Lastly, I created 18 more cards using the "cut a stack" method of cutting the DSP. It still took me a bit of time to cut all the cardstock, but the end result was a pile of beautiful cards!

 Card Sketch #37

This is super easy sketch that can be made vertical and horizonal. The circle can also be replaced with any element you like. The hardest part of this sketch is the 1/16" cutting measurements, but once you get past that, the cards come together super fast.

PRINT CARD SKETCH

For the first card, I use the Autumn Opulence DSP (#168336) for both the main paper and the center element. I fussy cut around the pumpkin pre-cut to reduce the white border a little. The cut apart greeting is from the Painted Pumpkin stamp set (#168431)

Just like the prior card, this beautiful card uses the Violet Dreams DSP (#168186) for both the main paper and the center element. I left the white border around the center flower because I thought it look nice with the white grid behind it. The greeting is from Botanical Expressions (#168150) 

Finally, this bright cheerful Christmas card uses the Creative Celebrations DSP (#168499) for the main paper and the Wreath. I fussy cut around the wreath and then added a Blend colored popped up greeting from Pretty Poinsettia stamp set (#168140) 

                                   2026 Card Sketch #36

This was a fun sketch to play with, in fact I had so much fun that I made 5 card samples all with different DSP! You can change up the sketch by removing the rectangle and add another square. You can always step up the sketch by adding embossing or other die cuts.

PRINT CARD SKETCH

 This first card using the Scenic Coast DSP (#197773) and the Sunset Coast Bundle (#167781). I thought it would be fun to cut the paper so that it still retained the scene that was on the DSP. I think it worked pretty well. I did remove the rectangle for this one. 

This card uses the Nature's Walk DSP (#166912), Gear & Textures Bundle (#166854) and the Framed & Fabulous stamp set (#170573) for the greeting. I love the look of this card. All the different textures and colors are just so appealing to my eye. 

Next I pulled out the Velvet Meadow DSP (#167904) to create this beautiful floral card. I used a greeting for the Radiant Sunflower stamp set (#168352) I stamp the greeting and then separated the words.

For this card I used Moonlit Flora DSP (#167737), removed the rectangle, added another square and instead of randomly placing the prints, I put them in a pattern. I created a flower using the Radiant Sunflower (#168352) and the Sending Salutations stamp set (#167857) for the greeting.  

The next two cards use DSP that was in my stash and is retired, but I was having so much fun creating with this sketch that I couldn't help myself! These two papers were two of my favorites and they created super cute cards.

 My three variations of card sketch #35

PRINT CARD SKETCH

I created a very simple tutorial with the measurements and products used that doesn't include a step by step instructions, but I think you will be able to figure it out!

Click here for a Printable Tutorial

Card #1: Opens like a regular A2 card

Card #2: Only the center section of the card opens

Card #3: Z fold swing opening in the center of the card

The pre-printed image in the Aspens of Gratitude Paper Pumpkin Kit are SO beautiful! 

I wanted to keep as much of the image as I could, but create a super cool double fun fold card, let me show you how to make this card or scroll down to find a printable tutorial.

The only extra things you need that are not in the kit are: 

Three pieces of Pecan Pie cardstock, a scrap of Basic White and Blends for coloring.

Card base: 5½" x 8½" scored at 4¼"

Center "card":3½" x 7 7/8" scored at 4"

Bridge: ½" x 5½"

Basic White: 3¼" x 3¾"

Scrap of Basic White for stamping leaves

Cut and score your Pecan Pie card base, cut out the top center by cutting a 1¼" strip up to the center score line of the card base. With the card base from the kit and the first thing I did was cut it in half, then cut the card front down to 4"x 5½", cutting an 1/8" of an inch off each edge. I then cut 1" off each of the sides with the trees and this left me with a 3½" x 4" piece for the center. Glue the two printed 1" pieces to the card base side strips. Adhere the ½" x 5½" "bridge" piece on the back of the two card base strips. Stamp the greeting and add to the front of the "bridge" piece. Stamp and color a leave and add to the front of the card with dimensionals. 

Now for the second inside card. Using the remaining White piece from the kit card, cut it down to 4" x 5¼" and adhere it to the inside of the Pecan Pie card base. Cut and score the 3½" x 7 7/8" piece of Pecan Pie card stock and adhere it to the center of the open card base over the white piece you just added. Adhere the remaining piece with the printed trees to the front of this smaller card. Stamp a greeting and leaves to the smaller Basic White piece of cardstock and adhere to the inside of the smaller card.

Add a couple of the gems included in the kit and you're done! What do you think? 

One extra thing, if you want add one more step to your card, you can add some ink splatter.  I used a Blend to tap a little splatter onto my stamped leaves and inside the card. This is a technique that is easy to do, but may require a little masking and practice. It's hard to control where the splattered ink goes, some make sure you down have anything in the area you don't want ink on!

Click here for a printable tutorial: Aspens of Gratitude Tutorial

Have any questions, let me know.