acrylic block watercoloring - nataliegramleystamps

beautiful gallery watercolor gate fold card

by nataliegramleystamps | May 30, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, fun fold, In Colors, new catalog, techniques

Happy Friday! I am back in PA after settling my youngest in New England for a summer internship and after spending the day cleaning up dry wall dust that is EVERYWHERE! I took a much needed crafting break and created this gate fold watercolor card! Hope you like it!

Measurements:
BASE: Timid Tiger CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 2 1/8″ in from each end
Fluid 100 paper: (2) 1 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: scraps for die cuts and
sentiment strip and 4″ x 5 1/4″ inside layer

I used a retired block (sorry I forgot that we had retired the I acrylic block) but you can use any size you have on hand!
I added color to the top third of the block by pressing the ink pad directly onto the acrylic block.

I applied Timid Tiger ink directly onto the middle of the acrylic block (it is ok to overlap a darker ink color but you will contaminate the ink pad if you stamp a lighter ink color over an existing darker color!)

I applied Poppy Parade to the bottom of the acrylic block.

I sprayed the acrylic block with water from a Stampin’ Spritzer and placed the two pieces of Fluid 100 paper together and stamped the block of ink directly onto the middle of the papers. I held the block in place for a few seconds to allow the water and ink color to penetrate the fluid 100 Watercolor paper.

Score the base card 2 1/8″ in from each side of the 8 1/2″ side of the card. Fold inward until the two sides meet in the middle – this is called a gate-fold card.
I added the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer to the inside of the card.

I stamped an image from the Gallery Blooms stamp set to the bottom of the Basic White layer for a little added interest!

I adhered the Fluid 100 papers right up to the inside edges of the gate fold.

I die cut two images from the Beautiful Motifs die set in scrap Basic White cardstock and adhered one to each side of the gate fold.

I stamped a thank you sentiment from the Beautiful Motifs stamp set in Timid Tiger to the left hand side of the 1″ x 5 1/2″ Basic White strip and added some flower images from the Gallery Blooms stamp set in Crushed Curry to the right hand side.
I adhered only the left hand side of the sentiment piece so that the card will still open.

I adhered three 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls in Timid Tiger to finish off the first version of this card.

I decided to add a little sparkle and depth to the card by adding a splatter technique by tapping the brush tip side of the Poppy Parade Stampin’ Blends over the card front.

I brushed the leaves and petals of the two die cuts with Wink of Stella and the wet brush moves a little of the ink color over the dies as well as added a fine sparkle that is gorgeous but subtle and it does not show well in these photos but trust me it is amazing!

Such a fun card and I am glad to be home and crafting again!

Try this fun fold and some of the techniques I shared and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Beautiful Gallery Suite Collection (English)

[165217]

$139.25

Beautiful Motifs Bundle (English)

[165206]

$45.75

Beautiful Motifs Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[165198]

$18.00

Gallery Blooms Bundle

[165213]

$53.00

Gallery Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set

[165211]

$19.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper

[149612]

$9.00

Timid Tiger 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165626]

$14.00

Timid Tiger Classic Stampin' Pad

[165278]

$9.00

Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial)

[163987]

$60.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$7.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$15.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Beautiful Motifs Dies

[165205]

$33.00

Clear Block F

[118483]

$19.00

Clear Block I

[118488]

$13.00

Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154958]

$11.00

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$9.00

2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls

[165192]

$8.50

Stampin' Spritzer

[126185]

$6.00

← tent-fold stepper card more color mondays - petunia pop, azure afternoon and gorgeous grape →

experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

by nataliegramleystamps | Apr 18, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masculine cards, stamps ink paper, techniques

The other day I was playing around with the Painted Stripes background stamp. I wanted to experiment with water and ink and see what the difference would be between applying ink directly to the stamp and spritzing with water or applying the ink directly to the glass mat studio and spraying it down and then dipping the stamp into the inky water?

I got a bunch of 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White sheets and started to play with the ink and water!
First I applied Pool Party onto the Glass Matt and then applied Pretty Peacock ink directly above the Pool Party ink. I sprayed water from a Stampin’ Spritzer until the colors were fluid and started to blend in the middle.

I placed the Painted Stripes background stamp into the inky water and then placed it onto the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and held it in place while the ink and water soaked into the card stock.

Next I placed the Pool Party ink pad over the cleaned Painted Stripes stamp set and inked about half of the stripes.

Then I inked the top half of the Painted Stripes stamp set with the Pretty Peacock ink pad.

I sprayed water from a spray bottle or Stampin’ Spritzer over the entire surface of the Painted Stripes stamp.

I placed a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White Cardstock layer over the Painted Stripes stamp that is on the table facing upwards (this way the water does not run but stays in place) and rub the back side of the cardstock holding the paper in place so it does not shift.

I resprayed the stamp surface and placed a second piece of cardstock over the surface this will produce a lighter softer version of the first but still pretty as there is enough ink to do this at least twice!

Allow to dry before using.

I found that the first version turned out lighter than the full strength second version! But the second spraying of the second ink direct to stamp version looked a lot like the first ink on glass version without a lot less mess!
Answer achieved! I liked the second version better but the first one was messy fun!

I cut a few dies from the Textured Notes die set from the prepared watercolor sheets. This die set is a series of concentric rectangles with all different types of embossed edging – so very cool – perfect for cards as well as scrapbooking!

I cut a 4 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Basic White cardstock and scored it at 5 1/2″.
I stamped the smaller leaved foliage in Pool Party ink on opposite diagonal ends of the card base and flicked some inked water from a Water Painter over the card base surface.

I stamped the larger leaved foliage on the larger Basic White die in Pretty Peacock ink.

I cut a smaller die with the stripes in the opposite direction from one of the watercolored layers. I stamped the sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink and die cut one die up in Pool Party card stock. I popped the sentiment piece up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the Pool Party die and added it to the middle of the card above the other stamped die piece.

I colored some Iridescent Pearls with the Dark Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends marker.

I added the pearls to the card front.

I added some more splatters with a Water Painter and the left over inky water on the glass matte surface.

I thought the card needed a little more color and a die cut one up from the larger Basic White die on the card as it was blending into the card and you could not see the lovely Textured Notes die edging – so I cut the larger die in Pretty Peacock card stock and mounted it under the original rectangle.
This made the first die cut pop and looks so much better I think.

I keep the card in the order I designed it to show you all sometimes you go back at the end and add one thing to make the card even better! Do not hesitate to add and play if you feel the card is missing something – usually your gut is right!

Hope you get a chance to have a play with stamps, ink and paper this week! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Painted Stripes Cling Stamp Set

[165437]

$20.00

Textured Notes Bundle (English)

[165556]

$48.50

Textured Notes Cling Stamp Set (English)

[165548]

$23.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[122924]

$11.50

Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[150880]

$11.50

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

[147107]

$9.00

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

[150083]

$9.00

Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial)

[163987]

$60.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$7.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Water Painters

[151298]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Textured Notes Dies

[165555]

$31.00

Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161676]

$11.00

Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels

[158987]

$7.50

← 2025 OnStage fun fold swap cards bonus post - hoppy easter treat box →

changing leaves water color paper negative and left over cards

by nataliegramleystamps | Aug 7, 2024 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, embossing folders, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

Did you love that watercolor paper we made last week for Friday’s water-colored Friends for Life card? I had lots of extra as I only cut one die from each colored sheet so I cut out as many leaves as i could fit on that paper and saved the negative space and the leaves for another day! Well I loved the extras and just couldn’t wait to create some cards with the dies and negative spaces left so today’s blog post is all about the cards created from the left-overs!

Since the colors of the watercolor paper created were Poppy Parade, Gorgeous Grape, Crushed Curry, Azure Afternoon and Lemon Lime Twist – I cut multiple pieces of those colors of card stock in 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ lengths scored at 4 1/4″ and was ready to start creating!

The first card I used a Lemon Lime Twist case with a Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer embossed with the Painted Texture 3D embossing folder. Then I adhered one of each of the colored die cuts to the card front and added a sentiment strip with the happy birthday sentiment from the Country Birdhouse stamp set. I added Adhesive-backed Shiny Sequins in matching green to finish it off with a lot of sparkle!

I took the five Basic White water-colored layers and created cards with each of them.
The next card I grabbed the Lemon Lime Twist negative space layer added Lemon Lime Twist 6″ x 6″ DSP behind the negative openings and adhered that to a Lemon Lime Twist card base.
I stamped a sentiment in Lemon Lime Twist ink on a Stylish Shapes circle die from the Unbounded love stamp set and added a leaf die cut from that Unbounded love die set. I mounted that circle die onto a Nested Essentials Lemon Lime Twist die and adhered it to the card front and then added the Shiny sequins to finish off this card.

The Poppy Parade negative layer was next and I essentially designed it exactly the same as the last card but added a different sentiment from the Unbounded Love set in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and added Iridescent Discs to match the card color scheme.

For my Crushed Curry version of the negative layer card I used the edge of the water-colored paper as the sentiment scrap for the Country Birdhouse happy birthday sentiment and the shiny sequins.

For the last two negative layer cards I mixed up the background paper and added two colors of DSP in 2″ sections.
The Gorgeous Grape card I changed to a vertical orientation and added a Lemon Lime Twist leaf on the Grape side and the Gorgeous Grape leaf on the Lime side for contrast. A round circle sentiment piece from Unbounded Love stamp set and Stylish Shapes dies sets off the sparkle from the Shiny sequins in green!

For the Azure AFternoon negative layer I added Gorgeous Grape and Azure DSP under the negative openings and did the leaves alternating colors like the last card. I also added alternating shading to the sentiment circle and Iridescent Adhesive-Backed Discs for the sparkle!

I had a bunch of die cut leaves to use up so I took some 6″ x 6″ matching DSP in Regals for the Crushed Curry and Gorgeous Grape.
I cut one piece at 2″ x 5 1/2″ and used the 1/2″ leftover for the banner. I cut the opposite side at 2 1/4″ x 4 1/2″. Layered it to the left of the striped DSP and popped up a sentiment in the middle. I added a Crushed Curry watercolored leaf die under the sentiment circle die and added shiny sequins on the sentiment piece and the banner.

I did a similar Poppy Parade layout with a 1 3/8″ x 5 1/2″ strip of floral DSP down the card and 2 12/” x 4 1/4″ piece of Striped DSP across the card front. I popped up another Stylish Shapes circle die and added a Poppy Parade leaves die and Iridescent discs for the sparkle!

The last two left over cards I literally used the bits and pieces of the DSP and made cards with the remaining leaves.
The first card is on a Lemon Lime Base and features all the scraps from the Poppy Parade, Gorgeous Grape and Lemon Lime DSP. Since there are alot of colors to this card I kept the patterns of the DSP the same and the more neutral stripes as opposed to the busier floral pattern. I added three colors of leaves in Azure Afternoon, Crushed Curry and Lemon Lime Twist and added two smallest circle dies from the Stylish Shapes set. I used the omitting technique and only inked up part of the “little one” stamp inking “little’ first and stamping higher on the small circle and then cleaning the stamp very well and inking just the word “one” and stamping in below. This allows you to stamp a longer horizontal line of words into a smaller space! I added shiny sequins and this card is complete!

The last card in this leftover series LOL is adhered to a Gorgeous Grape base card. I took three strips of Gorgeous Grape, Azure Afternoon and Lemon Lime Twist and adhered them across the card front. I added contrasting leaves and stamped the sentiments Faith, Hope and Love in the remaining circles dies I had left from the Stylish Shapes dies set. I added “makes the world a better place” along the bottom of the card front and added iridescent discs to finish off the card!

It is amazing the lovely cards you can make with extras from other projects and the negative spaces of your die cuts – try this sometime and let me know what treasures you can create!
Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Changing Leaves Bundle (English)

[164139]

$54.00

Changing Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164351]

$20.00

Country Birdhouse Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[163395]

$20.00

Unbounded Love Bundle (English)

[163384]

$54.75

Unbounded Love Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[163378]

$25.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Azure Afternoon 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[161719]

$11.50

Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[131199]

$11.50

Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146987]

$11.50

Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[144245]

$11.50

Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119793]

$8.75

Brights 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[163775]

$12.50

Regals 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[163774]

$12.50

Subtles 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[163776]

$12.50

Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161663]

$9.00

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

[147087]

$9.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

[147099]

$9.00

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

[147145]

$9.00

Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad

[147050]

$9.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Stampin' Spritzer

[126185]

$6.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder

[164138]

$40.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Unbounded Love Dies

[163383]

$36.00

Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs

[161954]

$7.00

Adhesive Backed Shiny Sequins

[163484]

$7.50

← more color mondays - pecan pie, old olive and mossy meadow tri-fold tuck card sweet pea is so stinking cute →

another designer series paper tri-fold card

by nataliegramleystamps | Aug 2, 2024 | Designer Series Paper, die cutting, fun fold, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s blog post is another tri-fold using some of our beautiful Designer Series Paper! I had so much fun designing Wednesday’s tri-fold that I decided to go ahead and do another one!
Today we are using the Full of Life 6″ x 6″ DSP for this vertical tri-fold card.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ X 11″
scored at 4″ and 6 3/4″
(5) 4″ x 5 1/4″ for watercolor background die
cuts
scraps for the sentiments
DSP top layer: 3 3/4″ x 4″
DSP middle layer 2 1/2″ x 4″ mine is 2 1/4″ because this was a 6″ paper stack and I wanted to save paper.
DSP: bottom layer 4″ x 4″

Using an acrylic block ink up one color per watercolor wash. I used Azure Afternoon, Lemon Lime Twist, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade and Gorgeous Grape. Add ink directly to the acrylic block and spritz with water in a Stampin’ Spritzer. Add the paper on top of the block and hold in place for a few seconds to allow the paper to absorb the water and the ink. Die cut one of the leave stems from each watercolor died paper.

Score the 4 1/4″ x 11″ Basic White cardstock at 4″ and 6 3/4″.
Cut the desired DSP – I wanted a color gradient so i chose the B sides of the Full of Life DSP.
I adhered the top layer of 3 3/4″ x 4″ to the top panel.

I adhered the middle DSP layer of 2 1/2″ x 4″ to the middle panel.

I adhered the Bottom DSP layer of 4″ square to the bottom panel.
Just think of the possibilities if you used a scenic 12″ x 12″ DSP you could create a continuous scene across the card and do this in either landscape of vertical!

I adhered the leaf dies to each panel close to the corresponding color gradient on the DSP.

I die cut the word friend from Basic White scraps and added it to the top of the bottom panel so that the word does not peek out when the card is closed and is a surprise!

I die cut 2 of the rectangular strip dies for the top 2 panels and stamped sentiments in Azure Afternoon ink for the top panel and Crushed Curry for the middle panel.

I added Iridescent Adhesive-backed Discs to the card in a gradient of colors and this is what the card looks like closed and open!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Full Of Life Suite Collection (English)

[163369]

$82.50

Friends For Life Bundle (English)

[163365]

$53.00

Friends For Life Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[163359]

$25.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Full Of Life 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[163357]

$12.50

Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161663]

$9.00

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

[147087]

$9.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

[147099]

$9.00

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

[147145]

$9.00

Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad

[147050]

$9.00

Clear Block E

[118484]

$13.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Friends For Life Dies (English)

[163364]

$34.00

Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs

[161954]

$7.00

← designer series paper tri-fold card more color mondays - pecan pie, old olive and mossy meadow tri-fold tuck card →

beach day card for a hot summer week

by nataliegramleystamps | Jun 21, 2024 | card samples, die cutting, my favorites, stamps ink paper

Well there is no question summer has arrived in Conneaut Lake! It has been in the 90 degree range all week and I have divided my time all week in 20 minute increments while I water the grass seed all over our lawn!
In my spare time I made this sweet beach day card with Watercolor paper!

Measurements:
BASE: Flirty Flamingo 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic Black: 4″ x 5 1/4″
scraps for silhouette die cuts
Watercolor paper: 3 3/4″ x 5″

Using an E acrylic block, Choose 3-4 colors and tap the edge of the ink pad directly onto the block – this will allow you to control how much of the block to color and keep the ink colors separated.
I used Poppy Parade on top, Flirty Flamingo below that, Crushed Curry below the Flamingo and Pecan Pie on the bottom to depict the sand on the beach.

I spritzed the Acrylic block with water and placed the watercolor paper on the block and rubbed the ink into the paper – allow to sit on the block for enough time that the water and ink can absorb into the watercolor paper. Time will vary based on the amount of water sprayed on the block.

Allow the paper to dry and stamp the sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on the top of the watercolored portion of the paper.

Adhere the watercolor paper to the Basic Black layer. Die cut the images you would like to silhouette on the card in Basic Black scraps.

Adhere the die cuts onto the watercolor paper and then adhere the whole layer onto the Flirty Flamingo card base.

Adhere three of the coral/flamingo colored pearls from the new Adhesive-Backed Pearl Trio around the sentiment and my summer sunset beach day card is complete!

Try this super easy and fun watercolor technique today! Now go and create some art work of your very own, one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Here is another sample that I made using the same technique but different colors I started by tapping the side of my ink pads onto the acrylic block top to bottom: Gorgeous Grape, Poppy Parade, Crushed Curry and Pecan Pie.
I added the Palm tree and paddle board as Silhouettes as well.