creativity now alternate cards and pages

creativity now alternate cards and pages

During Covid, Stampin’ Up! like most companies pivoted to online events for demonstrator education instead of in person…

Creativity Now was born from that necessity and has been a well attended online seminar for the last few years…now that the world is relatively back to normal they announced that this year’s Creativity Now would be the last one.

We were sad to hear that but with the introduction of Online card classes and Virtual card and Album Retreats the event has become redundant…So join me today to see the creative inspiration from our last Creativity Now event and the alternative projects I created!

Creativity Now used a pre-order upcoming Online Exclusive Suite that was definitely a different style for me called the Painted Collage Suite with the Notes of Collage bundle and Painted Collage DSP. But like most times I start to play with the products and fall in love with the designs!

These first projects are two of the projects I did from the instructions for projects A and B.

A is a card using water coloring techniques on our watercolor paper and a matching envelope made from our Designer Series Paper!

Project B is a card on card design for a gift card holder – the blank center portion of the smaller Cajun Craze tri-fold card on card is where the gift card would be attached and this uses the smaller vingnettes from one of the DSP pages.
It also uses the cross hatch die pattern as a cool background under the tri-fold card!
Project C was a two page scrapbooking spread for an 8 X 10 album and since I scrapbook in 8.5 x 11 or 12 x 12 I converted the layout elements into 8.5 x 11 scrapbooking pages.

The first three photos are from the elements of the 8″ x 10″ scrapbooking spread converted to 8.5″ x 11″.

Project D was a very cool banner which I had no immediate use for so I also took the elements and created more scrapbooking pages!

These next photos are using the banner elements for scrapbooking background elements instead of the banner!

I created a single page spread with the last banner image shown below.
and one last page using more scraps and elements from the unused projects!
When I was preparing and pre-cutting all of the elements for the Creativity Now virtual retreat projects I saved all the negative die cuts and extra Designer Series paper and created some alternate projects and wanted to show you these as well.

This first alternate used the larger leaf die image negative. I backed it with a watercolor Lost Lagoon and Secret Sea DSP pattern.
I blended Secret Sea ink on a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and splattered it with a Secret Sea Stampin’ Blends marker. I adhered the negative die to the right-hand side of the blended layer and adhered both to a Lost Lagoon base.
Added a banner sentiment piece and Dewdrop embellishments to finish off the card with a coordinated look!

This next alternate I used a Golden Glow card base, a 3″ x 5 1/2″ piece of DSP and several left over dies to create this card. I blended the sentiment piece like the last card with Secret Sea ink on a blending brush and splatters with the Secret Sea Stampin’ Blends marker.
This Cajun Craze alternate card uses a blended background with Cajun Craze and Petal Pink inks. Then I stamped the circle image from the Notes of Collage set (SNEAK PEAK this will be available to customers in the next Online Exclusive release) in Petal Pink ink and the rain or teardrop image in Cajun Craze ink in collaged pattern as a background and then splattered the surface with the Cajun Craze Stampin’ Blends marker. I stamped the finer leaf stem on the right-hand side of the layer in Cajun Craze ink and popped up the negative die layer over it on Stampin’ Dimensionals. I adhered this to the Cajun Craze base and added Metallic Gems and a sentiment to finish off this card!
For this next alternate, I blended the background with Secret Sea and Petal Pink inks and blending brushes. Stamped the larger leaf image from the Notes of Collage stamp set in Secret Sea ink on the right-hand side. Added splatter from the Secret Sea Stampin’ Blends marker and the added the negative die over the image. I added an extra die cut that I had and a sentiment and adhered that layer to a Cajun Craze base card and finished it off with Copper Metallic Gems!
My last alternate card I blended a background of Lost Lagoon, Golden Glow and Petal Pink with Splatters and added the last negative die I created. I concentrated the Golden Glow where the negative die openings would be – it looks like a hot mess but when it is covered by the negative die it works! I splattered the entire card with Secret Sea marker and added Secret Sea stamped circles from the Notes of Collage to the negative Golden Glow die piece prior to adhering it to the blended layer. I finished by adhering it to the Golden Glow base and adding gold metallic gems to finish off this lovely alternate card!
Hope these inspired you with some fun and easy techniques.

You can use all of the bits and pieces!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

PS: Reminder as always ALL SNEAK PEAK items are not available yet so I cannot add then to the photo links below.

christmas (fun fold) in july

christmas (fun fold) in july

It’s Christmas in July – and here is a Double Flap fun fold card featuring the adorable Woodland Wishes stamp set.

I love coloring – as a child I had loads of coloring books and I continued to love it as an adult – our Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers and so fun to color with – whether just straight coloring between the lines or fancier blending and shading – they can do it all! I made this card for this month’s Christmas and Holiday Demonstrator’s swap and I colored in all the animals in this set and had so much fun doing all the coloring for these cards!

Measurements:
BASE: Poppy Parade CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″, 2 3/4″ x
5 1/2″, large scrap for circle die, 3/4″ x 5 1/4″
Crumb Cake CS: 2 3/4″ x 5 1/2″
DSP: 2″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″, 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap
for circle die, 1/2″ x 4″, scraps for animal
stamps

Score the base card at 5 1/2″ and fold. Cut 2 3/4″ off the left side of the fold line.
Stamp the Woodland Wishes “animal” Christmas Tree in Hybrid Black ink and cut to 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ if not already that size.
Score the 2 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Crumb Cake CS at 1/4″.

Cut a piece of DSP to 2 1/2″ x 5″.

Adhere the DSP to the large panel.

Adhere the 1/4″ tab to the center back of the short side of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White piece.

Put Stampin’ Seal around the back of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer including the 1/4″ tab.

Adhere the DSP to the Crumb Cake cardstock if not done already.
Adhere the Basic White layer to the inside panel of the card base.
Stamp the inside sentiment in Poppy Parade ink and the little hedgehog image in Crumb Cake ink to the left side of the sentiment on the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer.
Stamp the outside sentiment in Hybrid Black ink on the Basic White strip.

Adhere to the Poppy Parade strip and cut into banner edges on either side.

Die cut a large circle from the Spotlight on Nature dies in Poppy Parade CS and then next one down in Basic White CS.

Splatter the Basic White circle with a Water Painter and the Poppy Parade ink.

Adhere the Basic White circle to the Poppy Parade circle and then adhere the strip sentiment to the circles.

Color the animals on the Christmas tree image with your choice of Stampin’ Blends.

I colored the cardinal and the Christmas bulbs in Real Red, Pecan Pie for the bear, Smoky Slate for the squirrel, Crumb Cake for the doves in light and reindeer in dark, fox in Cajun Craze, owl and stars in Golden Glow, greenery in Granny Apple Green and asterick in Balmy Blue.

Adhere the tree image to the outside panel of the card base.
Flip the Crumb Cake flap over the Poppy Parade flap.
Adhere the sentiment circle dies to the Crumb Cake flap.
I colored and fussy cut one bear, one fox and one deer for around the outside flap and sentiment circles.

Adhere these animals around the sentiment.

Adhere some Natural Matte Dots to the finished card and you have a great Christmas fun fold.

Now it’s your turn to make a Christmas card to celebrate Christmas in July or to start planning the cards and supplies you are going to need for this Fall to start making your Christmas cards to send to all those special people.

Now it’s your turn to create some Christmas artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – blueberrybushel, strawberry slush and highland heather

more color mondays – blueberrybushel, strawberry slush and highland heather

Today’s post combines two challenges: More color Mondays color challenge and a sketch challenge!

The Waterside Retreat Suite of products for perfect for this challenge for a sweet and easy summer-y card!

Measurements:
BASE: Blueberry Bushel CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″,
scraps for dies
Strawberry Slush CS: scraps for dies
Highland Heather CS: scraps for dies
DSP: 3″ x 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: (2) 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, 4″ x 5 1/4″,
scrap for sentiment die

Tear one edge of the 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ strips and adhere to the long sides of the DSP.

Die cut the chairs pieces in each color.

Adhere the two chair pieces together in each color.
Adhere the DSP piece to the middle of the card front.

Adhere the Blueberry Bushel CS chair to the DSP.

Adhere the Highland Heather chair to the right-hand side of the DSP piece on the card front.
Adhere the Strawberry Slush chair in between the two other chairs.
Stamp the Relax sentiment in Basic Black Hybrid Ink and die cut the smaller wide banner from the Stylish Shapes die set.

Pop up the die onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and add to the right-hand side below the highland Heather chair.

Adhere three Blueberry Bushel embellishments from the Strawberries and Dots embellishment kit and your cute summery card is complete!

Try making a card with a repetitive stamp or die as I used from the Card Sketch #126 each of the panels I substituted with the chair dies. You could take those panels and use DSP or colored cardstock or use a repeating stamp… the possibilities are endless!

Now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’,
Natalie

may demonstrator new products swap cards

may demonstrator new products swap cards

This month’s Demonstrator Swap featured new products!

The first Demonstrator swap card comes from my upline Denise W. and features the Velvet Meadow suite of products. The Designer Series Specialty paper is flocked with velvety soft features on the paper for an extrasensory “feel” of softness to your card – it is super cool.
The sentiment die is cut from the Velveteen Assortment papers which come in three colors: Bubble Bath, Peaceful Pine and White.

The second swap sample is from Lori V and features the Relaxing Waterside bundle and the Everyday Arches dies in hues of Pool Party, Misty Moonlight, Gray Granite, Old Olive and Pecan Pie!
Marie W’s swap card uses the Bloom Boutique suite of products and the sentiment focal piece comes from the Phrases and Frames bundle of products in tones of Golden Glow!
My next swap sample comes from new stamper Deb A. and uses the Caring Animals stamp set and the everyday Arches dies on the beautiful Moonlit Flora DSP. Great color combo on this card.
Andrea U’s swap card also uses the Relaxing Waterside bundle with In Colors of Peaceful Pine, Golden Glow and Crisp Cantaloupe.
Ginger S’s swap card features the Valley in Bloom suite of products for this gorgeous split front fun fold card. The DSP is the Valley in Bloom and the center piece features the Floral Spray 3D embossing folder and the lily of the Valley dies.
Kathy D. stamped on her swap envelope as well as her lovely swap card featuring the Fragrant Layers bundle in hues of Lemon Lolly and Balmy blue with Silver foil accents. Her sentiment is from the Online Exclusives Sweet Words and Labels.
Carol S’s swap card features two contrasting In Colors that look great together – Crisp Cantaloupe and Peaceful Pine and truthfully this is one of the reasons I love swapping together – I would have never thought to combine these two colors – but they look amazing!

She used the Everyday Arches dies and the All A Flutter Punch Bundle! Beautiful card!

The last May swap I received is this gorgeous retirement card from Jan S. using the Scenic Coast suite of products including the Sunset Shimmer Vellum on the left-hand side of this book bind fun fold card! LOVE THIS CARD!
Hope these inspired you as much as they did me!

Now it’s your turn to stamp with your new products! Go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
in color strip card

in color strip card

This In Color card uses all of the new In Colors from 2026-2028 all in one card!

These new colors are beautiful and really compliment our standard color collection.

See my post about the New In Colors and the color history update!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for
sentiment and butterflies
26-28 In Color CS: 1 each color 3 3/4″ x 5 1/2″
emboss and cut into 3/4″ x 3 3/4″ strips

Emboss the Basic White CS layer in the Fern and Flora 3D embossing folder and adhere to the card base.
Cut each of the 2026-2028 In Colors to 3 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ and emboss in the same section of the Fern and Flora 3D embossing folder so that the embossed image is consistent.

Cut each embossed layer into 3/4″ x 3 3/4″ strips and keep in order.

Start at the top of the Basic White embossed layer and adhere the first In Color strip at the top.

Pop up the next color strip leaving about 1/16″ to 1/8″ gap. Then adhere the next color below directly onto the embossed surface and alternate the remaining colors until you reach the bottom of the embossed layer – you will be able to fit 6 strips so one of the colors will repeat,

Stamp the “you’re an amazing friend” sentiment onto a Basic White cardstock strip and cut diagonal edges at the end of the sentiment.

Stamp two small butterflies in the new Hybrid Black ink pad from the Fern and Flora stamp set and die cut them out.

Adhere the sentiment and the butterflies to the card front over the embossed layers.

Choose a contrasting embellishment and add them around the sentiment piece.

What a fun card to display all of our new 2026-2028 In Colors – order yours today! Hope you get the chance to create today – now go and make or share your artwork – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – misty moonlight, old olive and crisp cantaloupe

more color mondays – misty moonlight, old olive and crisp cantaloupe

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features some of the colors from the Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper. Pulling colors from the DSP is one of the things I love about Stampin’ Up! -everything coordinates: the DSP uses the same colors as our cardstock and inks and embellishments! It is super easy when everything matches and coordinates and even easier when the designers at Stampin’ Up! pick great colors that work well together!

Today’s color match up uses Misty moonlight, Old Olive and the returning In Color Crisp Cantaloupe!

It also features the NEW Waterside Retreat Suite of products and the DSP in this Suite has a 12″ x 12″ piece that has 13 different images – cut them apart and use for easy card or scrapbook page designs!

Measurements:
BASE: Misty Moonlight CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for the grass
dies
Crisp Cantaloupe CS: scrap for the adirondack
stamp and die

Cut the center top image from the multi image piece of DSP down to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and adhere to the Misty Moonlight card base front.
Stamp the adirondack chair image from the Relaxing Waterside Bundle in Pecan Pie ink on Crisp Cantaloupe CS and die cut out from the coordinating die set Relaxing Waterside dies.
On Basic White CS scrap stamp the tall and shirt grasses in old Olive ink and die cut out.
Pop up the Adirondack chair on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the lower left-hand corner of the card front.
Adhere the grass die cuts behind the chair image.
Stamp the sentiment Relax in Old Olive ink in the upper right-hand corner of the DSP.
Adhere the Crisp Cantaloupe In Color Dots around the sentiment.
I added the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer to the inside of the card and stamped off a tall grass on the right-hand side and an inside sentiment in full strength Old Olive ink.
I stamped another grass in old Olive and layered it under the chair image on the left side to give the card a little balance.

I added some seagull die cuts from the Sunset Coast bundle to finish off the card.

Now it is your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie