Ever Been Pushed Outside Your Creative Comfort Zone? 🎨✨
That’s exactly what happened when I was asked to create a Tokyo Ghoul-inspired stocking gift card holder. Designing for someone else is always a bit nerve-wracking, but throw in a theme I wasn’t familiar with, and let’s just say the pressure was on!
But crafting is all about rising to the challenge, and this project reminded me that even when you’re unsure where to start, creativity has a way of surprising you. And when Jack’s mom saw the finished stocking and said, “That is freakin’ awesome!” I knew I had nailed it.
This stocking isn’t just unique—it’s a testament to how custom designs can be tailored for anyone with a little imagination and a few trusty tools. Let’s dive into how this spooky-meets-festive stocking came to life.
Materials for a Ghoulishly Good Stocking 🎨✨
Every great project starts with the right supplies. Here’s what I used to bring this stocking to life:
Cardstock:
• Basic Black 12x12 Cardstock: Stocking base, cuffs, Circles
• Real Red 12x12 Cardstock: Deckled toe and heel embellishments
• White Willow 12x12 Cardstock: Deckled circle and snowflakes
• Brushed Silver Foil: Holly leaves
Dies and Tools:
• Stampin’ Up! Deckled Circle Dies
• Stampin’ Up! Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder
• Poinsettia Petals Dies
Additional Supplies:
• CTMH Home For Christmas Digital Art Kit (for gifts and candy canes)
• SVG files (Tokyo Ghoul-inspired characters and holiday accents)
• White Gel Pen (for hand-drawn stitching)
• Basic crafting tools: Paper trimmer, glue, foam tape, and ribbon for the stocking loop
Check out my Pull-Top Stocking Gift Card Holder Instructions for detailed step-by-step instructions on assembling the stocking. It covers the basics, from crafting the pull-tab mechanism to adhering the stocking pieces.
From Vision to Reality: Designing the Front of the Tokyo Ghoul-Inspired Pull-Top Stocking Gift Card Holder 🎁🖤
When I started searching for Tokyo Ghoul SVG files, I wasn’t sure what direction to take. Then I stumbled across a bold, striking design that instantly screamed, “Perfect!”
Immediately, I envisioned the red silhouette enlarged in the center of the Basic Black stocking for a dramatic background. The character became the focal point, layered within two matted Deckled Circle Dies—Basic Black for the inner circle and White Willow for the outer frame.
But here’s the tricky part: I had the vision in my head, but how would it translate to paper? This is where the magic of Design Space®️ came in! It allowed me to resize, layer, experiment, and visualize until I achieved the exact look I wanted.
Seeing the design come to life on-screen was even better than I had imagined—it was bold, balanced, and perfectly captured the intensity of Tokyo Ghoul!
Adding Character - How to Create the Back of the Tokyo Ghoul-Inspired Pull-Top Stocking Gift Card Holder 🎨🖤
The back of the stocking posed a new challenge. I found an SVG file I loved—a striking black-and-white headshot of the character in his iconic mask.
Because part of the hair was hollowed out in the SVG, I layered it on a Deckled Circle Die cut from White Willow cardstock. This crisp white background not only enhanced the details of the character but also created a sharp contrast against the Basic Black stocking.
But something was missing. Seeing the front and back of the stocking side by side, I realized the back needed more color.
To solve this, I added a bold text SVG which I resized and recolored in Design Space to match the front. To complete the visual triangle, I added a Real Red Cardstock “heel” cut from a Deckled Circle Die. This gave the design the cohesion and energy it needed!
Embossing for Extra Impact 🌟
Sometimes, a design calls for a little extra texture. To break up the black and add dimension, I used the Stampin’ Up! Exposed Brick Embossing Folder on both the front and back of the stocking.
This detail gave the stocking a gritty, urban feel that complemented the Tokyo Ghoul theme. It reminded me of the time I used embossing on my Jack Skellington-inspired stocking—another spooky yet festive project. (Check out my blog on that one for more inspiration!)
Bringing in the Holiday Spirit 🎄
Anime and Christmas may not naturally align, but that’s where a few holiday accents came into play:
• Wrapped Gifts and Candy Canes: Cut using the CTMH Home for Christmas Digital Art Kit.
• Snowflakes: Cut from White Willow cardstock to add contrast and festive flair.
• Holly Leaves: Made from Brushed Silver Foil using the Poinsettia Petals Dies for a touch of shimmer.
• Hand-Drawn Stitching: Using a white gel pen, I added faux stitches to the toe and heel embellishments for a whimsical, handmade touch.
These small additions bridged the gap between the spooky anime theme and the holiday cheer.
Why This Project Was Extra Special
This wasn’t just any project—it was one of the first times I was asked to create something as a gift for someone else to give. Knowing this stocking would bring joy to a fellow anime fan made the process even more meaningful.
And let’s be honest—stepping outside my comfort zone with a theme I wasn’t familiar with reminded me why I love crafting. It’s about embracing challenges, taking creative risks, and making something truly. unique.
Explore More Stocking Inspiration 🎄✨
Need more ideas for your holiday crafting? Here’s a gallery of some of my favorite pull-top stockings to inspire your next project:
• Jack Skellington-Inspired Stocking: Spooky meets festive.
• Bluey-Inspired Stocking: Perfect for kids and families.
• Harry Potter-inspired Stocking: Magical fun for witches and wizards.
Craft Outside the Box!
Crafting is about taking risks, experimenting with themes, and making magic out of the unexpected. I hope this Tokyo Ghoul-inspired stocking shows you how much fun it can be to think outside the box. Here’s to making meaningful gifts and memories!
Share Your Creations!
Have you created an anime-inspired craft or a holiday project with a unique theme? I’d love to see it! Share your work in the Members Gallery and inspire others to think outside the box this holiday season.
Shop With Me for Crafting Supplies!
Ready to make your pull-top stocking? My Stampin’ Up! store has everything you need, from cardstock to dies. Let’s bring your creative ideas to life!
Let’s get crafting,
April – This Chick Loves Paper
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All photos and projects are subject to copyright
Images @ Stampin’ Up! ©
Blog Disclaimer
The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of April Raine - This Chick Loves Paper as a Stampin’ Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services, or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up!®.
How to Create a Tokyo Ghoul-Inspired Pull-Top Stocking Gift Card Holder - Learn how to craft a Tokyo Ghoul-inspired pull-top stocking gift card holder with This Chick Loves Paper! Combining anime-inspired design with holiday charm, this step-by-step guide will inspire your next handmade project.
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