july fall into christmas swap cards

july fall into christmas swap cards

My first swap card was a late arrival for the June swap – Jennie T featured the Spotlight on Nature Bundle – stamp set and dies with the Full of Life 6″ x 6″ DSP for the background with a Pretty in Pink base card and a Granny Apple Green sentiment die.
This July swap card comes from our faithful swap leader Denise W. and the technique is cracked glass with paper. I have highlighted the technique before – it’s also called stack and shuffle. (my sample for the cut, stack and shuffle cards were detailed on February 14th, 2022 – check it out if you missed it or need a refresher!)
She used the Seasons of Green and Gold DSP and the Gold Mercury Vellum!
This Die cut Rustic crate in Silver Foil and Lost Lagoon compliments the Winter Meadow DSP perfectly along with the poinsettas colored to match for Lori V’s swap card
Ginger S’s swap card features the Sophisticated Sled Bundle using Country Woods, Unbounded Love and Glimmer paper and DSP to lots of color and contrast.
Lyn L’s swap card uses the Sparkling Snowflakes stamp set embossed in white embossing powder over stamps in Misty Moonlight set above the Sketched Plaid Background in Balmy Blue.
The next swap card is clean and simple in Basic White embossed background of Snowflakes Sky 3D embossing folder and Shaded Spruce popped up circle with the Sophisticated Sled dies adhered to it from CarrollAnn A.
Marie W’s swap card in elegant Very Vanilla embossed Basics 3D embossing folder background and Mosst Meadow cardstock with images die cut from the Seasons of Green and Gold DSP.
Robyn M’s swap card uses epth and dimension with the detailed sled die cut from the Sophisticated Sled Bundle and red berries from the Enamel Effects Basics Pack.
This is my swap card for July that I featured in my 07/24/24 blog post detailing the Bokeh technique using the Golden Greenery bundle!
Susan W’s swap card features the Iconic Imagery bundle with the Seasons of Green and Gold DSP and two of the three Basics 3D embossing folders for a great Christmas card!
This card from Carol S uses the Changing Leaves Online Exclusive bundle with a sneak peak of the Birch Wood 3D embossing folder which will be available on September 4th from the upcoming Mini Catalog!
Veronica S’s swap card features lovely coloring with Stampin’ Blends to compliment the Seasons of Green and Gold DSP with the images from the Filled with Cheer stamp set!
Robin C’s swap card is a study in lovely Fall colors of Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry and Pecan Pie using the Autumn Leaves stamp set and dies!
And the final featured swap card from Kathi D uses an elegant blend of Cherry Cobbler, Gold and Very Vanilla to create a classic Christmas card with the Golden Greenery bundle!
Hope you enjoyed the ideas from all of my swap cards and that you go and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
birthday sparkle kit together alternatives

birthday sparkle kit together alternatives

Well the new design for the website published yesterday! How do you like it? Let me know! While this is not a Paper Pumpkin alternative it is a kit alternative so I placed it within the Paper Pumpkin tab for easy access! Tuesday of this coming week on the 9th of April, I will be hosting the first Kit Together at my home. What is a Kit Together? Stampin’ Up! started selling all-inclusive kits for easy stamping options last year and every month have been releasing new products. To date there are at least 27 past and current kit collections for sale on the website in English and many are available in French as well! The Birthday Sparkle kit released last month and I decided to do an alternatives class with the kit. Interested in joining us from 1-3PM? Send me an RSVP! We are changing the kit slightly and doing four cards instead of 2 cards and 2 tags! One card will be exactly as the directions in the kit, but the others are all alternative cards! If you want to join us the class is $10 for the 4 cards or you can buy the kit for $23 and get the stamp set, ink spot, acrylic block, and all the supplies to make 6 cards and 6 tags.
Below are the pictures from the Stampin’ Up! website of what the kit includes:
” Order # 163865
BIRTHDAY SPARKLE KIT (ENGLISH)
$23.00
Create glittering birthday cards and gift tags with the Birthday Sparkle Kit! This kit includes six cards and six gift tags. Create each project with the included stamp set, die-cut paper pieces, and twine. It also includes other elements such as glitter stickers, pressed wood picks, coordinating envelopes, and gold foil paper pieces! It’s easy to create each project for your recipient or get ahead on your crafting for the year by making quick multiples. Either way, you’ve got a special paper craft that your recipients will love! Also available in French.

Kit includes:
*Birthday Sparkle Photopolymer Stamp Set
*Clear Stamp Block
*Early Espresso Stampin’ Spot
*Predesigned projects
*Step-by-step instructions
*Precut pieces (No prep work! Get right to crafting)
*Make 6 cards and 6 gift tags
*Cards: 3 each of 2 designs; folded card 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ (14 x 10.8 cm)
*Gift tags: 3 each of 2 designs; largest tag 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ (5.7 x 8.9 cm)
* 6 preprinted envelopes
*Enough adhesive to complete projects
*Gold glitter stickers and pressed wood picks.
*Baker’s Twine in Early Espresso and White
*A 9-7/8″ x 6-1/2″ x 2-3/4″ (25.1 x 16.5 x 7 cm) printed designer box for storage or crafting on the go

Product colors: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, gold glitter

Kits by Stampin’ Up! are perfect for new crafters, busy crafters, or crafters who want quick and easy projects. All-inclusive project kits have everything you need in one box! Give as a gift or try them yourself. Kits are while supplies last. Order today!”

And this is the stamp set that comes in the kit:
I added two Brushed Gold Cards and Envelopes to the mix to change the tags that come in the kit into cards. This item is currently back-ordered but will continue into the new Annual Catalog and should be back soon!
This first card was done exactly according to the kit instructions which are full colored instruction sheets and very helpful for those that do not want to go off-script!

Sweet layers and pop-up balloons make this a beautiful and easy birthday card anyone would be proud to send and happy to receive!

I modified one of the tags and popped it up on the Brushed Gold Cards and Envelopes. Changed the stamping and made a fun and easy card out of one of the tags!
For the second tag card I added a 2″ panel embossed with the polka dots from the Basics 3D embossing folder and popped up the tag over that panel on the Brushed Gold card.
This last card I changed up and added a window sheet and some foam adhesive strips to the mix to make a shaker card with the Iridescent Shaker Circles, which will be retiring. These are a must have if you like to make shaker cards. They are full of fun and whimsy and I love this card!
Come join us Tuesday and if you can’t this is a great kit to buy and have for all those birthday cards needed for the rest of the year! With just a few extra supplies you can double the cards in the kit and get 12 cards instead of 6 cards and 6 tags! there are left over pieces that could easily make another card of two as well!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

new online exclusives  – encircled in nature product review

new online exclusives – encircled in nature product review

Yesterday, Stampin’ Up! released some amazing new stamp sets, dies, bundles and suites in their Online Exclusives promotion. This program was developed to bring you new stamps more frequently than the publication of catalogs will allow! So we have new stuff coming out more frequently – more choices!!
This is one of the stamp bundles that I will be showing you over the next few weeks and it is lovely. A stamp set called Encircled in Nature with a twig wreath and coordinating stamps and dies to make fantastic wreaths and tree scenes and even things outside of the wreath image, flowers and sprigs of leaves and stars and a moon for so many possibilities!

I have tutorial directions for an in depth Z fold card with a watercolor wash background technique and other samples to show the diversity of this year round set!

Measurements for the Tutorial card:
Base: Coastal Cabana CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/2 and 2 1/8″
Basic White Layers: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap of Pretty Peacock for the die
I started with a E size acrylic block and laid the Coastal Cabana ink pad on the surface of the block to transfer the ink.

I sprayed the surface of the Basic White cardstock layer and the acrylic block with water.
I laid the acrylic block on the center of the Basic White layer and let the ink soak in for a minute.
Pull off the acrylic block and either let the paper dry naturally or if you are in a hurry grab your Heat Tool and dry it heating both the underside of the paper and the surface to help with the paper curling that occurs when the paper is wet.
I stamped the twig wreath stamp image onto the upper center of the watercolor space.
I rotated the image and re-stamped for a thicker twig wreath image.
I stamped the curved tree image in Pretty Peacock and then without re-inking the stamp I stamped the image again to provide a fuller image with more depth.
I stamped the sentiment in the middle of the wreath in Pecan Pie ink like the wreath.
I stamped the stars and moon image in the upper right hand corner in Pretty Peacock ink.
I die cut the solitary tree out of Pretty Peacock scrap and adhered it to the bottom left hand edge of the watercolor square.
I ran that whole layer through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder.
I scored the base card and used a bone folder to crease the score lines.
I added color to the Iridescent Pearls with the Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends marker and allowed them to dry.
I added SEAL Adhesive to the front panel.
I added the embossed layer to the front panel and added the Pretty Peacock-colored Iridescent pearls to the card front.
I stamped the single tree in Pretty Peacock ink on the second Basic White layer and adhered it to the inside of the card.
This is the finished Z fold card!
The stamp set comes with 11 stamps 7 image stamps and four sentiments in print and cursive fonts.
The die set comes with 10 dies. two to cut out the inside and outside of the twig branch wreath so you can cut the inside only, outside only or both! Two tree stand alone dies and one tree that cuts out the single tree stamp, one die for the flower stamp, one die for a stand only berry wreath and one die that cuts two pine boughs at once.
Note: I purchase on Amazon full sheets of magnet paper and cut them to size and stick them to the paper that the dies come on – I find it easier to remove them from the magnet sheets instead of the tape that holds them in place on the original paper packaging .
My next card sample uses just a part of the single tree stamp. I stamped in a variety of colors to create a rainbow effect on 1 1/4″ squares matted in black and mounted onto a Real Red card base.
I popped up the sentiment onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and added Black and White Gingham ribbon in a loop under the sentiment.
I added a few sparkle gems to complete the card.
My next card sample used just the flower image and flower die from the bundle in Highland Heather, Granny Apple Green and Gorgeous Grape markers and Highland Heather CS for the dies. I embossed a center panel from the Basics 3D embossing folder pack and added the dies and flowers to the bottom of the card. I added a sentiment, ribbon and Purple Sparkle gems to the card as well.
The wreath is one of the main items in this set and the next two samples use the two different wreaths. This first wreath sample I die cut the stand alone (Meaning the die does not have a stamp that coordinates with it) on Basic White cardstock and colored the branches in Old Olive marker and the berries in Light and Dark Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Blends! Then I die cut the pine boughs in Mossy Meadow CS and added them under the colored wreath for depth and texture. I added a linen twine bow and Iridescent pearls and popped up a sentiment matted in coordinating Cherry Cobbler Cardstock. I adhered the wreath to a Basic White cardstock background embossed with the Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder and mounted that onto a Mossy Meadow cardstock base.
I recently finished a swap card for this month’s swap and used the leaf die on the Oxidized Copper DSP and with two passes made four sprigs of gorgeous leaves I glued them into a wreath on another embossed Exposed Brick 3D layer and mounted that onto a Pretty Peacock cardstock base. I stamped the sentiment on the basic White layer before embossing and added Adhesive Backed Seuins Trio in Pretty Peacock coordinating colors to finish the swap card!
My last Sample card uses only the stand alone tree dies in Gorgeous Grape cardstock. I made a cloud background with a mask made from the Basics Borders die set, with Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape blending brushes. I mounted the Basic White layer onto Gorgeous Grape card base with a sentiment and Iridescent Pearls around the wording to finish this elegant and simple card!
Here are six ideas for this new Online Exclusive bundle and that is just the start of the possibilities for this set. Check out the rest of the Online exclusive offerings that just dropped yesterday from a new latte suite to a magnificent Magnolia bundle!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

what can you do with just one stamp set?

what can you do with just one stamp set?

If you fall in love with paper crafting – in the beginning it can be overwhelming! There is so much to choose from and many of us WANT it all!! LOL! But you can do so many things with one versatile stamp set!
Recently I had a new member of my team over to stamp and she wanted to stamp with one of the stamp sets she had purchased in her starter kit so she could have samples to show at her first workshop!
So I picked out every color from the Brights Collection – you can purchase an assortment pack of cardstock in each collection and receive 20 sheets – 2 of each of the 10 colors in that collection for $10. Cut the cardstock in half to make a standard card and that pack will give you 40 cards!
Here are the cards we stamped the other day together with her set Inked and Tiled!
We used the coordinating ink pad but just as easily have used just the Versamark ink pad to create the same tone on tone color coordination!
The first color in the collection is Poppy Parade and we stamped the line stamp along the right edge of the card and stamped the long stemmed flowers a few times across the left hand side of the card. I used the spotlight technique to add a little interest to this version. I stamped the flower heads onto the bottom of a small circle punch and adhered it over the middle flower group. I stamped the just a note sentiment on the top and trimmed the edge of the circle that hung over the card.
I colored the vanilla and gold ribbon with a Stampin’ Blends to match to step this card up but it is not necessary for the beginner stamper!
For the Mambo Melon card we stamped the single flower across the card front and then cut from the score line at 1″ from each edge. Adhere the small panels to the card base and leave the middle panel as the card opening.
We stamped a 2 1/2″ x 4″ Basic White layer in Mambo Melon Ink with the single matching flower and the “hello Friend” sentiment, adhered it across horizontally and added embellishments to finish this card!
For the Flirty Flamingo card, I stamped the same single flower but only on the right edge of the card. Stamped “lots of love” sentiment on 1/4″ strips and adhered them at different lengths to add visual appeal to the card! I added ribbon and embellishments to step it up a notch!
For the Pumpkin Pie card I used three of the flower stamps from this set to make this “happy birthday” card. I stamped the small double flowers down each edge. Stamped the long stemmed flowers on a 2″ x 5 1/2″ strip of Basic White and used a Blending brush for the edging. I took a 1″ strip of Basic White for the happy birthday sentiment and added the small single flower on one side. I added blending to the sentiment piece, popped it up for some depth and dimension and added some embellishments to finish off the card!
The next card in the collection is Daffodil Delight! Bright and Cheery I stamped the long stemmed flowers across the bottom of the card. Stamped the flower tops on the sentiment strip and happy birthday sentiment in the same ink! I popped up the sentiment for a little dimension and added Lemon Lolly embellishments for some yellow accents. I stepped this one up with a little White ink flicked on the card surface with a water painter.
I used the leaf stamp for the next two colored cards – this one in Lemon Lime Twist! I punched the sentiment piece from the Lasting Labels punch and stamped the leaf image on the left side and the Thank you on the lower right. I added Iridescent rhinestones for some sparkle and popped it up over the Natural Wavy Trim for some added texture and interest!
This card is a great example of a beginner card using a Basic White card stock strip instead of ribbon to add the visual interest without using another product! I stamped the little stamen like image on the top of the card and the leaves on the bottom and added the “lots of love” sentiment across the strip that separated the two images.
If you wanted to step up this card try adding Wink of Stella to the leaves for a little sparkle!
The coastal Cabana card is a stepped up card using an acrylic block and both a Granny Apple Green stamp pad and the Coastal Cabana one applied directly to half of the block. I sprayed the block with water and “stamped” it onto the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer. After it dried I added the long stemmed flower image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added the Black and Vanilla gingham ribbon and Adhesive-backed Sparkle Gems for a little bling!
The Azure Afternoon card uses the small double flower bud image stamped in a round circular pattern and then again in the opposite direction around the outside of the card edge.
I stamped the bud image once on a circle punch and the “hello Friend” sentiment on the lower opposite side of the bud image. I bledned the edges with a Blending Brush and to step this up I embossed the circle punch and popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The last color in the Bright Collection is Berry Burst and this card used the line image as a background diagonally on the base card. I stamped the single flower image on a 2″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Basic White cardstock and then embossed it with the Basics 3D embossing folder to step it up! I stamped the happy birthday sentiment full strength on a small circle punch and stamped the same flower image stamped off once around the edges and Blended the circle with Berry Burst ink and a Blending Brush! I added embellishments for a little sparkle.
Ten different and interesting cards – one pack of paper, one stamp set and one set of ink pads or a single Versamark pad. Add a few embellishments and a Blending brush and the possibilities are endless!
Try using a single stamp set in different colors and see what you can create! Now go and make some artwork of your very own – one stamp set at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips
[103579]
$11.00
happy valentine’s day

happy valentine’s day

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