There’s this sweet enchantment that happens when grown-ups give themselves permission to do something wonderfully childlike—like coloring Christmas pages just for the joy of it. Handmade projects like that slow us down and stitch a little extra heart into the holidays.

Today, we’re sharing the sweetest tutorial from IOD Artisan Lisa. Inspired by her love of all things vintage, she made a Christmas coloring book using the latest IOD releases. Just imagine storybook illustrations, vintagey pages, and details that look like they’ve been tucked on a shelf for decades.

When Lisa first laid eyes on the 2025 Holiday Collection, she was instantly carried back to childhood afternoons spent with coloring books spread across the table. Those nostalgic designs became the perfect muse for her grown-up take on a Christmas coloring book.

Grab your favorite IOD Stamps from your local or online stockist. Join us as we walk through how Lisa brought this charming little book to life so you can add a festive, handmade touch to your own holiday season. 💕

IOD Products Needed: 

• Holly & Pine Stamp
• Christmas Post Stamp
• Christmas Wishes Stamp
• Sugar Plum Stamp 
• Santa’s Hollow Transfer  
• Classical Christmas Stamp
• Frosty’s Sweet Shoppe Stamp 
• Christmas Pups Stamp
• Christmas Kitties Stamp
• IOD Black Decor Ink 
• IOD Ink Pad
• Apothecary Labels Stamp 
• Tinsel Gilded Transfer 
  

Other Supplies: 

• Cream Heavy Cardstock
• Coffee Stain Wash 
• Book Binding Tape 
• Wood Blank 
• White Chalk Type Paint* 
• Dark Chalk Type Paint*
• Decoupage Paper
• Linen Wax Thread 
• Kraft Gift Tag
• Red Ribbon

*we used a chalk-type paint in this tutorial, but there are many brands and types of paint, talk to your stockist to learn which one is right for you!

Step-by-Step Guide

STEP ONE: PREP YOUR CARDSTOCK 

Lisa started by inking up her pad really well, making sure she’d get a rich, dark impression with every stamp. She even shared a nifty little tip: store your ink pads lid-side down so the ink stays right at the surface. Her goal was to mimic the look of a vintage coloring book, ensuring each stamp left a crisp and vibrant imprint on the page.

For the pages, she chose a cream-colored heavy cardstock, trimmed just a bit larger than the book cover. She introduced texture and a touch of antiquity by soaking the pages in a coffee stain mixture and accentuating the edges with the same stain.

STEP TWO: TECHNIQUE TIPS AND TRICKS 

One notable feature of Lisa's project is her use of masking techniques to create layered compositions. By stamping the snowman first and overlaying a corresponding mask, she was able to add a Christmas tree in the background effortlessly. This layering technique added depth and interest to her pages.

STEP THREE: ASSEMBLE YOUR COLORING BOOK

Once her pages were ready, Lisa assembled the coloring book inside a thrifted book cover. She painted the front and back with white chalk-style paint, then lightly distressed it. A combo of bookbinding tape and linen wax thread held everything together beautifully, giving the book a sturdy, professional feel.

STEP FOUR: ADDING THE FINAL TOUCHES

Lisa paid close attention to the little things, adding a gleaming “Peace on Earth” element and brushing distress ink along the edges to deepen that vintage finish. A hint of gold from the Tinsel Gilded Transfer added a shimmery touch of festive shine.

She created a sweet tag using elements from Santa’s Hollow, aged it with distress ink, and tied it on with a red ribbon.

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!