How to Make 3 July26 Club Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are some of the most meaningful things you can create in your craft room. There’s something truly special about sending a handmade card—something that no store-bought option can replicate. And with the July26 Club kits from Spellbinders in hand, you have everything you need to make three stunning holiday cards that your recipients will absolutely treasure.

This post walks you through how to create a card using five incredible July26 Club kits: the Festive Greetings 3D Embossing Folder, the Festive Forest Press & Foil Plate, the Cue the Merry Clear Stamp & Die, the Holiday Harmony Stencil, and the Large Die of the Month. Each design is unique, and each one uses a different technique—so you’ll get to explore a range of cardmaking skills along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or still finding your footing, these step-by-step guides will help you create cards you’re genuinely proud of.

Let’s get crafting!

Card 1: The July26 3D Embossing Folder Card — Festive Greetings

How to Make the July26 3D Embossing Folder Card

1. Create your base card. Start with a piece of white or ivory cardstock, cut to 5.5″ x 8.5″ and scored in half to create a standard A2 card base. If you’re just starting out with cardmaking, read How to Make a Card Base for help with this.
2. Prepare your Cardstock. You’re going to need an A2-size (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″) embossed panel. Therefore, it’s best if you trim a piece of the color you’re using (we’re using Merlot) slightly larger than that to account for shrinkage. Apply a light spray of water to the back side of the panel.
3. Build your embossing sandwich. Place your Platform Base (A) on the bottom, then lay your cardstock inside the Festive Greetings 3D Embossing Folder, and top with the Adapter Plate (D). Note: a 3D-compatible die cutting machine and Universal Plate System are required for this step.
4. Run it through your machine. Roll the sandwich through your Spellbinders Platinum Machine slowly and evenly to get the full depth of the impression.
5. Add color. Once embossed, use distress inks or alcohol markers to bring out the raised details. We’re using our fingertips to apply Metallic Gilding Polish. A light dusting of ink across the surface picks up the high points beautifully and adds a festive feel.
6. Assemble your card. Adhere the embossed panel to your card base using a tape runner. Add a sentiment die cut or stamped greeting if you like. I chose to use the design as the sentiment. And finish with a few well-placed embellishments, or Christmas die-cuts from your stash.

The embossed panel does most of the heavy lifting here, so don’t overcrowd it. Let the texture speak for itself!

Supply List for the July26 3D Embossing Folder Card

Card 2: The July26 Press & Foil Card — Festive Forest

If you want a card that looks truly luxurious, the Festive Forest Press & Foil Plate is your go-to this month. This kit works with both the Spellbinders BetterPress Letterpress System and the Glimmer Hot Foil System, and it comes with a roll of foil included—so you’re all set to create something that really shimmers.

How to Make the July26 Press & Foil Card

1. Set up your BetterPress or Glimmer system. Depending on which machine you’re using, follow the standard setup instructions for your plate. We’re foiling to make this card, so we’re using the Glimmer system.
2. Foil your panel first. Using your Glimmer Hot Foil System, run the Festive Forest plate with the foil that is included in the kit to create a gleaming metallic background. The plate design itself is stunning – a gorgeous forest scene with rich texture. But then, gold or silver foil works beautifully to create that festive forest theme we’re looking for. Go ahead and foil the sentiments at the same time.
3. Die-cut your focal elements. Using your die-cutting machine, cut some fir branches with a die from your stash. For this card, try a couple of cuts from brushed silver and a couple from mirror silver to add to the sparkle, create some dimension, and add extra visual interest.
4. Trim and layer. Trim your panel and layer it over a white card base.
5. Finish the card. Fasten the fir branches in the upper third of the card front using liquid glue. Die-cut your foiled sentiment and pop it up with foam tape—and keep the rest of the card clean to let the Festive Forest design take center stage.

The combination of die-cut texture and foil shimmer is genuinely breathtaking. This is one of those cards where the recipient will ask, “Did you really make this?”

Supply List for the July26 Press & Foil Card

Card 3: The July26 Large Die Card

The Large Die of the Month is a go-to for crafters who love a bold, graphic focal point. Large dies create statement elements that anchor a card design instantly—and the July ’26 design is perfectly suited for Christmas cards.

How to Make the July26 Large Die Card

1. Create your background. We do this step first to give it time to dry. Use a 4.25″ x 5.5″ piece of colored cardstock that you like and fasten it to a sticky mat. Place the 5th layer of the Stencil of the month over the top of the cardstock using the guidelines in the corners to get it perfectly aligned. Using your palette knife, smooth a small amount of the paste over the stencil. Repeat until the entire stencil is complete. Quickly wash your stencil and palette knife before they set up, and set aside your cardstock to dry.
2. Die cut your focal elements. Using your die-cutting machine, cut the Large Die from your chosen cardstock. Use traditional Christmas colors such as a deep red, forest green, or kraft cardstock for a classic Christmas feel. Or, to make a more contemporary card like ours, try lighter, brighter tones of the same colors.
3. Assemble your die-cut elements. Adhere the cardstock pieces together using liquid glue. Make sure to keep the leg assemblies free from the bodies; those will go together when we assemble the card.
4. Create your card base. Use a 4.25″ x 5.5″ card base in a coordinating color—something that complements your background and die cuts without competing with it.
5. Arrange your layout. When it’s dry, trim your background panel to 4″ x 5 1/2″. Fasten it centered on the card base using a tape runner. Decide where you want to position the die-cut elements. Then hold the legs to the body where you want them to be and attach a foam circle through the hole in the legs and fasten it to Santa’s back. Add more foam strips or squares to his back, making sure to leave clearance for his legs to swing. Remove all the backing paper and fasten him to the background. Repeat with the elf.
6. Add your finishing touches. Stamp, die cut, or heat emboss a sentiment and place it below or beside the focal element.

Supply List for the July26 Large Die Card

Ready to Make Your Own July26 Christmas Cards?

Three completely different techniques. And three beautiful Christmas cards that your friends and family will be delighted to receive.

The beauty of working with Spellbinders Club kits is that the design work is already done for you—your job is simply to put your own creative stamp on it (pun absolutely intended). Each kit comes with project inspiration and a detailed how-to tutorial, so you’ll never feel stuck.

Want to explore all of the July ’26 Club options and find the membership that’s right for you? Head over to the Spellbinders Club Memberships page to sign up. The registration window is open from the 6th to the 27th of each month—so don’t miss your chance to snag this month’s designs.

And if you’re looking for even more holiday card inspiration, be sure to check out our full collection of Christmas Card Ideas on the Spellbinders blog.

Now go make something beautiful!