Hello everyone! I am back with another year of Get Cracking on Christmas! I’m so excited to share another year of Get Cracking on Christmas with you. Being able to work on my holiday card stash throughout the year, with no stress, is such a gift. I love creating with stamps and supplies that have been patiently waiting to be used and experimenting with new techniques along the way. Here’s to creative play, using what we have, and heading into the new year inspired and ready to keep cracking on Christmas. 💕✨
If you would like to read more about this series, you can do so here
Visit
Visit my site right here, on the third Thursday of each month, to be inspired!
Join Me LIVE
Each month, I will offer a LIVE where I create my card and share tips and tricks with you! This month’s YouTube LIVE will be Wednesday, May 27th at 12p ET, right on my YouTube channel. Stop reading and set an alarm on your phone so you don’t miss out, or tap the notification bell on YouTube! You can use the world clock here to figure out what time it will be where you live.
Inspiration & Share
As you create your holiday cards this year, be sure to tag me on Instagram @jennshurkus and use the hashtag #GetCrackingOnChristmas so I can see them! You can also “follow” this hashtag on Instagram to be inspired in your feed.
We can do this! We can create holiday cards year-round, making us better prepared for the holiday season!
Get Cracking: Layer It Up With Die Cuts

When I was teaching with the Build-a-Wheelbarrow die set at Firefly Farm in Minnesota this spring, I mentioned how fun it would be to use it for all seasons, and that little comment planted a seed! I knew I had to create a holiday version, and I had so much fun filling it with festive cheer.
I started with a simple ink blend using Merman ink for a soft, dreamy sky, then layered in the Starry Sky stencil with Peacock ink for the most beautiful, subtle texture. Leaving the bottom white gives it that snowy ground feel without any extra work, sometimes simple is perfect!
Then came the really fun part: flipping through all my holiday dies and imagining what I wanted to tuck into that wheelbarrow. I used the Gingerbread Friends as my main focal point, then filled everything in with a poinsettia, peppermint candies, and lush greenery. The key to making a scene like this feel rich and dimensional is mixing your materials, inks, colored cardstock, and textured cardstock all working together to build depth and interest. I’ll walk through all of that during my LIVE!
Of course, there had to be sparkle. I used Distress Snowflakes, Distress Rock Candy Clear, and Distress Rock Candy Chunky, because why choose just one? And here’s a little tip: instead of fussy cutting those teeny tiny holly berries, I used a mix of Stickles and Liquid Pearls. So much easier and honestly just as pretty!
For the sentiment, I stamped ’tis the season from Scripty Winter Sentiments using Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide, that pink is just perfection against the teal.
I cannot wait to walk you through the whole process LIVE, the ink blending, building that layered wheelbarrow scene, all the sparkle choices, and every little trick along the way. Come craft with me and bring all your sparkles, because we are going ALL in. A full shoppable supply list is waiting for you at the bottom of this post, happy crafting!
I’d love for you to join me LIVE or catch the replay later, these Get Cracking on Christmas LIVEs are the perfect excuse to pull out your holiday supplies and start making progress on your own cards while we create together. 💙✨
Let’s keep cracking on those Christmas cards! 🎄
Learn how on YouTube LIVE
I can’t wait to share my process for this card on my YouTube channel on Wednesday, May 27th at 12p ET. I hope you will join me, and remember, you can work on your holiday cards while you watch!
Cardmaking Supplies Used:
The supplies I used are linked below. Click on the picture, and you will be taken to the product. I use affiliate links when available, which means if you make a purchase, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support!


















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