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Distressed Christmas Wreath Card with Gilded Accents - the finished project
The finished project
As seen on the show · step by step

Distressed Christmas Wreath Card with Gilded Accents

A project from our live show HIDDEN GEMS - Broadcast 4th November 2026 · 11/04/2026

Create a beautiful festive Christmas card featuring a decorative wreath design with layered botanical elements in soft greens, warm browns, and luxurious gold accents. Using stencilling, distress inks, and gilding wax techniques, you'll build up a richly textured wreath adorned with a sentiment label and sparkling embellishments for an elegant seasonal greeting.

15steps
3to shop now
22:00in the show
Step 1 of 15

You will need

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Step by step

Tap “watch” to see each step being made
  1. Step 1: Cut a red card blank to your desired size. Trim a piece of the red palette paper slightly smaller to layer on 1

    Cut a red card blank to your desired size. Trim a piece of the red palette paper slightly smaller to layer on top of the card blank.

    ▶ watch this step 22:15
  2. Step 2: Apply white ink pad to the patterned paper. Spray lightly with water to create a washed, distressed base effec2

    Apply white ink pad to the patterned paper. Spray lightly with water to create a washed, distressed base effect on the paper.

    ▶ watch this step 24:45
  3. 3

    Use a brush to pick up white ink and push it back across the paper to enhance the distressed effect on the stamped background.

    ▶ watch this step 25:15
  4. Step 4: Apply gilding wax around the rim of a cup lid with your finger to create a circular guide on your craft mat.4

    Apply gilding wax around the rim of a cup lid with your finger to create a circular guide on your craft mat.

    ▶ watch this step 27:30
  5. Step 5: Press the waxed cup lid onto your patterned paper to create the first gold circle for the wreath base. The met5

    Press the waxed cup lid onto your patterned paper to create the first gold circle for the wreath base. The metallic wax will transfer a gold circular impression onto the paper.

    ▶ watch this step 29:30
  6. Step 6: Reapply gilding wax to the cup lid and press it onto the patterned paper again, slightly offset from the first6

    Reapply gilding wax to the cup lid and press it onto the patterned paper again, slightly offset from the first circle to create a second overlapping circle.

    ▶ watch this step 29:45
  7. Step 7: Use the festive stencil with a blending brush and green distress ink to add leaf details around the wreath. Ta7

    Use the festive stencil with a blending brush and green distress ink to add leaf details around the wreath. Tap gently to build up the colour gradually.

    ▶ watch this step 31:00
  8. Step 8: Switch to brown distress ink and use the Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Festive to add wooden elements and fern 8

    Switch to brown distress ink and use the Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Festive to add wooden elements and fern details through the stencil. Build up depth and variety by layering these natural textures over your existing green ink work.

    ▶ watch this step 34:00
  9. Step 9: Using the black Distress Ink pad, lightly dab darker accents onto the wreath to create pine cone details and a9

    Using the black Distress Ink pad, lightly dab darker accents onto the wreath to create pine cone details and add shadows. Apply the ink sparingly to build up depth and dimension.

    ▶ watch this step 36:30
  10. Step 10: Peel sentiment stickers from the Traditional sticker book and position them around the wreath design. Place ph10

    Peel sentiment stickers from the Traditional sticker book and position them around the wreath design. Place phrases such as 'Merry Christmas' or festive greetings to complement the wreath composition.

    ▶ watch this step 42:15
  11. Step 11: Use a fine liner pen to draw around the stickers with single or double lines. This will ground them and add a 11

    Use a fine liner pen to draw around the stickers with single or double lines. This will ground them and add a grungy, distressed effect to your Christmas wreath design.

    ▶ watch this step 50:00
  12. Step 12: Glue red pearl gems and green diamantés onto the wreath in clusters of three to add sparkle and dimension.12

    Glue red pearl gems and green diamantés onto the wreath in clusters of three to add sparkle and dimension.

    ▶ watch this step 51:45
  13. Step 13: Distress the edges of your paper layer using brown and black ink pads. Tilt the ink pad as you work to create 13

    Distress the edges of your paper layer using brown and black ink pads. Tilt the ink pad as you work to create a soft, aged effect around all edges.

    ▶ watch this step 52:45
  14. Step 14: Adhere the finished wreath panel to the red card base using glue, ensuring it is centred and aligned properly.14

    Adhere the finished wreath panel to the red card base using glue, ensuring it is centred and aligned properly.

    ▶ watch this step 54:30
  15. Step 15: Apply gold Stickles glitter glue to the sprigs and foliage on the wreath for extra sparkle and shimmer. Work c15

    Apply gold Stickles glitter glue to the sprigs and foliage on the wreath for extra sparkle and shimmer. Work carefully around the design to add gilded accents to the greenery.

    ▶ watch this step 55:00

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Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly · the previous layout