pleated prism fun fold

pleated prism fun fold

Inspiration can come from anywhere!

I often look at Pinterest, other demonstrators work and websites and Facebook and Instagram reels – this card popped up on my Pinterest board from a sideline demonstrator named Susan C. – thanks for the inspiration!

This card is called a pleated prism fun fold and starts with a 4″ square of DSP – grab one from your stash and follow along with me!

Measurements:
BASE: Old Olive CS: 4 1/4″ x 11 scored at 4 1/4″
scraps for two die cuts
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ and (2) 3 1/4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for snowflake dies
DSP: 4″ x 4″

Emboss the three Basic White layers in the Forever Plaid 3D embossing folder.
Score the DSP piece at 2″ and then mark with a pencil at 3/4″, 1 1/2″, 2 1/2″, and 3 1/4″ on both the top and bottom of the DSP piece.

Score from the top mark at 3/4″ to the bottom mark at 3 1/4″.

Score from the top mark at 1 1/2″ to the bottom 2 1/2″ mark on the bottom.

Score from the top 2 1/2″ mark to the bottom 1 1/2″ mark.

Score from the top 3 1/4″ mark to the 3/4″ bottom mark.

Fold the score lines into a Valley-Mountain-Valley-Mountain-Valley so that the first middle and last scores are valley folds and the second and fourth lines are mountain folds. Use a bone folder to make all of the score lines crisp.

Using the Stampin’ Seal + and placing the tip of the fold on the center of the score line for the card base – run a line of tape from the Stampin’ Seal + on the outside flat edge opposite to the pointed edge – adhere the flat outside edge to the inside front of the card base.
Run a line of tape down the outside flat edge of the pleated prism DSP piece and close the back of the card base over the DSP mechanism. Rub on the outside of the card over where the tape is adhered to the card to secure the pleated prism DSP piece.
Take a scrap of Old Olive CS and stamp a sentiment from the Snowflake Kisses stamp set and die cut with the Textured Notes dies.

Die cut the line of small snowflakes from the Snowflake Kisses die set and place three Glue Dots on the die cut around the sentiment and adhere the snowflakes.

Take a second scrap of Old Olive and die cut the second largest square die from the Stylish Shapes die set and add some snowflake dies to the top corner.

Adhere the two 3 1/4″ x 5 1/4″ embossed layers on either side of the pleated prism DSP piece.

Adhere the Old Olive square die cut to the right hand side for a place to write.

Adhere the 4″ x 5 1/4″ embossed Basic White layer to the card front and pop up the Old Olive sentiment die piece in the center.
Add three Rhinestone Basic Jewels to the outside of the card to finish it off with a little holiday sparkle!

Try this easy fun fold with your stash and go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

august 2025 swap cards

august 2025 swap cards

Our August Demonstrator Swap cards are all in and they all feature new stamp collections from the September to December 2025 mini catalog and the newly released Online Exclusives that are Fall and Holiday themed!

And what gorgeous samples and ideas do I have to show you today!

My first swap card comes from CarrollAnn A. and uses the new Amber Autumn Bundle. It contains a lovely large die with a card size cut out of Fall Leaves – she die cut that in Crushed Curry and colored around the edges with Shaded Spruce ink and a blending brush and adhered it to a Pumpkin Pie base. She colored the pumpkin and squash focal piece with Stampin’ Blends markers and popped it and the sentiment up on Stampin’ Dimensionals for a great Fall wishes card.

Ginger S’s swap card features the Fright Night bundle embossed and cut out on Timid Tiger CS and Basic Black CS. The image is heat embossed in black embossing powder for extra depth and dimension! This fun fold front flap card uses the Spooky Sweet Specialty Designer Series paper and lots of fun extras – like the caldron cut out from the DSP!
Tractor and Co. Bundle was used to make Patty J’s swap card. The tractor is stamped and set on the Thoughtful journeys 6″ x 6″ DSP for a fabulous Fall scene.
My next demonstrator swap card is from My upline Denise W. and she used the Happy Place mini catalog stamp set.

She made a homemade rainbow pad using a wet wipe and Azure Afternoon, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight, and Balmy Blue ink refills to ink up the Happy Stamp!

She used Azure Afternoon, Darling Duckling and Basic White cardstock, the So Swirly embossing folder and the Darling Duckling In Color 6″ x 6″ DSP for the “For You” sentiment strip.

My last Fall swap card came from Kathi D and features the Gathering Together Suite collection of products including the Gathering Together Specialty Designer Series paper and great large fall foliage dies.
Judith P’s swap card is a gatefold fun fold card using the Jars of Joy bundle and the Traditions of Christmas DSP.
The Peaceful Garden Suite was used by Marie W and features a clever partial cut die in the center to make a small lift up card on a 1/4 sheet sized base!

The small branch that the dove is carrying is die cut from the Peaceful Garden Glimmer Paper and the soft Cloud Cover layer is embossed with the coordinating Peaceful Greenery 3D embossing folder!

The Peaceful Garden Suite was used by Marie W and features a clever partial cut die in the center to make a small lift up card on a 1/4 sheet sized base!
Carol S’s Traditional Labels swap card is stunning in it’s traditional Red and Green dies that pop on the Traditional Wreath 3D embossing folder background in Basic White cardstock!
And my last sample is a swap card from Lori V featuring the Peaceful Garden Suite of products in gold foil with a coordinating heat embossed Peace on Earth in the center. The background is complimented with the gorgeous Seasons of Elegance Specialty Designer Series Paper and Gold Striped Mesh Ribbon!
Hope these demonstrator swap cards inspired you – now is the time to start those Christmas cards! It is so much nicer to receive a handmade card than a store bought one because it takes time and effort. For that reason it’s good to start early!

Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
more color mondays – pretty peacock, copper, and smoky slate

more color mondays – pretty peacock, copper, and smoky slate

Today’s fun fold card is sometimes called a spanner card or a modified bridge card. Whatever you call this easy fun fold card it is a WOW card!

Measurements:
BASE: Pretty Peacock CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, 1″ x 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, 3/4″ x 4″, 2″ x 5 1/4″
Textured Metallic Specialty Paper:
(2) 3/4″ x 5 1/4″
Card 2 uses the retired Oxidized Copper
Specialty Paper: (2) 3/4″ x 5 1/4″

Score the 4 1/4″ x 11″ at 5 1/2″.

Cut from the short side 1″ from both sides to the score line.

Adhere the 3/4″ x 5 1/4″ strips of Specialty Paper to the left and right front panels.
Stamp the large base leaf in Smoky Slate ink twice on the 2″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer.

Stamp the Top Layer large leaf image in Pretty Peacock ink over the base image.

Burnish the edges with Pretty Peacock ink with a blending brush.

Adhere the 2″ x 5 1/4″ to the center front panel.
Stamp the small base leaves down both sides of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer with Smoky Slate ink – three down each side.

Stamp the top layer of the small leaf in Pretty Peacock ink over all of the Smoky Slate images.

Burnish the edges with the Pretty Peacock ink and a blending brush.

Adhere the layer to the inside of the card.

The 2″ panel is separate from the card front because of the cuts and can be laid down over the inside of the card.
Stamp the “Grateful for you” sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink on the 3/4″ x 4″ layer.

Stamp the smaller leaves in Smoky Slate base and Pretty Peacock ink as the top layer.

Adhere the Basic White layer onto the
1″ x 4 1/4″ Pretty Peacock layer.

Adhere the two edges to the left and right panels.
Finish the card with two Pressed Flower Motif embellishments around the sentiment spanner piece.

Try this fun fold card with your supplies and make some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

lights of aurora barn door card

lights of aurora barn door card

The barn door fun fold is one of the easiest fun fold cards to make – seriously – I know I say that cards are easy ALOT but this one is two cuts from a standard card base and then decorate!

Measurements:
BASE: Gorgeous Grape CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, 2″ x 5 1/4″
DSP: 2″ x 5 1/8″
Basic Black CS: 2 1/4″ x 5 1/2″

Cut the card base on the left-hand side of the score line at 2 1/4″ down the short side of the cardstock and cut all the way to the score line.
Then cut from the top of the score line down to the 2 1/4″ cut line. You will end up with a “barn door” hinged front flap on the card base.
Adhere the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer to the inside of the card base.
Then adhere the DSP to the top of the Basic White layer leaving an even border on the top and sides.
Die cut the small tree line from the Basic Black layer.

Stamp the Sentiment in Berry Burst ink in the center of the 2 ” x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer.

Adhere to the front flap of the card.

Adhere the Basic Black tree die cut to the top of the white front layer.

Place the Frosted Iridescent Dots from the Lights of Aurora Suite Collection around the sentiment on the card front and you are finished with this easy WOW card!

Try this easy fun fold today with your own stamping stash and send me a picture of what you create! Now go and make some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – azure afternoon, berry burst and pool party

more color mondays – azure afternoon, berry burst and pool party

Do you have a BUCKET LIST?

I do – and one of the items on my bucket list is to someday see the Northern Lights!
So when I saw the new mini catalog the very first thing that caught my eye was the Lights of Aurora Suite Collection – I loved EVERYTHING about this – the gorgeous paper, the stamp set with it’s hopeful sentiments and the dies with there silhouette possibilities!

The Designer Series paper steals the show it is stunning but honestly the dies are some of my favorites – I love silhouette style cards and what better as a backdrop than this gorgeous paper!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
Basic Black CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
DSP 6″ x 6″ piece to make 2 cards

This paper is so delicious I made two of the same card design with both edges of this one 6″ x 6″ piece.

Below is a photo from the Stampin’ Up! website that shows the DSP designs.

I cut the DSP to 5 1/2″ wide and then into (2) 3″ sections 3″ x 5 1/2″ pieces.

Adhere the pieces to the top edge of the card base.

Die cut the Basic White layer with the mountain die.
Die cut the black layer with the trees on one side and the mountain edge on the other side using all of the paper to its fullest!
Adhere the white snow mountain die to the black mountain die peaks.
Adhere the mountain die layers to the card below the Designer Series paper.
I popped up the tree silhouette die cut on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the bottom edge of the card base over the mountain dies and the DSP.
I stamped in Berry Burst ink the wishing you a year of Wonder for the inside sentiment.
I did the same procedure with the other half od the DSP and adhered Frosted Iridescent Dots to finish off both cards!

I love, love , love this card!!!
Wishing you all a year of wonder! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time – hopefully a project that you will love like I love this one!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

boho vibes su creativity challenge

boho vibes su creativity challenge

Every month, Sara Douglas, Stampin’ Up!’s CEO challenges us with a creativity task – everyone can play along and this month’s challenge uses any of our alphabet sets!

On pages 106-107 in our current 2025-2026 Annual Catalog is a beautiful spread entitled “Customize & Personalize with Dies” and features our three current alphabet sets –

the Mini Alphabet Dies #162934 ($31.00) – this set is perfectly sized for customizing your cards small enough to fit onto a card front and designed as one die to cut all of your letters at once – How easy is that?

My personal favorite – the Alphabet A La Mode #160750 – ($42.00) this medium sized alphabet is your do it all work horse small enough for card making and large enough for scrapbooking – this set can do it all!

and new this year the Party Alphabet Dies – #165263 – ($99.00) these letters are about 2 1/4″ tall and add an eye-catching accent to any of your projects. This also comes in a bundle for $125.00 (#165265) with the Party Banner dies for a complete banner making package that will be the hit of your parties!

Today’s project uses the Sunshine Vibes bundle from the Boho Vibes Suite Collection in Fall colors for a great happy Fall card!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
4″ x 5 1/4″ layer, scraps for rainbow base and
letter dies
Cajun Craze CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps
Calypso Coral CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps
Crushed Curry CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps
Poppy Parade CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps
Pumpkin Pie CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps

Die cut the rainbow pieces from each color .

Take the Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer and with blending brushes color the entire area with Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie and calypso Coral inks.
Spray the area with water droplets from a Stampin’ Spritzer – this is called water lifting – the areas of water droplets will lift the ink and make lighter spotting on the surface of the colored area.
Dry with a Heat Tool or let air dry. If using a Heat Tool you should heat from both the bottom and the top of the layer to minimize paper curling.

Cut the word FALL from the Alphabet A La Mode dies and place on the bottom of the layer for spacing and stamp the word “happy” in Tuxedo Black Memento ink from the Blooming Phrases stamp set above where the letters will be adhered.

Adhere the letters to the colored layer and then adhere the layer to the card base.
Arrange the rainbow pieces one from each color on the rainbow Basic White base die and adhere starting on one side and adhering the next one in order.
Pop up the rainbow dies onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere above the stamped sentiment.
I stamped the inside with the good vibes sentiment from the Sunshine Vibes stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and the sun and rays in Daffodil Delight ink above the sentiment to finish off the inside of the card!
I used the Starburst Sequins for the embellishments around the sentiment to finish the card!

This is one of the cards we will be doing at two of my library classes this month – hope to see you at one of them!

Now go and create some seasonal cards of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie