more color mondays – pretty peacock, granny apple green and misty moonlight sneak peak

more color mondays – pretty peacock, granny apple green and misty moonlight sneak peak

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features the new $5 Product of the Month called Painted Illusions! (look at the artistic designs below) This paper is gorgeous and I selected the colors based on the DSP!

This is a super simple, fun fold that is fun to make called the Split Front card.

Measurements:
BASE: Pretty Peacock CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2, cut at 1 1/2″ then again at
2 1/2″
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″

Cut 1 1/2″ off the bottom of the card front.

Then cut another 2 1/2″ off the same side.

You will end up with 1 1/2″ on the top of the card front below the score line and two cut pieces.

Cut 1 1/4″ off each side of the DSP.
Attach the Top piece of the design to the cardstock still attached to the card front.
Adhere the bottom 1 1/4″ piece to the first piece cut off the card.
I cut 1/4″ piece off the middle piece of DSP and added that to the bottom of the inside Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer.

Then I adhered the middle piece of of DSP to the second piece cut off the card front.

Place the bottom matted piece aligned to the bottom of the card base and twist the middle piece and add Stampin’ Seal or Tear & Tape to only the top and the bottom and attach the middle piece vertically between the top and bottom matted pieces.
I took the second piece of Basic White layer and cut three dies from the upcoming March Online Exclusive bundle Springtime Scenes! This is a SNEAK PEAK and will not be available for a couple more weeks therefore it will not be listed below in the photo click-ables at the end.
Using Granny Apple Green and Pretty Peacock ink and blending brushes I colored the dies and stamped the sentiment from this upcoming set in Pretty Peacock ink.
I adhered the left side only of the die cut circle and placed it on the middle DSP piece hanging over the open edge.

I popped up the leaf and adhered the sentiment piece under it careful to not adhere the part that would hang over the open edge on the left.

I added three Sparkle Dot Essentials in the green color to add some bling and this simple card is complete!

Try this simple fun fold today and go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

card sketch #115 – get inspired with sketches

card sketch #115 – get inspired with sketches

Today’s post is all about simplifying the creative process! Ever feel stumped sitting at your desk with a lot of choices and no clear direction? All of us get that way – I find I lose my mojo when my space is messy – but I can get in a creative slump at any time and when I do using a card sketch can prime the creative juices into flowing again!

So today’s card sketch #115 is all about getting the creative juices flowing with a simple layout!

I had so much fun with this sketch that I have a bunch of samples to show you different ways to make this sketch come to life!

Measurements:
BASE: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 1″ or 1 1/8″ x 3″
Layers: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
Scrap for sentiment focal point
scrap for die cut

The perfect thing about a sketch is that it is only a spring board for your imagination!

The pool party sections in the sketch can be DSP, cardstock, embossed cardstock, stamped background images and anything else your creative soul can devise!

That is what I love about sketches even though everyone starts with the same template the outcome is whatever you can make of it!

In my first example I cut the DSP strips at 1 1/8″ x 3″ and adhered them to a Basic Beige 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer.

I die cut from an Old Olive scrap a Textured Notes rectangular die and stamped Love and Hugs sentiment from the Greenery lane stamp set in Mossy Meadow ink for some contrasting color.
I adhered the Basic Beige layer onto a Mossy Meadow card base and popped up the sentiment layer on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
I die cut a greenery piece in Basic Beige scrap from the Greenery Lane die set and adhered it to the bottom portion of the sentiment die.

I added three Antique Pearls to the sentiment layer around the words to highlight them!

Since the base is a darker colored cardstock I added a Basic Beige layer stamped with a leaf image from the Greenery Lane stamp set in Mossy Meadow ink to tie the whole card together!
The second sample I used a different page from the Nature Walk DSP like the first card but changed the color scheme and made the DSP strips 1″ x 3″ for a little paper saving I cut a 3″ x 4″ DSP piece and cut into (4) 1″ x 3″ strips! I just needed to adjust the space in between the strips on the card front.
I used Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie and Early Espresso with the script DSP pieces and stamped the inside as well!
In my third sample I used embossed cardstock strips with the new Online Exclusive Beautiful Pattern 3D embossing folder. and the sentiments and die from the Boardwalk Fun bundle from the upcoming 2026 January to April mini catalog available on Tuesday!
I still had all the cardstock out from yesterday’s post card and I used the same colors Pretty in Pink, Flirty Flamingo and Bubble Bath!
For my last sample I made my own DSP by stamping images on a 3″ x 4 1/2″ piece of Basic White cardstock using Pretty Peacock, Poppy Parade and Granny Apple Green ink and images from the Greenery Lane stamp set.

I cut those into 1 1/8″ x 3″ pieces keeping them in order so the stamped pattern flows from strip to strip!

I embossed the vertical piece and popped up a sentiment over the Poppy Parade layer!

Use your imagination for the strips make them different sizes or from different colors and materials! See what you can design – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp – one sketch at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Remember the SNEAK PEAK items will not be listed in the photo links below until they are available on January 6th!

And plan on joining me next Saturday for my new catalog open house!

card sketch #114 – hope, love & joy card

card sketch #114 – hope, love & joy card

Today’s card uses a simple card sketch and is a very simple Designer Series Paper card – super easy to put together and CASE!

Measurements:
BASE: Blueberry Bushel CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ and scrap for
sentiment and die
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″

I am going to spend my time explaining a tip and trick for getting a die centered correctly.
I actually wanted to use a different circle die than the one that came with the Hope, Love & Joy Bundle because I wanted to use the small circle from the Spotlight on Nature dies with the lined edges – I imagined it would look like the lines were radiating out from the earth so I wanted to try this circle rather than the one in the coordinating die set!

Because it is not coordinating a slightly bigger I wanted to show you the steps I took to center the image with this die.

Place the desired die on a scrap piece of Basic White CS and trace around the outside with a pencil.

Stamp in Tuxedo Black Memento ink the desired image in the center of the penciled circle.
Color the water areas of the Earth with Balmy Blue light Stampin’ Blends then outline with Blueberry Bushel Light then go over the entire water are with the Balmy Blue Light again to blend the alcohol markers.

Color the land areas with Crumb Cake Light first then outline the area with the Dark Stampin’ Blends marker then blend the entire land area with the Light marker.

I used a scrap of Basic White to stamp the outside sentiment from the scrapbooking set Exploring Nature in Blueberry Bushel ink and fussy cut around the letters then blended the edges with a blending brush and Blueberry Bushel ink.

I die cut the Earth.

I stamped the inside layer with the “stay wild & free from the Exploring Nature set and adhered it to the inside of the card base.

Adhere the DSP layer to the card front then I adhered the fussy cut sentiment to the lower third of the card front.
I popped up the Earth die cut above the sentiment and added Basic Rhinestones to finish off this lovely and simple card!

Try this centering technique or my sketch and go and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

REMINDER: this is another sneak peak so the photo links below will not reflect the SNEAK PEAK items.
These will be available to customers on January 6th and are available right now to demonstrators and in starter kits!

sneak peak – nature walk suite card

sneak peak – nature walk suite card

Today’s blog post is a gorgeous monochromatic SNEAK PEAK card from the Nature Walk Suite Collection of products and I didn’t even use half of the cool things in this Suite! This is a beautiful suite for Nature’s lovers and a great set for making masculine cards with ease!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Pretty Peacock CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″, 3 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
for the leaf die
Vellum CS: 2″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for circle die
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″ 1 1/2″ x 4″

Using a Basic White BASE eliminates the need for an extra Basic White layer on the inside with darker colored cardstock colors.

I adhered the 4″ x 5 1/4″ DSP to the Pretty Peacock layer.

There is a very cool cross hatch patterned die in the Nature’s Symphony die set that cuts a pattern into the cardstock without totally cutting it off the cardstock layer. I die cut this patter into opposite corners of the 2″ x 51/4″ piece of vellum cardstock.

I adhered the 1 1/2″ piece of DSP to the front of the vellum and then I could add adhesive under the DSP to attach both pieces.

Attaching Vellum can be tricky because it is translucent. Because you can partially see through the material that means you usually can see the mode of adhesion too!

TIP: There are several ways around this!

1. Hiding the adhesive under non translucent paper attached to the vellum as I did in this example!
2. Hiding glue dots under wisely placed embellishments!
3. Adding Multipurpose liquid glue with a sponge or Q-tip to the entire back of the vellum
4. If you emboss vellum it creates a pattern and makes the vellum white and a little less translucent making it easier to hide adhesive as you will see I did to attach the sentiment piece!

Using a scrap of vellum stamp the sentiment from the Nature’s Symphony stamp set in Pretty Peacock ink.
I die cut the leaf die from the Nature’s Symphony die set in Pretty Peacock cardstock and mounted it with glue to the right-hand side of the card.

I die cut a circle around the sentiment from the Spotlight on Nature dies and using a silicone mat I squeezed a dollop of Multipurpose Liquid Glue onto the silicone matte and applied glue around the embossed edges of the circle die where it is less likely to show and attached the die to the center of the card above the leaf die and DSP layer.

I used the Balmy Blue gingham ribbon – did you know you can take any light colored ribbon and color it with darker Stampin’ Blends?
I love this technique! You can color coordinate ribbon to any project with the coordinating Stampin’ Blend!
Place Tear-n-Tape on the lower back edges of the Pretty Peacock and wrap the colored ribbon around the front of the layer attaching it on the tape on the back of the Pretty Peacock layer.

Then glue the layer onto the card front.

Using the Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends, color the Iridescent Pearls for a coordinated embellishment look!
I added five colored pearls to the card.

I added one larger and one small on either side of the sentiment piece and then added the last small one to the dot on the “i” in “smile”.

On this version I added the fifth pearl to the right of the sentiment end.

Which do you like better?

Try adding vellum to your cards for an elevated and elegant look – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

REMINDER: the SNEAK PEAK items in the Nature Walk Suite Collection and the Balmy Blue Gingham ribbon are only available to demonstrators and in starter kits until January 6th so there will not be photo links below until they are released.

demonstrator swap card ideas

demonstrator swap card ideas

This month’s Demonstrator Swap was a potluck swap – so anything current in any catalog or Online Exclusive was available for us to play with and I got some fun cards to show you today!

This first card is from my upline organizer Denise W and she was inspired by the Amazing Tammy Wilson for her watercolor card using the Weekend Adventures stamp set from the Annual Catalog. She stamped the image in Saddle Brown StazON which is waterproof so she was able to stamp and go! She stamped the image on Watercolor paper and then used water Painters to color in the cup and flowers! Such a beautiful job!

My second swap entry was done by Susan W featuring the You Are Remarkable stamp set which is currently on SALE in the Last Chance list for 20% off at $16.00 from $20.00.
She also used the Forever Plaid 3D embossing folder and the Textured Notes dies on a z fold fun fold card!
She stamped the inside as well as the envelope!
This Love and Courage stamp set is also on SALE on the Last Chance list for $22.50 down from the original price of $25.

The Love & Courage Stamp Set is made for those affected by breast cancer. For moments when words matter most, these stamps help you create cards that honor both the fighters and the friends who stand by them. Express love, support, encouragement, solidarity, gratitude, and appreciation in a meaningful way with the breast cancer sentiments and images in this stamp set.

With each purchase of the Love & Courage Stamp Set, we’ll donate $3 to support the fight against breast cancer around the world. We hope you’ll join us in making a difference this holiday season.

Patricia J made a lovely swap card with this stamp set! Get it before it is all gone!

This next fun fold card from Lyn L features the gorgeous Thoughtful Journey Designer Series Paper and the sentiment from Notes and Totes!

Love how this opens to reveal this lovely paper inside!

This flip up and open fun fold from Andrea U uses the Festive Friends bundle which was so popular this season it is currently unavailable but it will be back soon!

Look how cute this fun fold opens!

Lori V’s swap card is also on the Last Chance list on SALE for $19.80 if this is more your style.

So elegant and she stamped the inside as well.

This next swap card from Carol S. features a little old, a little new! Our favorite Extraordinary Flora Bundle and Washi Tape is mixed with the Eyelet embossing folder and the Spotlight on Nature dies for the something “old” and the something new is a sneak peak at the sentiment from the upcoming January – April 2026 Mini Catalog bundle Greenery Lane. She also used a stamp from that sneak peak set for some greenery on the envelope which I forgot to photograph!
I don’t know if shows up well in the photograph but Carol colored Antique Pearls with the Petunia Pop Stampin’ Blends markers and they are so pretty!
And our last demonstrator swap card for this month features a sneak peak at the upcoming Boardwalk Fun bundle from Kathi D.

Super cute card and as a reminder none of the sneak peak items are available until January 6th unless you would like to order them in a starter kit as demonstrators are in the pre-order period so these upcoming Mini Catalog sets are available to order as a Starter Kit item.
Because they are not currently available to the general public I will not have a link photo below. But check back after January 6th for those links to order these products!

Hope these cards inspired you for future projects – now go and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

party dies birthday card

party dies birthday card

Today’s card is made with the Party Dies Bundle to fabulous die sets combined for infinite possibilities! The Party Alphabet die set is a large alphabet set perfect for scrapbooking and card making and the Party Banner Dies and so versatile for creating Party Banner signage, cards and scrapbook pages! I already have so many things planned!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″ scraps for die cuts
Strawberry Slush CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer

Die cut the H and B from the Party Alphabet dies from the Basic White scraps, cut consecutive Party Banners that will fit on the card front from the two layers.

Take and emboss the card front with the UPCOMING All in a row Embossing Folder – a SNEAK PEAK from the upcoming January – April 2026 Mini Catalog!

This embossing folder will be available to see at my Open House coming up in January and will be available for purchase January 6th.

Plan on attending my Open House to get a catalog and see and play with some of the new products coming in the Spring!

Because this is a sneak peak it is only available in a starter kit for now and will not be in the photo links below!

Using my Glass Mat Studio, I taped down the middle of the H and B from the Party Alphabet dies to the glass grid making sure they were even.

I colored the lower halves of the dies with a Blending Brush and Strawberry Slush ink.

Adhere the Party Banner Dies together.
Adhere the Party Banner dies to the embossed card front in the center and then adhere the H and B on top of the banner dies. I reversed the H so that the colored sections were opposite for more visual appeal!
I added In Color Dots to the card in coordinating Strawberry Slush color and outside of the card is complete.
I grabbed the Happy Birthday sentiment from the With You In Mind stamp set and some Tuxedo Black Memento ink and stamped the inside of the card!
I blended left over color from the Blending Brush in an arc over the words for a little extra coordinating color!
This bundle is amazing and if you are a party planner or a scrapbooker worth every dime!

Hope you enjoyed today’s birthday card – now it’s your turn to go and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie