There’s nothing quite like a good sketch challenge to spark creativity, and this week’s 52 Christmas Card Throwdown sketch was the perfect inspiration for a festive yet elegant design. I wanted to create something with a mix of classic Christmas tones and shimmering winter elements, and this card came together beautifully with a blend of embossed textures, metallic accents, and a touch of cuteness from the Spellbinders Joyful Christmas club kit.
If you’re looking for a versatile Christmas card design that can be easily adapted for different recipients, this one is a great option—simply swap out the focal image for a more traditional or masculine look. Let’s dive into the details!
Card Overview
This design follows the sketch challenge with a layered background, heat-embossed embellishments, and a central circular focal point. The colour palette is warm yet festive, with Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, White, Silver, and Gold creating a timeless Christmas feel.
Materials Used
- Crumb Cake Cardstock – for the background layer.
- Spellbinders Holly Flourish Embossing Folder – to add texture to the background.
- White Cardstock – for the snowflake-embossed strips and circular focal layer.
- Silver & Gold Embossing Powder – for the snowflake detail.
- Spellbinders Joyful Christmas Club Kit – for the fox image and puffy sentiment.
- Cherry Cobbler Cardstock (Stampin’ Up!) – for the three accent stars.
- Star punch (Stampin’ Up!) – for star accents.
- Circle Die with Stitched Edge (Stampin’ Up!) – for added detail on the focal point.
Step 1: Creating the Background
I started with a Crumb Cake cardstock base, which gives the card a neutral, slightly rustic feel. To add texture, I ran it through my die-cutting machine with the Spellbinders Holly Flourish embossing folder, creating a subtle but elegant background that adds depth without overpowering the design.
Step 2: Embossed Snowflake Banners
For the sketch elements, I cut two strips of white cardstock and stamped them with a variety of snowflakes in Versamark ink. To create a luxurious festive shimmer, I heat-embossed the snowflakes in both silver and gold embossing powder. The metallic contrast against the white gives a beautiful wintery effect.
To follow the sketch design, I cut the ends of these strips into flag shapes, allowing them to layer neatly under the central focal point.
Step 3: Focal Circle with Stitched Edge
For the focal element, I die-cut a white cardstock circle using a stitched-edge die by Stampin Up, which adds subtle texture and frames the central image nicely. The stitched detail gives a handcrafted feel, making the card extra special.
Step 4: Adding the Adorable Fox
The star of this card is the adorable fox from the Spellbinders Joyful Christmas Club Kit. This little fox, with its Christmas hat and sweet expression, brings a fun and playful touch to the design. I adhered it to the centre of the stitched circle using foam adhesive, making it the heart of the card.
I added a puffy sentiment from the same kit, which adds a bit of dimension and interest.
Step 5: Sentiment
I added a puffy sentiment from the same card kit, which adds a bit of dimension and interest.
Step 6: Cherry Cobbler Star Accents
To follow the sketch layout, and to complete the focal arrangement, I punched out three small stars from Cherry Cobbler cardstock and adhered them along the edge of the circle. The deep red hue of Cherry Cobbler is a classic Christmas colour that adds warmth and contrast against the neutral and metallic tones of the rest of the card.
Adapting the Design
This card is perfect for the festive season and could easily be adapted to suit different recipients. If you’d like a more masculine version, you could replace the fox with a more traditional Christmas icon—perhaps a tree, stag, or even a simple sentiment. The layout and colour scheme remain timeless, but a different focal image would instantly change the feel of the card.
Final Thoughts
This week’s 52 Christmas Card Throwdown challenge was a joy to take part in, and this design came together with the perfect mix of texture, shimmer, and festive charm. The combination of warm neutrals, embossed metallics, and the pop of Cherry Cobbler makes for a card that feels both cosy and elegant.
Have you taken part in the challenge this week? If not, why not give it a go and put your own twist on this design? We’d love to see what you make. Happy crafting!
Lily-by-Gilly 
Love this card – the pops of red really lift it!
quel amour Gill, j’adore, elle est si poétique, biz