I am usually not one to push product, but seriously. You need this die! I am in love. This is one die in a new line of Darice dies that cut AND emboss. The detail is amazing. Today I created three different DIY Christmas card designs using the same die. I am trying to decide which card will make the cut for my Christmas cards this year.
This die can be elegant, rustic, traditional or whimsical. The size of the die fits (and fills!) the front of an A2 card base, making it quick and easy to make beautiful cards! It would also be adorable to decorate the top of a gift, or the front of a gift bag. Plus, I feel like the white on white wreath would be pretty for winter weddings. I also think a non-traditional palette would be cute- a lime green wreath on a pink card base? Can you picture it? I think I need to make that one too.
I will show you how I whipped up these DIY Christmas card designs- with a couple of important tips.
Here are the supplies I used to make all three cards. It seems like a big list because I am including what I used with all three options. You can customize your supplies when you choose which card fits your style, or do your own thing altogether.
Supplies needed to create your own DIY Christmas Card:
- Darice Wreath Die Cut Stencil with Bow
- Darice Banner Label Craft Dies
- Embossing Mat for Die Cuts<—this is IMPORTANT
- Core’dinations Core Basics 6×6 White Cardstock
- Sakura Pigma Micron Pen
- Core’dinations Sand It Set
- Pencil and Eraser
Gold Card:
- Core’dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Core Metallic Collection Cardstock Pack
- Core’dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Core Metallic Collection A2 Cards & Envelopes
- Darice Gold Glitter Adhesive Gem Stickers
- Staz-on Black Ink Pad
White Card:
- Core’dinations Polka Dot Pearl A2 Blank Cards and Envelopes
- Darice Flatback Ivory Pearl Adhesive Pearls
Traditional Card:
- Core’dinations Kraft Polka Dot Pop A2 Blank Cards and Envelopes
- Core’dinations Core Essentials Darks 6 x 6 Paper Pack (Green)
- Darice Flatback Red Adhesive Pearls
To begin each DIY Christmas card, choose the cardstock that you want to use for the wreath, and run the die and cardstock through a die cutting machine following the manufacturers recommendations on settings.
You will notice at this point that the die cut the cardstock, but did not emboss it. This is where the embossing mat comes into play.
Do not remove the cardstock from the die. Lay the embossing mat over the top of the die, and run it back through your machine.
The embossing mat is a thin rubber material. Here is my scientific explanation of the process- the mat will squish the cardstock into the nooks and crannies of the die without cutting the rubber mat. You will be left with a beautifully embossed and perfectly cut shape. Now. I know that this is a two part process, and you may be wondering why you don’t just layer the embossing mat on top of the die on the first pass through the machine? Well, you can. I tried it. But the cuts were not as clean- they were a little ragged. Cutting first, and then running it back through the machine to emboss is way better for the end result.
If you are making the elegant white cards- you are finished with the embossed and cut image. For this traditional DIY Christmas card, in green, you will want to sand the surface of the Core’dinations cardstock.
The lighter colored core of the cardstock, after sanding, will give you a rich tone-on-tone effect.
For the Gold cards, I manipulated the cardstock as well.
Cover the whole wreath with a light sweep of black Staz-On ink. You will want to use Staz-On, or another solvent ink on this cardstock. Other formulations (pigment ink, etc) do not dry on this cardstock.
Lightly sand the surface of the wreath. This will give the wreath a beautiful aged bronze look.
The next steps are for all three of the cards.
Choose a matching self-adhesive pearl to go with your wreath. You will notice on the wreath die that there are embossed “berries.”
Cover the berries with the pearls of your choice.
Using white cardstock, cut a banner shape, the bow (that came with the wreath) and a 1/2″ x 2″(ish) paper strip.
Bend the paper strip, and adhere it underneath the bottom of the inside portion of the wreath at the top. You are making a faux ribbon hanging for the wreath at the top of the DIY Christmas card.
Trim the paper strip flush to the top of the card.
Adhere the wreath, and the paper strip to the front of your chosen A2 card base.
Adhere the bow to the bottom of the paper strip.
To create the sentiment on the banner, I hand-wrote “Happy Holidays.” Listen, I don’t love my handwriting, but I like how it ended up! Use a pencil first! That is the trick to making it look nice.
Once you have your spacing how you like, go over your pencil marks with pen, and erase the pencil underneath.
Or- find a nice stamp! HA!
Adhere your banner to the wreath.
Repeat for as many cards as you would like.
Here are some individual shots of each of the cards I made.
Rustic Gold DIY Christmas Card:
Elegant White on White DIY Christmas Card:
And a Traditional color palette DIY Christmas card:
I love how each of them turned out! I have a big decision to make! Weigh in. Which DIY Christmas card do you like the best?
Either way, I hope I have sold you on this gorgeous wreath die. If you’re looking for other DIY Christmas card ideas, check out these Merry and Bright DIY Christmas cards.
More Project Ideas
Die Cut Handmade Christmas Card Tutorial
Coloring Page Christmas Cards with Holiday Printables
Handmade Christmas Cards Made Easy
Simple DIY Christmas Card Ideas
Merry & Bright DIY Christmas Cards
Christmas Card DIY: Embossed Ornaments & Cutout Tree
1, 2, 3 Die Cut Holiday Cards DIY
Homemade Christmas Card Ideas: Die Cut Stars & Silhouette Santa
Rustic DIY Christmas Cards 
Woodland Themed DIY Holiday Cards
Hi. I just want to say that I absolutely LOVE your Craft Store. I did just come across this part of it?? I guess I have been living under a rock.. I’m signing up so I don’t miss one more thing!!! Loving all the Ideas!! Have a Wonderful Christmas!
Here it is the end of June 2016 and I just now came upon your site on how to use the wreath and bow die. I got it last year with anticipation and only could get the die to cut out.
I have a Cuttlebug and tried using my rubber mat called Stamping Details. When I put the die on the B plate, then the rubber mat, and then the C plate it is almost impossible to crank through the machine. At this point it feels as though if I forced it through something would break with my plastic Cuttlebug.
What am I doing wrong?
Jo
Hi Jo. I don’t know if you have figured out what you were doing wrong yet or not? I’m seeing this on 11/2/17 But I thought I would give it a shot.. When you Emboss you use the rubber Mat but NOT the C plate. That’s why you were having a hard time getting it through your machine. I hope this helps. Have a Wonderful Christmas this Year!!!
I was so happy to come across your information for this exact die which I received two days ago and was having such a problem with…I totally thought I must have bought a junkie die because it would only cut and not emboss at all…no matter what “sandwich” I would use in my Cuttlebug machine…but I kept searching for helpful information and there you were!! Well, I don’t have the mat for this, so today I went to my local Michael’s and they didn’t have it at all…so, I will have to order one…BUT, in the meantime, I decided to try the plumber’s gasket I bought a while back for another purpose…I got it at Home Depot and it’s a 6″ X 6″ square…looks a lot like the rubber that some rubber stamps are made with and it is 2mm thick…well, guess what…it worked!! I was truly amazed to see the beauty of this die up close and personal! However, I am placing my order for the regular mat that you suggested since I want to order some new B plates, too. I can’t thank you enough for this information!
All of the cards on here are very pretty….I really really like the white on white…it’s just beautiful, but yet I’m still a sucker for the traditional red and green…tough decision since I like them all, but still think I’d go with the red and green.
I am glad you had the plumbers gasket- it sounds like the same type of rubber. There is quite a selection of these cut and emboss dies! They are fantastic. I love adding detail and texture to my projects so easily. Thank you for your kind comments. We always like to see your creations on our Facebook page!
I’m so happy I found you! Just yesterday I received this wreath die and was so excited to try it. Well, first attempt only cut it…tried a few different ways (sandwiches) and it would cut but barely emboss…I mean you really couldn’t see it. I was beyond frustrated and thought I must have bought a junky die or something. Seeing your information about this really makes me happy…now all I need to do is get the rubber embossing mat and try your way! I do have a question, though…after I run it through my machine to cut it and leave the paper on the die and put the rubber mat over the die, do I still add my plate on top that was part of my original order before running it through to emboss it? I’m brand new to using dies…can you tell?!
I love love love that white on white card, but I guess I’m still a sucker for the good old red and green for Christmas so that’s the one I would choose…but what if there were little red berries on that white on white wreath….hmmmm….could be a game changer…LOL
Thank you again for making this post!
Guess it depends if you want your greeting to be serious or fun. Serious, the white on white, fun – green and red, in between – the gold. Now where can I find that die? I don’t have fancy Cameo or Cricut but do have the old style machine. I used it last year for cards, making ornaments, didn’t do too badly
JoAnn’s had the Cricut by Lia Griffith for $229 couple weeks ago but no matter how much i want one the cost of buying all the “stuff” to use it continually, besides cost of machine is just more than this gals SS income can handle. Will have to continue hand cutting items and using my old style die cutting machine. Maybe someday but right now just can’t justify expense to use a Cricut. That would be of course if I could even figure out how to use it. I am quite digitally challenged.Haven’t downloaded Windows 10 yet on this windows 7 machine, thought I’d download on my 8.1 that has given me so many roaring headaches. (Not mentioning of course my temper tantrums when I can’t figure darned thing out.See told you I was digitally challenged.) After that embarrassing confession think it’s time to say Adieu. Happy week
Loved how your cards looked.
JaneEllen-
I always love your comments! Thank you for your kind words and your support. 🙂
I have not downloaded Windows 10 either. I am just fine with the operating system I have, and like you, I am afraid of things changing! “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
The wreath, bow, and banner that I used on all three of the cards are a DIE! I hand cranked it through my die cutting machine. I am pretty sure it would work in the one you have.
I prefer manual die cutting machines.
I feel like I can work on projects wherever I want and I don’t have to be next to an outlet. Plus- the hand cranking counts as exercise, right? 😉
LOVE the white on white!! I am thinking that this die needs to show up in my mailbox!!! Elegant and classic!! What more can a girl ask for? TFS!
Thank you, Barb! I always like a good white on white. Unless I am eating chocolate. 😉