One Gel Print, Three Christmas Cards: Christmas in July Inspiration

 

Hello crafty friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today we're celebrating one of my favorite crafting traditions... Christmas in July!

I know it may seem a little early to start thinking about holiday cards, but I've learned that making a few cards now means a lot less stress when December rolls around. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to pull out some festive stamps and spend a little extra time creating.

For today's project, I challenged myself to stretch my supplies by turning one gel print into three different Christmas cards.

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🎨 Starting with a Favorite Gel Print

I began by digging through my stash and found a colorful gel press print that had been waiting for the perfect project.

 

One of the things I love about gel prints is that every section has its own personality. Cut your larger gel prints into smaller panels and let each one become the background for a different design.

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🎅 Coloring the Gnomes

Next, I reached for the adorable PaperArtsy Kate Crane 017 stamp set and colored each of the whimsical gnomes with colored pencils.

 

I love how relaxing colored pencils are. Building soft layers of color and adding subtle shading gives each little character its own personality. Once they were finished, I paired each gnome with the section of the gel print that suited it best. It almost felt like matching ornaments to the perfect Christmas tree.

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✨ Adding Texture & Shine

To give the backgrounds a festive touch, I used the PaperArtsy Kate Crane PS427 stencil with gold texture paste.

 

The raised metallic texture catches the light beautifully and adds just the right amount of holiday sparkle without overpowering the colorful backgrounds.

Sometimes a little shimmer is all a Christmas card needs.

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💌 Finishing Touches

To complete the cards, I added:

• Sentiments from the PaperArtsy JOFY 117 and Kate Crane 007 stamp sets
• My signature hand-drawn frame
• Simple layering that lets each gnome remain the star of the card 

 

Three cards finished... and a few more crossed off my Christmas list!

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Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope these cheerful little gnomes inspire you to get a head start on your holiday cards and remind you that even one background can become several beautiful projects.

Have a wonderful weekend, happy crafting, and Merry Christmas... just a little early! 🎄✨

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies 

PaperArtsy - JOFY 117 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Kate Crane 007 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Kate Crane 017 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Kate Crane PS427 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Shop at:  TP
	Tsukineko - Versafine Clair - Twilight Shop at: TP	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: TP	Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP

Christmas in July with Woodware Stamps

Hello, Lisa Hoel here. This week at Topflight Stamps we're cooling it down with "Christmas in July"! If you are like most of us, when December rolls around we run short on time for holiday card making. Why not get a start now?

I started off with a shimmery silver gel print background. The main stamp from the Woodware Holy Night set is such a beautiful focal image – I just added some color and gold accents. Perfect!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Topflight Stamps store for a wide selection of different and hard to find stamps, stencils and other paper crafting supplies from all around the world! Also keep an eye here on the Topflight Stamps blog. There is new inspiration posted often!

Topflight Stamps Supplies Used:

Woodware stamp set - Holy Night

VersaFine Clair ink pad - Nocturne

Gel Press print

watercolors

 

✨ Christmas in July: A Mixed Media Nutcracker Card with Festive Flair! 🎄

 

Hello crafty friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and I’m diving into the holiday spirit with a fun and festive Christmas in July card! 🎅🏼✨ Whether you’re someone who likes to plan ahead or you just need an excuse to use some sparkle and shine, now is the perfect time to start crafting your Christmas cards.

💥 P.S. Don’t forget to check out the Christmas in July SALE happening now—it’s the perfect time to grab some goodies to fuel your holiday creativity! 🎁

For this card, I went with a bold gel press print background, one of my favorite ways to start any mixed media project. The layers and texture add instant interest and make your card feel like a mini piece of holiday art.

I stamped the whimsical PaperArtsy JOFY Mini 01 stamp directly onto the background, along with the sentiment and stars from JOFY 117, and gave them a little extra pop with gold heat embossing. Because who doesn’t love a little shine for the holidays.

 

💂🏻 The Star of the Show: The Nutcracker

On a separate piece of watercolor paper, I stamped this charming nutcracker image and brought him to life with watercolors in classic holiday tones. Once he was dry, I fussy cut him out and added him to the background for a dimensional touch. He’s regal, festive, and just a bit quirky, just how I like my holiday icons!

To wrap up the card, I hand-drew a simple frame to ground the design and added some light shading around the embossed stars. It’s amazing how small details like these can bring your whole piece together.

🎁 Feeling Inspired?

This card is a great reminder that Christmas crafting doesn’t have to wait until December. Pull out your stamps, your gel plate, and a little gold embossing powder and let your creativity snowball!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this gives you some holiday inspiration and the nudge you need to start your own Christmas creations early. ❄️

Wishing you a joyful (and creative!) weekend ahead!

xo,
Ericka

 

 Topflight Stamp Supplies

PaperArtsy - JOFY 117 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - JOFY Mini 01 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at:  TP	WOW! Embossing - Metallic Gold Rich Pale Shop at:  TP	Tsukineko - VersaFine Clair - Nocturn Shop at: TP
Spectrum Noir Christmas Embellishment Pen Set Shop at: TP	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: TP	Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP

Christmas in July – Making Gift Tags

Hello, Lisa Hoel here. This week at Topflight Stamps our theme is "Christmas" plus there is a sale for the Christmas/Winter category that is running through the end of the month! I created a set of gift tags using the Quirky Post AALL & Create Die Set and Tree Wishes Woodware Stamp Set.

These were easy to make. You could set up an assembly line and create enough for all your Christmas gifts!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Topflight Stamps store for a wide selection of different and hard to find stamps, stencils and other paper crafting supplies from all around the world! Also keep an eye here on the Topflight Stamps blog. There is new inspiration often!

Topflight Stamps Supplies Used:

Woodware Stamp Set - Tree Wishes

AALL & Create Die Set - Quirky Post

Versfine Pigment Ink Pad - Onyx Black

watercolors

glitter glue

Simple PaperArtsy Christmas Tag

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here and today I am continuing the Christmas in July theme with a quick Christmas tag using the PaperArtsy JOFY Mini 01. I love this fun Christmas tree and used the new PaperArtsy Mattints to paint up my tag. 

 

I had fun layering the colors and around the tree and used a little of the Nutty Mattint to add a rustic look. I hand lettered the "To" and "From" and finished my tag with a sparkly twine.

Thank you for stopping by and don't forget to check out the Christmas in July sale happening now.

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies

PaperArtsy - JOFY Mini 01 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - VersaFine Clair - Nocturn Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy -  Mattint Glow Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Mattint Dragonfly Shop at: TP
PaperArtsy - Mattint Jam Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Mattint Nutty Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Mattint The Pink Shop at: TP

A Clean and Simple Christmas Card + a 25% off Sale

 Hi friends. Alanna back again on the blog with another Christmas card. Make sure to scroll to the end of this post to see how you can save 25% on all Christmas and winter themed products. Sale is valid until July 21st.

For this card, I started by stamping the Hanging Ornaments stamp set from Paper Rose with alcohol marker friendly black ink. I then colored the ornaments with my Olo markers. I then restamped the image using my Versafine Claire Nocturne ink. I stamped the sentiment and then trimmed down my white panel.

I decided to take my scoring board and I added some score lines to the top and bottom of the card. I also added in some sparkly silver twine. I added foam tape to the back of this panel and popped it up onto a red A2 notecard and that finishes off this card.

Find these products used in the Topflight Stamps store below.

Christmas in July – Tag Time!

Hello, Lisa Hoel here. Our Topflight Stamps theme this week is Christmas in July! I never have time during the season to make all the holiday project ideas I have in my mind so it's nice to get a bit of a head start. I decided to combine several different Christmas themed stamp sets and created a set of gift tags.

I had fun going through my stamp stash and playing around!

Check the list below to see all the different supplies I used!

This week we're having a sale in the store for the Christmas/Winter category! Check it out and stock up!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Topflight Stamps store for a wide selection of different and hard to find stamps, stencils and other paper crafting supplies from all around the world! Also keep an eye here on the Topflight Stamps blog. There is new inspiration posted daily!

Topflight Stamps Supplies Used:

PaperArtsy stamp set - EM93

PaperArtsy stencil - PS070

Crafty Individuals - CI-420

Darkroom Door - Pine Cones

Katzelkraft - Winter Scene

PaperArtsy stamp set - ETS24

PaperArtsy stamp set - ESA08

Versafine Ink Pad - Black Onyx

Lavinia Elements Ink Pads - Russet Orange

Versafine Clair Ink Pads - Tulip Red, Cheerful

watercolors