It’s STAMPtember! | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery)

Simon Says Stamp | STAMPtember 2017 | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery). Handmade cards by Yana Smakula #simonsaysstamp #sss #stamptember #christmascard

The Christmas Sweater background stamp from Simon Says Stamp is my absolute favorite (after the Kaleidoscope Leaves and Carol Singers lol) from the 2017 STAMPtember release (I’m pretty sure I’ll have a few more favorites as new products appear during this month, but for now – it’s definitely the Christmas Sweater).

This stamp very much reminds me of traditional Ukrainian cross stitch embroidery and, being Ukrainian, feels so very dear and close to me (I’ll share some inspiration photos at the end of this post).

Simon Says Stamp | STAMPtember 2017 | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery). Handmade cards by Yana Smakula #simonsaysstamp #sss #stamptember #christmascard

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CARD DETAILS – WARM WINTER WISHES

I started working on this card by heat embossing Christmas Sweater background in Gold embossing powder onto kraft cardstock. I used my MISTI to make it easier to stamp it and also to be able to double stamp it for perfect impression.

Simon Says Stamp | STAMPtember 2017 | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery). Handmade cards by Yana Smakula #simonsaysstamp #sss #stamptember #christmascard

I trimmed my panel to 4 x 5 1/4″ and foam mounted onto a white A2 side folding card base (I have switched to a different paper trimmer now and thus can’t cut my paper to create top folding cards, so I’m making side folding these days – they are just as nice!).

Simon Says Stamp | STAMPtember 2017 | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery). Handmade cards by Yana Smakula #simonsaysstamp #sss #stamptember #christmascard

To create a sentiment for this project I looked for a message that would have a word “warm” in it, since the background is reminiscent of a sweater I wanted my message to go well with the print. I picked one that reads “Warm Winter Wishes” from the Ready Set Snow set.

Simon Says Stamp | STAMPtember 2017 | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery). Handmade cards by Yana Smakula #simonsaysstamp #sss #stamptember #christmascard

I heat embossed sentiment in white embossing powder onto Schoolhouse Red cardstock, cut into a strip, cut each word apart and foam mounted onto the card at an angle.

Simon Says Stamp | STAMPtember 2017 | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery). Handmade cards by Yana Smakula #simonsaysstamp #sss #stamptember #christmascard

MORE INSPIRATION – BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS CARD

Here’s another project I made using this background stamp. I heat embossed it in white onto red cardstock for a completely different look. This, I feel, looks a lot more festive.

Simon Says Stamp | STAMPtember 2017 | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery). Handmade cards by Yana Smakula #simonsaysstamp #sss #stamptember #christmascard

To create a sentiment for this card I stamped and cut out the word “Believe” (Willow ink color was used for stamping) and also stamped “In The Magic Of Christmas” in black ink onto a strip of cardstock and foam mounted both onto background.

Simon Says Stamp | STAMPtember 2017 | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery). Handmade cards by Yana Smakula #simonsaysstamp #sss #stamptember #christmascard

Lastly, I added a bit of natural twine although this card looks just as nice without it.

Simon Says Stamp | STAMPtember 2017 | Christmas Sweater Cards (or Faux Cross Stitch Embroidery). Handmade cards by Yana Smakula #simonsaysstamp #sss #stamptember #christmascard

UKRAINIAN CROSS STITCH EMBROIDERY

To me the Christmas Sweater background looks just like Ukrainian cross stitch embroidery! This kind of stitching is usually done in red and black over white. I wanted to share some photos with you here – maybe you’ll find them inspirational for your projects:

  

Source: Pinterest

SUPPLIES

I’m listing the products I used below. Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support

Simon Says Stamp Christmas Sweater Background
Simon Says Stamp Christmas Sweater Background
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SSS
Simon Says Stamp Ready Set Snow Set
Simon Says Stamp Ready Set Snow Set
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SSS
Simon Says Clear Stamps Believe Believe in the Season
Simon Says Clear Stamps Believe Believe in the Season
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SSS
Simon Says Stamp Believe Wafer Die
Simon Says Stamp Believe Wafer Die
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SSS
Simon Says Stamp Willow Dye Ink Pad
Simon Says Stamp Willow Dye Ink Pad
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SSS
Simon Says Stamp Embossing Ink Pad
Simon Says Stamp Embossing Ink Pad
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SSS
Simon Says Stamp Schoolhouse Red Cardstock
Simon Says Stamp Schoolhouse Red Cardstock
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SSS
Neenah Classic Crest 80 Lb Smooth Desert Storm
Neenah Classic Crest 80 Lb Smooth Desert Storm
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SSS
Neenah 110 Lb Solar White Cardstock
Neenah 110 Lb Solar White Cardstock
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SSS
Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine
Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine
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SSS
Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder PW100
Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder PW100
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SSS
Hero Arts Heat Embossing Gun PW200
Hero Arts Heat Embossing Gun PW200
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SSS
Hero Arts White Embossing Powder PW110
Hero Arts White Embossing Powder PW110
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SSS
Misti Stamping Tool
Misti Stamping Tool
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SSS
ScraPerfect Crafting Pouch
ScraPerfect Crafting Pouch
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SSS
May Arts Natural Twine String Burlap
May Arts Natural Twine String Burlap
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Scor-tape 2 1/2 Inch Crafting Tape
Scor-tape 2 1/2 Inch Crafting Tape
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White Fun Foam 12 Pack 9 x 12
White Fun Foam 12 Pack 9 x 12
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SSS
Scrapbook Adhesives White Foam Squares
Scrapbook Adhesives White Foam Squares
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Spellbinders | Decorative Flower Box Birthday Card

Spellbinders | Decorative Flower Box Birthday Card

Last Spring I had a few cards published in the Papercraft Magazine – all were created using Spellbinders…

Comments50

  1. I love love love the Christmas sweater backdround and the believe wafer die! Absolutely amazing cards! Thankyou for the inspiration.

  2. It still amazes me how many different looks one can get from just one stamp! I agree as well that the stamp looks so much like a sweater design! I’m from the east coast and I used to see this sweater design back there (it must be a very popular design!!). The black, red, white colors with the design are SO pretty and dynamic! That I’ve NOT seen before!! Thanks, Yana!

  3. Absolutely gorgeous, Yana! I love cross-stitch; I LOVE your card featuring this faux cross-stitching stamp! You’ve just ‘enabled’ another addition to my shopping list!
    ~carol

  4. The background stamp in gold is so beautiful, and the white on red looks so wonderfully festive! I love that you shared some images of the cross stitch in red/black on white. How wonderful! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!

  5. Thanks for sharing this lovely card design and your sweater story. Isn’t it fun how we can relate something in our lives to a stamp?

  6. These cards use minimal supplies but they make a big impact. Thanks for sharing your inspiration and a little bit of your tradition as well, Yana.

  7. Love the sweater backgrounds! Wonderful products in this release and great ideas from you designers – thanks!

  8. Wonderful designs Yana! And yes the background looks similar to the Ukrainian Xstitch patterns you shared. Thanks for the inspiration!

  9. That sweater pattern stamp is so cool! Love the two different looks you achieved using it! I think they are both very festive and awesome

  10. This background stamp is one of my favourites as well. Love the look with embossing you’ve done. Creates beautiful simple cards.

  11. Beautiful Yana, I can see why you are drawn to that background stamp! The Ukrainian cross-stitch style looks and sounds so lovely 🙂

  12. I do cross stitch and the background looks like a cross stitch design. Beautiful and simple design 🙂

  13. Upon seeing the reveal of this stamp, I too thought of a sweater pattern. I love the diversity you shared with us between the two colors, both are beautiful and warm. Thank you for sharing the three Ukrainian patterns too.

  14. I love all of the cards you made. Your choice of colors is perfect and inspires me to give it a try. I used to knit sweaters, etc. with some of these exact patterns. Now I can do it making cards. I am 85 yrs. old and learning more every day from inspirational people like you. TFS your God given talent with the paper crafting world.

  15. I adore the warmth of the sweater background. There’s something really homely about that cable knit look.
    T xx

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