As the winter season approaches, there’s no better way to spread warmth and joy than with a handmade card that doubles as a gift card holder. In this project, I’ll be showing you how to create a stunning fun fold card featuring a center Z-fold layer and a unique shadow stamping technique to add depth and texture.
This project is perfect for anyone looking to create a card that is as functional as it is beautiful. It’s great for giving to friends, family, teachers, or anyone who loves a thoughtful, handmade touch. Don’t forget, you can customize it to suit your own style and make it even more personal!
Why You’ll Love Recreating This Project:
- Perfect for Gifting: This card isn’t just a beautiful greeting—it’s also a practical way to give a gift card! The center Z-fold design has a dedicated spot to attach your gift card, so you can combine your heartfelt message with a thoughtful gift.
- Simple Technique, Big Impact: The shadow stamping technique I demonstrate is an easy way to add depth and dimension to your stamped images. By stamping the sled in white craft ink and offsetting it slightly, the sled comes to life, giving your card a professional, layered look without complicated steps.
- Add a Touch of Winter Magic: The tone-on-tone design of this card creates a subtle, elegant background, while the embossed panel and shimmer from the Wink of Stella on the ice skates bring just the right amount of texture and sparkle.
- Customize for Any Occasion: While this design is perfect for winter and holiday cards, the fold and layout can be easily adapted for any season or occasion by swapping out the colors, images, and sentiments.
In the video below, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating this beautiful winter card using the Sophisticated Sled stamp and die bundle from our October Cultivated Creativity kit. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, this project is simple yet impactful, making it an excellent addition to your holiday crafting routine.
Join the Fun!
If you love this project, don’t forget to sign up for my October Cultivated Creativity DIY Paper Crafting Kit, where we’ll be using the Sophisticated Sled stamp and die bundle to create even more beautiful projects. Each month, my kit features new stamps, dies, and techniques, making it the perfect way to keep your creativity flowing all year long.
Project Layers (Imperial):
- 5-1/2” x 4-1/4” Pebbled Path CS
- 5-1/4” x 4” Gray Granite CS
- 4-1/4” x 2-3/4” Basic White CS- die cut
- 3-3/4” x 7-1/8” scored at 2-3/8” & 4-3/4” Gray Granite CS
- 3-1/2” x 2-1/8” Gray Granite CS-emboss
- 3-1/2” x 2-1/8” Basic White CS
- Scrap Basic White CS- stamp/die-cut
I have created a printable recipe with the complete supply list and cut dimensions for you. Simple click the button below to access the printable file.
Want to give this one a try? I showed how to create this delightful project in my Tuesday YouTube PREMIER. Watch the video replay below and be sure to leave me a comment.
Don’t forget to share the video with your crafty friends! While you are watching, I would appreciate you subscribing to my YouTube channel.
(note if viewing this post via email subscription, you may need to click the post name to display the video)
Wasn’t that super fun? Did this spark new ideas for your next project? Tell me in the comments below the post.
Don’t forget to join me for some LIVE papercrafting every Tuesday at 12:30PM ET on my YouTube Channel where we will play with some new goodies from the current Catalogs! Jump on over and follow me now. Looking forward to seeing you and your crafty friends for our next LIVE papercrafting class!
Hope You Enjoy,
Love this project? Here is your shopping list so you can re-create this idea on your own…just click on the images below to add them to your cart.
Shopping List
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Tired of the holiday card hustle?
Let us be your Holiday Helpers! With our Christmas Craft-A-Stack To Go, you’ll create 10 stunning handmade cards and 12 festive tags, and 2 adorable bags to hold them— all from the comfort of your home, at your own pace.
Featuring the Christmas Tags & More Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up!, this festive non-stamping kit makes it easy to craft heartfelt holiday projects with style & joy.
See full details and register HERE
Registration Ends Saturday November 1, 2025 (or while supplies last).
Want to earn EXCLUSIVE video tutorials once a month featuring the latest Stampin’ Up! product suites? Each month you will receive 12 tutorials all bundled together when you place a qualifying $50 or more order with me through my online store for FREE!
You may also purchase individual tutorials HERE.
Make Time to Create—Without Having to Plan It All First
You love making beautiful cards. But sometimes the hardest part isn’t the creating—it’s finding the time, choosing a project, gathering all the right supplies, cutting everything and figuring out where to begin.
Cultivated Creativity takes care of the planning and prep so you can get to the part you actually love: creating.
Create More. Complicate Less.
October’s creative escape features the Festive Cheer Bundle with beautiful projects designed to feel special without making your creative time more complicated.
We’ll create four cards plus one oversized giftable project, using smart layouts, versatile patterned paper, beautiful gold details, and thoughtful finishing touches. You’ll discover ideas you can use again and again—including ways to simplify a design when you want to make multiples.
Everything is thoughtfully designed and much of the prep work is already done for you, so you can spend less time figuring out what to make and more time enjoying the creative process and making each project your own.
Registration: September 21–October 20, 2026
While supplies last.
More Than a Discount… Join the Diemonds!
Have you ever thought about becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator?
Whether you’re looking to save on the products you already love, be the first to see new releases, or simply become part of a welcoming creative community, becoming a Diemond might be exactly what you’re looking for.
And October is an especially fun time to join!
Join October 6–31 and you’ll receive $50 in Stampin’ Rewards in your Stampin’ Up! account immediately after signing up. Those rewards are yours to use within three months of joining.
And that’s on top of the benefits of being a demonstrator:
- Shop at a discount
- Early access to new products
- Exclusive demonstrator resources
- A supportive community that encourages you every step of the way
Whether you’re a hobby stamper or dreaming of building a business, there’s a place for you here.
Join the Diemonds and enjoy the benefits of being part of the Stampin’ Up! family. Discover what it’s really like to be part of the Diemonds.
Questions? I’d love to help! wendy@creativeleeyours.com
It’s time for my 12 weeks of Holidays project ideas! I am excited to share seasonal sets of projects with you each Wednesday for 12 weeks that I hope will inspire you to create! These ideas are Exclusive to my email subscribers, so if you want to see them all, be sure to subscribe to my list HERE.
CreativeLee Yours,
OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION:
- Join my Stampin’ Up!® Diemonds team and get the awesome customizable starter kit HERE. It’s the best bundle ever!
- Ready for a fun, monthly craft kit delivered directly to you, so you get all the joy of creating without having to do all the research, design and prep? Cultivated Creativity is for you! Click HERE to get started.
- Join my Online Forget Me Not (FMN) Card Club and elevate your hand made cards HERE.
- Follow my blog by email and receive a FREE Exclusive monthly PDF tutorial bundle when you subscribe to email list HERE.
- Join Paper Pumpkin and get FREE PDF Tutorials with alternate projects each month.
- Shop my Tutorials to spark your creativity as I guide you through creating beautiful projects HERE.
- Earn Exclusive BONUS tutorials with my rewards program. CLICK HERE for details.
