If there’s ever a time to indulge, it’s during the holidays, right? While we all love those sugary treats, today’s card design offers a guilt-free way to enjoy them. I created this Calories Don’t Count Holiday Cupcake Scene Card featuring the delightful Sweet Christmas Stamp Set from The Rabbit Hole Designs. It’s packed with festive charm, glittery accents, and just enough whimsy to make you smile. Let’s dive into the inspiration and techniques behind this sweet creation!
Calories Don't Count Holiday Cupcake Scene Card:
Inspiration: Baking Memories in Card Form
I’ve always loved holiday baking. Growing up, our kitchen transformed into a winter wonderland filled with sugar cookies, gingerbread houses, and—my favorite—cupcakes topped with festive decorations. When I first saw the Sweet Christmas Stamp Set, it immediately took me back to those cozy afternoons of frosting and sprinkles. I knew I wanted to capture that joy and nostalgia on a card.
These stamps, with their gingerbread houses, Christmas trees, and tiny gift boxes, felt like the perfect ingredients for a scene that could double as a bakery window display. Combining them into one cohesive design was like putting together the perfect dessert table—each element playing a key role.
The Key Ingredients: Stamping and Coloring
To set the scene, I stamped three cupcakes on Neenah Solar White 80 lb Cardstock: two with the gingerbread houses and trees, and one with the adorable gift box. I reached for my Copic markers to bring these images to life, focusing on rich, festive tones and textures.
Pro Tip: When coloring detailed images like these, think about texture. For the cupcake bases, I used warm brown tones to give the appearance of chocolate cake, layering light and dark shades to mimic that soft, spongy texture. For the frosting, a creamy vanilla combination helped add contrast and kept the design from feeling too heavy.
The wrappers were a fun challenge. I wanted them to look like shiny foil, so I went with cool gray tones, blending carefully to create a metallic effect. Don’t forget to add highlights with a white gel pen—it’s the small details that make all the difference.
Creating the Scene: A Holiday Bakery Vibe
Every card needs a good foundation, and for this design, I wanted a cozy bakery feel. The bottom half of the card features a wood-grain shelf or floor pattern, which I created using the same brown markers from the cupcake bases. This not only ties the design together but also saves time—you’re working smarter, not harder!
For the wall behind the cupcakes, I chose a warm yellow palette. It reminded me of the soft glow you see in bakeries around the holidays, where everything feels inviting and cheerful. By balancing the darker wood tones with the lighter wall color, the scene feels grounded yet open.
Pro Tip: When creating backgrounds, stick to simple patterns and colors that complement your focal images. You want the background to support the design, not compete with it.
Adding the Sweet Finishing Touches
No holiday card is complete without a little sparkle! I reached for my Milky Pop White Gel Pen to add highlights to the cupcakes, creating dimension and shine. Then came the magic: Stardust Stickles and Rock Candy Glitter. I applied these to the frosting and Christmas accents, giving the card that sugar-dusted effect that feels so festive.
One of my favorite moments in cardmaking is stepping back after adding the final embellishments. That little bit of glitter brought the whole scene to life, making the cupcakes look almost good enough to eat!
Why This Card Stands Out
This card is more than just a fun project—it’s a celebration of holiday traditions and the joy of creating something special. Whether you’re a baker at heart or just love the charm of sweet holiday designs, this cupcake scene is a versatile and delightful addition to your cardmaking repertoire.
If you’re new to scene cards, don’t worry. Focus on one element at a time: the cupcakes, then the background, then the finishing touches. Breaking it down makes the process much more approachable. And remember, the holidays are all about embracing a little extra sparkle—both in your projects and your creativity.
Let’s Keep the Inspiration Going
I hope this card inspires you to try something sweet and festive in your next project. I’d love to hear how you’d make this design your own—what colors or embellishments would you use? If you try this design, tag me on social media so I can see your creative take. Let’s spread a little holiday cheer, one card at a time.
Copic Color Combinations:
Below you will find my color combinations for today's project. Today's project features color combinations using my Copic Markers. In the image and below I have listed the color combinations in order from the lightest color in the color combo to the darkest. You can save the image below to your favorite Pinterest board for alcohol marker coloring combos.
Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.
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
Affiliate Disclaimer:
Just a friendly reminder, as part of my commitment to transparency, please note that some of the links provided maybe affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is truly appreciated!
Additionally, I kindly ask that you always accept the tracking cookie for the affiliate websites. Rest assured, this will not in any way expose your computer to viruses or compromise your information. It's simply necessary for the company to attribute the sale to the affiliate, ensuring creators like myself receive their rightful commissions.
Your trust and support enable me to continue sharing creativity through my email lists, blog, and YouTube channel. Thank you for being a valued part of our crafting community!
Comments