Posted by Hero Arts
on July 16, 2026
Hi crafty friends! It’s Charlene from Dream Craft Create, and today I’m sharing a festive Christmas in July card using the new July 2026 Home for the Holidays collection from Hero Arts.
For this card, I wanted to share two easy ways to stretch your holiday supplies. First, I used a wreath die as the “O” in JOY. Then I used a sentiment stamp to create a full heat-embossed text background. These are simple ways to get more from your stamps and dies while creating a card that feels bold, shiny, and full of holiday cheer.
Watch the video to see this holiday card come together from start to finish
I started with the Winter Wreath Die Set from the Home for the Holidays collection. This set can create both a large layered wreath and a smaller layered wreath, and it also includes letters to spell JOY in two different sizes. There are lots of small details in the set too, including a bow, door hanger, berries, cinnamon sticks, and citrus slices.
For my focal point, I used the smaller wreath as the “O” in JOY. I die cut the larger wreath layer from Fern Cardstock and the smaller detail layer from Rainforest Cardstock. Layering two shades of green is an easy way to create instant dimension without adding any ink blending. I also die cut the J and Y from Brushed Gold Metallic Cardstock and added Cranberry Cardstock berries to the wreath for a classic holiday color palette.
Next, I created the background with the Season’s Greetings Stamp. This stamp coordinates with the Sentiment Strips Die, so you can stamp and die cut lots of holiday greetings at once. For this card, I used the full stamp in a different way and turned it into a custom text background.
I started with a 4.25" x 5.5" panel of Cranberry Cardstock and prepped the surface with anti-static powder. Then I stamped the Season’s Greetings stamp with Embossing & Watermark Ink. I stamped it twice in my stamping platform to make sure all of the small text transferred clearly.
After stamping, I covered the panel with White Detail Embossing Powder and heat set it. A helpful tip is to let your heat tool get nice and hot before bringing it to the paper. This helps the powder melt quickly and smoothly. I also like to tilt the panel in the light afterward to make sure every area is fully melted.
Once the embossing was finished, I trimmed about 1/4" off each side of the Cranberry panel and adhered it to an A2 panel of Brushed Gold Metallic Cardstock. The gold border ties in beautifully with the metallic J and Y letters and gives the whole card a polished holiday look.
To assemble the focal point, I added foam squares behind the wreath and the letters. I placed the wreath in the center of the card first, then added the J and Y on either side. Centering the wreath first makes the letter placement much easier and helps keep the spacing balanced.
For one final detail, I used the Winter Wreath Accessories Die Set. This die set coordinates beautifully with both wreath sizes and includes additional bows, mini layered houses, pine trees, berries, and a small garland. I cut one of the small bows from vellum and Brushed Gold Metallic Cardstock. The vellum gives the bow a soft look, while the gold detail hides the adhesive and connects back to the metallic letters and card base.
I also stamped an inside sentiment from the Very Merry Wishes Stamp & Cut with Intens-ified Black Ink. I love adding an inside sentiment to holiday cards because it makes the card feel complete and ready to send.
I hope this card gives you some ideas for stretching your holiday stamps and dies in a new way. Try using a die cut as part of a word, or turn a sentiment stamp into a bold custom background for your next holiday card!
