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Mixed Media Christmas Card Ideas | Seth Apter + Distress Oxides

I’m switching gears from spooky to merry today with a festive twist on mixed media! You may remember the two Halloween cards I recently shared using Seth Apter’s newest Sizzix release. Those designs had me completely inspired — and I couldn’t resist seeing how the same dies and embossing folder could work for a Christmas card.

Most Wonderful Christmas Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Dies and Embossing Folder 

His Sizzix designs are so versatile — full of organic texture and layered detail — that they’re perfect for every season. In this new video, I’m showing you how I combined Seth’s collection with a few Tim Holtz favorites to create a Christmas card that’s full of dimension, shine, and that signature pretty grunge vibe.

 

IN THE VIDEO

In my latest YouTube video, you’ll see how I:
  • Use Distress Oxides and embossing powders to build a richly textured background
  • Layer Seth Apter’s dies with Tim Holtz elements for a festive focal point
  • Add simple mixed media touches that work with any dies or embossing folders you already have
These techniques aren’t limited to holiday cards — you can easily adapt them for any season or occasion.

🎥 Watch the full video HERE or below.


Please feel free to use products from your stash to recreate something similar. However, if you are interested in any of the products I’m using, you can find the supply list with links down below. Using these links does not cost you anything extra and it helps support my business. It also allows me to continue offering free content and keep my class costs low. I appreciate your support!

MORE INSPIRATION

If you missed my earlier projects featuring Seth’s new release, you can check them out below. Each one explores a different way to use his dies and embossing folder to build layers, color, and texture — and you’ll see how easily these same techniques transition from spooky to sparkly!


Caught In A Spider's Web Halloween Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Dies and Embossing Folder

A Wicked Thing

A Wicked Thing Halloween Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Seth Apter Dies and Embossing Folder

I hope these project inspire you to look at your favorite dies and embossing folders in a whole new way. With a little color, texture, and shine, you can create cards that feel festive and full of mixed media magic.

SUPPLIES

Below you can find the supplies I used to create this card. When you shop through those links and whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely, you’re supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue to provide you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!
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Caught in a Spider's Web | Mixed Media Halloween Card with Seth Apter Dies and Distress Oxides

Hello there and welcome! Today I'm sharing my second make as part of the Seth Apter Creative Collective, which I am so excited to be part of. This is a group of six creatives hand-picked by Seth to help showcase his latest release of dies and embossing folders from Sizzix.

 

I absolutely love his style, and while it's quite different from mine, the core elements he uses are SO GOOD for layering and adding texture—two things I love to do!

Using some of the new goodies from his release, I created another Halloween-themed card because, well... Halloween! I just can't get enough of it!

Now let's get into the details!

CREATING THE BACKGROUND


I began with a piece of watercolor cardstock and embossed it using the Grid Graph embossing folder. Next, I applied Distress Oxide Sprays in Wilted Violet, Twisted Citron, Fossilized Amber, and Lucky Clover, then dried it with my heat tool. I rubbed an Archival Ink Pad in Black Soot over the embossed areas, then gave the entire panel a light misting of Distress Spritz in Hickory Smoke for a touch of shimmer and shine.

 

BUILDING THE LAYERS

For the back layer, I die-cut the Diamond District die from white cardstock, applied embossing ink, and heat embossed it using Seth Apter's Wow Embossing Powder in Amethyst Ice.

Next, I used the Stretchers die set to cut three shapes from white cardstock. I applied Distress Oxide Ink using a brayer in Wilted Violet, Twisted Citron, and Carved Pumpkin.


THE FOCAL POINT


For the main focal point, I used the Tim Holtz Witchcraft die set. I die-cut the witch from black cardstock and heat embossed it using Seth Apter's Wow Embossing Powder in Asphalt. The cat was inked with Distress Oxide Ink in Wilted Violet.

 

FINISHING TOUCHES


The final touch was the sentiment, stamped using black ink on white cardstock with the Tim Holtz Tiny Text Halloween Stamp Set. I trimmed it into small strips and inked the edges with Distress Ink in Black Soot.

I then adhered all the layers to the card base, and it was complete!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed this bit of Halloween inspiration featuring the latest Seth Apter Sizzix release. The new release is now available from your favorite retailer or Seth Apter's online store HERE.

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Pretty Grunge Part 2: Mixed-Media Embellishments + NEW Sizzix Big Shot In Action

I’m so excited to share that registration is officially open for Pretty Grunge Part 2: Mixed Media Embellishments—and it’s just $20 USD!

In this brand-new live class, we’ll transform simple die cuts into dimensional, textured embellishments using Distress Inks, Sprays, embossing powders, and Luster Wax. You’ll add color, shimmer, and grungy goodness to create focal points for cards, journals, and mixed-media projects.

Pretty Grunge Part 2 Mixed Media Embellishments Class by Juliana Michaels

CLASS DETAILS:

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: Session One: 10 AM – 12 PM ET | Focal Point Techniques
          Break: 12 PM – 1 PM ET
          Session Two: 1 PM – 3 PM ET | Layer & Sentiment Techniques
Where: Live on YouTube (private link provided)
Replay: Included—watch anytime
Price: $20 USD
 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Focal-point techniques with Distress Ink/Spray watercoloring, heat embossing, and layered die cuts
Layering tricks to add depth, contrast, and that pretty-grunge finish
Sentiment/cluster building so your embellishments work as ready-to-use focal points

 ðŸ’¡ LEARN MORE HERE ðŸ’¡


WHAT'S INCLUDED

Printable Class Guide (PDF): supplies, prep checklists, technique steps, and notes pages
Free Bonus: the 5 Steps to Creating Clusters Guide to design balanced embellishment clusters
Community Access: the 17turtles Creative Classroom Community to share projects and connect
Replay + ongoing access to all materials once the live class goes up

✨ GRAB YOUR SPOT ✨ 


SUPPLIES & PREP

You’ll see a general supply list before purchasing so you can plan ahead. After you register, you’ll get the full supply list plus a Prep Video to walk you through exactly what to stamp, cut, and organize so you’re ready on class day.

The prep for the class is crucial and highly recommended if you want to create along with me in real time.

VIEW THE GENERAL SUPPLY LIST


REFUND POLICY

Because a private live link is provided immediately after purchase, all sales are final.



PRETTY GRUNGE STYLE IN ACTION

Would you like to see Pretty Grunge style in action? Check out my latest YouTube video where I share cardmaking inspiration in the Pretty Grunge style along with a review of the new Sizzix Big Shot Machine.


Whether you joined me for Part 1 or you’re jumping in fresh, Pretty Grunge Part 2 will spark new ideas and help you build a stash of beautiful, dimensional embellishments you’ll reach for again and again.

✨ GRAB YOUR SPOT ✨ 




Can’t wait to create with you!

— Juliana 💛
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A Wicked Thing Halloween Card | Seth Apter Sizzix

Seth Apter’s second release with Sizzix is now available, and I’m beyond thrilled to share that I’m part of his Creative Collective Team for this launch! I’ll be sharing two projects using his new collection—starting with today’s card and another coming very soon.

I’ve always loved Seth’s artistic style. His dies feel so organic, with shapes that flow and move in a way that makes them incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for adding texture, dimension, and interest to your projects—and that’s exactly my jam.

Handmade grungy Halloween card featuring a large layered butterfly with purple and glittered wings, a small skull centerpiece, and the sentiment “A Wicked Thing.” The textured background is bright green with embossed, distressed details, and metallic die cut accents.

The new release is now available from your favorite retailer or Seth Apter's online store HERE.


BUILDING THE BACKGROUND

For this first card, I started by embossing white cardstock with the Seth Apter Grid Graph Embossing Folder. To bring the design to life, I rubbed an embossing ink pad over the raised surface, sprinkled on Tim Holtz Twisted Citron Embossing Glaze, and heat set it. Once cool, I brushed black acrylic paint over the embossed piece, let it set for a few seconds, and then wiped away the excess with a damp towel. After it dried, I highlighted the raised areas with a touch of Sizzix Gold Luster Wax for that gorgeous grungy shine.
 

LAYERING WITH DIES

Next came the die cutting. I used the Seth Apter Stretchers dies to cut both purple kraftstock and white cardstock. I lightly sanded the kraftstock to distress it, cut it in half, and adhered it to the background. For the white piece, I heat embossed it in black for bold contrast.

I also cut the circular shape from the Seth Apter Twister die set using rose gold metallic cardstock, then sanded it lightly for texture. These elements formed the layered base for my focal point.
 

CREATING THE FOCAL POINT

The centerpiece of this card is a layered butterfly. I started with the Tim Holtz Tattered Butterfly die (a retired favorite) cut from white cardstock. To add more detail, I ran it through again with one of the speckled designs from Seth’s Paper Cutz 1 die set—this created grungy cut-outs for extra texture.

For the larger butterfly layer, I heat embossed it with Tim Holtz Seedless Preserves Embossing Glaze. For the smaller top layer, I used Seth Apter WOW Amethyst Ice Embossing Powder for a sparkly pop of purple.

The finishing touches included a small skull die cut from the Tim Holtz Vault Coffin Box set (embossed with clear powder for shine) and a stamped sentiment from the Tim Holtz Tiny Text Halloween set, heat embossed in white on black cardstock.


THE FINISHED CARD

And there you have it—layers upon layers of grungy, textured Halloween goodness! Between Seth’s organic die designs and a mix of embossing techniques, this project came together with just the right balance of spooky and stylish.


I can’t wait to share my second project with this release soon—so stay tuned for even more Seth Apter inspiration! In the meantime, I hope this card encourages you to mix, layer, and play with your favorite dies and embossing powders to create something wonderfully grungy of your own.

The new release is now available from your favorite retailer or Seth Apter's online store HERE.

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Tim Holtz A5 Embossing Folders | Bigger Size, More Creative Possibilites!

Tim Holtz has just released three new A5 embossing folders—classic designs you may already know and love, now available in a larger A5 size. This new format opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities. You can use them for larger projects like journal covers or home décor, while still enjoying how beautifully they work for handmade cards.

Handmade Halloween card with a grungy embossed background in purple and brown using the Tim Holtz Numbered A5 embossing folder. The card is decorated with a die cut wreath of candy, leaves, and flowers, finished with a bold orange “Trick or Treat” sentiment and white paint splatters. 

For today’s project, I used the Numbered A5 Embossing Folder to create a grungy, colorful background for a Halloween card. Don’t worry if you only have the original size—the techniques I’m sharing work with any embossing folder.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

In my tutorial, I’ll walk you through:
  • Adding layered color to embossed paper using Distress Paints
  • Collage stamping to build extra depth and interest
  • Creating a Halloween wreath focal point with layered die cuts
  • Turning die cut candy pieces into sparkly, glossy embellishments using Glossy Accents + Rock Candy Glitter

WATCH THE VIDEO

You can either watch the video below or head over to my YouTube Channel HERE to check it out.


Please feel free to use products from your stash to recreate something similar. However, if you are interested in any of the products I’m using, you can find the supply list with links down below. Using these links does not cost you anything extra and it helps support my business. It also allows me to continue offering free content and keep my class costs low. I appreciate your support!


YEAR ROUND VERSATILITY

While I created a Halloween-themed card, this technique isn’t limited to spooky season. By simply changing your color palette and focal point, you can apply this embossed background technique to projects for any season, holiday, or occasion. Think bright florals for spring, rustic tones for fall, or festive colors for Christmas—the possibilities are endless!


Whether you’re new to embossing folders or just looking for fresh inspiration, I hope this project encourages you to explore the new Tim Holtz A5 embossing folders and discover how versatile they can be in your creative process.

Until next time, stay crafty my friend!

SUPPLIES

Below you can find the supplies I used to create this card. When you shop through those links and whether you purchase that exact item or something else entirely, you’re supporting me at no extra cost to you. The commission I receive helps me cover the costs of my blog and other expenses, and allows me to continue to provide you with FREE inspiration and tutorials. If you want to learn more about what an affiliate link is, you can see my full affiliate and product disclosure statement here. Thank you so much for your love and support!

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