A Fun Birthday Surprise with This Gift Card Holder Die Set

Let’s be honest—gift cards are so easy to give, but sometimes they can feel, well, a little impersonal. I always want the person receiving it to know I put thought into their gift, even if I didn’t pick something off a shelf. That’s why I love turning a simple gift card into something extra special with a handmade envelope or holder—and today’s project does just that.

I used a mix of charming products from Scrappy Boy Stamps to create a birthday-themed gift card holder that feels fun, fresh, and totally unique. It’s colorful, dimensional, and full of playful personality, thanks to the adorable Birthday Pin Up Girls Stamp Set and the coordinating Gift Card Envelope with Bow Die Set. And yes—there’s a video tutorial at the end of this post so you can see exactly how it all comes together.

A Fun Birthday Surprise with This Gift Card Holder Die Set:

When a Stamp Steals the Spotlight

The star of this project is definitely that darling pin-up girl holding a present, sitting with that oversized bow on her chest—how could I resist? She’s one of several fun retro-style images in the Birthday Pin Up Girls Stamp Set, and I knew immediately she’d be the perfect focal point for a birthday design.

I stamped her on a scrap of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, then colored her with my Ohuhu Honolulu Brush Markers. These markers have been such a pleasant surprise in my stash—budget-friendly, smooth blending, and a great selection of colors for skin tones and hair, which can sometimes be tricky.

Once she was all colored up, I used the Birthday Pin Up Girls Outline Dies to cut her out. I always appreciate when a coordinating die cuts right to the edge—it gives that polished look we all love.

Pro Tip: Keep a stash of marker-friendly white cardstock scraps handy. It’s a great way to avoid cutting into a full sheet when you just need a small stamped image like this.

Building the Gift Card Envelope

For the gift card holder itself, I reached for the Gift Card Envelope with Bow Die Set—it’s one of those dies that instantly turns a simple card into a “wow” moment. I used a soft pink from the Kaleidoscope 8.5" x 11" Cardstock Pack by Harmony Hue as the base. The die scores all the fold lines for you, so the assembly is quick and clean.

The coordinating bow pieces were cut from light blue cardstock and a sweet pink gingham pattern paper from the Birthday Pin Up Girls 6x6 Paper Pack. I initially planned to use the same light blue cardstock for the belly band, but halfway through I changed my mind and swapped it for more of that pink gingham—and I’m so glad I did.

Isn’t it funny how often we change our minds mid-project? I’ve learned to lean into that. Sometimes what you didn’t plan ends up being the perfect touch.

All About That Bow

I love how dimensional this bow is. The die cuts layers that you can mix and match with pattern and solid papers, which adds such great visual interest. I gently curled the main bow piece with a bone folder before gluing it in place to give it more shape and softness. Once it was assembled, I attached it to the gingham belly band and centered my stamped pin-up girl right in the middle using foam adhesive. She really brings the whole piece to life.

Pro Tip: Use a mini foam square behind bows or embellishments like this to give lift without bulk. It helps your pieces look professional but still allows the envelope to slip easily into a larger card or gift bag.

A Handmade Detail That Makes Gifting Personal

The best part of this project? It makes gifting a gift card feel handmade, heartfelt, and fun. You’re not just handing someone a little plastic rectangle—you’re giving them a wrapped experience with color, texture, and personality. And that extra thought always shines through.

This design is easy to customize for any occasion—think baby showers, graduations, holidays—just swap out the image and colors, and you’ve got a gift that’s as meaningful as the handmade cards we love to make.

If you’d like to see this project come together, check out the video tutorial below. I walk you through the process, share a few extra tips, and show you just how fun it is to create a gift card holder that steals the show.

A Fun Birthday Surprise with This Gift Card Holder Die Set Video Tutorial:

If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking Here!

Happy creating—and here’s to turning simple gifts into unforgettable moments.

(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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