I’m usually an A2 kind of card maker, but the new Evergreen Wishes Collection from Brass & Bliss includes several products designed for 5×7 cards.
So I decided to give the extra elbow room a try.
And apparently, snowflakes enjoy having room to spread out!
This white-on-white Christmas card uses die-cut snowflakes, nested stitched rectangles, and plenty of dimension to create an elegant background. It looks wonderfully detailed, but the technique is much easier than the finished card might suggest.
Creating the Snowflake Background
I began with one large white cardstock panel and covered it with snowflakes cut using the Small Snowflake with Shadow Die.
Some of the snowflakes are completely visible, while others extend beyond the edges of the panel. Letting the design run off the cardstock makes the background feel continuous instead of carefully contained.
Once all the snowflakes were attached, I trimmed away anything extending beyond the outer edges.
The white-on-white combination keeps the design soft and elegant, while the raised die cuts create subtle shadows that help each snowflake stand out.
The Secret to the Layered Frames
Here’s where the card gets especially fun.
After completing the snowflake background, I cut the entire panel with several of the 5×7 Nested Classic Stitch Rectangle Dies. This divided the design into multiple stitched rectangles and frames. I used every 3rd size of rectangle.
I then reassembled the pieces in their original positions, using foam adhesive to raise alternating sections.
Because the snowflakes were added before the rectangles were cut, the pattern stays perfectly aligned as it travels across the different levels. A snowflake may begin on one frame and continue onto the next, even though the pieces sit at different heights.
It’s similar to an eclipse technique, but instead of raising a word or individual image, we’re creating elevated stitched frames.
The result has plenty of dimension without adding more colors, patterned papers, or embellishments.
A Soft Sentiment in Tranquil
For the greeting, I used the Simple Joys stamp set with Tranquil ink from Catherine Pooler Designs. If you don't have this color, you will love having it for winter cards!
The soft blue is just enough to help the sentiment stand apart from the white background, but it doesn’t interrupt the peaceful monochromatic look.
I cut the greeting with a Nested Circle Small Stitch Die and added it near the lower-right corner. A few clear gems provide a tiny bit of sparkle—because snowflakes deserve at least a little sparkle.
Yes, the 5×7 Dies Fit in a Regular Big Shot
You do not need an oversized die-cutting machine to use these larger dies.
I used my regular Sizzix Big Shot for all the die cutting on this card, including the 5×7 Nested Classic Stitch Rectangle Dies. You do not need the Big Shot Plus.
This was my first little whirl with the larger card size, but it still stayed true to my favorite clean-and-simple style. The extra space gave the snowflakes room to spread out, while the nested dies did most of the creative heavy lifting.
Products Featured
Other supplies used:
- Tranquil Ink from Catherine Pooler Designs
- Clear gems
- Foam adhesive
A Clean and Simple 5×7 Christmas Card
I love that this card looks intricate without requiring a complicated color palette or a million separate elements.
Starting with one completed snowflake background and then cutting it into nested frames keeps the entire design perfectly aligned. Raising alternating sections adds all that beautiful dimension, while the white-on-white palette prevents the layers from becoming overwhelming.
It may be larger than my usual card, but it is still clean, simple, and completely my style.
Would you try a 5×7 Christmas card, or are you firmly on Team A2?
XOXO,
Meg
