Winter thank-you card with a charming shaker moon and snowman

Bring a touch of winter magic to someone’s day with this winter thank-you card, featuring a softly blended night sky and a playful shaker moon.

I made this card for the Polkadoodles challenge, where the brief was to create a thank-you card. I chose a snowy theme with a cheerful snowman, keeping the design calm while adding one interactive detail.

You’ll follow each step, from colouring the digital stamp with alcohol markers and blending Distress Inks for the night sky, to creating the shaker moon and assembling the card. I’ll also share beginner-friendly tips and simple ways to adjust the design with supplies you already have. The shaker moon might seem tricky at first, but I’ll guide you through it so it’s easy to do. Trust yourself and enjoy making your winter-themed card; it can turn out beautifully even on your first try.

Let’s get started.

See how the snowman, shaker moon, and winter colours work in harmony on this winter-themed card. Then make the design your own by adding personal touches and choosing colours you love.

This card features a snowman and a circular shaker moon for a playful winter look. The night sky blends shades of blue with white paint splatters to suggest falling snow, while red and white shaker elements add movement. The snowman’s scarf and little hearts highlight the winter theme.

• If your shaker pieces don’t move freely, check that the layers are stacked evenly and nothing is stuck.
• Use an anti-static powder tool or a tiny bit of cornstarch on the edges to prevent shaker elements from sticking.
• Make sure the plastic window is smooth and flat; wrinkles or folds can trap shaker pieces.
• Avoid overfilling the shaker; too many elements can block movement.
• Gently shake the frame before sealing the back to see if any pieces are catching, then adjust as needed.

These extra steps can save time and reduce frustration, especially for beginners.

The design is playful yet refined, perfect for a handmade winter thank-you card. Check out other Polkadoodles shaker card tutorials for more ideas and inspiration.

Its small size makes it easy to send, and the shaker adds a fun, interactive touch. The snowman and winter colours give the card a cozy seasonal feel, and you can add a short, personal greeting. This simple combination makes it a warm way to show your appreciation in winter.

Before you start, gather your supplies. They’ll help you create your digital stamp card and make colouring, blending, and assembling the shaker much easier.

• Hello Frosty Snowman Too Cute digital stamp
• Alternatives: other Polkadoodles digital stamps or free printable winter stamps

This stamp is perfect for a digital stamp card and colours well with alcohol markers. You can size it exactly how you want for your handmade winter thank-you card.

• Distress inks – Tumbled Glass (background), Salty Ocean (background and moon), Chipped Sapphire (background), Antique Linen (moon) for creating a blended night sky and subtle shading.
• Blending brushes – for smooth transitions between distress ink colours.
• White acrylic paint and paint brushes – for snow splatters to add movement and texture.
• Ohuhu markers – for colouring the snowman and small details with alcohol markers.
• White gel pen – for highlights on the snowman’s scarf, nose, and hearts.
• Snow hill die – to create stitched snow hills at the bottom of your card.
• Foam tape – to lift the snowman and create dimension.
• Shaker elements – white circles and red hearts for the moon shaker.
• Circle dies in two sizes to create the shaker window and layered moon effect.
• Plastic sheet or acetate forms the window of the shaker element.

• If you don’t have DCP paper, any alcohol-marker-friendly paper is fine for stamping and adding colour.
• Smaller dies can be used if you don’t have the exact sizes.
• You can swap Ohuhu markers with other alcohol markers or even coloured pencils.
• For the shaker window, you can use any clear plastic from packaging instead of acetate.
• White acrylic paint can be replaced with a white gel pen or ink splatters if needed.
• You could also try tiny snowflake sequins, glitter, star-shaped confetti, or small beads to add extra sparkle and movement.

These materials let you create a handmade shaker card with a Distress Ink background, and you can easily personalize it to match your style.

Creating a  thank-you shaker card is easier than it seems when you follow each step carefully. Take it step by step: start by colouring the snowman, then blend the night sky background, build the moon shaker, and finish by assembling your card. This project is beginner-friendly but also fun for crafters with more experience who want to try a shaker element.

Start with the snowman stamp to build a strong base for your winter thank-you card. Colour it well so the shaker and background really pop, making this first step both simple and fun.

Begin by printing the Hello Frosty Snowman Too Cute digital stamp at your chosen size. I set mine to 8.5 cm tall, and the width adjusts automatically. I printed it on DCP paper, which works beautifully with alcohol markers.

If you don’t have DCP paper, any marker-friendly paper will do, just make sure it handles your chosen colouring medium well.

Use your Ohuhu markers or other colouring tools to bring the snowman to life. Here are the colours I used:

• Snowman: Pale Sky Blue BV32 (B220), Pink Wisp RV23 (RV130), Deep Periwinkle V38 (R24)
• Nose and bird: Permission YR111 (Y10), Orange YR112 (YR3)
• Arms: Apple Cider Y412 (E490), Potato Brown YR313 (BR2)
• Scarf and bird: Frost B03 (B030), Cotton Candy Blue B08 (PB7), Celadon Blue B015 (B090)
• Hearts: Bubblegum RV18 (R14), Crimson R015 (R3), Chili Red R016 (R180)

Blend the colours gently so they flow like a calm winter evening, and use paper that lets your markers glide smoothly. Take your time and enjoy bringing your snowman to life, letting the soft blues and warm reds set a cheerful, cozy mood.

Highlights bring dimension and charm to your snowman. I added:

• Dots and small accents on the hearts
• A criss-cross pattern on the scarf
• A subtle white line on the top of the nose

If you prefer a simpler look, you can skip the highlights, but adding them really helps your snowman pop.

Once your snowman is coloured and highlighted, gently cut it out so it’s ready to go on your card.

With your snowman ready, it’s time to create the winter night sky background and bring your card to life.

The background gives your snowman a cozy winter night, and the blended sky adds depth. White splatters create the effect of softly falling snow.

Cut a white panel 10 × 14.3 cm for your background. Die-cut a snow hill for the bottom, or hand-cut one if you prefer, as a hand-cut snow hill can look really charming.

Place the snow hill at the bottom of your panel. Begin blending the inks just below it so the colours fade smoothly into the night sky.

You’ll need Distress Inks in Chipped Sapphire, Salty Ocean, Tumbled Glass, and Stormy Sky, along with blending brushes.

1. Start at the top of the panel with Chipped Sapphire.
2. Blend downward into Salty Ocean, then Tumbled Glass.
3. Add touches of Stormy Sky over the lighter colours to deepen the sky.

Layer the inks until you get a smooth gradient, and the colours flow naturally. Keep building the layers to create a rich night sky that makes your snowman and shaker really stand out.

Troubleshooting tips: If the colours look patchy, add a little extra ink and blend in small circular motions. You can also lightly spritz the paper with water to help the inks merge smoothly.

Mix white acrylic paint with water, dip your brush, and gently tap to create random splatters. Focus on the top of the panel so the snow appears behind your snowman.

Let the background dry completely before adding the snow hill or shaker to keep your card neat.

Now it’s time to make the moon-shaped shaker, adding a playful, interactive touch to your winter card. This step is perfect for creating a handmade shaker card that moves, sparkles, and brings your snowman scene to life.

Your shaker brings a playful, interactive touch to your winter thank-you card. Turn it into a glowing moon that complements your snowman and night sky.

Die-cut two white circles in different sizes. Use the smaller one for the window and the larger one for the frame. Line them up evenly, tape them in place, and then cut.

Create the shaker frame by cutting and stacking around five layers, giving your shaker pieces plenty of room to move. You can also add depth by using foam tape strips around the edges or layering extra cardstock under the frame for a taller effect.

Cut a plastic window from acetate or a thin plastic sheet. Place it over the smaller circle so it overlaps the frame and holds the shaker pieces. Press it down firmly before adding the remaining layers.

Die-cut a white circle for the back of your shaker and colour it with Distress Inks to make a glowing moon.

• Antique Linen over the whole circle, more visible on the right side.
• Tumbled Glass on the left for a cooler glow.

Blend the inks gently so the colours fade smoothly and add depth behind your shaker. Feel free to experiment with different shades or blending techniques to make your night sky truly your own.

Add the white circles and red heart pieces inside the layered frame. Lay the back circle on top, inked side facing in, and press gently to seal. Shake gently to check that everything moves freely.

Now that your moon shaker is ready, it’s time to put your card together and add a sentiment. The shaker adds a fun, charming touch that makes your handmade card feel playful and special.

Now let’s put everything together and see your winter thank-you card come to life. Arrange each piece so your snowman and shaker moon really stand out.

Stick the snow hill at the bottom of your night sky panel to give your snowman a place to stand.

Place the coloured snowman and moon shaker on the background to find the best layout. Lift the snowman with foam tape so its head slightly overlaps the shaker moon. Attach the shaker behind the snow hill so it sits flat, allowing the pieces to move freely.

Print and cut your chosen sentiment. I used “Thanks for all that you do,” but any winter thank-you message works. Place it on the right side of the snow hill for balance, then adhere it to the card.

Take a look at your card and check the overall layout. Adjust the snowman, shaker, and sentiment so they sit evenly and appear balanced.

Your snowman shaker card is now finished and ready to share with someone special this winter.

Use these tips to make your winter thank-you card your own and try the techniques with the supplies you already have.

• Try different phrases to personalize your card. Swap “Thanks for all that you do” for shorter, seasonal wintery thank-you messages like “Warm Winter Wishes” or “Thanks a Snow-Much.” You can also explore other handmade thank-you card ideas with fun fonts, die-cut words, or small winter illustrations.
• Try different fonts and styles. Handwritten notes, die-cut words, or fun fonts make your card feel personal. Adding small winter illustrations such as snowflakes, stars, or hearts makes your card even more playful.

• Swap colouring tools to match what you have. You can use other alcohol markers, coloured pencils, or water-based markers, and make sure your paper works well with th
• Try different inks and papers based on what you have. Use soft chalks or dye inks instead of Distress Inks for the night sky, and choose lightweight or marker-friendly cardstock if you’re just starting out.

Now that you’ve coloured your snowman, blended the night sky, built the moon shaker, and assembled your winter thank-you card, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned. Think about the techniques you’ve tried, like alcohol marker colouring, distress ink backgrounds, and shaker assembly. Then imagine how you could add your own twist. Try different colours, shaker fillings, or sentiments to make each card truly your own.

This card was created for a Polkadoodles design team challenge, and you can join too. Share your winter thank-you card and see how others have added their own twist. To join, visit the Polkadoodles challenge page, follow the entry rules, and upload a photo of your card. Show your creativity and take part in the fun.

For more inspiration, check out more of my Polkadoodles shaker card ideas. Pick the ideas you like, make them your own, and share your creations—feedback from others can spark even more creative ideas.

Gnome Card Idea With Shaker And Bright Flowers

Create DIY Magic With My Hippo Shaker Card Tutorial

Enjoy and Happy Crafting

Hello Frosty Snowman Too Cute digital stamp

Shop at Polkadoodles

• Simon Says Monday Challenge: Have a Heart
• Crafty Gals Corner: Anything goes + snowman
• Fab ‘n’ Funky Challenges: Going round in circles
• Word Art Wednesday: Anything goes
• CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS: Anything goes
• Crafty Catz: Anything goes
• Cut It Up: My heart
• Classic Design Challenge Blog: Anything goes + use circles
• Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog: Anything goes
• Daisy Chain Challenges: use dies