Spellbinders Blog

Hello crafters! It’s Lisa Tilson here with you today to share a card using the newly released Yana’s Christmas Cats Collection from Yana Smakula. I am going to be doing a step-by-step photo tutorial showing you how to create a Christmas card featuring three of the sets from the collection. One of the cats is being exceptionally naughty by jumping onto the tree!

The collection features six new products, including the Christmas Cats Etched Dies, Christmas Cats Accessories Etched Dies and Meowy Christmas Sentiments Press + Foil & Die Set, all of which I use on my card today. There is also a lovely die set called Christmas Cats Window View Etched Dies and this includes a window, curtain, curtain pole, and cushion. To create beautiful texture or frame your design, there are also two 3D embossing folders in the collection – A2 Ornate Molded Frame and A2 Herringbone Décor. So, let’s get started with the card.

Have A Pawsome Christmas

For all the die cutting, use the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine with the die cutting sandwich as follows (from bottom to top):

• Plate A – Platform Base
• Plate B – Platform Top
• Plate C – Cutting Plate
• Plate C – Cutting Plate

The cardstock/die will be inserted between the two cutting plates with the die sitting on top of the cardstock, cutting edge down.

Die Cutting

1. Take the Christmas Cats Etched Dies and die-cut the pieces as shown.
2. The two solid cat dies are cut from Truffle and Anchor ColorWheel Cardstock.
3. The two outline cat dies are cut from Fawn and Fog ColorWheel Cardstock.
4. The eyes are die-cut from Raven, Peridot, and Seaside ColorWheel Cardstock.
5. The scarf is die-cut from Poppy ColorWheel Cardstock.

NOTE: The scarf die also contains a tiny piece that will become the cat’s tongue. It is very small and easy to lose, so keep an eye on it! You could make the cat without it, but having the tongue poke out adds a little extra something to the cat. Like he is sticking his tongue out at you! NOTE: The dies are shown with their cutting edge facing up to help you see which die is being cut from which cardstock. When die cutting, they should be flipped over so the cutting side is touching the cardstock.

6. Flip the dies over and tape them in place.
7. Run them through the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine.

8. Take the Christmas Cat Accessories Etched Dies and die cut the pieces as shown.
9. The tree is die-cut from Rainforest ColorWheel Cardstock.
10. The tree pot needs to be die-cut twice – once from Poppy and once from Pomegranate ColorWheel Cardstock.
11. The star and the tree garlands are die-cut from Gold Assortment Treasured Cardstock (Brushed Metallic).
12. The tree trunk is die-cut from Acorn ColorWheel Cardstock.
13. The presents are die-cut from Waterfall and Peridot ColorWheel Cardstock.
14. The present ribbons and bows are die-cut from 80lb white cardstock.
15. Run them through your die-cutting machine.

16. Continue with the Christmas Cat Accessories Etched Dies and die cut the remaining pieces as shown.
17. The hats are die-cut from Pomegranate ColorWheel Cardstock.
18. The hat trims are die-cut from 80lb white cardstock.
19. The bauble base die needs to be die-cut twice from Brushed Metallic cardstock.
20. The bauble die cut needs to be die cut once from Poppy, Seaside, and Peridot ColorWheel Cardstock.

TIP: Store all your die cuts in a Medium Craft Stax Tray for safekeeping.

Assembling the Die Cuts

1. Using Bearly Art Glue, adhere the two outline cat die cuts onto their solid bases.

2. Take the small Seaside eyes die cut and adhere it to its black base.

3. Add dabs of liquid glue onto the back of the grey cat’s face and then add the Seaside piece onto it. You need to add the Seaside die-cut face down onto the back of the cat’s face. When you turn the cat over, you will see that he has light blue irises and eyes that look like he is a little surprised! So fun!

4. Add the two green die cuts onto their respective black bases. Only one of these die cuts will work with the brown cat, so make sure you test the two out before adhering in place.

5. Take the brown cat and add liquid glue around the back of his face, and then adhere the green die cut behind as you did for the grey cat. So, when you look at the brown cat from the front, he will have green irises, and he will look slightly cross-eyed!

6. Adhere the scarf pieces onto the brown cat. Start with the piece that goes around the neck, then add the bow and finish with the ribbon tails.

7. Now add a tiny dab of glue onto the mouth area and find that little die-cut that is his tongue! Pop it in place.

8. Adhere the white bobble and hat trim onto the red hat.

9. Adhere the hat onto the head of the grey cat.

10. Assemble the tree pot by adding the Pomegranate rim onto the Poppy pot base.

11. Add a small dab of liquid glue onto the bottom section of the tree trunk and place the pot onto it. There are a couple of guidelines on this die cut so you can line up the pot and the bottom of the tree.

12. Adhere the tree onto the top section of the tree trunk.

13. Put some liquid glue onto the straight section of the star and adhere your tree down on top of it.

14. Using liquid adhesive, add the three gold garlands onto the tree as shown.

15. Adhere the baubles onto their gold bases.

NOTE: The coloured cardstock bauble die cuts are not completely circular. They have a straight edge that needs to sit at 12 o’clock when adhering it to its gold base. The little detail cuts on the baubles will be on the bottom right when assembled.

16. Adhere the seven baubles onto the tree.

17. Adhere the two white ribbons onto the presents. There are guidelines to help you line these up.

18. Adhere the two bows onto the ribbons. On the green present, the bow tilts to the left, and on the blue present, it tilts to the right.

Foiling and Assembling the Sentiment

1. Take the Meowy Christmas Sentiments Press + Foil & Die Set and remove the “Have A Pawsome Christmas” plate.
2. Take a piece of Raven ColorWheel Cardstock and add a strip of Champagne Glimmer Hot Foil onto it (shiny side up).
3. Place the sentiment plate on top (the raised edge should be in contact with the shiny side of the foil).
4. Hold it in place with Best Ever Craft Tape.

5. Switch on your Glimmer Hot Foil System and wait for the Platform Ready light (green) to go on.

6. Place your cardstock/foil/plate onto the heated platform, face down. (The press + foil plate is in direct contact with the heated platform)
7. Press the timer button. It will start to flash green.

8. Add the Thin Shim and Spacer Plate on top and wait for the timer button to stop flashing.
9. When it stops flashing, remove the platform from the docking station.

10. Run it through your die-cutting machine.

11. Remove the foil and gaze at your beautiful sentiment! The magic of foiling never gets old.

12. Take the coordinating die and tape it in place using yellow tape. Cut two extra strips of Raven ColorWheel Cardstock for the sentiment.
13. Run the sentiment through your die-cutting machine and then use the die to cut two more layers from the extra black strips.

14. Adhere the three layers together.

Assembling the Card

1. Temporarily position your sentiment onto an A2 panel of Raven ColorWheel Cardstock (4.25” x 5.5”).
2. Using liquid glue, adhere the tree above.

3. Using liquid glue, now adhere the sentiment in place.

4. Adhere the green present in place.

5. Add Black Foam Adhesive Squares to the back of the two cats and the blue gift as shown.

6. Remove the backings from the foam adhesive squares and adhere the grey cat in place.
7. Next, add the blue gift to the left of the pot.
8. Finish by placing the brown cat to the right of the pot.

9. Add some liquid glue to the back of your completed panel and adhere it to an A2 white note card (11” x 4.25”, scored and folded at 5.5”).

10. Finish by adhering a Red Color Essential Gem onto the red neck scarf (where the bow and ribbon tails meet).

That finishes the tutorial for today’s card. I hope that you find it helpful when making your card. This collection is such good fun, and the scenes you can create with all the different products are endless! If you would like to see more of my cards, I would love to have you join me over on my blog, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. In the meantime, thank you so much for joining me here on the Spellbinders blog today. I hope that you have a fabulous day! [spellbinders-supplies]S4-1546,S4-1547,BP-375,GLF-025,SCS-268,SCS-140,SCSP-001,CS-8-147,CS-8-119,CS-8-118,CS-8-123,CS-8-124,CS-8-100,CS-8-101,CS-8-145-CS-8-146,CS-8-142,CS-8-144,CS-8-143,T-024,T-042,T-043,T-098,PCGO2E,SCS-123,T-056,PE-104,GLS-005[/spellbinders-supplies]

Other Supplies

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb and 110lb cardstock.

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Hi, crafty friends! Lea Lawson here with you today, creating a card featuring the hilarious new Christmas Cats collection by Yana Smakula. I’m not even a cat person, but I can’t get enough of this adorable collection!

Today I’m sharing my step-by-step process in easy-to-follow photos and instructions. I hope you find them helpful! Die-cut the cats from the Christmas Cats die set in the following cardstock colors: Striped cat: Bellini & Coral; Siamese cat: Fawn & Truffle; Bow: Poppy Eye backer: Raven; Pupils: Class White [gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="lealawson-christmascats-step-2.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-3.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-4.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-5.webp"] Assemble and glue the cats together in steps. Be sure to add the white pupil piece first, followed by the black eye backer on the striped cat. Die-cut the elements from the Christmas Cats Accessories die set in the following cardstock colors: Tree & light strings: Fern; Santa Hats: Poppy Tree trunk: Truffle; Garland, Tree star & ornament hangers: Brushed Gold; Ornaments & lights: White glitter metallic; Tree pot: Gold matte metallic [gallery type="rectangular" link="file" size="large" ids="lealawson-christmascats-step-7.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-8.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-9.webp"] Assemble the diecut tree, then adhere the striped cat to it. [gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="lealawson-christmascats-step-10.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-11.webp"] Adhere the Christmas light strings together, then adhere to the Siamese cat. [gallery type="rectangular" link="file" size="large" ids="lealawson-christmascats-step-12.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-13.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-14.webp"] Next, we are going to 3D emboss an A2 panel of Oceanside cardstock with the Ornate Molded Frame 3D embossing folder. The best plate sandwich for running this through your Platinum 6 is Platform Base A, 3D Embossing Folder with paper inside, and Adapter Plate D.

TIP (not pictured): To help the paper not crack, I like to mist the back of my cardstock with a little bit of water. Some crafters prefer to mist the front, but I have found the back works best for me!

I decided the Christmas lights cat needed a bed, so I die-cut the pieces from Blush cardstock and quickly glued them together (not shown). [gallery type="rectangular" link="file" size="large" ids="lealawson-christmascats-step-16.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-17.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-18.webp"] Next, we are going to hot foil the sentiment. To start, turn on your Glimmer Hot Foil System, then let it heat up. Once the green indicator light notifies you that the platform is ready, place the sentiment from Meowy Christmas Sentiments on it and hit the timer button. Once the timer button stops flashing, prep your Rose Gold hot foil and white cardstock. [gallery type="rectangular" link="file" size="large" ids="lealawson-christmascats-step-19.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-20.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-21.webp"] Remove the platform from the base, then place the Rose Gold foil pretty side down on the hot foil plate. Place the white cardstock over top, then layer the plate sandwich on top and run through a Platinum 6 diecut machine.

TIP: I like to add a cardstock shim in the middle of the glimmer sandwich to help press plates foil more accurately.

Die-cut the sentiment with the coordinating die. Glue the 3D embossed panel to an A2-sized white card base. [gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="lealawson-christmascats-step-25.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-26.webp"] Arrange and adhere the Christmas Cats die-cut elements to the front. [gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="lealawson-christmascats-step-27.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-28.webp"] Mount the foiled sentiment to the front with thin foam strips. [gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="lealawson-christmascats-step-29.webp,lealawson-christmascats-step-30.webp"] Accent the card with Aura AB self-adhesive crystals to finish. I find using the Precision Tool from the Handy Tool Kit helpful when adhering the tiny crystals to the card. I hope you enjoyed seeing these adorable Christmas Cats come to life, and how fun it will be to feature these naughty little kitties on your holiday cards this year! I share lots of inspiration on my Instagram and YouTube channel - follow and subscribe to see even more inspiration with this beautiful collection. Happy crafting! [spellbinders-supplies]S4-1546,S4-1547,S5-761,E3D-179,BP-375,SCS-168,GLS-005,GLF-004,PE-104,CS-8-100,CS-8-103,CS-8-109,CS-8-110,CS-8-120,CS-8-129,CS-8-142,CS-8-144,CS-8-147,CS-8-148,SCS-116,SCSP-001,SCSP-016,T-098[/spellbinders-supplies]

Other Supplies

Liquid glue  

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Hello, crafty friends! It’s Marie here again from Marie Nicole Designs, and I have such a fun card to share today! The Christmas Cats collection has so many cute dies, a few 3D embossing folders, and some Better Press sentiments that perfectly finish of the feline theme. I mixed and matched a few things in today’s card, and I’ll be showing you a step-by-step on how you can replicate this one on your own. Let’s get started!

Cut Out Your Cats!

[gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-1-scaled.webp,marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-2-scaled.webp,marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-3-scaled.webp,marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-4-scaled.webp"] There are four different cats in the Christmas Cats die set. Using the cat or cats you prefer, cut out the pieces and assemble. I have pictured all the pieces for each cat together with the finished image. Feel free to vary the colors!

Cut Out Accessories

There is also a Christmas Cats Accessories die set, which has these cute Santa hats and Christmas sweater included, as well as Christmas lights, some gift boxes, a tree, and tree accessories. I am using the hats and sweater cut out in red and white cardstock.

Ink Blend a Background!

[gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-7-scaled.webp,marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-8-scaled.webp"] Using the colors Candied Apple, Saltwater Taffy, and Crushed Olive, tape off slanted stripes and ink blend, alternating colors. I like the brighter green, pink, and red to give a playful Christmas theme that fits with the playful kittens.

Cut a Front Panel

Using the Playful Stitched Panels, I cut a piece of white cardstock smaller than my background. This will allow the stripes to show through on the sides, and we can build a scene on the front.

Cut Out the Curtain and Window

[gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-21-scaled_8fd7b770-c4dd-41c7-bdd2-ab355aa7a801.webp,marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-22-scaled.webp"] The Window View die set includes this lovely window and curtain. There is also a cushion that we will be using for this card, so cut that out, as well. I used a bright red for the curtain, and then I cut the window frame out of black cardstock and the solid window piece from vellum. The vellum will be layered behind the frame to look like a frosty windowpane.

Assemble the Shaker Window

[gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-23-scaled_aa3dd578-e100-4746-9e33-3dd0e31386ab.webp,marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-25-scaled_51e57a47-e30e-4b08-a96b-2b84995add5a.webp"] Using liquid glue, adhere the window frame to the vellum window pane. Then, use some strips of foam adhesive on the back of the window, hiding it behind the frame. We are making our window into a shaker, so it looks like it is snowing outside! Add some shimmery glitter or sequins to the center of your stitched edge panel we cut earlier. Then, adhere the foam adhesive on the back of the window over the glitter to seal in the shaker bits. [gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" link="file" size="large" ids="marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-26-scaled.webp,marie-heiderscheit-2026-christmas-cats-step-by-step-27-scaled.webp"]

Assemble the Scene

Now is the fun part! We get to put all the pieces together for a fun and festive feline scene. Adhere the stitched panel with the window onto the striped background panel with foam adhesive. Then, dress up the window with the curtain and the cushion. Finally, add whatever kitties you’d like! I added the lounging cat to the cushion and the black and white kitty behind. Don’t forget to dress them up with hats, sweaters, and bows!

Add the Sentiment

The Meowy Christmas Sentiment set has so many cat-themed punny sentiments to finish off your card perfectly. I am using a sentiment that says, “We wish you a meowy Christmas”. Using your Better Press platform and some black ink, press the sentiment into the cardstock and then cut it out using the coordinating dies. Add the sentiment to your scene, and that finishes the card! A purrrrr-fect card for the cat lovers in your life! Since this collection was so adorable, I also went ahead and made a second card with similar details as this one, but I changed up the scene a bit to feature some of the other cats and accessories in this collection. I hope you enjoyed today’s tutorial and that it gave you some ideas and inspiration for getting crafting in your own home! Thanks for stopping by today. Until next time, Marie Nicole [spellbinders-supplies]BP-375,S4-1546,S4-1547,S5-761,S5-747,BP-001,PE-104,BPI-043,SCS-123[/spellbinders-supplies]

Other supplies

Ink, ink blending tools, cardstock, liquid glue, foam adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer, glitter, sequins

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