more color mondays – real red, old olive and pool party – swing door fun fold

more color mondays – real red, old olive and pool party – swing door fun fold

Easy Christmas cards that look elegant are the best – don’t you think? I make a lot of Christmas cards to send out to people and I want them to look beautiful but be able to put many together in the shortest amount of time.

That being said – if you send out Christmas cards NOW is the time to start designing and ordering your supplies so you are not rushed to make and send them on time!

This fun fold attaches the DSP to a shorter piece of cardstock so it swings open and you can see both sides of the cardstock! I saw this card from a number of demonstrators and there was no name for it so I am naming mine a swing door fun fold card because that is what it reminds me of!

Measurements:
BASE: Old Olive CS: 5 1/2″ x 6″
scored at 4 1/4″, 1″ x 5 1/2″ or 5 1/4″, scraps
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
DSP: 3″ x 5 1/2″
Pool Party CS: scrap for die circle

Score the base at 4 1/4″ – place the shorter panel on the right-hand side. Adhere the Basic White layer on the inside of the card.
Cut the Traditions of Christmas DSP to 3″ x 12″ then cut to 5 1/2″ there will be a 1″ x 3″ left over from cutting two 5 1/2″ pieces. Adhere that to the top left-hand corner of the Basic White layer.
Turn the Dsp to the side you want on the inside and place a thin bead of glue down the right-hand side edge. Flip it over and glue to the left-hand edge of the small panel. Match up the right-hand top and bottom corners with the top and bottom edges of the back of the card.
Emboss the 1″ piece and attach to the front Old Olive panel. You choose if you want it to be the full length as shown here or 5 1/4″ length with a border as the final card shows.
Die cut a small circle from the Stylish Shapes die set.

Stamp the Have a Happy on a Old Olive 1/4″ strip and banner punch this (this is an upcoming Online Exclusive punch that is in the Banner Sayings bundle! – stay tuned to see it November 1st!)

Stamp the Christmas from Holly Jolly Stamp set in Old Olive ink on Old Olive cardstock.

Adhere the Christmas layer on the Pool Party circle and adhere the banner diagonally above the Christmas layer on the Pool Party circle.

Add Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of all the components of the sentiment focal point.
Attach to the card in the center.

Add some gold embellishments to the card to enhance the gold foil and you have a lovely easily reproduced Christmas card!

Are you going to send some of your people a special handmade Christmas card this year? I am available to help you design and order your supplies if you need assistance – just call or text me!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

building a reflection with light and wonder set

building a reflection with light and wonder set

Have you ever wondered how to create a water reflection scene on a card? Well today I will describe my process that I used to create these cards for this reflection post!

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

Die cut the Basic Black layer with the smaller tree die from the Light & Wonder bundle.

Take the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and create a mirror image of the colors you choose for the sunset. I used Gorgeous Grape, Poppy Parade and Pumpkin Pie.

I started with the deepest color (Gorgeous Grape) on top and less on the bottom I used a circular motion for the color on the top but a back and forth motion on the bottom.

I continued with the second deepest color (Poppy Parade) below the Gorgeous Grape and less on the bottom just above the grape – I used a circular motion for the color on the top but a back and forth motion on the bottom.
I colored the middle of the layer with the Pumpkin Pie color and blending brush.
I positioned the die cut and the negative die cut above and below one another to get an idea of the placement.
Using a blending brush and Gray Granite ink I brushed in an upward stroke over the negative die space. Darker on the bottom and lighter as I stroked upward.
I colored over the bottom of the Basic White layer below the tree shadow reflections with a blending brush and Azure Afternoon ink for the water – because there is already color there the blue will color over but not completely mask the color so it looks like the water is reflecting the color in the sky! I placed more blue color closer to the tree line and less at the bottom of the layer.
Using a water painter and a drop of Craft White ink refill I lightly brushed side to side with the brush to streak the water with white lines and then went over the center area with a Wink of Stella glitter pen for a little sparkle!
I stamped the sentiments in Gorgeous Grape ink at the top of the layer.
Adhere the tree die just above the reflection shadow and cut off the overhang.
Adhere the colored layer onto the Gorgeous Grape card base.
I added three of the purple hued Frosted Iridescent Dots from the Lights of Aurora Suite Collection around the sentiment to finish off this stunning card with coordinating sparkle!

The first card that I did with this technique I tried Crushed Curry at the bottom inside of mirroring the colors and it took on a brighter tone like it captured the moments before the sun goes down! Two different looks just by experimenting with the colors used on the background! Try this technique and let me know what you create – 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
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

snowy delight bundle card

snowy delight bundle card

This fun winter card will be on be one of the. featured cards at my upcoming card class and with the new Snowy Delights Bundle with coordinating dies and masks it is super easy to make!

UPCOMING CLASS SCHEDULE:
*Card Class Design A
**Card Class Design B
***Card Class Design C

*September 9th – Greenville Area Library 4:30pm – 6:30pm * (RSVP to library)
*September 15th – Conneaut Lake Library 1pm – 3pm
(RSVP to library)
**September 23rd – Linesville Library 2pm – 4pm**. (RSVP to library)
***September 29th – studio class 1pm – 3pm (RSVP to me) same format as library classes 4 cards for $10***
*Card designs for the Greenville Area library and the Conneaut Lake Library classes are the same –
**the designs for the Linesville Library and ***studio class are different from the other classes!

Measurements:
BASE: Azure Afternoon CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″ , 3/4″ x 4 1/4″
scrap for snowflake die

Whenever I am stamping a larger format stamp image I turn it stamp side up and place the ink pad directly on the stamp image.
I think this gives you better coverage and control as you can see where you are inking!
I stamped the large snowflake image from the Snowy Delights stamp set off the layer above and below – this creates the illusion of expanse!
I stamped in Blueberry Bushel ink.
Using the Snowy Delights Decorative Masks #1 and Balmy Blue ink and a blending brush – I colored in the two partial snowflakes.
Using the Snowy Delights Decorative Masks #2 and Lost Lagoon ink and a blending brush – I colored in the two partial snowflakes over the Balmy Blue ink.
Using the Snowy Delights Decorative Masks #4 and Azure Afternoon ink and a blending brush – I colored in the two partial snowflakes and the empty white space beside the two partial snowflakes.
Using the cluster of smaller snowflakes stamp image in Blueberry Bushel ink I stamped in between the two partial large snowflakes to add depth and texture.
Taking the extra 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer I stamped the large snowflake image off the bottom of the page in Blueberry Bushel ink.
I stamped the inside sentiment in Blueberry Bushel ink and blended the bottom edge with a blending brush and Blueberry Bushel ink for added color and texture.

Stamp the outside sentiment to the 3/4″ x 4 1/4″ strip, add the small snowflake stamp to the left-hand edge and blend the edges with a blending brush.

Adhere this layer to the inside of the card base.
Add the large snowflake die to the upper partial snowflake image – matching the die with the image and adhere with Multipurpose Glue.
Turn the layer over to the backside and cut the die that is hanging over the edge off.
Adhere this layer to the card front.
Pop up the sentiment strip on Stampin’ Dimensionals and add to the bottom third of the card front.
Add the new Frosted Iridescent Dots in the Blue color to the card front to finish off this lovely Wintery card in a soft coordinating style.

Try your hand at some masking today and go create some artwork of your very own – one mask- one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie