Posted by Natasha Polite
on July 23, 2025
Hi friends! Natasha Polite of Polite Creations joining you today on the Hero Arts blog with a fun, bold Holiday card. The card features the Candy Cane Season Etched Dies from the Candy Cane Season Collection.
First, let's create the fun abstract background! I used the strokes and splatter stamps from the Mixed Textures Clear Stamp Set on an A2 panel of Poppy Cardstock. I stamped strokes in Cherry Core Ink across the panel, alternating the direction and size of the strokes.
I then used Watermark Ink to add strokes and splatter, again alternating directions and size. Since I am using embossing powders, I do this in stages. First stamping and heat embossing with White Detail Embossing Powder, then repeating the process with Gold Embossing Powder.
Do not be afraid to overlap the strokes as it adds more texture. Just ensure that areas are dry and cooled before stamping and repeating the process again.
With the panel complete and cooled, I cut the A2 panel down to 3 1/4" x 5". I centered the Candy Cane Season backer and die cut into the panel. I made sure to keep the die cut and all of the bits together, which will help with the placement later.
Now here comes the tricky part. I first die cut the Candy Cane Season backer from Gold cardstock. I then took the top layer of the die set and placed it on top, making sure to have it as centered as possible. I then used low-tac tape to keep everything in place and ran it through my die cutting machine. This created the outline effect with the die set.
I found that without the tape, the die will shift and you will not have a uniform outline thickness. You can place the letters that are cut to the side, but keep he tiny triangles for the As, and the center outlines for the D and O.
Next I created the shaker window by adhering Acetate to the back of the window. Then I carefully adhere the Gold outline of Candy Cane Season the front of the panel, filling in the gaps around the outline with the small pieces from the initial die cut into the Poppy panel. Lastly, I go in and add the gold inner pieces to the As, D, and O.
All that is left to do is add foam tape to the back of the panel, leaving space for my shaker mix. Next, add the mix and adhere this to an A2 panel of White Cardstock.
To finish the card off, I added two smaller peppermint clay pieces to the front. Sequins or enamel dots would also be a great option for the shaker mix!
Thank you for joining me today! I hope I have given you a little inspiration for ways to add texture to shake up your holiday cards this year.
Happy Crafting,
