Multi-layered Floral Holiday Cards

I don’t think there’s a papercrafter out there who hasn’t started a project and then watched it snowball into a PROJECT, do you? For example, maybe you had a simple design in mind but then halfway through realized you want to add embossing or the like.

Toni here with you today. In my case, I had a vision of the first card in this series (yes, series!) and riffed on my original vision by adding different metallics, embossing AND color combos. So, let’s start with the “gateway” card that began my cardmaking marathon.

The pilot card

At first, I had only envisioned a single card using lots of pinks and had diecut a bunch of Spellbinders foliage from:

• Stardream Metallic Quartz paper (palest layer)
• Stardream Metallic Rose Quartz paper (medium layer)
• Stardream Metallic Azalea paper (darkest layer)
• DCS Gold Glitter cardstock (holly & poinsettia centers)
• Silk Glitter Opulent Opal cardstock (pine branches)
• Bright Foil Gold cardstock (berry branches)

TIP: Stardream Metallic 81# papers are suitable for diecutting two layers at once for a great time savings. I’d also suggest using a metal shim.

At this point, I had planned on a plain white card front but decided to emboss the Cougar White cardstock with a wooden plank design. As can be seen, the embossing goes so very well with the rustic letterpress inking, don’t you agree? I used a Spellbinders hot foil plate with Catherine Pooler Minted ink then cut it out with an outline die.

In my final step, I popped up the sentiment on foam tape, then nestled the foliage bits beneath, above and within it.

Of course, working on the pilot card gave rise to ideas upon more ideas. All in all, I worked on these cards over the course of a couple of weeks using the same essential ingredients. For each, I’ll list the CutCardStock papers I used, starting with the hot foil ones.

Hot foil – Take 1

Are you familiar with reverse hot foiling where you use a solid plate with your machine to hot foil leftovers from the original? It’s a fabulous way to use up what would normally be waste product. In this case, reverse hot foiling results in a hot foil outline sentiment.

• DCS Patriot Blue cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Fairway paper
• Stardream Metallic Jupiter Red cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Azalea paper
• Silk Glitter Red Flash cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Mars paper
• DCS Gold Glitter cardstock

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the leftovers from the gold hot foiling. As a result, only one version of that exists. At the moment, that is! Without doubt I will run across the hot foil sheet eventually.

Hot Foil & Reverse hot foil versions

With further hot foil designs, I created both regular and reverse hot foil versions.

For instance, here we have a bold modern take with a black base and then a not-unfamiliar blue, silver and white version.

• Cougar White cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Pluto paper
• Stardream Metallic Vista paper
• Curious Electric Blue paper
• DCS Silver Glitter cardstock
• Silk Glitter Opulent Opal cardstock
• Bright Foil Silver cardstock
• Pop Tone Black Licorice cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Silver cardstock
• Curious Translucent Clear cardstock

In another case, both cards use non-traditional holiday colors. I think the combinations work beautifully, particularly the neutral card on the right which nearly didn’t come to be. That is, I had considered using this rose gold hot foil sentiment with the next card but decided the colors were too matchy matchy.

• Lessobo Sweet Mint cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Quartz paper
• Stardream Metallic Rose Quartz paper
• Silk Glitter Princess Pink cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Coral paper
• Neenah Environment Desert Storm cardstock
• Curious Translucent Clear cardstock

Letterpress Versions

In similar fashion, I experimented with unexpected letterpressed holiday color combinations. I particularly love this one with the grey-blue and those oranges.

• Neenah Environment Desert Storm cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Coral paper
• Stardream Metallic Flame paper
• Stardream Metallic Copper paper
• Stardream Metallic Mars paper
• Stardream Metallic Bronze cardstock
• Silk Glitter Princess Pink cardstock

Although I’m not a purple person, I do love how this combination turned out with the green and purple.

• Stardream Metallic Azalea paper
• Stardream Metallic Punch paper
• Curious Metallic Violette paper
• Silk Glitter Princess Pink cardstock
• Silk Glitter Opulent Opal cardstock
• Bright Foil Silver cardstock

Finally, we come to my last pairing. I letterpressed the bright pink sentiment to use with the foliage and card front on the left but decided it was too bright for the palette. Of course, I couldn’t let that raspberry one go to waste so created another card.

• Neenah Environment Desert Storm cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Aquamarine cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Lagoon paper
• Silk Glitter Opulent Opal cardstock
• Bright Foil Silver cardstock
• DCS Silver Glitter cardstock
• Pop Tone Pink Lemonade cardstock
• DCS Gold Glitter cardstock
• Stardream Metallic Azalea paper
• Bright Foil Gold cardstock

Surely you have a favorite from these examples? In that case, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

As always, thanks for stopping by and have a great rest of your day! For a full list of products used on this project, be sure to visit my blog.

You can also visit the CutCardStock Facebook Page for more DT inspiration or join our Creating with CutCardStock Facebook Group and share your own creations with other CutCardStock fans.