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).
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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.
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!).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lastly, I added a bit of natural twine although this card looks just as nice without it.
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 Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Ready Set Snow Set Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Clear Stamps Believe Believe in the Season Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Believe Wafer Die Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Willow Dye Ink Pad Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Embossing Ink Pad Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Schoolhouse Red Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Neenah Classic Crest 80 Lb Smooth Desert Storm Shop at: SSS |
 Neenah 110 Lb Solar White Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS |
 Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder PW100 Shop at: SSS |
 Hero Arts Heat Embossing Gun PW200 Shop at: SSS |
 Hero Arts White Embossing Powder PW110 Shop at: SSS |
 Misti Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS |
 ScraPerfect Crafting Pouch Shop at: SSS |
 May Arts Natural Twine String Burlap Shop at: SSS |
 Scor-tape 2 1/2 Inch Crafting Tape Shop at: SSS |
 White Fun Foam 12 Pack 9 x 12 Shop at: SSS |
 Scrapbook Adhesives White Foam Squares Shop at: SSS |
I love love love the Christmas sweater backdround and the believe wafer die! Absolutely amazing cards! Thankyou for the inspiration.
These cards are so beautiful and I agree with my Ukrainian heritage this is also one of my favourites. Thanks for sharing. ❤️
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!
PS – Thank you for sharing a little bit about Ukrainian culture!
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
Really pretty. Love that stamp.
Oh my goodness, both of these cards set my heart to fluttering. I love every single thing about them
These are beautiful! Love the Christmas sweater look.
I love what you have done with the tiny little dots and details of the Christmas sweater pattern! These are both really, really, beautiful! Masterpiece!
Take Care!
Michele
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!
Love the gold on kraft paper. Very pretty!
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?
Love how you used the red cardstock and embossed in white! WOW!
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.
Love the sweater backgrounds! Wonderful products in this release and great ideas from you designers – thanks!
WOW! So simple and stunning!
These cards are so pretty and festive. I think the red one is my favorite.
Wonderful designs Yana! And yes the background looks similar to the Ukrainian Xstitch patterns you shared. Thanks for the inspiration!
Beautiful cards!
Really like the “Believe” on the sweater background!
Love all of the versions of this card. The gold embossing on the kraft cardstock is my favourite – love the warmth of it.
I adore the Christmas card the best, classic card
Beautiful 🙂
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
Both of your cards feel festive to me! TY!
So beautiful cards, this stamp is my favorite from the new release!!
Absolutely stunning Yana!
Those cards are beautiful! The sweater background is so pretty!
This background stamp is one of my favourites as well. Love the look with embossing you’ve done. Creates beautiful simple cards.
Beautiful Yana, I can see why you are drawn to that background stamp! The Ukrainian cross-stitch style looks and sounds so lovely 🙂
Love how you combined old products with the new Christmas sweater background stamp!! Thanks for sharing!!
Beautiful! And I love your pictures at the end.
Surprising what a difference changing the ink can make. Love this cards!
I do cross stitch and the background looks like a cross stitch design. Beautiful and simple design 🙂
Gorgeous technique! the result is amazing, lovely cards.
I forget to emboss on colors cardstock…thank you! Beautiful cards.
Amazing cards. Amazing!
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.
Lovely card, and yes, the 2 embroideries do look similar.
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.
Beautiful cards. I especially love the red one as it is so festive looking.
Love these cards, the idea to make them look like christmas sweaters is so cute!
Beautiful cards Yana, I esp. love the colours of the first one, it is amazingly beautiful!
I adore the warmth of the sweater background. There’s something really homely about that cable knit look.
T xx
Stunning. So rich and love the colors.
Oooh! That cross stitch background is so pretty! It looks great with the gold embossing.
Such beautiful winter cards! I love, love, love the red one especially!
Love these cards..reminds me of Christmas in the country.
beautiful cards! such an inspiration and totally loving the sweater background!
gorgeous cards!!