Mixing and Matching Stamp Sets For the Perfect Magical Christmas Card | The Rabbit Hole Designs

There’s something about Christmas cardmaking that makes me want to pull out every single stamp set I own and start mixing and matching. This card is the perfect example of why—sometimes the most magical designs come from combining unexpected elements. I wanted something whimsical, colorful, and full of movement, so I reached for The Rabbit Hole Designs’ Dragon Fun Bundle and paired it with the Warm & Cozy Stamp Set and Dies. Add in a few festive papers from the Retro Christmas 6 x 6 Pattern Paper Pack, and I had the perfect recipe for a holiday card that’s just as joyful to make as it is to give.

I love thinking about the little story happening in my scene. In my head, these sweet dragons have taken over Christmas morning—one is helping decorate, one’s on gift patrol, and the other is so worn out from all the holiday excitement that they’ve collapsed for a nap. This little storytelling approach makes me think about where to place each image, how they interact, and which details to emphasize.

Mixing and Matching Stamp Sets For the Perfect Magical Christmas Card | The Rabbit Hole Designs

Building a Scene with Mixed Stamp Sets

When you mix stamp sets, the key is to make them feel like they belong together. The Dragon Fun Bundle gives me those adorable characters with personality, while the Warm & Cozy set brings in the traditional Christmas elements like the tree and perfectly wrapped presents. Because the illustration style is consistent across The Rabbit Hole Designs’ products, they pair beautifully without feeling mismatched.

A quick tip: if you’re combining sets from different collections, look closely at the line weight, the amount of detail, and the overall style of each image. Even if the themes are wildly different, those visual similarities can help your finished design look intentional rather than pieced together.

Coloring That Ties Everything Together

One of my favorite tricks for cohesive designs is to pull my color palette directly from my patterned paper. For this card, the Retro Christmas Pattern Paper Pack was my starting point. I chose the vibrant pinks, teals, and greens from the paper and matched my Triblend marker coloring to those exact shades.

By doing this, the dragons, tree, and gifts feel like they were made to go with the background—there’s no risk of colors clashing or elements feeling out of place. It’s also a great time-saver if you ever get stuck trying to choose colors; just let your patterned paper make the decision for you.

Creating a Magical Backdrop

Every good story needs a setting, and in this case, mine came to life with a soft, dreamy background. I blended Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink over Bristol Smooth cardstock using the Clouds in My Coffee Stencil. I love how it creates just enough atmosphere without stealing attention from the main images.

I stamped the sentiment “May Your Day Be Filled with Adventure” in Versafine Onyx Black Ink at the top of the panel. It’s not your typical holiday greeting, but that’s what makes it perfect—it matches the playful, imaginative feel of the dragons while still being heartfelt enough for a Christmas card.

Little Details That Make a Big Difference

I’m a firm believer that it’s the small touches that make a card truly shine. Once my scene was assembled, I added white gel pen highlights to the dragons, tree, and gifts to give them more dimension and life. A little Stardust Stickles here and there added the perfect amount of Christmas sparkle without going overboard.

If you ever feel like your card looks “flat” or unfinished, try adding these kinds of details at the very end. It’s amazing how a few tiny highlights or dots of glitter can bring everything together.

Why This Works for Any Cardmaker

The best part about this project is that you don’t have to use the exact same sets I did. The concept—mixing characters from one set with themed elements from another—works for any occasion. If you’re making a birthday card, you might pair a cute critter with balloons from a completely different set. For Valentine’s Day, a floral background with a quirky character can feel fresh and unexpected.

Mixing and matching opens up your collection in new ways. Instead of buying a new set for every theme, you can combine the ones you already have and create something that feels one-of-a-kind. And honestly, it’s a lot of fun to see what combinations you can come up with once you let go of the idea that each set has to stand alone.

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!