Inky Textured Background Christmas Card

A project from our live show HSN PRODUCT INSPIRATION - Join me for a fun filled show broadcast 18th August 2026 · 18/08/2026 · watch it from 56:45

A contemporary Christmas card featuring a textured background created with acrylic blocks, ink pads, and water spray, layered with a die-cut tree focal point and sentiment. This technique creates depth and visual interest without traditional patterned papers.

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Step by step

1. Start with a white 5x7 card blank and a piece of white cardstock to layer on top. ▶ watch 56:45
2. Ink up an acrylic block with a teal or blue ink pad, applying colour to one side of the block. ▶ watch 57:00
3. Spray the inked block lightly with water to activate the ink and create texture. ▶ watch 57:15
4. Press the wet inked block onto your white cardstock at an angle, then lift away to reveal a textured ink impression. ▶ watch 57:30
5. Repeat the inking, spraying, and pressing process multiple times across the cardstock, varying the placement and leaving gaps between impressions. ▶ watch 58:00
6. Allow the inked background to dry completely. ▶ watch 58:30
7. If the background colour is too bright or dominant, use a white ink pad to tap and push back the colour, softening its appearance. ▶ watch 59:00
8. Cut a strip of craft or kraft cardstock and adhere it vertically down the centre of your inked background as a panel. ▶ watch 59:30
9. Die-cut or fussy-cut a tree image from one of the Holly and Berry patterned papers. ▶ watch 1:00:00
10. Adhere the tree image to your kraft panel, positioning it as the focal point. ▶ watch 1:00:30
11. Cut a thin strip of black cardstock and adhere it to one edge of the kraft panel to add definition and make it stand proud. ▶ watch 1:01:00
12. Cut out a pre-printed sentiment (such as 'Merry and Bright') and distress the edges slightly. ▶ watch 1:01:30
13. Edge the sentiment with a vintage ink pad to soften its appearance. ▶ watch 1:02:00
14. Adhere the sentiment to your card, positioning it to complement the tree and overall composition. ▶ watch 1:02:30
15. Optional: add small die-cut foliage or filler elements to cover any large areas of the bright background colour. ▶ watch 1:03:00
16. Allow all glue to dry before your card is complete. ▶ watch 1:03:30

Tips from the show

• Use a light or vintage-coloured ink pad for your acrylic block technique to avoid overwhelming the design; bright colours may require pushing back with white ink.
• This inky background technique works beautifully with stencils, background stamps, and layering stencils from other collections as well.
• Don't worry if the background looks too dark or busy at first—you can always layer patterned papers, die-cuts, or foliage over it to soften and balance the design.

More from this show

• Simple Mounted Bird Christmas Card
• Layered Floral Christmas Card with Vintage Edging

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