Every year, I try to do something a little different for my Christmas cards. This year, I wanted to combine my love of nature, watercolor, and handmade details — and ended up creating something simple, organic, and peaceful. Each card features a real fern that I gathered and pressed earlier this fall, turned into what looks like a tiny stand of evergreen trees dusted with snow.
Step 1: Design and Print
I started by writing my message, typing it in Canva, 2 up an 8.5x11 then exported to a pdf and printed 50 cards on my home printer. Each card was trimmed to size and scored at the center for a perfect fold using my Martha Stewart score board.
There’s something satisfying about stacking neat piles of blank cards, knowing they’ll soon come to life with texture and color.
Step 2: Gather and Press Ferns
Early in the fall, I collected ferns from around my yard. After rinsing and drying them, I placed them between sheets of wax paper and tucked them into a stack of heavy books. Over the next few weeks, the ferns flattened beautifully — preserving their delicate shape and forest green hue.
Step 3: Apply and Seal
Once the ferns were ready, I trimmed and arranged them on the cards to resemble a small gathering of evergreen trees. Move them aside on the card. Add a light coat of Mod Podge to the area where the ferns will be placed. Place the ferns. Add a light topcoat of Mod Podge to the ferns to seal each one in place, brushing carefully to avoid damaging the fragile leaves. After drying, each card has its own unique little “forest.”
Step 4: Add a Touch of Winter
To bring the scene to life and add a bit of depth, I added a faint wash of blue watercolor to suggest snowy shadows. You might experience areas where the paint does not take because of the Mod Podge, if that bothers you - use watered-down acrylic paint, it will adhere. The next and final step will be to splatter white acrylic paint across the cards to create the look of falling snow — a winter wonderland in miniature.
Why I Love this Project
These cards remind me that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated. And you can do each step each evening. No need to rush, enjoy the creative moments. Sometimes it’s about slowing down, using what’s around you, and turning small moments into something meaningful. Each card feels like a little piece of Vermont — natural, handmade, and perfectly imperfect.
Tips if you’d like to try this yourself:
- Be gentle when cutting, handling, and applying the ferns — they’re delicate!
- Wax paper helps preserve moisture balance and prevents sticking.
- Use a very light coat of Mod Podge on the bottom and on top to adhere the ferns to the card.
- You can also use acrylic paint instead of watercolor for the snowy shadows. It will adhere better to the area where the dry Mod Podge are present.
I’d love to hear: Do you make your own holiday cards or gifts? Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram @carondesigns — I’d love to see what you’re creating this season!
