Christmas Ducks: A Sweet Stenciled Background + Simple Design

There’s just something about quirky holiday cards that makes me smile, and today’s project definitely falls into that category. I’ve been on a clean and simple kick lately, especially for Christmas cards, and this sweet little design came together after I pulled out the Ducks in a Row Stamps & Die Bundle from The Rabbit Hole Designs. I paired it with the Oh Duck Stencil and the Holiday Background Builder Stencil, and before I knew it, I had a festive flock of ducks wearing Santa hats. This design is perfect if you’re looking for something quick, fun, and a little unexpected for the holidays. Plus, it’s an easy layout to recreate if you’re making multiples.

Christmas Ducks: A Sweet Stenciled Background + Simple Design

Creating a Playful Stenciled Background

One of my favorite ways to add interest without adding bulk is masked stenciling. On this card, I masked off the left side of my Bristol Smooth Cardstock panel using one-inch Mint Tape, leaving a clean space on the right for a greeting and focal point. I’ve always loved this look because it gives a breezy sophistication to even the simplest card designs.

For the background, I brought in the Oh Duck Stencil and used a blending brush with a soft layer of Lemon Whip Ink. The shapes of the ducks are so cute that you don’t need much effort to create personality across the panel. I remember the first time I used this stencil, I caught myself humming a silly tune while blending because it just felt cheerful. That’s the magic of a playful stencil.

Once the ducks were in place, I added a few Santa hats using the Holiday Background Builder Stencil. This little detail completely transforms the scene from everyday to holiday. Smaller blending brushes, like the Bitty Bunny Blending Brushes, made it easy to add Candy Apple and Rocky Slope Inks right where I wanted them without smudging into the yellow. If you ever struggle with detailed stenciling, my best tip is to tap your brush on scratch paper first so you’re working with just the right amount of ink. It saves so much frustration.

A Clean Focal Point with Character

With such a busy, stenciled pattern on the left side, I knew I wanted something crisp and charming to anchor the right side. The Santa duck from the Ducks in a Row Stamps & Die Bundle was the perfect fit. I stamped him onto a scrap of Bristol Smooth Cardstock using Versafine Nocturne Ink and colored him with my Tombow Dual Brush Markers using a soft watercolor look. These markers blend beautifully on Bristol and give that effortless shading that feels painterly with almost no work.

After drying, I cut him out with the coordinating die and added a few gold gel pen details and white highlights. These tiny additions go a long way in helping an image pop on a clean and simple card. When I showed this card to a friend, the first thing she commented on was the little gold buckle on his suit. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest impression.

Pulling the Card Together

To transition between the stenciled section and the clean white panel, I added a thin strip of Midnight Black Cardstock. It’s such a small detail, but it brings everything together and adds the polished look I love. On the right section, I stamped a simple hello greeting from the same Ducks in a Row set. This card doesn’t need a bold sentiment, and the smaller greeting balances the design perfectly.

I attached the Santa duck with foam adhesive for a bit of dimension, trimmed the finished panel to 3 3/4 by 5 inches, and layered it onto a Midnight Black mat before attaching everything to an A2 card base. The stenciled ducks, the masked strip, and that cheerful little Santa duck all work together to create a clean and simple design with a lot of personality.

Final Thoughts

This card is a great example of how a few well-loved tools can create something special without feeling complicated. The Oh Duck Stencil gives the background charm, the Holiday Background Builder Stencil turns it festive instantly, and the Ducks in a Row Stamps & Die Bundle pulls everything together. If you’re looking to create Christmas cards that are playful, easy to repeat, and bring a smile to anyone who receives them, this is a wonderful layout to try. It’s been a favorite on my craft desk, and I hope it inspires you to pull out your stencils and create a Christmas flock of your own.

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 Crafting,

Rick Adkins

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