more color mondays – secret sea, strawberry slush and timid tiger

more color mondays – secret sea, strawberry slush and timid tiger

I love creating my own background paper and this is one of the easiest ways to do it!
I created a mask using the Stylish Shapes die set, I die cut three concentric circle dies into a
4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Basic White card stock to create a blending brushed background perfect to showcase the new Simple Birthday stamp!
This is a great way to showcase color combinations of your choice and for this week’s More Color Mondays color challenge we are featuring the some of the new 2025-2027 In Colors: Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger and Secret Sea!

Measurements:
BASE: Strawberry Slush CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Timid Tiger CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Secret Sea CS: 3 1/2″ x 5″
Basic White CS: scrap for large rectangular die
from the Textured Notes die set
(3) 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ for masking

Cut three concentric circle dies from the Stylish Shapes die set on 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ sheets of cardstock for masking with Blending Brushes in each of the More Color Mondays color selection for this week.
Using one of the masks color the three circles on the Basic White 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ Basic White layer in Strawberry Slush with a Blending Brush. I drag the Blending Brush through the ink pad and then starting off the paper I begin in a circular motion to color the inside of the die cut circles onto the Basic White layer.
Continue with the next clean mask so you don’t muddy the colors and the Blending Brushes.
Move the masks so that the circles are overlapping and in differing positions.
Do all three colors covering the the Basic White layer to your liking!
Take the Timid Tiger layer and emboss in the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.
Die cut the blending brush colored Basic White layer in the Textured Notes rectangular die – I used the second largest die for this card!
I used my Stamparatus for this card which is no longer available but there are other similar stamp positioners on the market – they are great for larger format stamps like the Simple Birthday stamp.
I inked up the stamp in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and stamped it onto the Blending Brush colored die.
Adhere the Timid Tiger embossed layer to the Strawberry Slush card base and then adhere the Secret Sea layer on a tilt.
Adhere the Happy Birthday stamped layer onto the Secret Sea matte layer.
Add three 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls to finish off the card with easy coordinated style!

Try this masking technique when you get a chance with dies you own and see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

gallery blooms card sketch #101 layout

gallery blooms card sketch #101 layout

Today’s blog post is the first in a series of cards using a card sketch. Card Sketches are a great starting point for creativity.

Sketch #101 starts with a base card with several layers including a natural element.

Measurements:
BASE: Secret Sea CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Cloud Cover CS: 2″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 3″ x 4 1/2″ and 4″ x 5 1/4″

The trio of flowers image from the Gallery Blooms bundle has a long stem and I have a tip for proper placement for the coordinating die.

Gallery Blooms stamp set is a photopolymer stamp set and they can be repositioned so the stem might not be in the current position to be die cut. I die cut a scrap piece of Basic White cardstock with the trio floral stamp image. I put this die cut paper over the photopolymer stamp and adjusted the stem inside the die paper.

Take this positioned stamp image and ink it up in the Secret Sea ink and stamp on a scrap piece of Basic White CS.
Using a Blender Pen – which is a brush tip pen that contains clear ink – this clear ink can “re-wet” the Secret Sea ink of the trio flower image.
Draw the Blender Pen over the outlines of the flowers and spread the ink from the edges into the center.
Stamp the background stamp from Beautiful Motifs stamp set all across the front of the card base. Stamp in Secret Sea ink.
Color the edges of the card front in Secret Sea ink.
Emboss a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Cloud Cover CS piece with the Mini 3D embossing folder.
Cut the layer in half to 2″ x 5 1/4″.

Die cut the trio flower image with the coordinating die from the Gallery Blooms Bundle.

Adhere the embossed layer to the left hand side of the card base, mimicking the layer on the card sketch.
In card sketches, use your creative eye and know that you do not need to copy the sketch literally! For the circle in the sketch I added a rectangular layer instead of a circular image!

I die cut from the Textured Noted set of dies and stamped a sentiment from the Beautiful Motifs stamp set in the bottom right-hand corner.

I die cut the trio flower image from the Gallery Blooms stamp set and popped it up on the Textured Notes rectangular die cut.
This stamped image is the Natural element in the sketch – this element could be anything so use your imagination!
Adhere the rectangular die layer to the center and right of the embossed layer.
Stamp the flower tops on the bottom of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer Basic White CS and adhere it to the inside of the card.
I added three Secret Sea 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls to the card around the floral image and this is my take on Card Sketch #101.

Let me know what you come up with! Now grab some items from your personal stash and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – berry burst, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape – paper pumpkin alternatives

more color mondays – berry burst, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape – paper pumpkin alternatives

Every month I get a craft kit in the mail and I was super excited to receive last month’s April 2025 Inked Occasions kit – so excited in fact I increased my order to 2 kits because I knew that i would LOVE the alcohol inks images on the base cards so much that I would want extra and I am so glad that I did!

This kit is absolutely gorgeous and I have so many ideas! This is the first set of alternative projects and the first one highlighted is the More Color Mondays color challenge card!

I picked three favorite colors from the kit: Berry Burst, Coastal Cabana and Gorgeous Grape and designed a fabulous window card to highlight one of the stunning die cuts in this kit!

First let me show you the three card designs that are detailed in the kit – beautiful on their own with nothing more to do than just follow the full color instructions sheet!

Here are the items required for the first card:

This card features a beautiful gold-foiled die cut as the sparkling focal point. The instructions detail to pop this die cut up on the right-hand side of the gorgeous card base.

First I stamped the small butterfly images onto the card with the Berry Burst ink spot included in the kit. Then popped up the die in between the stamped images.

I stamped the Congratulations sentiment on the shaped die and the “you are amazing” on the rectangular sentiment die and popped them up on the mini Stampin’ Dimensionals provided in the kit over the gold-foiled die cut.
And the first gorgeous card is complete!
I gathered the supplies for the second card in the instructions.
I stamped the “thinking of you” sentiment in Berry Burst ink on the appropriate shaped die cut and punched it out and popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The base card is gold-foil framed and I adhered the fabulous alcohol inked die cut silhouettes over the bottom of the card.
I adhered the sentiment piece over the right-hand side of the die and stamped a few butterflies above the sentiment to finish off card #2 from the instructions! So EASY!
Card #3 from the instructions stamped the small butterflies onto the card, popped up the gold-foiled “hugs” sentiment and stamped the “I’m here for you” sentiment in one of the rectangular sentiment die boxes and popped that up below the hugs and this card is done! Even easier!
These are the three cards that come in the kit SO SO PRETTY as is but now for today’s More Color Monday card and the rest of the alternative projects I made!
I just loved the silhouette die that came in the kit so I decided to highlight that in my More Color Monday’s card and I made a window card out of it!

Measurements:
BASE: Coastal Cabana CS: 5 1/2″ x 9″
scored at 2 3/4″
Gorgeous Grape CS: 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ strip
Berry Burst CS: scrap for sentiment matte
Card Kit Card: cut into four pieces
2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″
Window Sheet: 3″ x 5 1/2″

Adhere the Window Sheet to the shorter edge of the card and match with the back edge of the card to make a clear front panel.

Adhere the Gorgeous Grape strip under the bottom edge of the 2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ card kit layer.

Adhere the card kit layer over the Window Sheet layer and adhere evenly to the top of the card front.

Lay the die cut piece face side down over the card matching the bottom edges. Add liquid glue to the foliage that will be above the cardstock edge not below where the window sheet is except foe the very bottom edge.
Turn the die cut over and matching up the bottom edges adhere to the card.
Stamp the “Congratulations” and “you are amazing”sentiments in Berry Burst and pop up on the card base. Place the “Congratulations” above the Window sheet on the left-hand side and the “You are Amazing” below the window sheet on the right-hand side.
I added five Purple Shimmer Gems to the card front, tucking some under the sentiments.
I added three small single butterflies in Gorgeous Grape ink to the upper right-hand side of the card kit card layer.
I decided I wanted to little bit more emphasis on the “Congratulations” sentiment so I added a Berry Burst matter under the sentiment and fussy cut to match the die cut form.

I love the see through bottom “apron” of the card – just stunning and it shows of the beauty of this alcohol inked die!

I liked this style so much I tried it with a Gorgeous Grape cardstock base.
This simple alternative card started with a Coastal Cabana card base. I used one of the
2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ pieces of card base, I adhered two Gorgeous Grape strips on either side of the card kit layer.
I stamped the butterflies around the sentiments. I popped up the sentiment on Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals at the lower right-hand corner.
I cut one of the card bases from the kit to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and adhered it to a Gorgeous Grape CS base. I stamped the “thinking of you” sentiment in Gorgeous Grape ink and added the small butterflies around the sentiment. I added three Purple Fine Shimmer Gems.
The last alternative card from this batch I created a z-fold fun fold.
I used one of the 2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ card kit layers on the right-hand side of the inside of the card base.
I cut the colored part of the envelope to a
2″ x 5 1/4″ piece and adhered it to the first panel of the z-fold.
I stamped the sentiment “hugs” in Gorgeous Grape and added color with a Blending Brush and stamp extra butterflies.
Add adhesive to the left-hand side of the circle die and adhere to the center of the first panel.
I added 5 Purple Shimmer Gems to the card front to finish the card.
Paper Pumpkin card kits are such great monthly kits delivered to your mailbox – for a bit of fun every month!

Try it one month and watch your creativity blossom! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

mixed media pop out fun fold

mixed media pop out fun fold

This is a fun movement card that has two “arms” that swing out from under a DSP covered box.

Measurements:
BASE: Poppy Parade CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Piece #1 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ score at 1/2″ and 1″
Piece #2 2 1/2″ x 3″
Piece #3 1″ x 3 1/4″ scored at 1/2″, 1″ and 2 3/4″
Pieces #4 and 5 (2) 2 1/4″ x 2 3/8″
Piece #6 1 3/8″ x 7 1/2″ scored
DSP
Piece #1 2 1/4″ x 3 1/4″
Piece #2 2 1/4″ x 2 3/4″
Piece #4 and 5 2 1/8″ x 2 1/4″

Take the 1 3/8″ x 7 1/2″ mechanism and score on the 1 3/8″ side at 1/2″ and 1″
turn on the 7 1/2″ side and score at the 2 1/2″ mark from the top score line to the upper edge and score at the 2 1/2″ mark below the bottom line to the bottom edge.

There are three long sections going down the 7 1/2″ side in the 1 3/8″ x 7 1/2″ layer.
Draw a mark 1/2″ inside the small score line.
Draw a line from the mark to the top of the score line on the narrower strip, then draw another line to the bottom of the score line on the equal strip.

Repeat on the other side.

Score the lines with the Take Your Pick tool.

Cut the four corners from the 1 3/8″ x 7 1/2″ piece.
Fold the scored pieces at the drawn lines.
One side will have an extra flap this will be positioned towards the card front. Bend the score line upwards.
Flip the mechanism over so that the extra flap piece is facing downwards and place glue on the top portion of the mechanism as shown in the photo below.
Place the glue side down on the back of the inside of the card – position the mechanism so it is in the center of the card butting up to the score line.
Close the card front and rub in the middle of the card to secure the glue and bottom of the mechanism to the inside of the card.
The center section of the mechanism should have the tab facing upwards at this point.
Place glue on the back center section – NOT ON THE TAB yet! – above the score line on the mechanism as in the photo below – and close the card front to secure the mechanism to the card front.
The mechanism will be secured on each side of the card and have the front tab free and two arms of the mechanism one off to each side.
Adhere the DSP pieces to the Poppy Parade cardstock pieces:
Adhere the 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 DSP piece to the 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ above the score lines.
Adhere the 2 1/4″ x 2 3/4″ DSP piece to the
2 1/2″ X 3″ piece.
Adhere the (2) 2 1/8″ x 2 1/4″ DSP pieces to the 2 1/4″ x 2 3/8″ pieces of cardstock.
Place glue on the left hand arm of the mechanism and position the 2 1/4″ x 2 3/8″ piece with the 2 3/8″ piece along the arm.
Place glue on the right hand arm and glue the 2 3/8″ side of the 2 1/4″ x 2 3/8″ piece to this arm of the mechanism.
Place a thin line of liquid glue to the back edge that is not scored and adhere to the tab on the mechanism.
Fold the mechanism cover at the second score line flatten out the cardstock and place glue on the outer edge and close the card and adhere it to the back portion of the card.
You will need to place the “wings” of the mechanism under the cover before closing the card. This will be the cover for the pop out mechanism!
Take the 1″ x 3 1/4″ cardstock piece and score at 1/2″, 1″ and 2 3/4″
PLace glue on the single tab and place face down in the center of the cover and close the card to secure rubbing over the card to let the glue adhere.
Fold the other side at the second score line and place glue on the first section only. Close the card and secure the cardstock piece to the inside of the card front. It will form a pop up box for the 2 1/2″ x 3″ card stock piece to adhere to.

Place liquid glue to the front of that box.

Lie the 2 1/2″ x 3″ DSP covered piece – face down with the DSP facing down towards the DSP on the cover piece and close the card front and rub on the mechanism to adhere this piece to the upper box.
I stamped two tulip images from the Mixed Florals stamp set and colored them with Poppy Parade, Petal Pink and Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends markers and then die cut them.
Now the mechanism and the covers are complete and this is what the card inside will look like.
I cut up one of the tulip images and adhered pieces to the pop out wings of the mechanism so that flowers appear when the pop out is engaged!
I also stamped two sentiments from the Mixed Labels stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and die cut with the sentiment dies from that set.
I placed the “I’m so glad we’re friends on the inside cover of the mechanism.
I adhered the second tulip image to the outside of the card.
I popped up the other sentiment piece on the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
I added Silver edged sheer ribbon around the card for closure.
I added some of the extra tulip pieces leftover from the inside of the card and popped them up over the ribbon to hold it in place and added Basic Grey and Smoky Slate Pearls to the card to finish it off with a little sparkle!

This is a perfect WOW card for that someone special!
Try this or another one of my fun fold tutorials and go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

masculine textured notes card

masculine textured notes card

I recently participated in a guy card swap and this is the card that I designed for the group that I swap with!

I absolutely love black and white paper I am drawn to it and this Botanical Textures paper from the Botanical Textures Suite is a great one!

This Suite features two Designer Series packages – one that is the black and white paper and one that is neutral colored woven textured paper. According to sales the Woven Textures is the more popular of the two!

The Botanical Textures Suite Collection #165563 includes:

TEXTURED NOTES BUNDLE #165556

TEXTURED NOTES CLING STAMP SET (10% off)
#165548
* 7 cling stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, c, d, h

TEXTURED NOTES DIES (10% off) #165555
* 8 dies
* Largest die: 5-3/16″ x 3-3/16″ (13.2 x 8 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

MINI CORRUGATED 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER
#165559
* 1 folder
* Size: 6″ x 6-1/4″ (15.2 x 15.9 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

BOTANICAL TEXTURES 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER #165545
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs
* 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
* Acid free
* Lignin free

WOVEN TEXTURES 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER #165560
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 3 each of 4 double-sided designs
* 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
* Acid free
* Lignin free

WHITE 1/4″ (6.4 MM) RIBBON #165562
* Width: 1/4″ (6.4 mm)
* Length: 10 yards (9.1 m)

NEUTRAL MATTE DOTS #165561
* 160 adhesive-backed pieces
* 4 mm, 5 mm
* Basic Beige, black, Pecan Pie, white

Product colors: Basic Beige, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Gray Granite, Pecan Pie, white

I stamped the leaf image in Smoky Slate on Basic White cardstock.

I used Post-it Labeling & Cover-up Tape to three consecutive Textured Notes dies – positioning them evenly.
Position it over the leaf image.
Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
scrap for sentiment die
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the 3 dies
Smoky Slate CS: 2″ x 5 1/2″
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the die (1 above the largest
three dies)
DSP: 2″ x 5 1/2″
Adhere the concentric three dies to the Smoky Slate Textured Notes dies.
Adhere the DSP layer to the left side of the card base.
Run the 2″ x 5 1/2″ Smoky Slate layer through the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.
Adhere the 2″ Smoky Slate embossed layer to the right side of the base card.
Rub the corrugated side with a Blending Brush in Smoky Slate ink.
Place Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the Smoky Slate layer.
Place the die cut layers over the DSP and corrugated layer.
Stamp the sentiment in Smoky Slate ink and die cut with the smallest die in the Textured Notes die set.
Adhere the sentiment piece over the die cut layers.
Tap the Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker on a bone folder over the card to make splatter patterns on the card.

Adhere 5 Basic Gray and Smoky Slate pearls to finish the card!

This is a great masculine card! Try making a guy card with your supplies – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – strawberry slush, timid tiger and darling duckling

more color mondays – strawberry slush, timid tiger and darling duckling

Today’s More Color Mondays features a new suite that will debut tomorrow called Florals in Bloom with the Annual Catalog go live date on May 6th.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″
(2) 1 7/8″” x 5 1/4″
3″ x 3 3/4″ scored at 3/4″, 1 1/2″, 2 1/2″, 3″
scraps for dies
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Strawberry Slush CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for dies
Timid Tiger CS: 3″ x 4 1/2″, scraps for dies
Darling Duckling CS: 3″ x 4″, scraps for dies

Score the card base like a regular Z fold fun fold
at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″.
Emboss the two 1 7/8″ x 5 1/4″ layers of Basic White cardstock with the Eyelet 3D embossing folder and adhere to the first two panels of the card base.
Adhere the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer of DSP from the Florals in Bloom Suite of products set to debut with the New 2025-2026 Annual Catalog tomorrow!
Score the 3″ x 3 3/4″ piece of Basic White cardstock at 3/4″, 1 1/2″, 2 1/2″, 3″.

Adhere the first and fifth panel together to form a rectangular box.

Lay the flattened box in the middle of the DSP layer just to the right of the score line. Flatten the box with the edge toward the inside 4 1/4″ fold of the card. Adhere the inside panel just a sliver away from the score line and close the card front and rub so the box adheres to the second panel.
Open the card and place Stampin’ Seal + or Tear-n-Tape on the inside panel of the box next to the DSP. Close the card and rub on the back of the card to adhere the box to the DSP layer of the card.
Die cut the Strawbarry Slush layer with the second largest Textured Notes dies.

Stamp “where you’re planted” sentiment in Strawberry Slush ink onto a Basic White 1/2″ strip and cut the words apart. Adhere in the center of the die cut layer.

Place adhesive on the top panel of the box and center the Strawberry Slush die layer over the box and adhere to it.
Die cut the Timid Tiger layer with the 3rd largest die from the Textured Notes die set and the Darling Duckling layer with the fourth largest die.
Adhere the Darling Duckling die over the Timid Tiger layer.
Place adhesive on the left side of the back of the two dies and adhere to the middle of the first panel of the card.

Die cut flowers from the Pretty Florals Bundle in the three In Colors.

Adhere the detailed Darling Duckling flower center to the large Timid Tiger flower die and adhere to the right hand corner of the die rectangles.

Stamp the “bloom” sentiment in Strawberry Slush ink and die cut. Adhere to the top of the rectangle dies on an angle.

Stamp the smaller flowers in Strawberry Slush ink – this is a two step stamping image – so stamp the base image on your grid paper and then stamp the flower “stamped off” image on your cardstock. Stamp the detailed smaller flower over the base in full strength and die cut them out. I stamped three flowers at full strength for some variation.
Arrange them around the Timid Tiger die cut and pop some up on Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Add a Darling Duckling bloom with Timid Tiger edge tucked under the Timid Tiger die cut.
Add two of the medium blooms on the inside Strawberry Slush layer.

This is what the Double Decker Pop Up fun fold looks like in a standing position!

I added some small and medium Darling Duckling 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls to the smaller flower centers and Strawberry Slush Pearls around the Bloom sentiment!
I added a large Darling Duckling Pearl to the right hand corner of the Strawberry Slush Double Decker layer to finish this lovely Springtime card!

Try this fun fold with your stash and see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Reminder the new Annual Catalog debuts tomorrow so these new items will not be able to be linked.