A January or February birthday deserves a card that matches the weather, and a colored snowman on a heat embossed snowflake background does it without looking like a leftover Christmas card. The snowman comes from the Something About Christmas stamp set and the birthday line from a cut apart sentiment strip, so the set earns its keep well past December.
Colleen here. In the Midwest it gets C.O.L.D. in January and February, so this card mimics the mood, only cute instead of bitter. The background is the Grit and Glitter Snowflakes Background of the Month from December 2023.
Step 1: a heat embossed snowflake background
First step was to create a snowy background using December’s BOM Grit and Glitter Snowflake red rubber stamp! This stamp is filled with details! I started with a colored background panel that I had on hand from a previous crafty play date with myself! Then I heat embossed the Snowflake background using white embossing powder. Using white embossing powder lightened up the background quite a bit (and snow is white!). Then I added a bit of gold splatter, just because I love it, and then trimmed the panel using my deckled edge paper trimmer. I adhered the finished panel to a white 5.5×4.25 card base. You can see the details in that BOM in the photo below!
Step 2: color the snowman
Next, I worked on the Snowman, my focal point. If you love snowmen like I do, then Something About Christmas stamp set is for you!!! I stamped the snowman in permanent black ink so that the ink wouldn’t bleed when I colored him. Then I colored Mr. Snowman in the same shades as the background panel, purple and blue. I wanted to keep the colors consistent. I used Copic markers in V05, V06, V09, V17, B91, B93, and B95. For the grey hat, I used C1, C3, and C5. The leaves and berries on his hat were done in G16, G02, and R29. The carrot nose (so darn cute) was done in R29, YR04, and YR09.
Step 3: fussy cut, pop him up, add the birthday line
When I finished coloring Mr. Snowman, I fussy cut him out and placed him over the snowy background panel. I put glossy accents over his carrot nose and the berries and finished with a sentiment from Unity’s Cut Apart sentiment strips. I love using these when I want a small and basic sentiment! All you have to do is cut them out and you’re done!
Who this card is for
This card will definitely go to my daughter for her January birthday! So, think about those friends and family members who have a winter birthday, grab your Unity winter stamps, and get those cards done! Time is running out! Thanks for stopping by!
Where to get the stamps
The snowman and the line “There’s something about Christmas time” are the Something About Christmas stamp set. The birthday sentiment is from the Cut Apart Sentiment Strips, two preprinted cardstock panels you trim with a paper cutter.
There is a sale every week at Unity, so if the timing is not right today, add the set to your wishlist and wait for it.
More ideas: Card Ideas and the full birthday stamps collection.
Questions cardmakers ask
Can I use a Christmas snowman stamp for a birthday card?
Yes. The snowman has no holiday words on him, so leave the Christmas sentiment in the box and add a birthday line from a sentiment strip or a birthday set.
What is in the Something About Christmas stamp set?
Two stamps: the tall top hat snowman, about 3 by 5 inches, and the sentiment “There’s something about Christmas time”.
What are cut apart sentiment strips?
Two 4.25 by 5.5 inch cardstock panels, one white and one black, printed with small sentiments. Cut them apart with a paper trimmer and glue one on. They also foil with a laminator.