winter meadow easel card

winter meadow easel card

Well, I don’t usually highlight retired products and i pulled the Winter Meadow DSP out and started designing this card and totally forgot it is retired. OOPS! but the card is so pretty I had to show you the finished result!

It is still a good teaching moment – I will teach you how to make an easel 3D fun fold card and you can try it with your stash of DSP – retired or current!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic Grey CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 1 1/4″ and 3″
Secret Sea CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, 3/4″x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for the die
DSP: 3 3/4″ x 5″, 1/2″ x 5″

Adhere the 1/2″ x 5″ DSP piece to the Secret Sea matte 3/4″ x 5 1/4″, then adhere Foam Adhesive strips to the back.
Adhere the large DSP layer to the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Secret Sea matte.
Score the card base at 1 1/4″ and 3″ on the long side.

Adhere the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer to the inside of the card and then pop up the small DSP matte to the bottom of the Basic White layer.

Place adhesive on the outside edge of the small panel.
Die cut the small sentiment piece from the Snowflake Kisses bundle and stamp “let it snow” in Secret Sea ink. Pop it up on the DSP.

Adhere the large DSP matte to the front panel.

Adhere three Secret Sea 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls to the outside of the easel around the sentiment.
The front panel tucks into the raised smaller DSP piece to stand up for an easel effect hence the fun fold name!
This is a side view of the card!
Have a pretty piece of DSP or artwork that you would like to display then try this easel card fun fold and do just that!

Now go and create some artwork of your very own that you would like to display – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

april guy swap

april guy swap

I hear from customers that the card ideas they struggle with the most are for guy or masculine cards! At least once a year our demonstrator swap group – shares masculine card ideas as it is one of the most requested types of designs!

Last month we did a card swap for the guys and these are the cards we all came up with!

My first sample swap card is from Lori V and she did a black and white Criss Cross fun fold card featuring the One More Year stamp set (#164777) that is still available on the Last Chance List.

My second swap card features the Layering Leaves stamp set which was on the Last Chance list and is now sold out and the Bough Punch (#157711) which is currently on the Last Chance list but is unavailable but they are asking interested customers to sign up for notification once the punch comes back in stock!
This swap card by Marie W. uses the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder on Black cardstock and the Layering Leaves stamped in Old Olive and punched out and popped up on Dimensionals through a window cut out in th embossed layer – so clever!
Carrollann A cased a Rachel Tessman card from Stamp Your Art out .com for this Storybook Moments suite card using the Timeless plaid DSP. The lovely frame die cut on the card front came from the Storybook Friends Dies (#164674) and the Timeless Plaid DSP (#164678) make for a lovely guy themed card!
This next swap card designed by Judith P features the Bistro Burger bundle which are still available on the Last Chance list and discounted!

#163648
BISTRO BURGER CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH)
Last Chance Item
BISTRO BURGER CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH)
discounted price $18.40
original price $23.00

#163649
Last Chance Item
BISTRO BURGER DIES
discount price $16.80
original price $28.00

This waterfall card featuring the Wooded Acres stamp set was desined by Jeanna T.

#165451
WOODED ACRES PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET
price $17.00

Carol S’s swap card used Simple Birthday, The Right words and Textured Notes stamp sets.
It also features the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder and the Timeless plaid DSP for a great masculine Birthday card!
This next swap card features a fun surprise pop up feature on the inside of the card and uses the Country Woods DSP and the Simple Birthday large format single stamp by Lyn L.
Kathi D’s swap card comes in a coordinating envelope using the Textured Notes bundle and the Woven Textures DSP as a lovely neutral background for a fabulous guy card vibe!
Andrea U’s swap card features another Last Chance stamp set called Beside Me that is deep discounted! There is a special origami pop out surprise on the inside of the card when you open it up!

#160780
Last Chance Item
BESIDE ME CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH)
Sale Price $13.00 Original Price $26.00

My last swap card is from our swap hostess and one of my uplines in the company – Denise W.
This card conveys simple elegance with the Country Woods DSP and The Right Words sentiment set on the Modern Oval punch!

I hope these guy cards inspired you and gave you a bunch of ideas for the next card you need to make for those special men in your life! No go out and design a guy card for someone special – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Bough Punch [ 157711 ]
[157711]
$24.00
faux linen technique card

faux linen technique card

The Faux Linen technique is a fun one.
If you have extra tissue paper this is all you need and a little glue!

Measurements:
BASE: Pecan Pie CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
scraps for sentiment and dies
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″

Stamp the large starfish in Pecan Pie randomly on the Basic White layer. Stamp the smaller starfish in Basic Beige ink and the stones image in Crumb Cake CS.

Squeeze out some Multi-Purpose Glue on a Silicone Craft sheet and thin it out with a little water. Paint a thin layer on the surface.
Crush a piece of white tissue paper and smooth it out and lay it down over the glue covered surface. Smooth the tissue paper down to the surface which will produce crinkles and look like linen.
Secure the extra tissue paper around the edges on the back of the Basic White CS layer.
Pop up the layer on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the Pecan Pie card front.
Stamp the large and small sand dollar in Pecan Pie ink on Pecan Pie cardstock. Die cut in the hybrid folder which will emboss and die at the same time.
Stamp the sentiment on a scrap and fussy cut a banner edge. Pop up the sentiment piece and sand dollar with Stampin’ Dimensionals and place on the card front over the faux linen layer.
Tie a piece of Basic Beige ribbon around the left hand side of the Basic White layer under the smaller sand dollar.
Adhere Drusy Adhesive-Backed embellishments around the card front.

Love the subtlety of the Faux Linen background.

Try this fun technique – go grab some tissue paper and crinkle it and make some Linen!
Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

everyday you and me corner fold card

everyday you and me corner fold card

Today’s More Color Mondays features the retiring 2023-2025 In Color Wild Wheat, Lost Lagoon and Pretty Peacock.

Everyday You and Me Bundle is on the Last Chance List and Everyday Happiness DSP is beautiful and makes this corner fold card.

Measurements:
BASE: Pretty Peacock CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
DSP: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for sentiment piece and flowers/leaves

Mark the top of the 4 1/4″ side of the base at 1 3/4″ and score from the middle score to the mark.
Cut one of the DSP layers from the corner to 1 1/4″ mark on one side.
Adhere the DSP cut piece to the front of the card base.
Turn down the corner and adhere it down.

Cut 1/4″ off the fat end of the small DSP triangle and adhere to the turned down triangle.

Stamp the sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink on a Basic White scrap. Stamp a leaf in Wild Wheat above the sentiment. Stamp the five circle image in Lost Lagoon ink all over the background of the sentiment piece.
Fussy cut the sentiment piece.
Cut another triangle from corner to a 1 3/4″ mark of the second DSP layer.
Adhere to the top of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White piece.
Stamp two flowers in Pretty Peacock ink and stamp off one flower in a lighter tone.
Stamp one each of the leaves in Wild Wheat ink and die cut all the flowers and leaves.
Arrange the flowers and leaves with dies around the sentiment piece.
Adhere the sentiment over the card front.
Adhere the Sunny Day Dots embellishments to the card front.
I cut a matte for the sentiment piece and then re-adhered the sentiment piece to the card front.

Place a linen thread bow to the bottom right hand-side of the sentiment piece.

This is a fun and easy way to make a standard card with a little interest – a corner turned down. Try this technique and create some artwork of your very own one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

bonus post – hoppy easter treat box

bonus post – hoppy easter treat box

I normally post three times a week but sometimes I just have something special I have to share right away! This morning I stumbled upon an adorable Easter 3D treat box and decided to make them up for my Easter table -so while I was creating them I took photos and wanted to share the instructions!

Happy Easter to all and a special thank you to United Kingdom demonstrator Stacey Marsh for the inspiration I converted her project to imperial measurements but I took the inspiration from her you tube video and loved it!

Measurements:
BASE BOX: Pool Party two-tone cardstock
(1) 6″ square
(2) 2″ x 12″ strips scored at 2″ and 8″
DSP: (2) 2″ squares

Today I decorated the treat boxes with the Playing in the Rain stamp set and dies which I LOVE especially this little bunny and it is currently on the LAST CHANCE LIST – which means WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

As of this afternoon they were ON SALE and still available!
# 160542 Last Chance List
PLAYING IN THE RAIN CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH)
Sale Price $15.60 Original Price $26.00
Earns up to 1.56 in Stampin’ Rewards!

# 160550 Last Chance List
PLAYING IN THE RAIN DIES
Sale Price $21.00 Original Price $35.00
Earn up to $2.10 in Stampin’ Rewards!

I stamped the sweet bunny from this set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

I colored the body of the bunny with the Ivory Stampin’ Blends marker.
Next I colored the body of the bunny with the retired SU 600 Stampin’ Blends marker, from the skin tone set but you could easily substitute another brown like Light Pecan Pie.
Next I blended the body of the bunny with the retired SU 700 Stampin’ Blends marker, from the skin tone set but you could easily substitute another brown like Light Crumb Cake.
Then I went over the entire body area and blended all of them with the Ivory marker again.
I colored the inside of the ears, the nose and the jacket with Light Flirty Flamingo.
I highlighted those areas with the Dark Flirty Flamingo.
And then I blended over the entire pink areas with the Light marker to blend.
I colored in the puddle water with Light Pool Party Stampin’ Blends.
Then highlighted the water with the Dark Pool Party Blends.
Then I went back over the puddle with the Light marker to blend it.
Score the 6″ square piece of Pool Party Two-tone cardstock at 2″, turn 90 degrees and score at 2″, turn 90 degrees and score again at 2″ and one more time turn 90 degrees and score at 2″.
Your square should have 9 equal squares scored into the surface.

Then move the square to the 4 1/2″ mark and score above the 2″ score line and below the 4″ score line. Turn the square 180 degrees and position the left-hand edge of the card stock at the 4 1/2″ line and repeat scoring from the 2″ score line to the top of the cardstock and from the 4″ score line to the bottom of the page.

You should be able to see the score lines in the second photo.

Position the cardstock so that the squares with the extra score lines are in the four corners and the extra score line is horizontal.
Cut along the dark lines in the photo and then snip the edges to form a tab as shown with the smaller dark diagonal lines.
Rotate the square 180 degrees and repeat the cuts and the opposite side.

Your finished square will resemble the second photo.

Crease all score lines with a bone folder – the secret to a great box is well creased score lines.
Place Tear-n-Tape on the tabs.
Remove the paper release tape from the Tear-n-Tape and form the box by matching up the tab and the side edges so they are even and rub the inside so that the tape adheres well.
Adhere your 2″ DSP squares to the side of the box that does not have the tabs adhered to it.
I stamped Oh, Happy Day from the Playing in the Rain stamp set in Tuxedo Black memento ink and die cut from the Stylish Shapes die set.
I die cut the bunny and fussy cut the puddle.
I adhered the puddle on the lower left hand side of the box that had the less busy DSP. I popped up the bunny on Stampin’ Dimensionals above the puddle and added the sentiment circle die to the right side – it is ok to hang these over the side of the box.
I stamped the sentiment a second time and fussy cut the O and adhered it over the A in Happy to change the word to Hoppy for Easter!
I scored the 2 strips of Two-tone Cardstock at 2″ and 8″.
I curled the paper with my bone folder.
Adhere the 2″ side with Tear-nTape or other strong adhesive to the bottom of the box.
Adhere the other piece on the 2″ side with Tear-n-Tape or other strong adhesive on top of the other 2″ adhered strip to the bottom of the box. The strips will look like wings extended in opposite directions.
Place tape at the top of the strip – the side that has the 4″ score line. Bend at the score line and instead of adhering flat push the edge with the adhesive upwards and adhere to the inside of the strip so that there is a bow in the top – see photo.
Do this on both strips, these will be the “ears” of the bunny basket.
Place the strips together and tie a coordinating ribbon around the strips and below the “ears”.
I added name tags to the ribbons with the new Hole Punch assortment punches so these will be my placeholders for Easter Dinner.

I filled them with candy since my children are too old for Easter Baskets but not too old for the candy!!

So, so cute! Save this to make for next year’s Easter table!

Have a Blessed Day and I hope you get time to create tomorrow!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

This is what my table will look like tomorrow!
updated with 25-27 in colors – stampin’ up!’s color evolution – a little history lesson

updated with 25-27 in colors – stampin’ up!’s color evolution – a little history lesson

Recently at this year’s OnStage – Stampin’ Up!’s major annual event for their demonstrators – the company announced their next set of In Colors for 2025 through 2027: Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger, Darling Duckling, Cloud Cover and Secret Sea. At first glance it does not look like the usual coordinating set of five colors that work together but I think that these colors are all dusty hues and will work well paired with some of our favorite staple colors.

Strawberry Slush is a returning 2013-2015 In Color a favorite pink for many.

Timid Tiger is a really nice shade of Dusty Orange reminicent in color dimension or chroma to Tangelo Twist 2008 or Tangerine Tango 2014-2016 and Dusty Durango 2009.

Darling Duckling is a dusty yellow with slightly green undertones.

Cloudy Sky is a dusty gray-blue.

And Secret Sea is a deep dark stormy dusky blue almost black!

Cannot wait to work with these colors!

The following is the rest of the original color evolution blog post that I wrote with a few updates at the end for the retiring in colors and last year’s entry as well!

As we enter our 35th year in business and I enter my 23rd year with Stampin’ Up! In June I thought it would be fun to take a look at our fascination with color! I believe one of the reasons this company is strong and continues to be is definitely multi-faceted – great leadership and great products but our color coordination is second to none! It is one of the many things I love about this company, the colors are both classic and trendy, and the color coordination among our product lines is outstanding.

It is hard to fathom that 35 years ago, the company was founded with not one of their own ink colors in 1988! Stampin’ Up! didn’t release their own line of signature alitereral colors until their 1997-1998 catalog. In this catalog they introduced four color families Bold Brights, Rich Regals, Soft Subtles and Earth Elements – I am proud to say I remember those color families and still refer to myself as a BOLD BRIGHT GIRLS!!
They started from the very first release with their fascination with alliteration of color names with Old Olive, still around today as one of the original colors, Taken with Teal, Summer Sun, Yo Yo Yellow, Brilliant Blue and many others.
The original color families started with these colors:

Bold Brights: Glorious Green, Green Galore, Gable Green, YoYo Yellow, Only Orange, Rocket Red, Pink Passion, Positively Pink, Orchid Opulence, Lovely Lilac, Brilliant Blue and Tempting Turquoise.

Rich Regals: Not Quite Navy, Eggplant Envy, Forest Foliage, Baroque Burgundy, Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Rose Red, Brocade Blue, Rose Romance, Ballet Blue, marvelous Magenta and Taken with Teal.

Soft Subtles: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Blush Blossom, Mellow Moss, Barely Banana, Sage Shadow, Lavender Lace, Mauve Mist, Almost Amethyst, Mint Melody, Bliss Blue, and Pretty in Pink.

Earth Elements: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Summer Sun, Luscious Lime, Old Olive, Garden Green, Going Grey, and Basic Black.

We have gone through several color refreshes, in 2005, 2010, 2013, 2018 and 2023.

We introduced the idea of hot trendy colors collections that would be around originally for just a year in 2006 with the first In Color Collection of six colors. We later changed the program to 5 colors to remain for 2 years alternating with a second color collection in 2010.
Today I have put together charts of the In Color Program starting with the six 2006 In Color Collection featuring: Vintage Violet, Buckaroo Blue, Cool Caribbean, Marigold Morning, True Thyme and Cranberry Crisp.

In 2007 we released the second one year collection of 6 In Colors featuring: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Groovy Guava, and Purely Pomegranate.
In 2008 we released another one year collection of 6 In Colors featuring: Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point and Pink Pirouette. Pacific Point would re-emerge as a Core Color in the 2010 Color reset and remain a staple until 2018 as would Pink Pirouette.
In 2009 we released our last one year collection of 6 In Colors featuring: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo and Dusty Durango. These colors were so popular that many became Core Colors in the 2010 Color Reset everyone but Dusty Durango!
In 2010, Stampin’ Up! introduced the current structure for In Color Collections remaining for two years and alternating the next year with another new collection!
2010-2012 set included: Poppy Parade, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz. Poppy, Blushing Bride and Pear pizzazz returning as Core Colors in the 2013 Color Reset!
The 2011- 2013 In Colors included: Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder. Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Blushing Bride joined the Core Color Collection in 2013.
The 2012-2014 In Colors featured: Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, and Gumball Green.

The 2010 Color Rest added new Core Colors Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight Marina Mist and Early Espresso

In 2013-2015 Stampin’ Up!’s In Color Collection included: Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding and Strawberry Slush. Adding Coastal Cabana to the Core Color Collection in 2018’s Color Reset.
2014-2016 In Colors added Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow and Tangelo Twist to the In Color Collection.

Blackberry Bliss and Lost Lagoon eventually were added as Core Colors in 18 and 23, respectively.

2015 – 2017 brought Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe to the In Color mix. Stampin’ Up! added mint Macaron to the Core Color Collection in 2018.
2016-2018 In Color Collection featured: Dapper Denim, Emerald Envy, Flirty Flamingo, Peekaboo Peach, and Sweet Sugarplum adding Flirty Flamingo to the Core Colors in 2018.
in 2017, we added Berry Burst, Fresh Fig, Lemon Lime Twist, Powder Pink and Tranquil Tide to the In Color Collection keeping Berry Burst and Lemon Lime Twist eventually in Core Collection Resets last year.
2018-2020 broughtLovely Lipstick, Grapefruit Grove, Pineapple Punch, Blueberry Bushel and Call Me Clover to the In Color Collection and we called Blueberry Bushel back to the Color rest in 2023.

We added new colors to the Core Collection in 2018 including: Soft Sea Foam, Shaded Spruce, Petal Pink, Merry Merlot, Mango Melody, Highland Heather, Gray Granite, Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape and Balmy Blue.

2019-2021 In Colors featured Purple Posy, Seaside Spray, Rococo Rose, Terracotta Tile and Pretty Peacock and brought Pretty Peacock to the Color Reset last year in 2023.
2020-2022 In Colors included: Bumblebee, Cinnamin Cider, Just Jade, Magenta Madness, and Misty Moonlight and added Misty Moonlight to the Color Reset in 2023.
2021-2023 In Colors brought: Polished Pink, Pale Papaya, Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent and Fresh Freesia , keeping Fresh Freesia in 2023.
My personal favorite set of In Colors will be retiring in May! The 2022-2024 In Color Collection features Sweet Sorbet, Parakeet Party, Tahitian Tide, Starry Sky and Orchid Oasis. These colors will no longer be available after April 30th so if you need anything, I would recommend ordering some as they are getting low in some inventories and when they are depleted they are SOLD OUT! The current hostess code in EGCF9KYB.
2023-2025 In Colors contained great neutrals including: Copper Clay, Wild Wheat, Boho Blue, Moody Mauve and Pebbled Path and these are the colors that will be retiring with this current catalog – love any of these colors then DO NOT WAIT they always sell out when they are retiring!

Copper Clay
#161721 CS
#161647 ink pad
#161654 refill
#161662 Blends

Wild Wheat
#161725 CS
#161651 ink pad
#161655 refill
#161661 Blends

Boho Blue
#161724 CS
#161650 ink pad
#161656 refill
#161659 Blends

Moody Mauve
#161723 CS
#161649 ink pad
#161657 refill
#161660 Blends

Pebbled Path
#161722 CS
#161648 ink pad
#161653 refill
#161658 Blends

These were last year’s In Colors that debuted with the upcoming 2024-2025 Annual Catalog are Peach Pie, Petunia Pop, returning original color Pretty in Pink for an encore as this new batch of In Colors, Shy Shamrock and Summer Splash!

If you want to see this colors in person and are in the area, I will be hosting a New Catalog Open House in May! Come join the fun!
Keep watch for the details on my social media!

Hope you enjoyed this color evolution and stroll down memory lane.

This upcoming catalog features a very cool color theory section with an awesome color wheel that talks about monochromatic, complementary, analogous and triadic color combinations! I absolutely LOVE the upcoming catalog and the new way it is designed!

Don’t have a demonstrator and live in the US? Let me know if you would like to have your own copy of the new catalog once it is released and I will send you one!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie