Stretch Your Everyday Florals to Create a Christmas Card | Stephanie Guse

Hi paper crafters! 

It's Steph back with another fun step-by-step tutorial — and today we're stretching our stash! If you're anything like me, you probably have a drawer full of floral stamp sets that you reach for year-round. But who says those flowers are only for spring and summer? I challenged myself to turn one of the new floral sets from the October release into a festive Christmas card — and I can't wait to show you how!

Because I'm using a non-holiday stamp set, I leaned into a classic Christmas colour palette of red, green, white, and gold to instantly bring that holiday magic to the design.

*Disclaimer: All products used are linked below as clickable images. If a product isn't listed, it's been discontinued

How to create this card:

1. Cut and fold an A2 side-folding card base from white cardstock.

2. Cut three A2-sized white cardstock panels and one A2-sized acetate panel.

3. On the first white panel, die-cut the largest oval from the Essentials: Nested Elongated Ovals die set.

4. Using the Peony Glow stamp set, stamp the largest and two medium floral images in Rocky Slope ink.

5. Use the coordinating stencils and ink-blend the following:

• Stencil 1: Candy Apple (largest petals), Misty Coast (lightly around edges of small flowers so they appear white)

• Stencil 2: Spruce Tips, Lush Forest (blend from the base of petals)

• Stencil 3: Candy Apple

• Stencil 4: Candy Apple (large petals only), Doe (to deepen) - skip the small centers

• Add gold gel pen details to the flower centers and scatter a few dots around for extra shine.

6. On the acetate panel, stamp the "Once Upon a Christmas" sentiment from the Once Upon a Holiday stamp set using embossing ink. Heat emboss with gold embossing powder.

7. On the second white panel, create an oval frame by die-cutting the largest oval from the Essentials: Nested Elongated Ovals Blanket Stitched die set, and the largest oval from the Essentials: Nested Elongated Ovals die set.

8. Ink-blend Lush Forest over the entire oval frame

9. Create a shaker by placing metallic flake sequins in the center of your floral panel.

10. Add foam adhesive to the back of your oval frame, then adhere it to the floral panel, sealing the sequins to create your shaker element.

11. On the third panel, ink-blend Lush Forest over the entire panel, then die-cut it using the Floral Lattice Coverplate.

12. Ink-blend Lush Forest over the entire front of your A2 card base.

13. Adhere the Floral Lattice panel onto your ink-blended card base.

14. Adhere the completed shaker panel onto the Floral Lattice card base to complete your card.

I hope this project inspires you to look at your floral stamp sets in a whole new way! I stuck to a traditional colour palette to easily transform everyday supplies into festive holiday cards.

To stretch yourself even further creatively, try experimenting with icy blues or a pop of pink along with reds and greens for a fresh spin on holiday florals.

If you give this technique a try (and I hope you do!), be sure to tag us on social media — I'd love to see your creative takes on this festive idea!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy crafting!

Steph