more color mondays – melon mambo, berry burst and lemon lime twist shadow box fun fold

more color mondays – melon mambo, berry burst and lemon lime twist shadow box fun fold

Are you a Friends TV Series fan? When I saw the Friends of the Ocean Suite and the lobster the first thing I thought of was my son asking for the complete DVD boxed set of the series for Christmas – we loved that series and if you are a fan, you will get this card and understand immediately why I saw this Designer Series Paper and knew I had to make this card!

Measurements:
BASE: Melon Mambo 4 1/4″ x 11″
scraps for the alphabet dies
DSP: (2) 3/8″ x 4 1/4 and (1) 3 1/2″ x 4 1/4″
Scraps for the alphabet dies
die cut of the large lobster
Basic White CS: 3 1/4″ x 4″

Score the base on the 11″ side at 1/2″, 1″ 4 1/2″, 5″, 5 1/2″, 6″, 6 1/2″, 10″ and 10 1/2″.

Fold the card in half and adhere the 3 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ DSP piece to the center front panel

Die cut the largest square out of the center of the card front.
Adhere the 3/8″ x 4 1/4″ DSP pieces on the outer panels of the card front.
Adhere the Basic White CS layer on the center large panel on the inside of the card.

Adhere the score lines on either side of the center score line.

Die cut the larger lobster out of the DSP and adhere it to the lower corner of the Basic White window area.

Cut the word Lobster out of the Friends of the Ocean DSP and adhere to the lower portion of the lobster die cut (I closed the card front and using a pencil marked the corners keeping the images inside the corners so you can see the images through the shadow box opening.

Cut the Mini Alphabet dies in Melon Mambo CS and adhere the MY above the lobster on the left-hand side.
Adhere the right-hand panels together.
Adhere the word YOU’RE off of the top of the shadow box opening.
I added a Lemon Lime Lime circle die under the word MY to add color to the card.
This card has a bunch of scoring but is relatively easy and looks impressive!

This shadow box card is a 3D Stunner – try it with your stash and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

sale-a-bration is in full swing with simple stamping card

sale-a-bration is in full swing with simple stamping card

Here is a simple stamping project with some adorably whimsical FREE DSP from the new Sale-a-bration catalog available yesterday. This 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper coordinates with a new bundle in the January to April 2025 Mini catalog called Terrific Toadstools Bundle.
I am using another set from the mini catalog called With you in Mind instead of the coordinating stamp set to show you can use the paper without having to purchase the coordinating set if you do not want and still use it with other sets!

Measurments:
BASE: Granny Apple Green CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White layer: 3 1/4″ square
scraps for the flower and leaf images
DSP: 3″ Square cut in half diagonally and then
cut one of the triangles in half to create two smaller triangles. use stack, cut and shuffle technique.

Stamp the large sentiment on the bottom 1/3 of the card front in Granny Apple Green ink.
Stamp the leaf image around the outside of the card edges.
Cut the DSP squares in half and then cut just one of those triangles in half so you have one large and two smaller triangles.
I cut multiple designs of this paper and then shuffled the papers so the designs would be different in each of the triangular spaces.
Adhere to the 3 1/4″ Basic White square layer.
Adhere the Basic White square above the sentiment on the card front.
I added some Sale-a-bration embellishments to finish off the card!

Try this easy stack, cut and shuffle technique with coordinating paper that you have lying around and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

sale-a-bration catalog is live!

sale-a-bration catalog is live!

Sale-a-bration starts today!

January 7th through the end of February you can earn FREE merchandise with every $60 order!

Need a catalog let me know by text or email and I will get them to you or better yet plan on joining me for the Sale-a-bration Open House next Friday, January 17th from 1-3pm at my home! Come pick up the new catalogs, see all the new samples, pick up a few snacks and make some fun projects with new and old friends! We always have a great time – sometimes (often) you all do not want to leave LOL!!! Join us this time for all the fun!

Here are some fun photos from the new catalog!

This level one stamps et on page 3 called Documenting the Day will be perfect for scrapbookers! I love this sweet scrapbooking page!
These next two photos are of page 4 featuring the new Rainbow Celebrations card kit which makes 6 cards 2 of 3 different designs in rainbow themes!
This photo shows projects made with the Fruit Salad Designer Series Paper that you can earn for FREE with a $60 purchase containing 48 sheets of the cutest fruit themed paper!
Another level one stamps set you can earn is called Day to Celebrate and these projects pictured below were made with this set.
The Starstruck emboissing folder enhances the background of the two projects in the picture below and is another level one FREEBIE available to earn!
On page 6 the Friendly Seagulls is a fun whimsical stamp set that is another level one item available to earn!
Toadstool Gardens is a colorful 6″ x 6″ DSP that coordinates with the Terrific Toadstools Bundle in the January to April mini catalog!
This last peek at a level one item is the Bloom Impressions 12″ x 12″ DSP with gorgeous floral patterns to elevate your card making experience for FREE!
Do you want a lot of things?
Consider the starter kit! A great deal just got even better!
Normally $125 worth of merchandise for $99 with FREE shipping now there are two
Sale-a-bration offers
OPTION 1
Your choice of TWO marker sets from the Stampin’ Write Marker Assortments (Brights, Neutrals, Regals, or Subtles) PLUS a beautiful stamp set exclusively designed to work with them called Handmade Designs!
OPTION 2
Your choice of an additional $30 in FREE products!

Let the fun begin! Have questions contact me and we can meet to talk about the possibilities!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – crushed curry, peach pie and calypso coral exploring analogous colors

more color mondays – crushed curry, peach pie and calypso coral exploring analogous colors

I have written a little about color theory before. Most of us know only the basics about color unless you majored in ART! I majored in Pharmacy pretty far away from an art major! Although I have loved the art of stamping for almost 25 years now i am still no expert in color theory. I do know the basics and I think I have an innate eye for what colors look pleasing together but I love tools that can help me with what colors WORK together and our newer tool the Color Wheel does just that!
On pages 132-133 of the current 2024-2025 catalog we have devoted two pages to color theory and our new color wheel.

Monochromatic –
choose colors with the same tints or shades
of the same color
Complementary – opposites attract – pair colors
that are opposite each other on the color
wheel to create bold, contrasting color
combinations
Analogous – choose three colors that are side
by side on the color wheel. These
neighboring colors work together to create
harmony and balance.
Triadic – choose three colors evenly spaced
around the color wheel. Our wheel is
created with a triadic line pointing in the
inside window that points out these special
combinations.

Today’s card is an analogous example of color theory and Crushed Curry, Peach Pie and Calypso Coral all belong in the Orange to Yellow-Orange spectrum.

This is a single layer card as simple as simple stamping gets but the mask creates an incredibly layered look that belies it’s simplicity!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″

I die cut the Linked Together rectangular trellis and actually used the negative space as a mask to prevent the ink from going outside this rectangle. Save the trellis die for another card!
Place the #1 mask over the rectangular negative die and mark the notch on your grid paper so that the following masks line up.
Using a blending brush and a circular motion pick up Crushed Curry ink from the ink pad and brush through the mask onto the card front below the mask.
Remove mask #1 but keep the rectangular paper mask in place.
Place mask #2 in the notch created with mask#1 and brush with a new blending brush and Peach Pie ink.
Remove the plastic #2 mask keeping the paper rectangular mask in place.
Place mask #5 in the notch and using a new blending brush and Calypso Coral ink I brushed the lower half in a diagonal line with this ink.
Remove both the plastic and rectangular masks.
Stamp the sentiment of choice from the Linked Together stamp set in Calypso Coral ink and tie the Peach Pie ribbon around the center of the card front.
Add the embellishments and your simply stamped card is complete! I used the white sequins from the Adhesive-Backed Sequins Trio and colored them with the Dark Calypso Coral Stampin’ Blends marker to make them coordinate perfectly!

Do you have masks at home? This is a fabulous bundle with incredible possibilities and I cannot wait to do some more creating! Try a mask card today or if you don’t have one order this one on January 7th!

Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Reminder: the Linked Together Bundle is a sneak Peak and will be available tomorrow so it will not be listed in the photo directory below at the time of posting.

creating a simple sale-a-bration card

creating a simple sale-a-bration card

Have you ever REALLY looked at the bottom of page 22 in the 2024-2025 Annual Catalog? There are 22 card layout samples and there is so much inspiration in these little blocks!

Today’s blog post is a very simple stamps, ink, paper card made with a sneak peak DSP from the Sale-a-bration catalog available January 7th!
For those customers that received their catalogs in the mail on page 11 of the 2025 Sale-a-bration catalog you will see the 12 sheets of 12″ x 12″ beautiful floral paper that you can earn for FREE with a $60 purchase.
I used the last layout design on page 22 and designed a simple stamping card with this DSP taking center stage! The awesome part of this card is that it uses a 4″ square so you could make 9 cards from one sheet of DSP. One pack of this FREE DSP could make 108 of these cards!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
DSP: 4″ square cut diagonally

You will notice that if you look at the card layout on page 22 there are two squares and a sentiment strip in between. Now here is the fun part! You can take this layout as a springboard and tweek it – it is ONLY a starting point! I decided to use the Designer Series paper as the “two squares” and eliminate the extra rectangular layer.
You can cut the DSP square anyway you choose I started about an inch down from the top of the DSP and cut diagonally to just about 2/3 of the way down on the opposite side.
I laid the DSP pieces on the card front and positioning them so that the borders on the sides and top are even I lightly drew a pencil mark along the diagonal edges.
I then pushed the DSP away and in between the top and bottom pencil marks I stamped the sentiment and the flowers from a level two Sale-a-bration set called Heart Shaped Bundle (comes with stamps and coodinating dies! FREE with a $120 purchase) in Berry Burst ink.
I stamped the leaves in Shaded Spruce ink around the floral images.
Adhere the top and bottom Designer Series paper pieces to the card front allowing the sentiment and floral stamped patterns to “peek” through the diagonal space in between them.
Wrap the white ribbon around the bottom front of the card edge and tie in a knot.

Such a fun and simple stamped card!

Look on page 22, pick out a layout and use it as a starting point for your card. Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Reminder since these products will not be available until after January 7th this post will go live with only the photo directory below showing current products only.

create your own shimmer paper cards

create your own shimmer paper cards

We used to carry Shimmery White cardstock and I LOVED IT!! It had this gorgeous sheen to it and a subtle sparkle. Well it retired and if you loved it too there is a way to make your own and the good news is … it’s even more versatile!

If you are not familiar with our Pearlized Enamel Effects there come in two versions and packs of three bottles of lacquer each:

#156310 Pearlized Enamel Effects Basics
$15.00
* 3 bottles: 1 each of 3 colors
* 1 oz. (29.5 g) each
Product colors: Black, Real Red, White Pearl

#161610 Metallic Enamel Effects Basics
$15.00
* 3 bottles: 1 each of 3 colors
* 1 oz. (29.5 g) each
Product colors: Copper, Gold, Silver

You can use this lacquer in so many ways. The small, thin tip makes it easy to outline stamped images or add detail. Draw attention to part of a stamped image. Write and draw shapes such as stars and hearts. Create dots to use on your creations. You will need to allow time for drying.

Did you know you can brush these directly onto cardstock and create a shimmer paper in these six basic colors and add drops of re-inker to them and create many more colors with shimmer!

Measurement Card #1
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
scrap for die cut
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ for painting and die cutting
DSP: 2″ x 4 1/4″ and 2″ x 3 1/2″

Card #2
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ for painting and die cutting
Fresh Freesia CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ for painting and
embossing
Pebbled Path CS: scrap for sentiment piece

I experimented with different colors and different enamel effects to increase the combinations I could achieve!

My first sample I embossed colored cardstock – Fresh Freesia – with a new Beautiful Butterflies embossing folder.

I squeezed a few drops of White Enamel Effects onto a Silicone Mat and using a wet Water Painter I painted that embossed surface with the watered down enamel effects to give it a shimmer! Allow to dry fully before using on a card!
Next I did the same thing on Basic White Paper painted with White Enamel Effects.
For experiment number 3 I used Basic White CS and painted it first with the White Enamel Effects and then painted just the butterfly images with Gold and Copper Enamel Effects.
I die cut the large and small butterfly from the painted metallic butterflies piece.
For the first card I took scraps of the Nature’s Sweetness 12″ x 12″ DSP and took two different patters and a die cut from another sneak peak product the Linked Together Dies. I first arranged them together in a pleasing pattern on a 4 1/4″ x 11″ base cardstock folded in half.
Once I liked the pattern I removed the DSP and die and started to adhere the pieces onto the base.
I adhered the 2″ x 4 1/4″ piece across the bottom of the base card leaving a small border along the bottom of the card base.
Next I adhered the gold foiled cross-hatched patterned DSP in the opposite direction.
I glued the die cut piece from the Linked Together dies set overlapping the two pieces of DSP.
I grabbed a scrap of Copper Clay to draw out the copper shimmer on the butterflies and stamped Time To celebrate in the same Copper Clay ink.
I adhered the sentiment piece overlapping all three previous pieces.
I popped up the large butterflie die from the Beautiful Butterflies bundle and adhered it over the sentiment piece.
I die cut the body of the smaller butterfly out of the white shimmer paper and adhered it onto the top of the detailed die cut butterfly. I then adhered this smaller butterfly below and overlapping the left corner of the sentiment piece.
I adhered 5 brass colored embellishments f( I realized after I adhered them that these embellishments are retired but you could easily substitute the Adhesive-Backed Metallic Gems which come in Copper, Gold and A dark silver/platinum color and are faceted for a beautiful shimmer and shine!
For Card #2 I used the Fresh Freesia cardstock that I painted as the background.

I mixed Berry Burst re-inker into the White Enamel Effects to create a Berry Burst butterfly.
I painted on the Berry Burst enamel onto a sheet of embossed paper.

I adhered the Fresh Freesia background 4″ x 5 1/4″ to the Basic White card base.

I die cut the large butterfly out and die cut the large butterfly body out of the Fresh Freesia enameled scraps. i adhered the butterfly body onto the middle of the large butterfly and popped it up on Dimensionals on the card. I stamped the sentiment in Pebbled Path ink on a scrap of Pebbled Path cardstock and adhere it over the butterfly die.
I added three of the Adhesive-backed Drusy embellishments for extra special sparkle and shine!

The possibilities are endless colored paper and white or silver, black paper and all of the enamel colors, white paper and all the colors of enamel or color the enamel with re-inkers WOW what will you come up with?

Now go out and create some fun shimmer designs of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Reminder this blog post contains references to sneak peak merchandise that will not be available for purchase until January 7th so they will not appear below in the photo shopping icons.