Create Classic Holiday Cards with These Festive Etched Dies

There’s something about making holiday cards that brings out the magic of the season. Maybe it’s the sparkle, maybe it’s the tradition, or maybe it’s just the excuse to sit down with a hot cup of cocoa and spend the afternoon surrounded by paper, ink, and a little glitter. Whatever it is, I always find myself drawn to classic, heartwarming themes this time of year—and this year’s cards featuring the Santa’s Elves Etched Dies and the Country Snowman Etched Dies from Spellbinders brought just the right mix of festive fun and creative charm.

I wanted to create two card designs that felt traditional, but still had a unique touch—something that felt personal. Both cards are clean and layered, with thoughtful details that make them shine without feeling overly complicated. And whether you’re a seasoned cardmaker or just getting started, I think these ideas will give you some fresh inspiration for your own holiday crafting.

Create Classic Holiday Cards with These Festive Etched Dies

Whimsical Elves with a Classic Touch

Let’s start with the elves. These sweet die cuts from the Santa’s Elves Etched Dies set are full of personality—and let me tell you, I had so much fun bringing them to life with my Copic markers. I die cut all the pieces from Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock, which is one of my go-to cardstocks when I want clean edges and sturdy layering. It handles markers like a dream, and the finished pieces feel substantial.

Once I had my little boy and girl elves assembled, I knew I wanted to keep the background simple but festive. I reached for the Sparkling Snow 3D Embossing Folder to add a subtle wintery texture. This folder has such a gorgeous pattern—it adds interest without overpowering the focal point. I trimmed the panel to 4" x 5 ¼" and popped it up on an A2 card base for just a little dimension.

For the sentiment, I used the Christmas Magic Sentiments Stamp Set with the coordinating outline dies. I colored the “From Our Home to Yours” strip to match the reds in the elves’ outfits, which is a quick trick that really pulls everything together. And because no holiday card is complete without a little sparkle, I added some Stardust Stickles and white gel pen highlights to the elves. Those little details make such a big difference—they catch the light and add that perfect bit of holiday magic.

Pro Tip: When working with detailed die cuts like these elves, I like to keep a small tray on my desk to hold the tiny pieces. It helps keep everything organized (and keeps me from losing that one tiny shoe I always seem to misplace mid-project).

A Western Spin on Winter with the Country Snowman

Now, let’s talk about the snowman. This card was pure joy to create—and it has a fun little twist. When I first saw the Country Snowman Etched Dies, I immediately imagined him as a cowboy snowman standing proud under the wide open sky. I knew I wanted to lean into that playful theme, so I grabbed my markers and started coloring.

After assembling the snowman with his cowboy hat, bandanna, and sheriff star, I turned my attention to the background. I used the Sparkling Snow 3D Embossing Folder again—this time brushing on just a hint of blue ink with the leftover color from my Oxide blending brushes. This is one of those happy little discoveries I love sharing: even if you haven’t re-inked your brushes, the color that’s left behind can add just the softest touch of tint, which worked perfectly for the sky.

Then came the scene building. I added a broom to the snowman’s hand, and then—because I was having a little too much fun—I created a branch from one of the extra snowman arms and added a bird feeder and cardinal on top. I even turned the bottom part of the broom die into a couple of cactuses by coloring them in different shades of green. A bunny at the base of the snowman and a little “Welcome” sign finished off the scene.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to look at your die cuts in a new way. That extra broom handle? A cactus. A spare arm? A branch. Once you start looking at your dies beyond their intended shapes, the possibilities really open up.

I popped the finished panel onto another A2 base made from the Ultra Thick Neenah cardstock, added a few white gel pen highlights, and just like that—the story of my cowboy snowman card was complete.

Why These Cards Work

I think what makes these cards special is the combination of clean layering, smart use of texture, and a little imaginative scene building. They’re not overly complicated, but they feel thoughtful and polished. And both cards use the same foundational techniques—die cutting, coloring, embossing—but result in completely different vibes. That’s something I always encourage my fellow crafters to try: build on a familiar process and then add your own creative twist.

These Spellbinders Etched Dies made it easy to bring that vision to life. If you’re looking to create classic holiday cards with a personal touch, these dies are a great place to start. Whether you lean more traditional like the elves or want to get playful like the cowboy snowman, there’s room to make them your own.

Final Thoughts

Holiday cardmaking doesn’t have to be complicated to feel special. With just a few well-chosen dies, a bit of ink and color, and a dash of imagination, you can create cards that bring joy to the people who receive them—and a whole lot of fun for you while making them.

I’d love to know which card style you’re most drawn to—do you like the clean, whimsical feel of the elves or the quirky storytelling of the cowboy snowman? Let me know, and be sure to tag me if you share your creations. I always love seeing how others bring these designs to life in their own crafty way.

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

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