During my Tuesday evening live stream, the Stampin’ Up! Country Birdhouse Christmas card stole the show! Viewers couldn’t get enough of this unexpected take on the birdhouse die, an idea sparked by a crafty friend. I loved her suggestion and took it to the next level. It’s always such a thrill to reimagine a stamp set or die in creative, out-of-the-box ways, and this festive birdhouse was no exception!

This DIY Christmas card was demonstrated after my Caring Leaves card. Watch the tutorial here at the [19:48 marker] to see how this festive card came together.

Creating the Card Base

To create this adorable birdhouse-shaped card, I started by die-cutting Basic White Thick 8-1/2″ x 11″ Cardstock with the large birdhouse die, creating a hinged card base. You could also use this birdhouse as a focal point on a larger greeting card, but I couldn’t resist making it the star of the show. In the video tutorial, I show exactly how to make the hinged design—it’s simpler than it looks!

Decorating Process

Choosing the scrapbook paper was the first step to getting the birdhouse looking festive. I initially reached for the Take a Bow 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper, and its playful patterns helped guide the color scheme. My first thought was to use the Wood Textured 12″ x 12″ Specialty Designer Series Paper, blending Granny Apple Green ink with a Blending Brush. I thought it would be the perfect rustic backdrop. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t quite match the look I had in my head.

First Attempt vs. Final Design

The uneven color of the ink looked great by itself, but when paired with Christmas-themed scrapbook paper, it didn’t quite work. That’s when I switched gears. I grabbed Granny Apple Green Cardstock and embossed it using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder—and wow, that was the missing piece!

The textured green cardstock brought everything to life. But then it hit me… why not take it a step further?

Eureka Moment: White Core Cardstock

While admiring the embossed cardstock, I remembered the new white-core cardstock available in Stampin’ Up!’s scrapbooking line! The Granny Apple Green Two-Tone Cardstock, found in both the Halloween Memories and Reindeer Memories 12″ x 12″ Two-Tone Cardstock packs, was perfect. I embossed it again using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder and lightly sanded it with a Sanding Block to reveal the white core for that extra wow factor for my Stampin’ Up! Country Birdhouse Christmas card.

Adding the Finishing Touches

I decorated the birdhouse with Take a Bow 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper in festive red and green stripes and polka dots. You can catch the full process of making this card by watching the tutorial from the [19:48 marker]. The final touches—like the adorable Christmas presents and holly—came from the Reindeer Days Memories & More Card Pack, perfectly sized for the birdhouse. Stampin’ Up! does an amazing job coordinating these products, making it so easy to mix and match.

The Take a Bow 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper is from the September-December 2024 Mini Catalog. You can browse all the seasonal goodness [HERE]. The Two-Tone Cardstock is part of the new scrapbooking line, which you can discover [HERE] for even more creative treasures.

Country Birdhouse Christmas Card Measurements

• Card Base: 8-1/2″ x 4″ (scored at 4-1/4″) Basic White Thick Cardstock
• Birdhouse Layer: 3-1/2″ x 4″ Reindeer Memories 12″ x 12″ Two-Tone Cardstock
• Green and Red Striped Scrapbook Paper Layer: 4″ x 2-1/2″ Take a Bow 6″ x 6″ DSP
• Birdhouse Opening Layer: 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ Basic Black Cardstock

Be sure to order your supplies today in my online store, www.shopwithshelly.com, so you can start crafting right away! And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more creative inspiration. You’ll receive one of my Autumn Expressions cards when you order $50 or more in products in my online store!

Stampin’ Up! Country Birdhouse Christmas Card

Your September 2024 order could win one of three prizes in my September Drawing! The first name drawn will win $50 off a Stampin’ Up! order placed with me! The second name drawn will win the Mystery Prize ($50.00 value)! The third name drawn will win one FREE month Hassle-Free Cards subscription ($4.95 value)!

One entry into my September 2024 Drawing will be given for every $35 in order totals due (before shipping and sales tax) placed in my online store, www.shopwithshelly.com, from September 1 to September 30, 2024, Mountain Time, using Hostess Code CM6AZADJ.

Very Important: If your order is $150 or more (total due before shipping and sales tax), please DO NOT apply the Hostess Code to your order. Orders of $150 or more automatically earn at least $15 in Stampin’ Rewards to spend on additional Stampin’ Up! products of your choice, including hostess-only products. Orders placed using a Hostess Code do not earn Stampin’ Rewards.

The drawing is open to those with a U.S. address. You must be 18 or older to enter, and it is void where prohibited by law. No purchase is necessary. Click here for the complete set of rules and an alternative entry method.

Please get in touch with me if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance to you.

Stamping Smiles,

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed my DIY Christmas card featuring the Stampin’ Up! Country Birdhouse Dies.