Who says Christmas stamps are only for Christmas? Today, I’m diving into a fun little experiment: turning the Elfin’ Christmas Stamp Set from Pajama Crafter Stamps into a Halloween card! If you’ve ever looked at your stash of holiday stamps and wondered if you could stretch them beyond their seasonal limits, this project is for you. I’m all about finding new ways to use what we already have, and this one might be my favorite twist yet! So, let’s talk about how to bring a spooky vibe to a traditionally festive little elf.
Using Christmas Stamps for a Halloween Card:
Thinking Outside the (Gift) Box: Transforming a Christmas Stamp into Halloween Fun
You’ve probably been there—you’re flipping through your stamps, and you spot that cute little elf you only get to use once a year. It’s tempting to tuck him away until December, but I thought, why not give him a costume change? By simply switching up the color palette, that sweet little elf can transform into something perfectly suited for Halloween. I stamped him onto a piece of Hammermill Smooth 100lb Cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (a favorite combo of mine for coloring with alcohol markers especially the OLO markers), and then came the fun part—choosing the colors.
Instead of the usual reds and greens, I grabbed my OLO Markers and went for oranges, greens, and warm grays. Think pumpkin patches and spooky nights instead of jingle bells and snowflakes! His present; now it's a mysterious package that feels more like a trick than a treat.
Pro Tip: When changing up the color scheme of a stamp that’s designed for a specific season, focus on a palette that represents the holiday you're transitioning to. Orange, green, and even purple are great for Halloween, while touches of black or gray can ground the design and make it feel cohesive.
Embossing for Extra Texture and Interest
Now, I wanted to give this card a little extra something, so I reached for my clear embossing powder and heat tool. I stamped the elf and some stars from the same stamp set onto a 2” x 4” piece of Hammermill cardstock, using Versamark Ink after prepping the cardstock with my trusty Cottontail Powder Tool. I covered it with Ultra Fine Clear Embossing Powder (from Hero Arts) and heat set it for that lovely raised, shiny effect. Once the panel cooled, I blended over it with Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge Distress Inks, which really brought out that emboss resist technique I love so much.
Pro Tip: When using emboss resist, make sure to buff off the excess ink with a paper towel after blending. This keeps your embossed images crisp and clean, while allowing the ink to settle into the background.
And because I was already in embossing mode, I took a piece of Navy cardstock and deepened the color with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink before stamping a sentiment in Versamark Ink. I added White Detailed Embossing Powder (also from Hero Arts) and heat set it for a bold, bright sentiment. It’s one of those little touches that makes the card pop, and it’s such a simple technique.
Don’t Forget the Inside!
I’ll admit, I sometimes get so caught up in decorating the outside of my cards that I forget to add a little something to the inside! But for this one, I made sure to keep the theme going. I stamped the girl elf, a few stars, and a sentiment inside the card using Peeled Paint Distress Oxide Ink. It’s a subtle way to tie everything together, and it makes opening the card that much more fun for the recipient.
Story Time: I’ve learned from experience that adding details to the inside of a card, even something simple, really elevates the whole project. I once made a holiday card where I completely forgot the inside—my friend joked that it was the prettiest empty card they’d ever received! Now, I always make a point to add at least a sentiment inside.
Playing with Patterned Paper and Layers
When it came time to add layers to the card, I reached for my stash of patterned paper. I pulled out two designs from the Fall Into Autumn Paper Pad (from Violet Studios) and cut one piece to 4” x 5 1/4” and the other to 2” x 5 1/4”. I love using patterned paper to anchor a design, especially when I’m working with a lot of different elements. Layering these onto an A2 top-folding card base gave me a nice backdrop for the elf and his scene.
Pro Tip: If you can’t find the exact paper pad I used (which happens more often than I’d like!), don’t stress. Look for something with similar fall colors and patterns. It’s all about the overall feel, not the exact supplies. I did link an alternative paper pad in the supply list below. Since the Fall Into Autumn Paper Pad was sold out everywhere I checked this morning.
Adding Dimension and Sparkle with Die Cuts and Rhinestones
For the main focal point, I cut a square from Hammermill Smooth Cardstock (using a Square Die) and ink blended it with Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Peeled Paint, and Forest Moss Distress Inks. To frame this, I used a Scalloped Square Die and cut out a piece of gold holographic cardstock from my Holographic Mirror Paper Pad (from SBC). There’s just something magical about holographic paper—it shifts in the light, adding extra depth and interest to your design.
Once I had my little Halloween elf fussy cut and ready to go, I attached him to the ink-blended square using foam tape for a bit of dimension. A few highlights with a white gel pen on his hat and present brought him to life!
For the sentiment, I trimmed it out and layered it onto another piece of the same gold holographic cardstock, using foam tape to pop it up. And what’s a card without a little bling? I added a few New Penny and Cosmic rhinestones (both from Pajama Crafter Stamps) around the card front to finish things off. They added just the right amount of sparkle without stealing the spotlight from my spooky elf.
Wrapping It All Up
This card was such a fun way to think outside the (gift) box and get more mileage out of my Christmas stamps! Don’t be afraid to experiment with your holiday supplies—sometimes a little color change and some creative embossing are all you need to turn a festive stamp into something spooky and sweet for Halloween.
If you want to see how it all came together, be sure to check out the video tutorial I’ve linked below. And remember, whether you’re making holiday cards or putting a twist on them, the best part is having fun and letting your creativity shine.
Elfin' Christmas Halloween Card 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!
OLO Marker Color Combinations:
Bow & Outfit - YG1.4, YG1.6, G1.7, G1.8
Hat Trim, & Strips - WG3, WG5, WG7, WG9, RK
Hair - OR4.4, OR3.7, OR3.8
Hat, Presents, Strips, & Shoes - O2.4, O2.5, O2.7
Eyes - B2.4, B0.6
Skin Tone - OR2.0, OR4.2, OR4.4, O4.6
Cheeks - R0.2, R0.3
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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