The dies and embossing folder in the Merriest Moments bundle just begged to be used on some of the Shimmer Vellum paper from the 2021 Stampin’ Up Annual Catalog. In keeping with the Christmas theme, it was just natural to use the Evening Evergreen shimmer vellum to try it out. This vellum embosses perfectly! Once I had my embossed element created, I set out to figure out what to pair it with.

How to Pair the Embossed Element

Because there’s so much detail in the embossed element, I searched through all of my different designer series paper (DSP) collections. I was looking for a complimentary background that wouldn’t compete with the pretty embossed piece. After a search, a couple potential solutions came to mind.

I extensively used the Tidings of Christmas DSP when creating the cards for my Tidings of Christmas Card Class. Just one of the designs in this collection would work well to not out-compete the embossing.

Another possibility is the Whimsy and Wonder DSP from the 2021 Aug-Dec Mini Catalog. I LOVE this paper!! It’s my favorite out of the entire catalog (and that says a lot considering how much I adore the cute golden retrievers in the Sweet Stockings DSP.) There were 3 possible patterns that were a good color match. However 2 were rather busy and took the focus away from the embossed element, while the third was a little plain.

In the end, it was the Soft Succulent paper from the 2021 In Colors DSP assortment that won out. This paper collection is found in the 2021 Annual Catalog on page 134. I liked the cross-hatched design the best for this particular card. The pattern on the far right could also work.

A little Evening Evergreen ink for the stamped sentiment, backed by some Evening Evergreen cardstock, and this card came together rather quickly.

Pro tip: you can cut the sentiment backer out of the Evening Evergreen used behind the DSP, using the rectangular die from the Merriest Moments bundle. Once you cover it up with the DSP, you’ll never see the hole in the middle!

The Rest of the Card

I used the Tidings of Christmas stamp set to stamp the sentiment and the Merriest Moments bundle to die cut and emboss the primary decorative element. This bundle is really cool. Not only is there the stamps and dies, but it also comes with a matching embossing folder. The folder is designed to pair perfectly with the two largest dies. Or, you can simply use it as an embossing folder right onto your cardstock.

No card is complete without a little bling. I added some solid Subtle Shimmer Sequins from the holiday catalog to add some subtle sparkle. And finally, I backed the entire thing onto a piece of Evening Evergreen cardstock cut to 4 1/8 x 4 1/8 set on top of a top-folding landscape card base. That gives a nice 1/16th” edge all around.

Need to Make Lots of Cards?

If I were to use this design to make bulk Christmas cards, I would probably use the pattern shown above from the Tidings of Christmas paper. Given there are just 2 sheets of each of the designs in the 2021 In Colors DSP collection, you could only get 2 cards out of each paper pack. There are 8 sheets each in the Tidings of Christmas DSP, so 8 cards per pack there. With some strategic cutting, you could get 12 cards using the less-patterned paper from one package of the Whimsy & Wonder DSP if you really needed to make a lot of cards with this design. Likewise, there are 2 12×12 sheets in the Shimmer Vellum, which also allows for 12 embossed elements from one package.

Watch How I Used the Merriest Moments Bundle to Make this Monochromatic Christmas Card

Want More Ideas using the Merriest Moments Bundle?

Check out these posts for even more quick and easy handmade Christmas card ideas using the Merriest Moments bundle.

And you can see more holiday inspo using products from the 2021 Aug-Dec Mini Catalog here.

One more sample!

As promised in the video, I have one more card idea to share using this bundle. It’s a total departure from the other cards I’ve made with this set. It uses the Green Foil sheets that are making a return appearance in this year’s holiday catalog. This card is also made with the annual DSP, this time in Cherry Cobbler paper.