Who says Christmas has to be red and green? See how non-traditional colour palettes bring the quirky Merry Mischief gnomes to life, plus the exact Stampin’ Blends I used.
These gnomes are so full of personality that they honestly don’t need traditional red and green to feel like Christmas — they can carry a totally unexpected palette and still read as pure holiday cheer.
Why Break the “Christmas Colour Rules”?
Traditional red and green is beautiful, but it can also mean your project blends in with a hundred others. Quirky, characterful stamps like the Merry Mischief gnomes give you permission to play — their charm comes from the illustration, not the colour scheme, which means they can carry pastels, brights, or a totally unexpected mix and still feel festive. Non-traditional colour is also a great way to make cards that suit a wider audience: think hostess gifts, workplace cards, or anyone who just isn’t a “red and green” person.
Sugarplum & Peppermint Pastel
This card is soft, dreamy, and almost more “winter” than “Christmas”. The bejeweled Merry Mischief gnome with the ornament beard felt like the perfect candidate for a gentler palette, paired with polka dot and scallop patterned paper to keep the whole thing light and pretty.
Stampin’ Blends used:
- Pool Party both dark & light for the soft mint look
- Flirty Flamingo both light & dark with a touch of light Strawberry Slush to slightly darken the pinks
- Golden Glow for the crown & now thinking back I should have added some Golden Glow shimmer to give it some shine – maybe next time.
- Barely Blush (light & dark) for the face
- Light Gray Granite swirls of colour & I went over with the Color Lifter for the beard.
I also added some white gel pen to the beard & some shimmer & shine with Wink of Stella
Pastels can feel like a risk for Christmas cards, but paired with a whimsical image like this gnome, they read as fresh and modern rather than “wrong.” The polka dot and scallop patterned paper does a lot of the heavy lifting here too — it reinforces the softness of the palette so nothing feels out of place.
Grab all the supplies for the Sugarplum & Peppermint Pastel colour combination here
Sour Candy Christmas
This cookie-loving Merry Mischief gnome got the citrus treatment! Instead of the usual warm reds, I leaned into a fresh lemon-and-lime combination and let Melon Mambo stand in for the traditional red — it’s got just enough punch to keep the palette feeling like Christmas, without being predictable
Stampin’ Blends used:
- Lemon Lolly (light & dark)
- Lemon Lime Twist (light & dark)
- Melon Mambo (light & dark)
- Barely Blush (light & dark) for the face
- Light Gray Granite swirls of colour & I went over with the Color Lifter for the beard.
- Dark Crumb Cake, Light Pecan Pie for the cookie & Medium Deep SU300 for the chocolate Chips
This combination works so well because the two yellow-greens sit right next to each other on the colour wheel, so they blend seamlessly, while the Melon Mambo pops as the contrast colour that keeps your eye moving around the image. It’s proof that “Christmas colours” can be as simple as one warm, punchy accent plus two harmonious neighbours.
Grab all the supplies for the Sour Candy Christmas colour combination here
A Few Tips for Choosing Your Own Non-Traditional Palette
- Pick one anchor colour that still whispers “Christmas” (a berry pink, a deep green, a gold) and build the rest of your palette around it.
- Stick to colours that sit near each other on the colour wheel for an easy, cohesive blend — then add one contrasting pop colour to keep it interesting.
- Let your patterned paper set the tone first, especially if you’re nervous about colour choices — it takes a lot of the guesswork out of coordinating.
- Trust the stamp image. Quirky, characterful designs like the Merry Mischief gnomes can carry a lot more colour experimentation than a traditional poinsettia or holly image can.
Watch me create the Sugarplum & Peppermint Pastel Card
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Til next time, see you soon & keep creating!
Maz
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