Posted by Yana Smakula
on September 27, 2026
Looking for a festive Christmas card that combines hot foiling, stenciling, and letterpress techniques? This colorful holiday project features a softly shaded ornament, a pressed sentiment, layered arch panels, and shimmering gold snowflakes. The Tied With Cheer BetterPress plate and stencil set makes it easy to coordinate the ornament imagery and greeting, while the Winter Peace plate creates an elegant foiled background.
In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn how to foil the snowflakes, stencil ornaments with dimensional color, position the BetterPress details, and assemble the finished card with layers and embellishments.
Hello, crafty friends! Marie here with a fun Christmas-themed card to share with you. Let’s get started!
Project Snapshot
| Project Details | A layered Christmas card featuring a stenciled ornament, BetterPress sentiment, gold hot-foiled snowflake background, and glitter cardstock accents |
|---|---|
| Skill Level | Intermediate |
| Approximate Time | 45–60 minutes |
| Project Type | Handmade holiday card |
| Techniques | Hot foiling, BetterPress printing, stenciling, ink blending, die cutting, layering, and embellishing |
| Occasion | Christmas and winter holidays |
| Finished Size | Not specified in the original tutorial |
| Featured Products | Tied With Cheer BetterPress plate and stencil set, Winter Peace plate, and Essential Arches dies |
What You’ll Need
Spellbinders Supplies
This card features the Winter Peace snowflake plate, the Tied With Cheer BetterPress plate and stencil set, and the Essential Arches die set. Gold hot foil adds shine to the background, while black BetterPress ink makes the ornament details and sentiment stand out clearly.
Spellbinders Supplies:
Other Supplies
- White cardstock
- Gold glitter cardstock
- Red and green inks
- Ink-blending tools
- Foam adhesive
- Self-adhesive rhinestones or other embellishments
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Foil the Snowflake Background
Heat the Glimmer platform according to the machine instructions. Add the Winter Peace plate, gold hot foil, and cardstock to create the foiling sandwich.
Run the heated platform through your compatible die-cutting machine, then carefully peel away the foil to reveal the glimmered snowflakes.
Designer Tip: Save the remaining snowflake foil negative. You can use it with a solid hot foil plate to create a second background through reverse foiling.
2. Die Cut the Arch Layers
Use the Essential Arches dies to cut two coordinating panels. Cut the larger arch from gold glitter cardstock, then cut the next smaller size from white cardstock. The narrow gold border gives the focal panel definition while coordinating with the foiled snowflakes.
3. Stencil the Green Accent Ornaments
Position the Tied With Cheer stencil over the smaller white arch. The set includes a template that can help align the press plates, although the template is not needed for the design shown here.
Blend green ink through portions of the stencil to add a few ornaments around the edges of the arch. These partial ornaments introduce more color and help frame the main focal image.
4. Ink Blend the Main Red Ornament
Blend red ink through the main ornament opening. Apply more color around the outer edges and leave the center slightly lighter. This simple change in pressure creates the appearance of light reflecting from the ornament and gives the flat stenciled image more dimension.
5. Press the Ornament Tie
Use the grid on the BetterPress platform and platen to align the ornament tie plate with the stenciled image. Apply black BetterPress ink to the plate, secure the cardstock to the platen, and run the platform through your compatible die-cutting machine.
After pressing the tie, leave the ornament panel taped to the platen. Keeping the cardstock in the same position makes it easier to align the sentiment accurately in the next step.
6. Press the Sentiment
Remove the ornament tie plate and position your chosen sentiment plate in the center of the ornament. Ink the sentiment with black BetterPress ink, then run the platform through your die-cutting machine again.
7. Assemble the Card Layers
Adhere the white ornament panel to the larger gold glitter arch. Add foam adhesive behind the layered arches, then attach them to the foiled snowflake background. The raised focal panel adds dimension and separates the colorful ornament from the detailed background.
8. Add the Finishing Embellishments
Add self-adhesive rhinestones around the snowflakes for a final touch of sparkle. You can also use sequins, gems, or small ribbon accents already in your craft supplies.
Tips for the Best Results
- Secure the stencil: Hold the cardstock and stencil in place with low-tack tape to prevent the ornament shapes from shifting.
- Build the ink gradually: Begin with a light layer and deepen the color around the ornament’s edges to create a smooth highlight.
- Preserve the alignment: Keep the ornament panel attached to the BetterPress platen between impressions so the tie and sentiment remain correctly positioned.
- Test the plate placement: Check the ornament tie and sentiment positions before applying ink and running the BetterPress platform through the machine.
- Save your foil negatives: The leftover snowflake foil can be reverse foiled to make another coordinating holiday background.
Ways to Customize Your Ornament Christmas Card
- Replace the traditional red and green palette with blue, silver, and white for a wintry design.
- Use a different sentiment from the Tied With Cheer set to suit another holiday recipient.
- Try silver, champagne, or iridescent foil for a different snowflake effect.
- Stencil the smaller ornaments in several colors to create a playful background.
- Replace the rhinestones with sequins, pearls, or another small embellishment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can BetterPress plates be used with the Glimmer Hot Foil System?
Only use plates with systems and techniques approved for those specific products. For this project, the Winter Peace plate creates the hot-foiled snowflakes, while the Tied With Cheer plates are used with the BetterPress system for the ornament details and sentiment.
How do you create a highlight on a stenciled ornament?
Apply the red ink more heavily around the outside of the ornament while using a lighter hand through the center. The softer center creates the appearance of reflected light.
How can I keep the BetterPress sentiment centered?
Use the platform grid to position the plate and keep the cardstock taped to the platen after pressing the ornament tie. This preserves the cardstock placement while you arrange the sentiment.
What can I do with the leftover hot foil?
Save the foil negative after revealing the snowflake background. It can be used with a compatible solid hot foil plate to create a second background through reverse foiling.
Create More Dimension with Coordinating Cardmaking Techniques
Combining hot foiling, stenciling, BetterPress printing, and layered die cuts creates a Christmas card with plenty of color, shine, and dimension. The softly blended ornament remains the focal point, while the gold snowflakes and glitter cardstock add an elegant holiday finish. Try changing the colors, foil, sentiment, or embellishments to make this design your own.
Thanks so much for stopping by to see this tutorial featuring the Tied With Cheer ornament. I hope it inspires you to combine your BetterPress and Glimmer systems on your next holiday card!
Until next time,
Marie
About the Designer
Marie Heiderscheit is the creator behind Marie Nicole Designs, where she shares handmade cards, creative techniques, and inspiring paper-crafting projects. Through her tutorials and project ideas, she hopes to encourage creativity and be a positive presence in the crafting community.
