🎄✨ The Grand Californian at Disneyland® is pure holiday perfection—cozy fires, twinkling lights, and that warm, woodsy magic that makes Christmas feel extra special. And guess what? We’re capturing ALL THAT FESTIVE WONDER in a handmade holiday card! 🌟🎁
This isn’t just another Christmas card—it’s a show-stopping, Grand Californian-inspired masterpiece that blends rustic charm, elegant gold details, and handcrafted Disney magic!
So grab your supplies, your love for the holidays, and maybe a Mickey-shaped sugar cookie (because, priorities 🍪😂), and let’s turn cardstock into a winter wonderland of creativity! 🎨✨
🎨 Everything You Need for Your Handmade Disney Grand Californian Christmas Cards!
• Card Base Patterns:
Stampin’ Up! Nature’s Sweetness Speciality DSP (cut diagonally)
• Accent Strips:
Stampin’ Up! Gold Foil Sheets (1/4” diagonal strips)
• Cardstock:
CTMH Toffee or Stampin' Up! Pecan Pie 8-1/2"x11' Cardstock Mat (4” x 3.25”) & Pine Cones
CTMH Mocha or Stampin' Up! Early Espresso 8-1/2"x11" Cardstock
CTMH White Daisy or Stampin' Up! White Willow 12x12 Cardstock Mat (3.75” x 3”) & For Stamping Embellishments
CTMH Pine or Stampin' Up! Shaded Spruce 8-1/2"x11" Cardstock
Stampin' Up! BASIC WHITE 8-1/2" X 11" THICK CARDSTOCK for card base
Stamp Pads:
CTMH Toffee Ink or Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad (for mat edges)
CTMH Pine Ink or Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Pad (for white mat edges and sentiment)
Pebbled Path Classic Stampin' Pad (to stamp lanterns)
Stampin' Up! Stampin' Blends Combo Packs - Markers (to color Lantern light)
Stamp Sets & Bundles:
Stampin’ Up! Greetings of the Season Stamp Set
Stampin' Up! LIGHT THE YEAR BUNDLE (ENGLISH)
CTMH Everygreen Cardmaking Stamp & Dies
Stampin' Up! Poinsettia Petals Stamp & Die Bundle
Embellishments:
Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler & Clear Adhesive Backed Berries
Tools:
Paper Trimmer, Adhesive, Glue, Blending Brush. Sponger Dauber, Stampin' Cut & Emboss
💡 Shop the Products: Click here to shop all the products used in this project!
🎄 Step-by-Step Tutorial – Crafting Your Own Grand Californian Holiday Cards!
Step 1: Create the Card Base & Layers – A Grand Start! 🎄✨
Card Base:
Start with a 4.25” x 5.5” (A2 size) horizontal fold card. If you don’t have a pre-made card base, cut Basic White Thick Cardstock to 5.5” x 8.5” and score at 4.25” for a clean, professional fold.
Patterned Paper Magic:
• Take Nature’s Sweetness DSP and cut it diagonally to create two large triangle halves. These will serve as the top and bottom panels of your card.
• The beauty of this technique? It adds movement and interest without overwhelming the design!
Gold Foil Elegance:
• Cut a 1/4” x 7” strip of Gold Foil Paper. This will be used as a sleek divider between the DSP pieces for an extra touch of luxury.
• Pro Tip: After adhering, trim any excess from the edges for a polished, custom-fit look!
🔥 And just like that, you’ve set the stage for a card that’s as grand as a Disneyland Christmas tree! 🎄✨
Step 2: Preparing the Mats – A Warm & Cozy Foundation! 🕯️✨
To create a beautiful focal point for your card, you’ll need two mats:
✔ Toffee Mat: Cut to 4” x 3.5”
✔ White Mat: Cut to 3.75” x 3.25”
Distress & Ink for Depth:
• Ink the Toffee Mat edges using Toffee Ink for a warm, rustic glow.
• Ink the White Mat edges with Pine Ink to add rich dimension.
💡 Pro Tip: Lightly blending Toffee Ink around the edges creates a subtle, candle-lit effect that enhances the lantern theme beautifully!
📌 Placement:
• The Toffee Mat will be centered on the card as the base for the sentiment and embellishments.
• This layered look helps draw the eye to the heart of the design while maintaining that Grand Californian lodge-style warmth!
Step 3: Stamping the Sentiment – A Cozy Holiday Glow! 🕯️
✨Now, let’s bring our holiday message to life!
✔ Stamp “Season’s Greetings” (or your chosen sentiment) in Pine Ink onto the upper-left corner of the White Mat.
🌟 Balance the Design:
• Lightly blend Toffee Ink along the right-hand side of the sentiment to create a warm, glowing effect.
• This soft touch mimics the gentle flicker of candlelight, making the sentiment feel even more inviting!
📌 Why the Upper Left Corner?
Take another look at the photo of the finished card—notice how the sentiment is tucked into the top left. This intentional placement makes room for the embellishment cluster on the right-hand side.
💡 Pro Tip: If using a different sentiment, lay out your embellishment cluster first before stamping to ensure perfect placement!
Step 4: Creating the Embellishment Cluster – Let the Holiday Magic Shine! 🎇✨
Now, it’s time to build the heart of this design—the embellishment cluster! This is where texture, warmth, and dimension take center stage!
🕯️ Lanterns – A Glow of Holiday Cheer!
• Stamp the lantern in Stampin’ Up! Pebbled Path Ink onto White Willow Cardstock.
• Die-cut for a crisp, polished look.
🔥 Bringing the Glow to Life:
• Use Lemon Lolly Stampin’ Blends to create a soft, golden glow inside the lantern.
• Add Pecan Pie Blends for depth, mimicking the warm flicker of candlelight.
🌟 Pro Tip:
For a more realistic lantern glow, layer the colors lightly and blend outward—darker near the edges, brightest at the center!
This lantern sets the cozy, inviting mood of the entire card! Next up, let’s add those festive pinecones and greenery! 🎄✨
🎇 Poinsettias – Soft, Elegant & Full of Holiday Charm!
The lantern sets the scene, but now it’s time to add a festive floral touch!
🌸 Die-cut poinsettias from Nature’s Sweetness DSP.
• Lightly ink the edges with Toffee Ink using a sponge dauber for depth and warmth.
💡 No DSP? No problem!
If you don’t have Nature’s Sweetness DSP, cut the poinsettias from White Willow Cardstock and add extra inking for a soft, vintage effect.
🌟 Pro Tip:
To make the poinsettias pop, add a touch of gold shimmer to the edges using a Gold Wink of Stella or Gold Shimmer Brush.
With the lantern glowing and poinsettias adding festive charm, it’s time for the next step—pinecones! 🌰✨
🎇 Greenery, Pinecones & Sprigs – Bringing the Festive Foliage to Life!
Now that our lantern is glowing and poinsettias are in place, let’s add some lush greenery and textured pinecones to complete the holiday magic!
🌲 Layered Pinecones – Rich, Dimensional & Rustic!
• Die-cut pinecones using the CTMH Evergreen Dies with Toffee and Mocha Cardstock for natural depth.
• Lightly ink the edges with CTMH Mocha Ink to create a realistic, layered effect.
🌿 Lush Green Pine Branches – A Touch of Winter Elegance!
• Cut pine branches from CTMH Pine Cardstock to add rich greenery and balance the design.
✨ Gold Sprigs – A Festive, Elegant Accent!
• Using the Poinsettia Petals Die, cut delicate gold sprigs from Gold Foil Sheets.
• These tiny metallic details add shimmer and a touch of luxury to the embellishment cluster
With our embellishment cluster complete, it’s time to assemble the card and make this holiday masterpiece shine! ✨🎄
🎇 Step 5: Assembling the Card – Bringing the Holiday Magic Together!
Now that all our gorgeous elements are ready, it’s time to assemble this Grand Californian-inspired holiday card!
🖼️ Building the Base with Luxe Layers!
• Adhere your diagonal DSP pieces to the card front.
• Place the gold foil trim across the center seam where the two patterned papers meet.
💌 Placing the Sentiment Panel
• Adhere the Toffee Mat with the stamped sentiment in the center of the card.
🌿 Layering the Embellishment Cluster for Maximum Impact!
1️⃣ Start with pine branches, tucking them slightly behind the sentiment mat.
2️⃣ Add pinecones next, layering them for a natural, dimensional look.
3️⃣ Position the lantern, making sure it glows beautifully next to the sentiment.
4️⃣ Finally, add the poinsettia and gold sprigs for that festive, high-end touch.
✨ The Final Sparkle – Because Every Holiday Card Needs a Little Magic!
• Finish with Clear Adhesive Dots to add the perfect hint of shimmer and festive elegance.
• Use foam tape strategically to lift key elements and create a dimensional 3D effect.
💡 Pro Tip: When layering embellishments, place larger elements first, then tuck in smaller accents for a balanced, full-bodied design!
🎄 And just like that—you’ve created a stunning handmade holiday card fit for a Grand Californian Christmas! ✨🔥
✨ Explore More Disney-Inspired Holiday Creations! ✨
Love crafting with a touch of Disney magic? Check out more handmade holiday projects that bring storybook charm and festive fun to your crafting table!
Because let’s be real—if we could wrap gifts in pixie dust and holiday cheer, we totally would! ✨🎄
📸 Have YOU Created a Magical Holiday Card?
Are you bringing Grand Californian vibes into your Christmas crafting? Or maybe you’ve designed a hidden Mickey masterpiece? 🐭✨
📌 Join the Members’ Gallery & share your stunning handmade holiday cards!
📸 Tag me on social—I LOVE seeing your festive creations!
💬 Drop a comment—What’s your favorite Disneyland holiday memory?
Let’s build a community of Disney-loving crafters spreading holiday joy one card at a time! 🎄✨
🌟 FINAL THOUGHTS: A GRAND CHRISTMAS CARD FIT FOR A DISNEY TREE!
This handmade Disney Grand Californian Christmas card isn’t just a festive greeting—it’s a holiday keepsake packed with layers, texture, and a touch of Disney magic! 🎄✨
But WAIT—want to make it extra magical? ✨ Hide a tiny Mickey silhouette somewhere in your design! Whether you tuck it into the embellishment cluster or stamp one inside the card, it’s a secret nod to Disney fun that any fan will love! 🐭💛
Now tell me—who’s getting this stunning holiday card from you? 🎁 Will it be a fellow Disney lover or someone who just appreciates seriously stunning handmade cards?
Drop a comment, share your designs, and let’s spread the Grand Californian holiday spirit far and wide! 🚀✨
🎄 Happy crafting, and may your holiday season be full of sparkle & creativity!
✨ April – This Chick Loves Paper ✨
🛒 Grab Your Supplies & Start Crafting!
All photos and projects are subject to copyright ThisChickLovesPaper.com.
Images © Stampin’ Up!® | Images © Close To My Heart®
The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of April Raine – This Chick Loves Paper as a Stampin’ Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services, or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up!®.
✨ Handmade holiday magic meets Disney Grand Californian elegance in this stunning Christmas card! Inspired by the cozy, woodsy charm of Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel, this DIY card blends rustic pinecones, gold foil accents, and a warm glowing lantern for a festive and Disney-inspired masterpiece! 🎄✨ Follow this step-by-step guide to create your own keepsake-worthy holiday card packed with layers, texture, and timeless charm! 🎁🐭 Get all the details & let’s craft some magic—only at This Chick Loves Paper! 💫🔥
Comments