A Simple Embossed and Die Cut Snowflake Background

When I decided to feature the adorable Penguin Family stamp on a few of my holiday cards, I knew that I wanted to surround the penguins with a wintry snowfall. Using one of the new Snowflake Infinity Dies and a snowflake stamp from Kelly's S'no Problem set, I was able to create a simple and graphic, snowy background that I hope these penguins love.

To make my card, I started by trimming a panel of white cardstock to cover my card front. I thought that it would be cute for one of the penguins to hold an ornament, so I stamped the ornament from the Winter Hearth Stamp & Cut set with black ink onto the panel and then covered it with a temporary mask. Using a stamp positioner, I stamped the Penguin Family with black ink, carefully aligning the largest penguins's beak at the top of the ornament. I also stamped the "Season's Greetings" sentiment directly below the penguin image.

Penguin Family by Jayne Nelson for Hero Arts

After adding some simple shading to each of the penguins with colored pencils and also inking the ornament with Summer Sky ink and a mask, I used one of the smaller Snowflake Infinity Dies to randomly cut four snowflake shapes across the stamped panel, allowing two of the snowflakes to extend beyond the edges. Then, I inked directly onto the white card base, behind each of the snowflake "windows", with Cornflower, Summer Sky, and Deep Ocean inks. Using the die cut panel as a positioning guide, I stamped and embossed four snowflakes onto the inked areas. I secured the stamped panel onto the card base with foam tape.

Penguin Family by Jayne Nelson for Hero Arts

To make the snowfall appear more lifelike, I added three embossed and die cut snowflakes to the card with foam tape, slightly overlapping the penguins at both sides. I finished the card with an additional sentiment, "Spreading Cheer", that I embossed onto a black cardstock strip.

Penguin Family by Jayne Nelson for Hero Arts

If you look closely, you'll see that I also created a coordinating gift tag. I love how the Penguin Family image, paired with a beautiful sentiment, fits perfectly onto one of the decorative Tag Frames Infinity Dies.

Wishing you a warm, wonderful and crafty week,


  • Chandana Monteiro

    Just love your simple but beautiful card. Waiting to get my stamp in the mail! Thank you for sharing.

  • Shameenia Hopes

    I love this stamp set. Beautiful card.

  • mandi

    Love it!

  • Tracie Pond

    I simply adore this card!

  • Terrie

    I love your card! The penguins are adorable and the snowflakes are perfect :)