The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a cozy winter card featuring adorable Dachshunds? Inspired by the warmth of winter knits and delicate snowy scenes, I created these cards using products from the 2024 Nordic Winter collection from Poppystamps. From the sweet dog in a knitted sweater to the intricate background details, each element brings a touch of Nordic charm to these festive cards. In this post, I’ll walk you through each step of my creative process, from crafting the focal point to layering the final design for a dimensional effect.
Frosty Blue Antler Dachshund Card
Cozy Holiday Card with the Nordic Winter Antler Dachshund Die
Creating the Antler Dachshund Focal Point
For the focal point of my card, I chose the Antler Dachshund craft die to create a charming winter dog. Using two shades of brown cardstock, I layered the pieces to give the dog depth and dimension. To add a cozy touch, I dressed the dog in a light sky-blue sweater, reminiscent of soft winter knits. To enhance the look, I added a knitted pattern on the sweater using a white gel pen, giving it a hand-stitched, homemade feel. This little detail added warmth to the piece and made the dog look extra festive and snug for the winter season.
Crafting a Snowy Background
Once my dachshund was complete, I moved on to creating a complementary background. I started with a sky-blue panel, matching the dog’s sweater, and added a snowy effect with the snowflake rub-ons from Memory Box. These rub-ons were easy to apply and created a soft, wintry texture that complemented the cozy feel of the card. To anchor the scene, I used a white panel for the snowbank, grounding the dachshund in a wintery setting that feels serene and inviting.
Adding Layers and Patterns for Depth
To give the card a framed, finished look, I matted the scene with a patterned paper from the Nutmeg Forest 6×6 pack. The warm tones in the Nutmeg pattern added a subtle contrast to the cool sky-blue, enhancing the cozy Nordic vibe. To elevate the background further, I used one of the lacy designs from the Nordic Delicate Border Set and die-cut two intricate silver borders. I positioned these at the top and bottom of the card, adding a touch of shimmer and elegance. These borders provided a refined finish to the card, drawing the eye toward the center.
Assembling the Final Design
With all my elements ready, I adhered the card panel to the matted base using foam tape for added dimension. The foam tape lifted the focal piece slightly, making the dog and background stand out even more. The silver lacy borders framed the entire design beautifully, giving the card a polished look. I loved how the layers came together to create a cozy scene full of winter warmth and Nordic charm.
Nordic Red Standing Dachshund Card
Creating the Standing Dachshund Focal Point
For the second card, I chose the Standing Dachshund die as my focal point. Using two tones of warm brown cardstock, I layered the pieces to add dimension to the dog’s body, keeping a natural look. To keep the wintery vibe, I dressed this dachshund in a red sweater, which I decorated with a simple knitted pattern using a white gel pen. This cozy detail gave the card a handmade, winter knit feel, adding warmth and personality to the little dog.
Designing a Wintry Background
To complement the standing dachshund, I created a similar snowy background as in the first card. But instead of blue snowflake background I started with a dotted pattern paper in red and gold to match the sweater. Even though it is a dooted foiled pattern paper it suggests wintery and serene without distracting from the focal point. At the bottom, I added a crisp white snowbank to ground the dachshund and create a wintry setting.
Adding Some Fir Trees
I added some fir trees which was die-cut using the Mini Forest Plants Craft Die, selecting a subtle greenery that compensated to out the winter scene. This layer gave the design extra depth and a cozy, feel. Since I chose not to use the silver lacy border for this card, the focus remained more on the dachshund and the scene, giving it a simpler, slightly rustic look that’s perfect for the season.
Finishing the Card with Dimension
To complete the card, I adhered the dachshund using foam tape, on the main panel to give it subtle depth. This dimensional touch helped the standing dachshund stand out beautifully against the background. The finished result is a cozy, charming holiday card that celebrates winter warmth with a simplified, elegant layout, highlighting the adorable standing dachshund in his festive sweater.
These cards were such a joy to make, combining the charming Antler Dachshund with cozy, winter-inspired elements from the Nordic Winter collection. The knitted details, snowy background, and delicate borders created a layered, textured look that feels perfect for the holiday season. I hope this project inspires you to try out some wintery themes in your own cardmaking this season. Happy crafting!
Hugs,
 Antler Dachshund craft die Shop at: PS |
 Standing Dachshund craft die Shop at: PS |
 Holiday Wishes Foil Tabs White Shop at: SSS |
 Nutmeg Forest 6×6 pack Shop at: SSS |
 Nordic Delicate Border Set craft die Shop at: PS |
 Snowflake Rub On Shop at: SSS |
 Mini Forest Plants Craft Die Shop at: PS |