more than just cards – party banners and party alphabets

more than just cards – party banners and party alphabets

Stamps and Dies are such a great investment they are for SO MUCH more than just cards.
I use my products for scrapbooking and when the children were younger I was VERY popular around science fair time LOL!

Today’s post is all about the Party Banners and Party Alphabet. As many of you know my mother passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago and tomorrow is her funeral Mass and luncheon. She was forever gardening and cooking and taking care of everyone. I made some picture boards for the luncheon and a used some retired Designer Series Paper called Forever Greenery – it is perfect for my plant loving mom.

I created four boards of baby, teen, college and marriage and grandchildren and entitled them Celebrating a Life Well Lived.

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers!

The first few photos are of the individual banners and letters…

This is the first board entitled “Celebrating” and has her pictures as a youngster.
Here is the second board – a little older and it’s entitled “A Life”

The third board is of college and young married life and is entitled “Well”
The last board would have been her favorite her family, children and grandchildren – entitled “Lived!”

Thanks for stopping by come back for More Color Mondays in a few days!

Happy Stampin’ (stampin’ through the happy and the sad!)
Natalie

cozy christmas paper pumpkin alternatives

cozy christmas paper pumpkin alternatives

Paper Pumpkin kits are so incredible for $27 you get detailed color instructions to make 8-9 cards, a stamp set, an ink spot, an acrylic block in your first box and all of the supplies to make these lovely cards as is…

OR you can follow a multitude of creative Stampin’ Up! demonstrators that make alternative cards for that particular box! Today I am using the October 2025 Cozy Christmas kit to turn 9 card supplies into 44by adding extra card stock and envelopes! I added Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green cardstock, cut up bases and envelopes and added die cuts to make some lovely simple Christmas cards!

This month’s kit came in a festive box with a versatile stamp set. The box makes 3 sets of 3 card designs if you follow the enclosed directions.

For the my first alternative card I used the Merry Christmas sentiment die, stamped it in a Cherry Cobbler ink pad that I brought in. (The kit comes with a Pecan Pie ink spot)

I cut the Garden Green tree printed base card into 2 – 4″ x 5 1/4″ pieces. I mounted the tree layer onto a 5 1/2″ x 81/2″ cardstock base that I scored at 4 1/4″. I cut all of the flocked leaves apart and after popping up the sentiment onto the layer I adhered the flocked leaves under the sentiment piece. I adhered the layer to the base and added embellishments to finish this simple and fun card.

In order to more than quadruple the cards made from the kit I separated the die cuts to try to use them in expanded ways. I took the Cherry Cobbler JOY letters to use on a different project and used the negative die images of the letters and traced the letter outlines in Garden Green ink where the die cut letters would have been. I cut away the flocked red flower images from both sides of the JOY sentiment piece.

I cut one tree printed card into four pieces at
2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ and adhered the strip onto the middle of a Cherry Cobbler base card.

I stamped the “to the world” in Pecan Pie ink under the outline JOY on the sentiment piece and popped it up onto Stampin’ Dimensions
I tucked one flocked flower and one flocked leaf segment under the sentiment piece.

Add embellishments and this card alternative is finished as well.

This next card uses a Cherry Cobbler CS base, I cut the envelope flap off of the envelope and adhered it to the scored side of the card. Cut off the excess on the sides and make sure all of the sides are adhered down.

Take the ornament pieces and adhere the top piece over the flocked bottom piece. Pop up the ornament die cut in the center of the card over the envelope’s flap point.

I stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment in the bottom right-hand corner of the card base in Cherry Cobbler ink for a tone on tone effect and added embellishments to finish this next simple and elegant Christmas card alternative.

I cut the Cherry Cobbler card base into 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ layers each card base will make 2 layers.

Adhere the layer onto a Garden Green base.

I embossed a 1/2″ x 5 3/8″ strip and took one of the thin strips cut from the card base and adhered it into the middle of the white strip. Adhere the white and red strips to the middle of the card layer. I die cut a middle circle from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamped the JOY sentiment in Cherry Cobbler ink and the stars around the word in Garden Green ink.

Pop up the circle die over the right-hand side of the strips, and add embellishments to finish off this card.

I adhered a Basic Beige layer to a Cherry Cobbler CS base.

I cut up the flocked trees into smaller tree sections making more available for more cards. I added Stampin’ Dimensionals under the bottom of the three tree base and under the one tree image. I mounted the one tree over the five tree image and adhered that tree to the middle of the card. I added the flocked star over the flocked tree and adhered it under the tree top.

I stamped “DECK the Halls” sentiment in Pecan Pie ink on a smaller banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set. Pop up the sentiment piece under the tree image on the card layer.

I added embellishments to finish off this card!

For the next alternative card I die cut one of the larger circles from the Stylish Shapes die set in Cherry Cobbler CS. I stamped the Merry Christmas and the stars image in Cherry Cobbler ink.

I adhered the envelope flap on the top short side of the card, cut off the excess and adhered the excess to the bottom card corners.

Pop up the circle die on Stampin’ Dimensionals over the envelope point and add embellishments to complete this card.

This last card is a CASE card from my sideline Rachel T., she is such a great source of inspiration! Thanks Rachel. I changed up the placement of the ornament but loved her idea of using just the ornaments tops to stretch the kit even farther!

I used one side of the envelope as the card layer cut at 4″ x 5 1/4″. I adhered this to a Cherry Cobbler card base. I adhered the JOY letters to the top of the card in a diagonal whimsical way. I punched a small circle out of Cherry Cobbler CS, positioned it directly under the O in the JOY lettering and adhered off the bottom of the card layer. Adhere the ornament cap and decor to the top of the circle, making sure that the Pecan Pie “string” butts up to the O.

I have a few other designs which I will post after my Stamp-a-stack on Monday – but can you believe 44 cards from this kit and with Christmas cards – so useful!

Now go and create some alternative Paper Pumpkin cards or some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

corner in bloom sale-a-bration wedding card

corner in bloom sale-a-bration wedding card

Today’s blog post features a wedding card made with the Corner in Bloom Level Two Sale-a-bration stamp set. Typically a “corner” stamp set is traditionally used in well the corners LOL of the card! But today I am pivoting and using those corners stamped twice in a diamond design to form a lovely floral backdrop for the sentiment!

Measurements:
BASE: Gorgeous Grape CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″ pieces
scrap strip for the sentiment

Emboss one of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layers of Basic White CS with the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder.
Stamp the smaller flower corner image in Tuxedo Black Momento ink and match up the open ends and stamp again creating a diamond shape with the two corner images.
Because Gorgeous Grape is such a deep hued purple we do not carry the Stampin’ Blends. The Highland Heather is the same hue but in a lighter shade so this is a wonderful compliment to this project. I colored all of the flower petals in Light Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends marker and then highlighted the centers and edges near the stem in Dark Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends marker.
I colored over the petal areas in Light marker and blended the petals for a more even look.
I colored the leaves in Dark Granny Apple Green and highlighted in Dark Old Olive Stampin’ Blends marker for a nice shaded look.
Adhere the embossed layer to the Gorgeous Grape base card.
Fussy cut the floral diamond out.
Using a Blending Brush and Gorgeous Grape ink pad highlight a diagonal area above to the right and below to the left where you will adhere the diamond image.
Adhere the floral image over the blended area.
I stamped the “lifetime of love” sentiment from the Linked Together stamp set from the 2025 January to April mini catalog release on a scrap 1/4″ strip of Basic White CS. Using a Paper Snip scissors I cut a banner edge on both sides of the sentiment and colored it with the Blending Brush and Gorgeous Grape ink. I popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it between the two corner images.
I added Purple Shine Shimmer Gems to finish off this easy and lovely card perfect for a Spring Wedding or an anniversary!
I also made one with Berry Burst Stampin’ Blends as an alternative coloring sample – Which do you like the Monochromatic (Highland Heather) or the Analogous (Berry Burst) Color design?

Try some out of the box stamping and use one of your stamps in an unexpected way! Now go and create some unexpected artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

sneak peak sweetest star punch ornaments

sneak peak sweetest star punch ornaments

Today’s blog post is a sneak peak of a new punch bundle from the upcoming September to December 2024 Mini Catalog debuting this September 4th! The Punch bundle is called Sweetest Star Bundle and features a stamp set with three star images, 4 sentiments and a corner snowflake image. I thought this would make a fun wreath Christmas Ornament and used the upcoming new 6″ x 6″ Take a Bow DSP with the punch to assemble some fun and easy ornaments.

I used old DSP cardboard inserts that I saved for the backing for these ornaments and die cut with the Deckled Circles die set, placing the largest and third largest circle dies inside one another evenly spaced to make a wreath base.

Punch 12 stars from the Take a Bow DSP package.
Adhere tape on the entire wreath base and start to place the stars on the base.
Complete the wreath with the stars.
Stamp the Santa Star with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and color with Stampin’ Blends, stamp the sentiment onto a 1/4″ strip and cut banner edges into each edge.
Adhere the Santa star to the top of the wreath and the sentiment across the bottom.
Tie some twine around the back of the wreath and stamp the To and From from the Greetings of the Season stamp set.
This is the wreath hanging up.
I cut the center circle with the fifth circle down from the Deckled Circle die set to create a circle ornament and a smaller wreath.
Place the stars around the smaller wreath, adhere a ribbon and the sentiment.
Stamp the To and From on the back.
Stamp the Santa Star in Tuxedo Black Memento ink onto the Deckled Circle. Color the Santa with the Stampin’ Blends and adhere two stars onto the bottom of the circle ornament.
Punch a hole and loop the ribbon through the hole and tie in a knot.
The Sweetest Star bundle is so fun and easy to make these Christmas Ornaments!

Go and create some artwork of your own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

PS: Because this is a sneak peak there will not be any link boxes available until September 4th when the products debut!

june 2024 paper pumpkin – life is sweet alternatives

june 2024 paper pumpkin – life is sweet alternatives

The June 2024 Paper Pumpkin Life is Sweet arrived in the mail last week and I have been busy creating simple stamping alternative cards. I added 6 sheets of Basic White cardstock and created 8 simply stamped Paper pumpkin Alternative cards in a snap with minimal supplies from the kit – I will be able to create so many more alternative cards!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White: (8) 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Layer” Basic White: (8) 4″ x 5 1/4″ embossed

I embossed the Basic White layers with the Dotted Circle 3D, Distressed Tile and So Swirly embossing folders.

I scored the 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ pieces of cardstock in half at 4 1/4″ and adhered the Basic White embossed layer with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
I loved the fruit images that come in the kit and wanted to do some clean and simple alternative cards from the kit with just the fruit die cuts.

I added two cherry images to the card front.

I used a scrap of Basic White and added a sentiment in Poppy Parade ink. I used a Blending Brush to add color to the edges after I die cut it with the Deckled Rectangles die set!
I popped up the sentiment over the cherry images on the card.
I used the dark Poppy Parade Stamnpin’ Blends marker to color the pearls that came in the kit and added them to the card front.
I stamped and fussy cut the “thanks” sentiment out and popped it up over another cherry image. I also colored the Gingham ribbon with the Poppy Parade Stampin’ Blends marker – I love this technique to be able to coordinate ribbon with ANY project!
For my third cherry image card I lightly dragged the Poppy Parade ink pad over the embossed surface to create a colored background!
I used the So Swirly background for the next card and the lemon image from the kit. I stamped the Thanks in Crushed Curry ink and the sweet friend sentiment directly below that in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and fussy cut the words out and popped them up over the Gingham colored ribbon!
I flipped this card on it’s edge to create a colored landscape background in Peach Pie. I added various Peach cut outs and the thanks stamped in Peach Pie and fussy cut and popped up over the peaches>
For this card I added white thread, I stamped the sentiment onto a 1/2″ strip and blended in Crushed Curry color with a Blending Brush. I popped up one of the lemon die cuts from the kit and the card is complete!
This next alternative card used the Distressed Tile 3D embossing folder and a Deckled Rectangle die cut for the sentiment. I popped up the sentiment and one of the peaches, I tucked one of the larger peaches under the sentiment die and adhered one of the smallest ones onto the left corner of the sentiment. I added Peach Pie In Color Shimmer Gems and another simply stamped alternative!
The last simply stamped alternative uses one of my favorite easy techniques. Stamp a long sentiment in one color and then cut the sentiment apart into single words or phrases. Stamp the sentiment in another color and cut out the words you wish to highlight or spotlight! I popped up the Crushed Curry stamped words sweeter and friends to highlight those among the entire sentiment!
I added Black and White Gingham ribbon and the tinsel gems embellishment! Super easy but super cute!
Now it’s your turn to go and create some simply stamped alternative projects – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

happy world baking day planted paradise out of the box stamping

happy world baking day planted paradise out of the box stamping

Did you know that today is World Baking Day – I love to make chocolate chip cookies and make a batch of my pan cookies for my open houses a few times a year as well as for my family more often. I wanted to make a cookie card for World Baking Day, so I starting looking over all of my stamps to see if I had anything that I could use for a cookie shape.

One of the cool types of stamps we have are the reversible stamps. Able to use both sides there are distinct advantages to this type of two-step stamping style.

During a past demonstrator only event I received the Planted Paradise stamp set – this is one of our reversible stamp sets and there were a few possibilities in this set!
One of the pots looked like a flattened Chocolate Chip cookie and I could use a tip of the foliage for a chip like shape.

Measurements:
Base: Early Espresso CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
scrap for the sentiment pieces
Basic White CS: 4″ X 5 1/4″
scrap for the sentiments

Using the rounded pot on the reversible smooth side, stamp in Crumb Cake ink along the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer. Stamp with the flat side at the edges of the layer, stamp multiple images on the Basic White layer.
Stamp the tip of the pointed single leaf in Early Espresso ink and stamp chip like images on the rounded Crumb Cake images.
Stamp several Yum Yum words from the Ice Cream Swirls on scrap paper.
Cut the words apart and adhere to scraps of Early Espresso cardstock.
Stamp “Hope your day is sweet” sentiment from the Ice Cream Swirls stamp set in between the cookie images.
Adhere the Basic White CS layer to the Early Espresso cardstock base.
Adhere the Yum Yum sentiments around the cookie images randomly around the card front.
I added embellishments to finish off this fun out of the box stamping with the Planted Paradise stamp set.
Here are a couple more traditional cards with this delightful set.
Try using your stamp sets in unique ways or more traditional – but now it’s your turn to create some art work of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’,
Natalie