A project from our live show HIDDEN GEMS - Broadcast 4th November 2026 · 04/11/2026 · watch it from 22:00

Distressed Christmas Wreath Card with Gilded Accents - the finished project — The finished project

Create a beautiful festive Christmas card featuring a decorative wreath design with layered botanical elements in soft greens, warm browns, and luxurious gold accents. Using stencilling, distress inks, and gilding wax techniques, you'll build up a richly textured wreath adorned with a sentiment label and sparkling embellishments for an elegant seasonal greeting.

You will need

Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Palette Collection: Red (8"x8")SEE IT

Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Sticker Book TraditionalSEE IT

Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - FestiveSEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

Cut a red card blank to your desired size. Trim a piece of the red palette paper slightly smaller to layer on top of the card blank.
▶ watch this step (22:15)
Apply white ink pad to the patterned paper. Spray lightly with water to create a washed, distressed base effect on the paper.
▶ watch this step (24:45)
Use a brush to pick up white ink and push it back across the paper to enhance the distressed effect on the stamped background. ▶ watch 25:15
Apply gilding wax around the rim of a cup lid with your finger to create a circular guide on your craft mat.
▶ watch this step (27:30)
Press the waxed cup lid onto your patterned paper to create the first gold circle for the wreath base. The metallic wax will transfer a gold circular impression onto the paper.
▶ watch this step (29:30)
Reapply gilding wax to the cup lid and press it onto the patterned paper again, slightly offset from the first circle to create a second overlapping circle.
▶ watch this step (29:45)
Use the festive stencil with a blending brush and green distress ink to add leaf details around the wreath. Tap gently to build up the colour gradually.
▶ watch this step (31:00)
Switch to brown distress ink and use the Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Festive to add wooden elements and fern details through the stencil. Build up depth and variety by layering these natural textures over your existing green ink work.
▶ watch this step (34:00)
Using the black Distress Ink pad, lightly dab darker accents onto the wreath to create pine cone details and add shadows. Apply the ink sparingly to build up depth and dimension.
▶ watch this step (36:30)
Peel sentiment stickers from the Traditional sticker book and position them around the wreath design. Place phrases such as 'Merry Christmas' or festive greetings to complement the wreath composition.
▶ watch this step (42:15)
Use a fine liner pen to draw around the stickers with single or double lines. This will ground them and add a grungy, distressed effect to your Christmas wreath design.
▶ watch this step (50:00)
Glue red pearl gems and green diamantés onto the wreath in clusters of three to add sparkle and dimension.
▶ watch this step (51:45)
Distress the edges of your paper layer using brown and black ink pads. Tilt the ink pad as you work to create a soft, aged effect around all edges.
▶ watch this step (52:45)
Adhere the finished wreath panel to the red card base using glue, ensuring it is centred and aligned properly.
▶ watch this step (54:30)
Apply gold Stickles glitter glue to the sprigs and foliage on the wreath for extra sparkle and shimmer. Work carefully around the design to add gilded accents to the greenery.
▶ watch this step (55:00)

Tips from the show

You can use the stencil for different formations—not just wreaths; try borders down the side or create baubles with tie details at the top.
If you don't have gilding wax, you can use metallic paint applied with a brush or cup lid instead.
The stencil leaves are built on curves, making them perfect for wreath shapes without needing to think about the formation.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly

Distressed Christmas Wreath Card with Gilded Accents

You will need

Step by step

Tips from the show