Stampin' Up!® Shining Stars Dies: 3 Cards and a 3D Ornament

What can you make with a set of star dies? Quite a bit, as it turns out! 🌟

For this week's Craft With Cheryl class, I pulled out Stampin' Up!®'s Shining Stars Dies and created three handmade cards and a personalized Christmas ornament. We played with layered stars, dimensional folds, embossing, and a few fun techniques along the way.

One of the things I love about stars is how versatile they are. They're perfect for Christmas cards, of course, but they're also wonderful for birthdays, graduations, celebrations, and handmade gifts.

Let's take a look at what we made!

Christmas Card with a Star-Shaped Window

Our first project is a traditional Christmas card featuring Cherry Cobbler, Peaceful Pine, and some pretty plaid Designer Series Paper.

Instead of simply layering a die-cut star on the card, I cut the star out of the front panel, allowing the plaid paper to show through.

The raised panel gives the window a little extra dimension, while white embossing and coordinating baker's twine finish the design.

Cheryl's Tip: Save that star you cut out! Die-cut leftovers are wonderful for adding accents to other projects.

Rustic Christmas Card with a Dimensional Star

For our second project, I paired Real Red and Crumb Cake cardstock for a rustic Christmas look.

The star is the star of the show! By scoring from the points of the die-cut star and carefully folding along those lines, you can create a dimensional shape that adds wonderful texture.

I also embossed the Real Red background and lightly rubbed white craft ink across the raised design to make it stand out.

Cheryl's Tip: You don't always need to ink an embossing folder before running it through your machine. Sometimes adding ink to the raised design afterward gives you a similar effect with less cleanup!

This card has quite a bit of dimension, so keep that in mind if you plan to mail it.

Bright Yellow Celebration Card with Layered Stars

Our third card takes stars in a completely different direction!

I used Daffodil Delight cardstock, white die-cut stars, and a fun partial-front fold to create a bright, cheerful celebration card.

The background features the Sunray Embossing Folder, a sneak peek from the November Online Exclusives collection. I thought those rays were the perfect way to make the star really shine!

With the "Celebrate Today" greeting, this card would work beautifully for a birthday, graduation, or special accomplishment.

A little update: During the video, I used some puffy star stickers. After filming, I removed them and added more die-cut stars instead. The finished photo shows the updated design.

Cheryl's Tip: Combining larger focal-point stars with several small ones creates movement without making the card too busy.

Personalized 3D Christmas Star Ornament

For our fourth project, we went beyond cards and made a Christmas ornament!

I used silver foil paper, the largest Shining Stars Die, and the Swirls of Magic Embossing Folder to create a textured star with plenty of dimension.

After scoring, folding, embossing, and assembling the pieces, I added a hanging loop and a red patterned letter R for my granddaughter.

Wouldn't these be fun to make for grandchildren, friends, or even as little gift decorations?

Cheryl's Tip: Score the star shapes before running them through the embossing folder. It's much easier to find your fold lines afterward!

More Ways to Use Star Dies

These four projects are just a starting point. You could also use star dies for scrapbook pages, gift tags, patriotic projects, graduation cards, banners, and decorations.

I especially love that this set includes so many sizes. You can layer them, create open frames, cut windows, or combine several stars into one design.

Watch the Complete Shining Stars Class

Want to see how these projects come together?

In the class replay, I demonstrate the techniques, share project measurements, and offer little tips as we craft.

Watch the video below and create along with me whenever you have time.

Want the Written Shining Stars Tutorials?

Love these projects but prefer having written instructions you can print and keep?

I've put together an 11-page, full-color Shining Stars Tutorial Bundle featuring all four projects from this class!

For just $12, you'll receive:

• Step-by-step instructions for three handmade cards and a personalized Christmas ornament

• Complete supply lists and cutting measurements for each project

• Full-color project photos

• My helpful Cheryl's Tips

• A master supply list and quick-reference measurement guide

Everything is organized so you can craft at your own pace without having to pause and rewind the video!

The Shining Stars Tutorial Bundle is $12 and will be emailed to you within 24 hours of purchase.

GET THE SHINING STARS TUTORIAL BUNDLE

This is a digital tutorial purchase; no physical supplies are included.

October's Stampin' Up! Product of the Month

The Shining Stars Dies (item #168600) are Stampin' Up!'s October 2026 Product of the Month.

The set includes 23 dies in assorted sizes and is available for just $5 with a qualifying $75 order.

Important: The Shining Stars Dies are available only while supplies last. Once they're sold out, they're gone!

If you'd like to add these dies to your crafting supplies, you can shop with me through CraftWithCheryl.com. The Shining Stars Dies must be added to your qualifying order.

I'd love to help you get more enjoyment from your crafting supplies!

Let's Keep Crafting Together!

Which of these projects would you make first?

Are you more of a traditional Christmas card maker, or do you like finding ways to use your supplies all year long?

Leave me a comment and let me know!

And if you enjoy learning new techniques, join me for Mystery Stamping on Tuesdays and my free card-making classes on Thursdays.

Happy crafting!

Cheryl
Craft With Cheryl

Prefer written instructions? The complete Shining Stars Tutorial Bundle is available for $12, with measurements and step-by-step directions for all four projects!