Fun & Festive Christmas Shaker Cards

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Get ready for the holidays and make some Christmas shaker cards with me! You can make these cards for all of your loved ones this Christmas as an extra special way to wish them a happy holiday season.

These cards are fun to receive, but they’re also super fun to make (as long as you don’t spill your glitter). And, as an added bonus, today I’m going to teach you all about using your Cricut pens to write a special note for a special card!

This Christmas Shaker Card Craft is Day 10 of our Christmas Craft Kickoff for 2022! View all 14 projects here. If you love paper crafts you’ll love these Christmas crafts!

Supplies for Christmas Shaker Cards

• 65lb Cardstock – 12″x12″ Needed for Envelope (Your Choice of Color) – https://amzn.to/3X5k7yJ
• Quick-Dry Tacky Glue
• Chunky Glitter – https://amzn.to/3V5ODXm
• Foam Tape – https://amzn.to/3TGsyxj
• Acetate Sheets or Any Clear Plastic Sheet (A Ziploc Bag Will Work) – https://amzn.to/3TIm9BW
• Cricut Cutting Machine & Tools – https://amzn.to/3hFEB0w
• Cricut Pens
• Scissors
• SVG File for the Christmas Shaker Cards – More Details Below

Christmas Shaker Cards Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

Step 1: Download the SVG File and Upload it to Design Space

For help downloading SVG Files and uploading them to Design Space see this post.

The free SVG file for the Christmas Shaker Cards has expired.

Or Grab the all-access pass here and get instant access all 14 projects, 25+ SVG Files, and printable instructions.

Once you’ve got your design onto the canvas, you should see all the different layers of the card, including a white square. This white square is for cutting the acetate sheets. If you’re using another material, you may want to cut the square by hand and delete this layer.

Step 2: Add Text to the Card

Now, before we can cut out the card, we’re going to add text to have a special written message. To use the Cricut pens, it’s best to use a writing font. If you have Cricut Access, there are a lot of writing fonts available to you. Just use the filter in the font menu to find them.

If you don’t have Cricut Access, you can choose to pay a small fee to use the writing font, or you can select a cutting font. If you select a cutting font, you can use the pen to color in the white space when your card is finished, or you will have a bubble letter effect.

After you’ve chosen your font, no matter if it is a writing or cutting font, look at the top menu to see the operation. It should say ‘Pen’. If it doesn’t, use the drop-down menu to change it. If you’re using a writing font and your letters still have a bubble effect, change the style to ‘Writing’ from the top menu.

Now, to add the text to your card, ungroup the design from the top of the layers menu. Move the top of the card to one side. The top will have the snowflake, ornament, or tree cutout on it.

Type out your text, adjust the size to be how you want it and then center it horizontally from the align menu. Now you can select your text and the front of your card and click ‘Attach’ from the bottom of the layers menu.

To put text on the inside of the card, type out your message and place it to the right side of the perforation line on the large rectangle. Select the card and the text and attach it.

Step 3: Write On & Cut the Cards

With your text added you can click ‘Make It’. There’s nothing to do on the mat screen, so click ‘Continue’. If you have a Cricut Explore, set your dial to Cardstock or if you have one of the Maker machines, choose cardstock from your cut list.

Because we’ve set the text to ‘Pen’, your Cricut will prompt you to add a Cricut pen to side ‘A’ and your cutting blade will remain in side ‘B’. To add the pen, open the clamp, take off the pen cap and place it tip down into the holder. Press it down until you hear a click, then close the clamp.

Put the cardstock onto your mat, place it into your Cricut, and press the flashing green ‘C’ button to load. Your Cricut pen will do all the writing first, then it will cut.

To remove cardstock from your mat, flip it over and peel the mat away from the cardstock. The design should pop right off with no curling or tearing.

When all pieces have been cut, you’re ready to assemble!

Step 4: Make the Envelope

To make the envelope, fold all of the tabs at the perforation lines in toward the middle. Then, add a thin strip of glue on the bottom 3/4 of the side tabs.

Fold the large bottom tab of the envelope up over the sides and press them down gently. Check to make sure you have not gotten glue on the inside of the envelope that may seal it shut.

Set the envelope aside to allow the glue to dry.

Step 5: Assemble the Card

We’ll start by assembling the front of the card. First, glue down the acetate square or clear plastic onto the back of the front of the card over the cutout shape.

Then place foam tape over the acetate sheet. Make sure that the foam tape does not go over the design where it can be seen on the front of the card. You will also need to make sure there are no gaps in the foam, as this will be what holds the glitter in place.

After you’ve put foam all around the design, add some to the corners and sides of the card. Then, remove the backing.

Now we’re ready to add the glitter! Use one color or as many as you’d like to cover cutout shape. Chunky glitter works best.

Now we can add the card insert. Take the larger rectangle and fold it in half, with the words on the inside. Make sure it does not get turned upside down! All of the writing should be facing the correct way before placing the insert onto the front of the card.

Carefully line up the front of the card insert to the card front with the foam tape on it. When you’re sure it’s aligned, press it down firmly so no glitter falls out.

Step 6: Add Embellishments

On the front of the card, add the cutout outline with a fine tip glue. You can also add any other embellishments you’d like.

Then, all that’s left is to sign your card, place it in the envelope, and send it off!

If you’re enjoying the Christmas Craft Kickoff 2022 and can’t wait for more, or if you’ve missed a day, you can buy the All-Access Pass for lifetime access to ad-free videos, 30+ SVG files, and printable PDF instructions!

More Fun Christmas Paper Crafts You’ll Enjoy:

Layered Snowflakes

Christmas Gnomes

Christmas Gift Boxes