Sneak Peek! Clean & Simple Christmas Cards with C.C. Designs Misfits & Red Nose

It’s that time of year again—sneak peek season! The October 2025 release from C.C. Designs is full of festive fun, and today I’m sharing a pair of clean and simple Christmas cards that highlight just how much character these new stamp sets have. I reached for the Misfits Stamp Set and Red Nose Stamp Set to create two holiday designs that are simple, sweet, and full of charm.

If you’ve ever felt that “clean and simple” means “plain and boring,” these cards might just change your mind. I used a few of my favorite design tricks—like dry embossing, selective ink blending, and subtle layering—to add texture and depth without cluttering the layout. It’s proof that you don’t need a pile of die cuts or fancy foiling to make your handmade cards shine.

Sneak Peek! Clean & Simple Christmas Cards with C.C. Designs Misfits & Red Nose

Rudolph’s Clean & Simple Christmas Card

Let’s start with the little guy who always steals the spotlight—Rudolph. I stamped him from the Red Nose Stamp Set onto Hammermill 100 lb Smooth Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, then colored him up with Triblend Brush Markers. I went for those classic reindeer browns and a bold red nose that really pops. A few white highlights with my Uni POSCA Extra Fine Paint Marker brought him to life instantly.

I wanted to keep the background minimal so Rudolph would take center stage. To frame him, I softly ink blended around the edges using Toffee Crunch and Rich Cocoa Inks. That little vignette of color creates instant focus and warmth—like Rudolph’s standing in the soft glow of a Christmas candle.

For a touch of texture, I pulled out my Scenic Poinsettias 3D Embossing Folder from Spellbinders and ran a white panel through my die-cutting machine. After trimming off a one-inch strip, I tucked it behind the card front. This adds interest and dimension without stealing attention from the image.

To finish, I tore the bottom edge of the focal panel—yes, tore it on purpose! It’s one of those small details that gives a handmade look and softens the transition between the layers. Then I adhered everything to a Neenah Ultra Thick Top-Folding A2 Card Base with a bit of foam tape for lift.

The sentiment, also from the Red Nose Stamp Set, ties it all together perfectly. And because I can never resist a festive embellishment, I added a few die-cut holly leaves from the Stitched Holly Metal Cutting Die by Paper Rose Studio. They frame Rudolph just enough to guide the eye and echo the embossed poinsettias in the background.

Pro Tip: When working with clean and simple designs, play with texture and tone instead of extra layers. Dry embossing and ink blending are fantastic ways to add visual interest while keeping that minimal aesthetic intact.

A Holly Jolly Misfits Christmas Card

For my second card, I couldn’t resist using the doll and Jack in the Box from the Misfits Stamp Set. These two have such playful expressions—they instantly reminded me of those quirky Christmas specials I used to watch growing up, where every toy had a personality. I wanted the design to reflect that same nostalgic, joyful energy.

I started the same way—stamping on Hammermill 100 lb Smooth Cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and coloring with Triblend Brush Markers. I kept the colors bright and whimsical, mixing reds, pinks, and purples for a fun, non-traditional twist. A few dots of white highlight details made the images pop even more.

To give the card a festive accent, I used another piece of my Scenic Poinsettias 3D Embossed Panel—but this time, I added a bit of color. I ink blended Crimson Ink first, then deepened it with Scarlet Ink for a rich gradient effect. This strip became the top border of my card and immediately brought everything to life.

To hide the seam between the card front and embossed strip, I layered a thin white cardstock strip and a brushed gold foil strip. That sliver of metallic shine adds just the right amount of holiday sparkle without overpowering the design. I then stamped the sentiment “Have a holly jolly Christmas” right below my images—it fit perfectly with the cheerful theme.

I popped the finished panel onto another Neenah Ultra Thick A2 Top-Folding Card Base using foam tape for dimension. Finally, I scattered a few colored rhinestones diagonally across the design, mirroring the embellishment placement on my Rudolph card. This subtle repetition ties both cards together, even though their layouts are different.

Pro Tip: When you’re creating multiple cards for a collection or release, repeat one or two design elements—like embellishment placement or embossing—to create a cohesive set. It helps your cards feel connected without being identical.

Bringing It All Together

Both of these cards capture the heart of what I love most about holiday cardmaking—bringing personality and warmth into simple designs. The C.C. Designs Misfits and Red Nose Stamp Sets made that easy. The images are so full of character that they do most of the storytelling for you.

If you’re short on time but still want your handmade cards to feel special, try keeping your layout simple and focusing on strong coloring, subtle texture, and just a hint of sparkle. It’s an easy formula for cards that look polished without the overwhelm.

Whether you’re team Rudolph or team Misfits, this new C.C. Designs release has something for every cardmaker who loves a good dose of holiday charm. I can’t wait to see what you create once these sets hit the shop!

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

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!