swirled designs z fold card in 2 colors

swirled designs z fold card in 2 colors

This simple birthday card starts with the fun Online Exclusive Swirled Designs bundle! This bundle comes with 10 geometric dies with ovals, diamonds, flowers and stars perfect for birthday and all occasions cards!

Measurements:
BASE: Strawberry Slush or Cloud Cover CS:
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ scored at 2 1/8″, 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″

Using the Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad, stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment on the lower center and then the lines image randomly on one of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layers around the sentiment.
Die cut the large and smaller starts from the Swirled Designs die set from the 2025-2027 In Colors DSP pack.
Using the silicone mat, I transfer my multipurpose glue into a fine tip bottle for easier application onto thin dies like these. If you are interested in this non Stampin’ Up! product – text me for the link!

Apply glue to the large star and adhere to the stamped layer.

Adhere the smaller stamps strategically around the larger star die.
Stamp the lines image in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on the other 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer and then the smaller star clusters in the matching ink for your cardstock color in each of the diagonal corners.

Score the base at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″, fold into a Z fold fun fold card.

Adhere to the inside of the card.

Place glue 1/4″ away from the edges of the front flap of the z-fold card base and adhere the other 4″ x 5 1/4″ paper that has the die cut on it.
Adhere some embellishments to the card and it is complete! This is one of the cards we will be making this coming Monday for my Studio Stamp-a-Stack! Register and come make cards with us – this group is a lot of fun!

What is a Stamp-a-stack? Come and make as many cards as you like – pay as you leave – count up the cards you got done and pay! $2.50 per card and make one of each or two or more of the ones you like or need!

Come get creative and create some artwork of your very own Monday, March 23rd starting at 1pm – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Here is a masculine version of this z-fold just by changing out the colors!
introducing the new stampin’ positioner – available in starter kits now

introducing the new stampin’ positioner – available in starter kits now

Stampin’ Up! has introduced the NEW Stampin’ positioner and we are so excited about this new tool. It is currently available to demonstrators as a pre-order and in the starter kits as a FREE bonus item! It will be available to customers soon!

Truthfully I loved our former stamp positioner and was sad to see it go away but this one works very well and I am so ready to have a new tool to use!

The press and pop design is genius and it allows you to hover the stamp over the surface without it touching the paper until you press down on the upper platform piece allowing you one last chance to make sure that the stamp is in the correct position! I love this feature!

This card uses the smaller leaf cluster from the Textured Notes stamp set to make a repetitive stamped wreath!

Measurements:
BASE: Old Olive CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″

On the platform there is a etched paper corner that allows you to line up your paper and turn it and place it in the exact position!

The positioner comes with 5 pieces: 1 magnetic base plate, 2 magnets designed with plastic lift tabs (brilliant), 1 large stamp plate and one small alignment plate.

I aligned the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer in the corner marking shown in the first photo. I secured the paper with the 2 magnets.

Place the stamp sticky flat side up positioned on the paper where you want the image.
Place the large stamp plate in the four posts and press down on the plate to pick up the stamp.

Sometimes new stamps come with a residue and can stick to the paper to prevent this clean the new stamps before using.

Remove the large stamping plate and ink the stamp. Place the large stamping plate back in the four posts of the base.

It hovers over the surface without touching the paper so you can make sure the stamp is in perfect alignment!

Press down on the large stamping plate to stamp and then remove the stamping plate from the base to see if the stamp has transferred to your satisfaction.

If not, re-ink the stamp. place the plate back on the base and press again.

If it is stamped to your satisfaction remove the plate and reposition the paper to the next corner of the paper in the etched corner marking.
Secure the paper with the magnets, re-ink the stamp and place the large stamping plate on the base.

Press down to stamp the image.

Move the paper to the next corner in the etched corner marking.
Repeat the process – re-ink the stamp place the large stamping plate in the base and press down.
Move it to the last corner and then repeat.
Place the paper horizontally on the Stampin’ Positioner and place the stamp in the position you want to stamp it.
Stamp the leaf image to complete the wreath
I forgot to take the first horizontal stamp so this is the paper turned 180 degrees and stamped to close the wreath image!
I placed the layer on my glass mat and blended the edges with the Old Olive ink.
I placed the layer back on the Stampin’ Positioner and placed the sentiment flat side up on the layer where I wanted to stamp it.

I placed the large stamping plate over the sentiment stamp and pressed down to secure the photopolymer stamp on the plate.

I inked it in Old Olive ink and stamped it on the layer.

I wanted to stamp a sentiment from the Prayers and Promises stamp set from the January to April 2026 mini catalog on the inside – this set is photopolymer and I also wanted to stamp the leaf image from the Textured Notes which is red rubber.

These stamps are different widths so you should stamp them separately but I wanted to show you what happens when you mis-stamp something and how easy it is to fix a stamping project with this Stampin’ Positioner!

So I stamped both stamps at the same time and the photopolymer being thinner did not stamp completely. So I removed the leaf stamp and restamped the sentiment – I didn’t even need to re-ink just re-pressed the stamp to the paper!

I blended the edges with a blending brush and some Old Olive ink and adhered it to the inside of the card – crisis averted!
I added a brass butterfly to the inside around the inside sentiment.
I distressed the edges of the front layer and blended the turned down corners with a blending brush and ink.

I adhered the layer to the card front. I added brass butterflies to finish off this sympathy card for a sweet friend that lost her husband.

Cards can be a comfort to let you know that people are thinking about you in your grief – I have received many cards in the past week and they do make a difference – I love that I can make and teach people to make something that brings comfort to those in need of it!

Go and make a card today to send to a friend that needs to hear from you! Go and create your own artwork – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

sneak peak – nature walk suite card

sneak peak – nature walk suite card

Today’s blog post is a gorgeous monochromatic SNEAK PEAK card from the Nature Walk Suite Collection of products and I didn’t even use half of the cool things in this Suite! This is a beautiful suite for Nature’s lovers and a great set for making masculine cards with ease!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Pretty Peacock CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″, 3 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
for the leaf die
Vellum CS: 2″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for circle die
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″ 1 1/2″ x 4″

Using a Basic White BASE eliminates the need for an extra Basic White layer on the inside with darker colored cardstock colors.

I adhered the 4″ x 5 1/4″ DSP to the Pretty Peacock layer.

There is a very cool cross hatch patterned die in the Nature’s Symphony die set that cuts a pattern into the cardstock without totally cutting it off the cardstock layer. I die cut this patter into opposite corners of the 2″ x 51/4″ piece of vellum cardstock.

I adhered the 1 1/2″ piece of DSP to the front of the vellum and then I could add adhesive under the DSP to attach both pieces.

Attaching Vellum can be tricky because it is translucent. Because you can partially see through the material that means you usually can see the mode of adhesion too!

TIP: There are several ways around this!

1. Hiding the adhesive under non translucent paper attached to the vellum as I did in this example!
2. Hiding glue dots under wisely placed embellishments!
3. Adding Multipurpose liquid glue with a sponge or Q-tip to the entire back of the vellum
4. If you emboss vellum it creates a pattern and makes the vellum white and a little less translucent making it easier to hide adhesive as you will see I did to attach the sentiment piece!

Using a scrap of vellum stamp the sentiment from the Nature’s Symphony stamp set in Pretty Peacock ink.
I die cut the leaf die from the Nature’s Symphony die set in Pretty Peacock cardstock and mounted it with glue to the right-hand side of the card.

I die cut a circle around the sentiment from the Spotlight on Nature dies and using a silicone mat I squeezed a dollop of Multipurpose Liquid Glue onto the silicone matte and applied glue around the embossed edges of the circle die where it is less likely to show and attached the die to the center of the card above the leaf die and DSP layer.

I used the Balmy Blue gingham ribbon – did you know you can take any light colored ribbon and color it with darker Stampin’ Blends?
I love this technique! You can color coordinate ribbon to any project with the coordinating Stampin’ Blend!
Place Tear-n-Tape on the lower back edges of the Pretty Peacock and wrap the colored ribbon around the front of the layer attaching it on the tape on the back of the Pretty Peacock layer.

Then glue the layer onto the card front.

Using the Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends, color the Iridescent Pearls for a coordinated embellishment look!
I added five colored pearls to the card.

I added one larger and one small on either side of the sentiment piece and then added the last small one to the dot on the “i” in “smile”.

On this version I added the fifth pearl to the right of the sentiment end.

Which do you like better?

Try adding vellum to your cards for an elevated and elegant look – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

REMINDER: the SNEAK PEAK items in the Nature Walk Suite Collection and the Balmy Blue Gingham ribbon are only available to demonstrators and in starter kits until January 6th so there will not be photo links below until they are released.

more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

Today’s More Color Mondays continues a study in color theory using a complimentary, opposing colors of Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist and Gorgeous Grape.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored 4 1/4″
4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for dies, (3) strips

Paint the 1/4″ strips with a blender pen and Berry Burst ink in a striped pattern.
Paint the remaining strips with the individual colors.
Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer with the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.

Splatter the embossed layer with Berry Burst ink.

Die cut a Basic White scrap with two consecutive Stylish Shapes dies to make an open circle.
Cut Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals in half around the back of the circle die.
Die cut the large banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamp the Happy Birthday from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set in Berry Burst ink.
Cut the three strips down to about 4″ to 4 1/4″ length and adhere them to the embossed layer in alternating pattern.
Pop up the open circle die over the three strips.
Pop up the Happy Birthday sentiment over the circle die.
Brush Berry Burst ink with a Blending Brush over the small butterfly die from the Beautiful Butterflies bundle.
Adhere to the circle die over the sentiment piece.
Adhere the embossed layer over the card front.
Place three Fine Shimmer Purple Gems around the card to finish off with a sparkle.

This is a great use of Strip scraps and using opposite colors works so well! Opposites attract right!

Try this color combination or another complementary one – now go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

triadic color theory charming day fun fold card

triadic color theory charming day fun fold card

All this month we explored color theory in my posts and in my classes – this is a triadic color combination taking inspiration from our new Online Exclusive suite Floral Charm and our awesome Color Coach!

This easy Book Bind fun fold uses three colors that are positioned in a triangular pattern on the Color Wheel – Night of Navy, Timid Tiger and Mossy Meadow.

Measurements:
BASE: Night of Navy CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2 and 6 3/4″
scraps for leaf dies
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ squares (1) 3″ x 4″
Floral Charm DSP: 1″ x 4″

Place glue in between the two score lines and adhere the panels together to make a book bind fun fold.
Adhere the 1″ x 4″ DSP strip to the outside left-hand panel.
Stamp the “Hey” sentiment from the Charming Day stamp set in Night of Navy ink on the upper left-hand corner of one of the 4″ square layers add an ellipsis (those three dots after a word that is used to indicate a pause) with the Night of Navy Stampin’ Write marker.
Place this Basic White 4″ square in the Distressed Tile 3D embossing folder and emboss that layer.
Adhere to the right-hand panel of the card front.
I stamped the branch and the inside sentiment from the Charming Day stamp set in Night of Navy ink on the other 4″ square layer and adhere to the inside of the card.
Stamp the floral image from the stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on the 3″ x 4″ Basic White layer.

Using the Blender Pen, color the flower with Timid Tiger ink and the leaves with the Mossy Meadow ink. Die cut the flower, and pop it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals in the opposite corner as the “Hey” sentiment.

Cut the longer leaf die cut in half and tuck all three foliage pieces under the popped up floral image.

Adhere the Navy Opal Rounds Assortment embellishments for a perfectly coordinated finishing touch! I love triadic color combinations the colors are very balanced and pleasing.
Search the color coach page in our current catalog if you do not have one it is a worthwhile investment! Choose a triadic color combination and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp, one color at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – azure afternoon, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape

more color mondays – azure afternoon, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape

Sometimes with a special birthday you just need to go the extra mile and create a really special card – today son #2 turns 30 (first of all how can I have two children over 30 – CRAZY!!)

I still am designing cards from the color coach this is an analogous color combination – meaning these three colors are adjacent to one another on the color wheel and work well together.

I am so in love with this card – I saw a similar card from a demonstrator in Australia so I copied the design with different colors and modified a few other things but a special thank you to Julianne R for the inspiration!

Measurements:
BASE 1: Azure Afternoon 5 1/2″ x 11” (14cm x 28cm) scored at 2-¾” & 5-½” (7cm & 14cm) along long edge
BASE 2: Azure Afternoon 2” x 11” (5.1cm x 28cm) scored at 2-¾” & 5-½” (7cm & 14cm) along long edge
Bracket: 1-¾” x 3-3/4 “ (4.4cm x 9.5cm) scored at ½” (1.3cm) in from both ends
DSP Layer: 5-1/8” (13cm) square
DSP Layers: 2-3/8” x 5-1/8” (6cm x 13cm) (cut 2)
Azure Afternoon Base 2 bottom layers:
1-⅝ x 5-⅛” (4.1cm x 13cm) AND 1-⅝ x 2-3/8”
(4.1cm x 6cm) (cut 2)
Basic White CS:
Base 2 Layers: 1-3/4” x 2-1/2” (4.4cm x 6.4cm) (cut 2)
Base 2 Layer: 1-¾” x 5-¼” (4.4cm x 13.3cm)
DSP Matte layers:
2-1/2” x 5-¼” (6.4cm x 13.3cm) (cut 2)
5-1/4” (13.3cm) square
scraps for stamping and die cutting 3 boats

This is a bunch of cutting but it is a WOW Card for sure!

Score the 5 1/2″ x 11″ BASE 1 at 2 3/4″ and 5 1/2″.

Fold into a Z fold.

Adhere the 5 1/8″ DSP square layer onto the 5 1/4″ Basic White square layer and then adhere these to the third panel which will be the back inside panel.

Cut another DSP sheet to 5 1/8″ long and then cut two consecutive 2 3/8″ cuts so the images match together when adhered.

Adhere the DSP pieces to the 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ layers of Basic white CS. Adhere these pieces to the first and second panel in order so that the images flow into one another.

Take BASE 2 and fold it in half – run it through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the wave edgelit from the Sunrise Sailing die set. The edgelit will cut through both layers at once.
Cut the Basic White layers and the Azure Afternoon layers with the different edgelits.

I used the same edgelit on all Azure Afternoon pieces as the BASE 2 and the different edgelit for the Basic White CS pieces.

Take the three Azure Afternoon layers and emboss them in the bottom part of the Sunrise Sailing hybrid embossing folder.
Position the long side of BASE 2 on the left.

Adhere the Basic White pieces onto BASE 2 leaving an even top border showing.

Adhere the embossed Azure Afternoon pieces over the Basic White layers leaving an even top border showing.
Fold the BASE 2 z fold and lay the long side of the BASE 2 onto the first panel of BASE 1.

Adhere only the portion of BASE 2 that touches the first panel.

Adhere the back of the third panel of BASE 2 and close the card making sure that the card is laying flat and adhere the BASE 2 Z fold to the BASE 1 Z fold.

Place Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue onto both small scored edges of the bracket.

Place in between the small box created by the joining of BASE 1 and BASE 2.

Place it towards the top of the BASE 2 edge just below the edge so you cannot see it but when the boat is attached it is high enough to be seen.

Stamp three boats from the Sunrise Sailing stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

Stamp each boat with the boat fill in stamp and sail stripes in the analogous colors for this color challenge: Azure Afternoon, Coastal Cabana and Gorgeous Grape inks.

Die cut the boats out.

Run the boats through the embossing folder to give them a little embossed definition.
I used the Take Your Pick Tool attachment cutting knife to cut out the center piece between the two sails.
Take the first boat and adhere Stampin’ Dimensionals to the left-hand side of the boat and stick onto the first panel edge at the water-wave line.
Adhere the second boat onto the bracket so that the boat sticks up and looks like it is floating on the waves.
Adhere the last boat onto the last DSP panel at the water-wave line.
I added the Holographic Resin Dots from the Celebratory Sips Suite of Online Exclusive products for some fun clear shimmery embellishments like reflections on the water!

I stamped “You’re Destined for Great Things” on the first panel in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and Happy Birthday from a retired set for the inside panel.

This advanced stamping project is so worth the extra time for a special WOW card for a special someone!

Happy Birthday to my baby boy #2 you deserve all the world can give – hope you like the card because I loved making it for you!

Try making a special project for someone special to you today! Now go create something spectacular – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie