Hello, crafty friends! Welcome to Day 17 of my Holiday Card Series for 2024. I am so excited to share today’s project with you because it’s one of those techniques that looks intricate but is surprisingly easy to achieve. We’re talking about a stained glass card technique featuring the stunning Christmas Morn Nativity Etched Dies and Peace Dove Etched Dies from Spellbinders. If you’ve ever admired the beauty of stained glass windows, this project is going to steal your heart.
Stain Glass Card Technique:
A Touch of Holiday Magic
The stained glass technique is perfect for holiday cards because it adds elegance, texture, and a bit of sparkle—and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a little glitter during the holidays? For this card, I combined die cuts, acetate, and glitter to create a dimensional focal point that really pops. Whether you’re making a nativity-themed card or a festive tree design, this technique will make your holiday cards truly stand out.
A Quick Note on Supplies
Before diving into the details, let’s talk about the key supplies. The Christmas Morn Nativity Etched Dies were ideal for this project because of the intricate design, while the Peace Dove Etched Dies added versatility with elements like the tree, florals, and, of course, the sentiment. I also used acetate to mimic the look of glass and layered my die cuts with adhesive and glitter for a sparkling finish. If you’re like me, you probably have a stash of glitter and cardstock ready to go, but if not, this is a great excuse to dig through your craft supplies and get creative.
The Process: Bringing Stained Glass to Life
The inspiration for this project came when I was sorting through my craft room and stumbled upon my acetate sheets. I immediately thought of how beautiful a stained glass effect would look on a card. The key to this technique is layering. I cut the stained glass piece twice from black cardstock and once from white cardstock, then added acetate between the layers to create the illusion of glass. Pro tip: when working with intricate die cuts, use a strong adhesive to keep everything in place—score tape works beautifully here.
Now, let me tell you about a little hiccup I ran into. I’d planned to use packing tape for the adhesive layer (it’s great for glitter techniques), but I couldn’t find my roll anywhere. After a few moments of panic—and a quick dig through my supplies—I realized I could use score tape instead. It’s not just a lifesaver but also an excellent way to evenly distribute adhesive for glitter. Sometimes improvising leads to the best results, right?
Once the glitter was applied, I added the white cardstock layer to the back for a clean finish. The stained glass piece was then mounted onto a white arch cut from the die set and layered over an embossed panel from my stash. I’ve said it before, but having ready-made embossed panels on hand is a game changer when you need a polished look in a hurry.
A Festive Variation
Because I couldn’t stop at just one card, I decided to create a second version using the tree from the Peace Dove Etched Dies. This time, I used glitter on the acetate tree to give it a frosted effect and added floral and berry elements along with one of the doves. This card was my "test piece," where I played around with the technique and learned what worked (and what didn’t) without packing tape. It’s a bit less polished than the nativity card, but I love how it turned out—sometimes those experimental designs become my favorites.
Tips for Success
If you’re thinking about trying this technique, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Die Cutting Precision: Use a precision die-cutting machine and a metal shim if needed to ensure clean cuts, especially with intricate designs.
Adhesive Options: While packing tape is great for glitter techniques, don’t hesitate to use score tape or another strong adhesive if you’re in a pinch. Just make sure it’s sticky enough to hold the glitter.
Glitter Containment: Glitter can be messy, so work over a coffee filter or piece of scrap paper to catch the excess. This makes cleanup a breeze and allows you to pour any leftover glitter back into the container.
Layering for Dimension: Stack your die cuts carefully to create depth and avoid warping. A bit of patience here goes a long way.
Embossed Panels: Keep a stash of pre-embossed panels in neutral colors to add texture and interest to your cards without extra effort.
Wrapping It Up
This stained glass technique is such a fun way to add elegance and sparkle to your holiday cards. Whether you’re creating a nativity scene or a glittering tree, the results are sure to wow your recipients. If you’d like to see the process in action, be sure to check out the video tutorial linked at the top of this post. I’d love to hear your thoughts and see your creations—don’t forget to share them in the comments or tag me on social media.
Happy crafting, and I’ll see you back here after the holiday!
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Stain Glass Card Technique Video Tutorial:
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(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!
Thank you for dropping by today I hope that you find this video and blog post helpful on making [FILL IN PROJECT DETAILS HERE!]
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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