to color or not to color that is the question

to color or not to color that is the question

by | Feb 21, 2024 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, new catalog, Sale-a-bration, stamps ink paper, techniques

Do you like to color? Some people, like me, find it very relaxing! As a little girl I was the one you could plop at a table with a box of crayons and a coloring book and I would color the edges dark and the insides lighter and spend hours happily making great drawings. For me it is fun to color, for others not so much and today I thought I would show you two ways to go about “coloring” an image for each type of artist!

Measurements:
BASE: Calypso Coral CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″ for all samples
Basic White CS 1/4″ larger than your focal
image for cards 2 and 3
DSP large enough for your image to be stamped
on for card 1
3 1/4″ x 5″ for card 2
2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ for card 1

For those that do not find coloring in the details of a stamp like the Stippled Roses fun – there are a number of options. First and easiest is to just stamp it in one color and make a monochromatic card.

If you do not like to color but still want to step it up a notch then a technique I love is embossing on the B side of our DSP – most of our Designer Series Papers are double sided. Most of the DSP that is two sided has a complimentary colored more plain B side that works well with the more elaborate A side. Many times the B sides are perfect for embossing on pretty enough to be a great background but not too busy to distract from the beautiful stamped images!
Stamp the Stippled Rose large rose image in Versamark ink onto the Calypso Coral B side of the Softly Stippled FREE Sale-a-bration DSP, then sprinkle with the white embossing powder from the Basic Embossing powder pack!
Heat set with the Heat Tool and once cool cut to the desired size – you could also die cut the Roses but I love this watercolor washed look on the B side and wanted more of it to show so I cut a rectangle around the embossed image!
I then mounted it onto a Basic White cardstock matte.
Pop up the Rose embossed image with Stampin’ Dimensionals and mount onto the Calypso Coral card base.
I stamped the birthday greeting from the Stippled Rose stamp set in Calypso Coral using the Stampin’ Write marker brush tip side and punched one end with the Banners Pick-a-punch and mounted it onto the card front.
I added Ombre Matte Dots to the card and what a WOW and easy card without having to color!
For the coloring example, I started with the black and white Stippled Rose images from the FREE Softly Stippled Sale-a-bration paper!

I used the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol combo packs in Calypso Coral and Granny Apple Green.
I start and color the entire image with the Light marker.

Once all the flowers are colored in the Light marker I go back over the flowers with the Dark marker highlighting the edges and the dark shading marks made by the original artist!
Then I go back over the entire petal images with the Light marker to blend the two colors. I love the way these markers work – no streaking and blending is so easy!
Next I colored all the leaves with the Light Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends marker.
Highlighted the leaves with the Dark Marker.
Blended the leaves by going over the entire leaf surface with the Light marker again to blend the colors.
I mounted the colored DSP onto a Basic White cardstock matte.
I wrapped and knotted the Black & White Gingham ribbon around the card and mounted it onto the card base.
I stamped the thank you sentiment from the Stippled Rose set in Calypso Coral and added some leaves in Granny Apple Green ink and mounted onto the card.
I added adhesive Backed Sparkle Gems to finish off the card.

Try your hand at one of these versions – are you team color or no color – would love to know!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Stippled Roses Bundle (English)
[162667]
$54.00
Stippled Roses Cling Stamp Set (English)
[162657]
$27.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$10.50
Calypso Coral 8-1/2
[122925]
$10.00
Softly Stippled 12
[162975]
$12.50
Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad
[149165]
$9.00
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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$128.00
Everyday Details Dies
[162864]
$34.00
Heat Tool (Us And Canada)
[129053]
$31.00
Basics Embossing Powders
[155554]
$18.00
Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154881]
$10.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154885]
$10.00
Black & White 1/4
[156485]
$7.00
Ombre Matte Decorative Dots
[161448]
$8.00
more color mondays – pool party, shaded spruce and basic gray

more color mondays – pool party, shaded spruce and basic gray

by | Feb 19, 2024 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, more color mondays, new catalog, Sale-a-bration, stamps ink paper, techniques

2024 Sale-a-bration season is coming to a rapid close just another week and three days left! This Designer Series Paper Sunny Days is one of the FREE level one merchandise items available to those that make a $50 order!

Do you ever struggle with how to start a card – this is an easy way to divide the card into smaller parts! Using your geometric dies like Perennial Postage, Stylish Shapes, Everyday Details, or the Deckled Rectangles position them in a pattern on your layer and cut them out using this as a card template.

Measurements:
BASE: Pool Party 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White layer: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Pool Party layer: 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″
DSP scraps for inside die negative spaces
Basic White, Pool Party and Shaded Spruce scraps for sailboat punch and sentiment dies

The Sunny Days DSP was the perfect easy backdrop for my Sailboat Builder punch so I built the card and today’s More Color Monday around the paper – in Pool Party, Shaded Spruce and Basic Gray!

I grabbed some rectangular dies from both the Everyday Details and the Stylish Shapes die sets and arranged them on the Pool Party layer. I ran it through twice for the two squares and saved the die cut pieces to use for the sailboat base and the matte for the sentiment piece.
Mount the Basic White layer onto the Pool Party card base and cut DSP pieces to fit in the openings created by the rectangular and square dies.
Punch out the sailboat image in Basic White cardstock and the sails and top flag in Shaded Spruce and Pool Party CS.
Place glue on the back of the Pool Party layer and start to adhere the DSP pieces to the inside of the die “windows” created by the negative spaces.
Place more glue on the backside of the DSP and the edges of the Pool Party layer and adhere down to the Basic White layer.
Using the die cut out from the bottom opening I layered it onto a basic white piece of the same size and adhered a smaller piece of DSP on top.
Then adhere the sailboat builder punch pieces to the die.
Adhere that piece into the bottom opening.
Stamp the Rainy day sentiment from the Playing in the Rain stamp set in Basic Gray ink and die cut with the medium banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set. Using the square Pool Party die layer that onto the bottom of the sentiment piece diagonally. Pop up onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the top left section of the template.
I adhered three 2022-2024 In Color Matte Decorative dots on the sentiment piece.
I added a Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer to the insode of the card and adhered a 1″ strip of DSP to the right edge leaving a small border.
I added colored sails to the sailboat pinched image in Pool Party and Shaded Spruce.

Sometimes making yourself a template and filling in the spces with DSP and other decorations makes for a very fun and easy card! Try this technique soon and make a template to use on your card front! Now go and create some art of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

If you have a final Sale-a-bration order, the current hostess code is TA6ANURK – this sale ends on February 29th!
Happy Shopping!
Product List
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$10.50
Pool Party 8-1/2
[122924]
$10.00
Shaded Spruce 8-1/2
[146981]
$10.00
Sunny Days 12
[162974]
$12.50
Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad
[149165]
$9.00
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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$128.00
Everyday Details Dies
[162864]
$34.00
Stylish Shapes Dies
[159183]
$30.00
Sailboat Builder Punch
[157905]
$22.00
2022 2024 In Color Matte Decorative Dots
[159186]
$8.00
designing a card from a template

designing a card from a template

by | Feb 16, 2024 | card samples, embossing folders, stamps ink paper, techniques

Were do you get your inspiration? That’s a question I get often from my customers. Inspiration can come from everywhere, really! Many paper crafters find inspiration from card sketches. Easy cards are made easier when you use sketches as a starting point.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
scrap for the largest rectangular in Everyday
Details Dies
strips 4 1/4″ x 1/2″, 4 1/4″ x 3/4″

Below is a card template as a starting point.

Fold the card base at the score line and place adhesive in the top portions of the card. Place the first wild wheat cardstock strip across the center of the card area that has your adhesive on it from left edge to right edge straight across.
Add two identical copper clay strips above and below the wild wheat cs strip in the center.
Lay down the last color of strips above and below the copper clay in Boho Blue cardstock strips.
This adds color and a foundation for a simple card background.
Die cut a scrap of Basic White cardstock with the largest rectangular die in the Everyday Details die set.
I stamped one of the twig stamps from the Layering Leaves stamp set from Million Dollar sales achiever, fellow demonstrator Rachel Tessman in Wild Wheat ink at an angle on the upper left hand side of the die.
I stamped the open leaf twig in Boho Blue lower and angled towards the opposite corner on the rectangular die cut out.
Next I stamped the sentiment Sending Hugs from the Layering Leaves stamp set below the two stamped twig images in Boho Blue.
Using a small Blending Brush I edged the perimeter of the die cut out in Wild Wheat ink by brushing the edges in a perpendicular downward brush stroke against the edge.
I cut a 6″ scrap of Wild Wheat Textured ribbon and looped it on one end and adhered it down over the strip background.
I popped up the sentiment die cut on Stampin’ Dimensionals and popped it up over the ribbon piece.
I added In Color Dots in Wild Wheat around the sentiment to finish off this easy card inspired from the template.
I used the negative space of the rectangle and adhered tape around the backside of the frame using similar color palette from the 2023-2025 In Colors cardstock strips pushed up next to one another.
I stamped a sentiment across the strips in Pebbled path ink.
Then I ran it through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the 3D Basics embossing folder with the hatch marks to give it a textured linen look.
I Popped up the layer on Stampin’ Dimensionals and added it to a 4 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Basic White cardstock scored and folded at 5 1/2″ in landscape mode.
I added three Pebbled Path In Color dots to finish this card.
This card used the template as a starting point but I changed the orientation of the strips and added some embossing and a frame. So many possibilities!
This card started with a Gorgeous Grape Colored Cardstock base and used white and Pool Party strips as the starting point for the card background and added the focal point and the sentiment in the circle from the Circle Sayings Bundle. I added the In Color Pearls in Tahitian Tide to compliment the Pool Party strips and colored the cupcake image with Watercolor Pencils and Water Painters.
My last sample using this template started with a Mambo Melon base and Basic White, Gorgeous Grape and mambo Melon strips as the centerpiece background and added a Paper Butterfly Accent colored with blending brushes and ink as the focal point. I popped up a Gorgeous Grape die cut from the Deckled rectangles die set and embossed the sentiment from the Layering Leaves stamp set in white embossing powder. I added Iridescent Rhinestones to finish off this elegant and easy strip card inspired by the template.

Try designing some artwork of your very own from this template or one of your choosing – let me know what you come up with! Now go and create your own art – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Layering Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[161277]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$10.50
Boho Blue 8 1/2
[161724]
$10.00
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2
[146987]
$10.00
Melon Mambo 8-1/2
[115320]
$10.00
Moody Mauve 8 1/2
[161723]
$10.00
Pebbled Path 8 1/2
[161722]
$10.00
Pool Party 8-1/2
[122924]
$10.00
Wild Wheat 8 1/2
[161725]
$10.00
Boho Blue Classic Stampin' Pad
[161650]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad
[147099]
$9.00
Pebbled Path Classic Stampin' Pad
[161648]
$9.00
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
Everyday Details Dies
[162864]
$34.00
Paper Butterfly Accents
[162612]
$8.00
Heat Tool (Us And Canada)
[129053]
$31.00
Basics Embossing Powders
[155554]
$18.00
Water Painters
[151298]
$13.00
Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2
[149014]
$12.50
Wild Wheat 3/8
[161628]
$8.00
Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels
[158130]
$7.50
2022–2024 In Color Pearls
[161621]
$7.00
2023–2025 In Color™ Dots
[161620]
$8.00
happy valentine’s day

happy valentine’s day

by | 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
[159276]
$10.50
Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper
[149612]
$9.00
Melon Mambo 8-1/2
[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

more color mondays – flirty flamingo, melon mambo and granny apple green

by | Feb 12, 2024 | card samples, color challenge, embossing folders, more color mondays, new catalog, Sale-a-bration, stamps ink paper, techniques

More Color Mondays are here once more – this time it’s Flirty Flamingo, Mambo Melon, and Granny Apple Green and a great new technique the Blackout Technique.

Measurements:
BASE: Melon Mambo CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White layer: 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for sentiment

Run the Basic White layer through the Layered Florals embossing folder.
Turn to the debossed side and using a blending brush color the larger flowers in Mambo Melon ink.

Color the smaller flowers with a smaller blending brush in Flirty Flamingo ink.
Color the leaves in Granny Apple Green ink – do not worry about coloring outside the lines.
Pull a Memento Black ink pad over the top of the debossed images do not push down but drag across the paper.
Cut the layer down to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and wrap black and white gingham ribbon around the basic white layer. Adhere the layer to the base.
Die cut the scrap of Basic White with the second smallest rectangle from the Detailed Essentials die set. Stamp the “Thank you so much” sentiment in Mambo Melon ink. Brush Mambo Melon ink with a blending brush around the die edges. Pop the sentiment up on Stampin’ Dimensionals over the ribbon.
I adhered the inside layer with a cut piece of the blackout technique.
The black ink covers the flat surfaces and allows the debossed coloring to pop!

Try this new technique to increase your 3D embossing folder usefulness – the Blackout technique is pretty awesome and I cannot wait to see what you make. Go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Layering Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[161277]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$10.50
Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[115320]
$10.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad
[147095]
$9.00
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad
[147052]
$9.00
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad
[147051]
$9.00
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
Banners Pick A Punch
[153608]
$27.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$128.00
Everyday Details Dies
[162864]
$34.00
Layered Florals 3 D Embossing Folder
[162935]
$11.00
Black & White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Gingham Ribbon
[156485]
$7.00
extended z-fold card

extended z-fold card

by | Feb 9, 2024 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, new catalog, Sale-a-bration, specialty papers, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s blog post is all about a fun fold called the extended z fold. It’s a great card that shows off the beautiful Sale-a-bration Designer Series Paper called Most Adorned 12″ x 12″ DSP.

Measurements:
BASE: Flirty Flamingo CS 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 1 1/4″ and 5 1/2″
DSP: 1″ x 4″, 1 1/2″ x 4″, 4″ square
scrap for sentiments

Fold card in half at 5 1/2″ score line. Fold the score line backwards at the 1 1/2″ score line.
Adhere the 1″ DSP to the 1 1/4″ flap.
In the first sample I used the brayer and colored the foiled side of the 1″ DSP.
Adhere the 1 1/2″ DSP to the left hand edge of the card leaving an even border around the top bottom and right hand edge.
Place tape on the inside of the front flap. Place the 4″ square of DSP on the left side of the score line – close the flap adhering the 4″ square to the backside of the flap.
Stamp a 1/4″ strip with the sentiment in Real Red ink. Rub the strip with a Blending Brush. Adhere it to the circle die from the Everyday Essentials and add Real Red card stock heart dies to the circle.
Adhere the sentiment piece hanging over the flap.
Adhere three Adhesive-Backed Milky Dots to the sentiment piece.
The DSP piece attached to the underside of the flap extends the card while it is open to over 14 inches but it still fits into a regular envelope when closed.

The Most Adorned DSP is FREE with every order of $50 subtotal – it contains a foiled side of gold and white and the other side features patterns of hearts and plaids in Flirty Flamingo and Real Red. So many possibilities in using every side! Here is a second version!

Try this extended z-fold soon and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Biggest Wish Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[155052]
$17.00
Sending Love Bundle (English)
[162880]
$54.00
Sending Love Cling Stamp Set (English)
[162873]
$25.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$10.50
Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[141416]
$10.00
Most Adored 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper
[162976]
$16.50
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad
[147052]
$9.00
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
Banners Pick A Punch
[153608]
$27.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$128.00
Everyday Details Dies
[162864]
$34.00
Sending Love Dies
[162879]
$35.00
Stampin' Brayer
[162936]
$16.00