Hello, crafty friends! Today, I’m excited to share a project that holds a special place in my heart—this Breathtaking Nativity Silhouette Christmas Card is the second feature in my Holiday Card Series, and I think you’ll love how it came together! It’s a card that brings peace and elegance, combining a beautifully blended sunset sky with bold, striking silhouettes.
If you’re like me, Christmas cards are a way to spread not just holiday cheer but a bit of serenity, too. This design, with its rich colors and dramatic silhouette, captures that feeling perfectly. And the best part? It’s easier to make than it looks, with just a few key products and techniques.
Breathtaking Nativity Silhouette Christmas Card:
The Inspiration Behind This Card
When I was planning out this design, I knew I wanted to create something that felt calm yet eye-catching, and the Nativity Silhouette Dies from Pajama Crafter Stamps were the perfect fit. I love how a single, strong silhouette can make such a powerful statement. Pair that with a sunset sky, and you have a card that feels peaceful and magical at the same time.
One of the things I enjoy most about making Christmas cards is playing with color. I often find myself inspired by the colors of the sky at sunset—those moments where the sky is filled with warm oranges, soft pinks, and deep blues fading into night. That’s where the idea for this background came from. The ink blending creates such a dramatic scene, almost like the nativity itself is happening in that moment of day turning to night.
Ink Blending for a Striking Sunset
For the background, I reached for my Distress Oxide Inks—Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves, Prize Ribbon, and Black Soot. These colors work together beautifully to create a gradient that goes from warm and bright at the horizon to deep and dark at the top, mimicking the natural shift in the sky as the sun sets.
Pro Tip: When ink blending, I like to start with my lightest color at the bottom and work my way up, blending each color into the next. I find that using a soft touch at first helps create a smoother blend. If your colors aren’t blending as well as you’d like, just go back and forth between them with a light hand until you achieve that seamless look. And don’t be afraid to layer! Sometimes going over the same area again can really make the colors pop.
After blending, I spritzed the panel with some shimmer sprays I made by mixing Gold Liquid Watercolors with a bit of water, and I added also added a little White Iridescent Shimmer Spray (from Hero Arts) as well. This adds a subtle sparkle to the sky, making it feel magical—like the stars are just starting to twinkle.
Personal Story: I remember the first time I tried adding shimmer sprays to a card—my craft room was absolutely covered in glitter for days afterward! Now I make sure to spritz in a controlled space, but I can’t deny how much I love the sparkle it adds. Sometimes, a little extra shimmer is exactly what a card needs to feel finished.
Bringing the Nativity Scene to Life with Die-Cuts
Once the background was ready, it was time to add the focal point—the beautiful nativity scene and sentiment. I used the star die from the Nativity Silhouette Dies for the scene and the Christmas Words with Shadow Dies for the “Merry Christmas” sentiment, both cut from gold holographic foil cardstock. I cut the nativity silhouette from Pitch Black Cardstock. I love how the holographic shine contrasts with the deep colors of the background.
Cutting these elements from such a reflective cardstock adds a wow factor without any extra effort. The gold plays off the shimmer of the sky perfectly, creating a cohesive and elegant look.
For the shadow layer behind the sentiment, I went with Neenah Solar White Cardstock, which helps the gold lettering stand out even more against the busy background. I always find that adding a shadow layer behind intricate die-cuts helps give the design some depth, making it easier to read and more visually appealing.
Pro Tip: When adhering delicate die-cuts like these, I highly recommend using a fine-tip liquid glue, like Bearly Arts Liquid Glue. It dries clear and allows for just enough wiggle room to make sure everything is perfectly aligned.
Finishing Touches to Make the Design Shine
No card is complete without a few finishing touches, right? I added the star from the Nativity Silhouette Dies above the scene, which ties the whole nativity story together. To finish off the card, I placed a few Fairy Dust Rhinestones around the sentiment and nativity for that final bit of sparkle.
I layered the entire ink-blended panel onto a slightly larger piece of gold holographic cardstock (cut to 4 1/8” x 5 3/8”), which frames the scene beautifully, before adhering it to a top-folding A2 card base made from Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock. This thick cardstock base really helps the card feel sturdy and professional, especially when adding so many layers.
Why I Love This Design
I think what I love most about this card is the balance between simplicity and elegance. The ink blending creates a soft, peaceful backdrop, while the bold silhouette of the nativity scene adds drama and meaning. It’s a card that speaks without saying too much—a perfect sentiment for the holidays.
And, of course, the shimmer and sparkle give it that extra festive touch! This is one of those designs that looks impressive but is totally achievable for any card maker, no matter your experience level. With just a few techniques—ink blending, die-cutting, and layering—you can create a card that feels unique and thoughtful, perfect for sharing with loved ones this season.
Final Thoughts
I hope this card has inspired you to try something new with your holiday card making! Whether you’re blending sunset skies or experimenting with bold die-cuts, don’t be afraid to get creative and make the design your own.
If you give this card a try, I’d love to see your version! Feel free to tag me on social media so I can check out your beautiful creations. And if you’d like to see the full process, be sure to watch the video tutorial I’ve linked below.
Happy crafting, and I’ll see you in the next post of the Holiday Card Series!
Video Tutorial:
If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!
(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
Affiliate Disclaimer:
Just a friendly reminder, as part of my commitment to transparency, please note that some of the links provided maybe affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is truly appreciated!
Additionally, I kindly ask that you always accept the tracking cookie for the affiliate websites. Rest assured, this will not in any way expose your computer to viruses or compromise your information. It's simply necessary for the company to attribute the sale to the affiliate, ensuring creators like myself receive their rightful commissions.
Your trust and support enable me to continue sharing creativity through my email lists, blog, and YouTube channel. Thank you for being a valued part of our crafting community!
Comments