Hello, crafty friends! Today, I’m excited to share a holiday card idea that’s a little playful, a little whimsical, and oh-so-merry! Combining the charm of the Spellbinders Big Bicycle Etched Dies with the festive Cats & Pugs Sentiments Stamp Set, I crafted a holiday card that has all the warmth and charm of the season—and a touch of furry cuteness. I’ll walk you through how I created a colorful, festive bicycle centerpiece that’s just perfect for the holiday season. Grab your supplies and let’s dive in!
Have a Merry Furry Christmas:
Why I Chose Watercolor Washes for This Project
When I sat down to create this card, I knew I wanted something a little different from the usual red and green. Enter my Distress Reinkers and a stack of Canson XL Watercolor Paper! I wanted a mix of holiday hues, but also a blend of tones that felt soft and dreamy for a winter scene. Using watercolor washes was a great way to control the colors, adding a depth and richness that really makes each die-cut piece pop.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to get more variety from your supplies, try creating watercolor washes with different reinker colors. Half sheets of watercolor paper are a great way to test combinations and give each die-cut its own unique shade. Plus, it adds a beautiful handmade quality to your project.
Assembling the Bicycle: Adding a Touch of Festivity
With each watercolor wash dried and ready, I used the Big Bicycle Etched Dies to cut out each piece of the bicycle. I love how this die set gives you the freedom to mix and match colors—every element from the wheels to the frame gets its own moment to shine. After cutting out the bicycle’s outline from Neenah Solar White 80 lbs Cardstock, I glued each watercolor die-cut piece onto the outline, creating a charming, one-of-a-kind bicycle. The blend of colors in the watercolor washes really brought the bicycle to life.
Now, to add a little seasonal flair, I cut several poinsettias from the die set to fill the bicycle’s basket. There’s something so cheerful about a bicycle basket overflowing with holiday florals, don’t you think? I decided to keep the poinsettias in various
shades of red and pink to give a subtle holiday vibe without overpowering the design.
Pro Tip: For a fuller, more dimensional look, try layering or gently curling the petals of your die-cut poinsettias before attaching them to your project. It’s a small step that adds a lot of visual interest!
Creating a Dreamy Winter Background
Once the bicycle was assembled, I set it aside to focus on the background. I reached for my Distress Oxide Inks in Spun Sugar, Shaded Lilac, and Tumbled Glass—such a beautiful blend for a soft, wintery feel. I ink-blended the colors onto a piece of Neenah Solar White 80 lbs Cardstock that I’d trimmed to 4” x 5.25”. These colors remind me of a crisp winter morning, just before the sun rises fully, when everything has that cool, frosty glow.
Blending these three shades gave me the perfect backdrop for the bicycle and poinsettias to stand out without distracting from the details. If you’re new to ink blending, start with a light hand and build up the colors gradually—this will help you achieve that soft, seamless gradient that makes a big difference in the final look.
Pro Tip: When blending Distress Oxide Inks, using a light touch in small circles helps achieve a smooth transition between colors. Take your time, and don’t be afraid to go back over areas that need a little extra blending!
Adding a Festive Sentiment from Cats & Pugs
With the background complete, it was time to add a sentiment. I turned to the Cats & Pugs Sentiments Stamp Set, which has so many fun, playful holiday greetings. I stamped one of the sentiments in Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink, a crisp black ink that’s perfect for a bold, clear sentiment. I loved how the whimsical font complemented the bicycle design and added that extra touch of holiday cheer.
Finishing Touches: Bringing the Card Together
To bring everything together, I adhered the ink-blended background to a top-folding A2 card base cut from Neenah Solar White Ultra Thick Cardstock. This cardstock is a favorite of mine because it holds up beautifully, especially with layered and dimensional cards like this one. I added a few white highlights on the poinsettias and bicycle with my Uni-ball Signo White Gel Pen, just to give a bit of shine and polish.
Pro Tip: White gel pen highlights are an easy way to add depth and dimension to your cards. Use it sparingly along the edges or raised areas to give your die cuts a little extra life!
Final Thoughts
This card is one of those projects that comes together with just a few thoughtful steps—watercolor washes, ink blending, and a bit of die-cutting magic—but ends up with a look that’s truly one-of-a-kind. The Big Bicycle Etched Dies paired with a holiday sentiment from the Cats & Pugs Stamp Set give it a fun, seasonal twist that’s perfect for sending warm wishes (and a touch of whimsy!) to friends and family.
I hope this project inspires you to try something a little different with your holiday cards this season. Experiment with your favorite colors, play around with watercolor washes, or simply add a new die set into your collection for a unique design. Until next time, happy crafting and have a Merry Furry Christmas!
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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
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