sketch challenge - nataliegramleystamps

happy valentine’s day

by nataliegramleystamps | Feb 14, 2024 | card samples, embossing folders, my favorites, sketch challenge, stamps ink paper, techniques

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today’s blog post is all about a great combination technique – a baby-wipe watercolor paper technique.

Grab a wet baby wipe and add a few drops of re-inker. Rub in a circular motion applying ink to a portion of the watercolor paper. Repeat this with a new baby wipe and a new color, overlapping the previous color. I chose three colors for a berry milkshake effect – Flirty Flamingo, Berry Burst and Gorgeous Grape re-inkers.

Measurements:
BASE: Mambo Melon CS 5 1/2″ x 7 3/4″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 3 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ and
scraps for dies
Watercolor paper: 4 1/2″ x 5 1/2″

After the watercolor paper is completely dry, i die cut the ice cream scoops for the milkshake from the Share a Milkshake bundle.

I stamped the milkshake glass two step stamp in Mambo Melon and stamped off for the base portion.

I stamped the decorative glass portion of the base stamp in full strength Mambo melon ink and also stamped a straw and cherry as well.

Die cut all of the desired pieces for the card front.

Score the card base at 4 1/4″ and fold over so that the short side is at the front.

Stamp the Be My Valentine sentiment on the lower left hand corner in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

Cut a 1″ x 5 1/2″ strip from the watercolor paper so you get all three colors and emboss it with the Basics 3D embossing folder.
Adhere to the right hand edge of the inside base of the card so that it peeks out when the card is closed.

Cut a 3 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ Basic White cardstock layer for the inside of the card to the left of the 1″ strip.
Stamp the “You’re the cherry on top” sentiment in mambo melon ink on the upper center of the layer and adhere to the inside of the card.

Start adhering the dies to the front of the card – make sure you place the glass image low enough to accommodate the amount of ice cream scoops you die cut!

I adhered the ice cream scoops in a gradient effect and placed the straw on the bottom scoop and the cheery on the top!

I added Opaque Adhesive-Backed Gems to finish off the card!
Now to write a sweet note to the love of my life – SHHHHHHH don’t tell him I snuck it into his backpack last night so he’ll find it today at work!

Hope you were able to create cards for those you love – it’s what this paper craft is all about!
If you didn’t yet and you have someone special that needs to hear it – go and create some artwork of your very own and let them know – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’ and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Natalie

Product List

Share A Milkshake Bundle (English)

[160396]

$44.00

Share A Milkshake Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[160394]

$19.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper

[149612]

$9.00

Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[115320]

$10.00

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147051]

$9.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$6.50

Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

[144089]

$5.00

Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

[141402]

$5.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

[147164]

$5.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$26.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$5.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$11.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$128.00

Basics 3 D Embossing Folders

[161598]

$30.00

Share A Milkshake Dies

[160395]

$30.00

Opaque Adhesive Backed Gems

[160412]

$8.00

← more color mondays - flirty flamingo, melon mambo and granny apple green designing a card from a template →

announcing ‘more color mondays’ weekly color challenge

by nataliegramleystamps | May 1, 2023 | card samples, color challenge, sketch challenge, stamps ink paper

Announcing a weekly color challenge! Want/need some card making inspiration – every Sunday morning I will post a color challenge and everyone that posts a card by Sunday evening will get highlighted in my Monday morning post – let’s all play and inspire each other!

I posted the first challenge last week but this will be a recurring theme and would love to get all of your stamping friends involved so spread the word!

Yesterday’s post was a three color challenge using Starry Sky, Gray Granite and Basic White. Sometimes all the inspiration one needs is on the back of the Designer Series paper package! For today’s challenge I went with three of the colors from the gorgeous retiring Sun Prints 12″ x 12″ DSP.

Every Sunday night I will post the colors like the picture below!

I started with a 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ card base of Starry Sky.
I adhered a 4 ” x 5 1/4″ piece of Starry Sky and white striped DSP from the Sun Prints DSP (#158790) which was still available when I checked last week and on sale for $12.00!
I added a 3″square piece of DSP in Gray Granite print on a diagonal and added stamped and die cut embellishments from the Nature’s Prints bundle! I added In Color embellishments and this color challenge is complete!

Product List

Sun Prints Suite Collection (English)

[158805]

$76.75

Nature's Prints Bundle (English)

[158801]

$55.75

Nature's Prints Cling Stamp Set (English)

[158793]

$25.00

Starry Sky 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159263]

$9.25

Gray Granite 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146983]

$9.25

Sun Prints 12” X 12” (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[158790]

$12.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.25

Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad

[147118]

$8.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$25.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Paper Snips

[103579]

$11.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$125.00

Natural Prints Dies

[158800]

$37.00

2022 2024 In Color Matte Decorative Dots

[159186]

$8.00

← partial die cut shape card rays of light card →

library card class – a success

by nataliegramleystamps | Dec 9, 2022 | card samples, sketch challenge, techniques

One of the things I like best about being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is not the discount or being first to see and play with new product but the joy of watching people find their creative spirit in the art of creating something beautiful. That is what happened on Wednesday for my first card class in Western PA. The last year has been consumed with packing, moving, demolition and remodeling and I missed stamping with others. I was still stamping and creating (which I love) posting cards and tutorials on line, doing videos and hostessing classes on line but I missed the interaction between myself and other stampers. I missed teaching – and although I was rusty it was a success.
How could I tell it was a success – I left with VERY inky fingers and a lot of smiling faces of strangers that became friends and started to believe in their creative abilities!

Here are some pictures from the event and we have already scheduled the next two card classes!

January 25th 1-3 pm – we will begin the year with a Valentine’s card and 3 birthday cards for your friends and family’s upcoming special occasions. 2 cards for $5 all 4 cards for $10

February 22nd 1-3pm we will continue to learn new techniques and make some thank you and birthday cards 2 cards for $5 all 4 cards for $10

Here are the four card samples that we made together – all participants left with current catalogs, a four page tutorial for the cards we made, cards with envelopes and very big smiles!

Hope to see you all at the card classes in the new year!

It’s amazing the art you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

← product review lights aglow specialty designer series paper - on retiring list if you like this order now! FREE shipping today/last chance list →

using a sketch challenge for card inspiration

by nataliegramleystamps | Dec 1, 2022 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, sketch challenge, techniques

Card Sketches can be a great source of inspiration! Ever been stuck for ideas – there are loads of places to get ideas – our annual catalogs are one place but card sketches are everywhere and can be a great way to start a card design!
Here is one I found and made a card to the sketch image!

I started with the circle image in the sketch and decided to use the largest circle die from the Stylish Shapes die set and use a watercolor wash in Pear Pizzazz.
I used the same color scheme and stamp sets as Wednesday’s blog post just because I had left them on my stamping desk and they were perfect for the Christmas card I had in mind! (and it was just easy because they were already out lol!)

I stamped a sentiment directly on the card from the limited addition Framed and Festive stamp set (if you love this set make sure to order it soon because when it is gone that’s it!) and then stamped and die cut the holly leaves from the Christmas Season Bundle. I two step stamped the larger pine cone onto the dried watercolor wash circle die cut and popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I added Rhinestone basic Jewels and then realized I had not followed the sketch (which is fine – and allowed if you feel inspired by all means deviate!) but for the purpose of this blog post I wanted to use the sketch challenge as is!

So I stamped the Falala from the Framed and Festive stamp set and die cut with one of the banner dies from the Stylish Shapes and adhered it to the top left hand side of the circle like shown on the sketch.
I then moved the holly embellishments to the spot above the sentiment as in the sketch as well.
I actually like the card better than my original design and I am glad that I followed the sketch!

Stumped forideas – try a card sketch challenge today and go create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List