Hello, crafty friends! With the holidays right around the corner, I'm thrilled to share a project that combines a playful design with functionality: a Rudolph Stocking Gift Card Holder! If you’re anything like me, you probably love a project that’s as practical as it is adorable—and this one definitely checks both boxes. Plus, with Pixi Dust Designs’ versatile dies and festive papers, pulling this look together was as easy as pie. So, let’s dive into the details of this cheerful card!
Rudolph Stocking Gift Card Holder:
Gathering Your Supplies: Holiday Cheer with Pixi Dust Designs
For this card, I used some of my favorites from Pixi Dust Designs, including the Stocking Gift Card Holder Dies, X-mas Pals Dies, Nesting Frame Dies, Holly Jolly Stamp Set, and the Let it Snow 6x6 Pattern Paper Pad. I love how these products work together so seamlessly; each piece brings its own charm, and they’re versatile enough to create all kinds of holiday cards and gifts.
One thing I like to do when I start a project is to set out all my materials so I can get a feel for the colors and textures. It’s a bit like setting up an artist’s palette! For this gift card holder, I went with a classic Christmas palette—Cranberry, Nutmeg, and Chocolate cardstock for Rudolph’s features, and a snowy white shimmer for the stocking top and his face. It really makes the card feel cozy, traditional, and fun.
Crafting the Stocking & Adding Holiday Details
To start, I used a striped paper from the Let it Snow Pattern Paper Pad for the stocking and gift card slider holder. I love how the stripes add a festive, candy-cane-like vibe! From the Stocking Gift Card Holder Dies, I cut out the stocking and slider, ensuring that both had the same background pattern for a cohesive look.
Pro Tip: When choosing a patterned paper for your base, look for something that’s festive but not too busy. A subtle pattern adds depth without overwhelming the design, especially when you have other elements like Rudolph’s adorable face and embellishments.
Adding Rudolph’s Character with Cardstock Layers
One of my favorite parts of this project was adding Rudolph’s features. The X-mas Pals Dies are perfect for this—they have everything you need to create Rudolph’s nose, eyes, and even his little hooves. I cut out the main pieces for his face from Nutmeg and White Shimmer Cardstock, layering them to give a bit of depth. For his antlers and hooves, Chocolate cardstock was the perfect choice—it has just the right amount of contrast without looking too stark.
A Story Behind the Card: When I was a kid, I loved any holiday décor with Rudolph on it, so this design feels a bit nostalgic for me. There’s something magical about having his face peeking out from a stocking, like he’s just waiting to deliver some Christmas cheer. It’s a fun, quirky touch that makes this card feel extra special!
Bringing in the Holly & Berries for a Festive Pop
No Christmas stocking is complete without a sprig of holly, right? For the holly leaves, I used Juniper Cardstock for the top layer and Evergreen Cardstock for the base layer, cut using the Stocking Gift Card Holder Dies. The berries are cut from Cranberry Cardstock to tie in that classic red-and-green holiday palette.
Pro Tip: When layering cardstock pieces like holly, try adding a bit of ink blending around the edges for dimension. I used Pine Needles Distress Ink on the Juniper layer, which added just the right touch of depth, making the leaves look fuller and more dimensional.
Adding Depth with Ink Blending Techniques
For a card like this, adding a bit of ink blending can really make your elements pop. I blended Aged Mahogany Distress Ink on the Cranberry cardstock pieces, which intensified the red just enough without overpowering the other colors. For the Nutmeg and Chocolate pieces, I used Walnut Stain Distress Ink for a soft, cozy shadow effect. The only pieces I didn’t ink were the White Shimmer layers—those stayed crisp and clean to balance out the inky details.
Ink blending is one of those techniques that can be a little intimidating at first, but it’s so worth it. If you’re new to blending, my best advice is to start with a light hand and build up slowly. This way, you can always add more ink but won’t have to worry about overdoing it.
Assembling the Stocking & Adding the Gift Card Pocket
Once all the pieces were cut and inked, it was time to assemble! Using a Precision Glue Press, I layered the stocking pieces together and attached the gift card pocket on the back of the stocking. This setup makes it easy to slip a gift card in and out while keeping everything secure. I love that the stocking itself becomes the gift—practical and pretty!
Adding Rudolph to the pull tab was the cherry on top. His head sits right on the pull tab, so he peeks out of the stocking when you pull the slider up. I also added his legs at the top of the stocking, giving the effect that he’s just popping out for a bit of holiday fun. It’s such a small touch, but it really brings him to life!
Adding the Sentiment & Finishing Touches
For the sentiment, I stamped “Holly Jolly Christmas” from the Holly Jolly Stamp Set in Versafine Clair Fallen Leaves Ink onto a white frame cut with the smallest die from the Nesting Frame Dies set. I mounted it on a coordinating red mat and placed it at the center of the stocking. The white frame stands out beautifully against the patterned paper, making the sentiment easy to read without overpowering the design.
As a finishing touch, I added a few white gel pen highlights with my White Milky Pop Gel Pen on Rudolph’s nose, antlers, and the berries. These little highlights create the illusion of light bouncing off the surface and make the whole card feel extra polished.
Pro Tip: When using a gel pen for highlights, less is more! A few well-placed dots or lines can bring a project to life without drawing too much attention away from the overall design.
Wrapping Up: A Holiday Gift That’s Both Fun and Functional
And there you have it—a Rudolph Stocking Gift Card Holder that’s festive, fun, and perfect for spreading holiday cheer! This project not only holds a gift card but adds a personal, handcrafted touch that friends and family will appreciate. I hope this inspires you to create your own version with Pixi Dust Designs’ versatile products.
Don’t forget to check out the full video tutorial to see each step in action and feel free to leave a comment or share your own holiday creations. Here’s to a holly jolly crafting season!
Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the products used in this post contain affiliate links, which help support future tutorials at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!
Rudolph Stocking Gift Card Holder 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!
This project is a simple yet charming way to bring joy to the holidays, and I can’t wait to see how you personalize yours. Happy crafting, and may your holiday season be filled with creativity and cheer!
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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