Sassy Square Christmas Card | Coloring the Hissy Kringle Pissy Kitty Stamp

You know those days when your Christmas spirit feels just a little... done? Maybe it’s the third batch of cookies that burned or the pile of glitter that somehow ended up on the dog. Either way, sometimes you just need a little sass with your sparkle—and that’s exactly what today’s card brings. I’m sharing a square Christmas card featuring the Hissy Kringle Pissy Kitty Stamp Set from Unity Stamp Company. This grumpy little guy is the perfect antidote to overly sweet holiday cards, and I have to admit, his face might just be my mood once the wrapping paper chaos begins!

Sassy Square Christmas Card | Coloring the Hissy Kringle Pissy Kitty Stamp

Why This Card Works

Let’s be honest—holiday cards can start to feel a little repetitive. Between the Santas, snowmen, and poinsettias, it’s easy to get stuck in a merry-and-bright loop. The problem? Sometimes our friends (and let’s face it, we) just need a good laugh instead of another glittery sentiment.

That’s where Hissy Kringle Pissy Kitty comes in. His unimpressed expression paired with the snarky sentiment “Silent night? Yes please.” is such a fun twist on traditional holiday cheer. I love using designs like this when I want to send something unexpected but still festive. The smaller 4.25" square format keeps the layout clean and polished while giving just enough space for personality to shine—without overwhelming the design.

Stamping & Cardstock Choices

I started by stamping the image onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. This combo is my go-to for alcohol marker coloring because it gives crisp lines and prevents bleeding. The key here is to let your ink dry completely before coloring—trust me, patience pays off when you’re about to color that perfect Santa hat.

Once stamped, I cut the image using a square die to fit neatly on my mat layers later. Keeping the shape simple allows the focus to stay on that delightfully grouchy face.

Coloring the Attitude

I reached for my Triblend Markers, which make shading so easy—especially when working with smaller images. For Pissy Kitty, I blended warm golden yellows and rich oranges to give his fur texture and life. Quick tip: use short, flicking strokes to mimic fur without over-blending; it adds that natural, fuzzy look we love.

For his Santa hat, I went classic with deep reds and subtle shadows to give it a plush feel. I couldn’t resist adding a few white highlights with my Uni POSCA Extra Fine Paint Marker, which always brings dimension and a touch of realism. And because I believe every Christmas card deserves a little sparkle, I brushed on Stardust Stickles over the white parts of his hat—just enough to catch the light.

Layers That Pop

Now, let’s talk about those layers. I cut the colored panel and mounted it on a 4" x 4" Cranberry Cardstock mat, then added it to a 4.25" x 4.25" Neenah Desert Storm 100 lb Cardstock base. I love the contrast of the warm kraft tone against the rich red—it feels cozy and festive without being over the top.

To tie everything together, I grabbed my Uni POSCA White Paint Marker again to add faux stitching around the edges of both the cranberry layer and the card base. It’s a small touch, but it adds that handmade feel that makes the design pop.

Pro tip: if your hand shakes a little while adding faux stitching, that’s perfectly fine—it actually makes it look more authentically handmade!

Sentiment with a Spark

The sentiment, “Silent night? Yes please.”, is from the same stamp set and was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black Ink for crisp detail. I die cut it with one of the Labels by Tim Holtz dies, then created a glittery mat layer by cutting the same die twice from red glitter cardstock—once lengthwise and once widthwise—and stacking the halves behind the sentiment.

This little trick is one of my favorite ways to stretch dies and add layers without needing a perfect size match. It frames the sentiment beautifully and coordinates perfectly with that Cranberry Cardstock. I popped the whole sentiment panel up on foam adhesive for a bit of dimension and finished the design with a few red rhinestones for balance.

The Finishing Touches

When everything came together, I couldn’t help but laugh. That face—equal parts festive and fed up—is exactly what makes this card special. I added a few more white highlights to the kitty’s fur and hat brim to brighten him up, then called it done. The mix of humor, sparkle, and clean design makes it perfect for friends who appreciate a little snark with their holiday cheer.

I think what I love most about this card is that it reminds me not every handmade card has to be perfectly polished or traditional. Sometimes, a bit of personality goes a long way. And let’s face it—there’s a little Pissy Kitty in all of us by mid-December!

Spread Some (Sassy) Holiday Cheer

If you’re looking to mix things up this holiday season, give this sassy square design a try. Whether you’re crafting for friends who love a laugh or just need something quick and fun, this layout delivers both charm and attitude. Plus, it’s a great way to play with coloring and layering techniques without spending hours on a design.

Because sometimes, “Silent night? Yes please.” says it all.

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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