more color mondays – azure afternoon, berry burst and pool party

more color mondays – azure afternoon, berry burst and pool party

by | Sep 15, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, masculine cards, more color mondays, my favorites, new catalog

Do you have a BUCKET LIST?

I do – and one of the items on my bucket list is to someday see the Northern Lights!
So when I saw the new mini catalog the very first thing that caught my eye was the Lights of Aurora Suite Collection – I loved EVERYTHING about this – the gorgeous paper, the stamp set with it’s hopeful sentiments and the dies with there silhouette possibilities!

The Designer Series paper steals the show it is stunning but honestly the dies are some of my favorites – I love silhouette style cards and what better as a backdrop than this gorgeous paper!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
Basic Black CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
DSP 6″ x 6″ piece to make 2 cards

This paper is so delicious I made two of the same card design with both edges of this one 6″ x 6″ piece.

Below is a photo from the Stampin’ Up! website that shows the DSP designs.

I cut the DSP to 5 1/2″ wide and then into (2) 3″ sections 3″ x 5 1/2″ pieces.

Adhere the pieces to the top edge of the card base.

Die cut the Basic White layer with the mountain die.
Die cut the black layer with the trees on one side and the mountain edge on the other side using all of the paper to its fullest!
Adhere the white snow mountain die to the black mountain die peaks.
Adhere the mountain die layers to the card below the Designer Series paper.
I popped up the tree silhouette die cut on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the bottom edge of the card base over the mountain dies and the DSP.
I stamped in Berry Burst ink the wishing you a year of Wonder for the inside sentiment.
I did the same procedure with the other half od the DSP and adhered Frosted Iridescent Dots to finish off both cards!

I love, love , love this card!!!
Wishing you all a year of wonder! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time – hopefully a project that you will love like I love this one!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Lights Of Aurora Suite Collection (English) [ 165768 ]
[165768]
$81.25
Light & Wonder Bundle (English) [ 165763 ]
[165763]
$51.25
Light & Wonder Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165756 ]
[165756]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 121045 ]
[121045]
$14.00
Lights Of Aurora 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 165755 ]
[165755]
$12.50
Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147143 ]
[147143]
$9.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[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 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Light & Wonder Dies [ 165762 ]
[165762]
$38.00
Frosted Iridescent Dots [ 165766 ]
[165766]
$9.00
more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

by | Jul 28, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, color theory, die cutting, embossing folders, my favorites, online exclusives, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays continues a study in color theory using a complimentary, opposing colors of Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist and Gorgeous Grape.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored 4 1/4″
4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for dies, (3) strips

Paint the 1/4″ strips with a blender pen and Berry Burst ink in a striped pattern.
Paint the remaining strips with the individual colors.
Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer with the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.

Splatter the embossed layer with Berry Burst ink.

Die cut a Basic White scrap with two consecutive Stylish Shapes dies to make an open circle.
Cut Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals in half around the back of the circle die.
Die cut the large banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamp the Happy Birthday from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set in Berry Burst ink.
Cut the three strips down to about 4″ to 4 1/4″ length and adhere them to the embossed layer in alternating pattern.
Pop up the open circle die over the three strips.
Pop up the Happy Birthday sentiment over the circle die.
Brush Berry Burst ink with a Blending Brush over the small butterfly die from the Beautiful Butterflies bundle.
Adhere to the circle die over the sentiment piece.
Adhere the embossed layer over the card front.
Place three Fine Shimmer Purple Gems around the card to finish off with a sparkle.

This is a great use of Strip scraps and using opposite colors works so well! Opposites attract right!

Try this color combination or another complementary one – now go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English) [ 164615 ]
[164615]
$59.25
Beautiful Butterflies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 164608 ]
[164608]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147143 ]
[147143]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147099 ]
[147099]
$9.00
Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147145 ]
[147145]
$9.00
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [ 132708 ]
[132708]
$8.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[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
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 164614 ]
[164614]
$42.00
Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder [ 165559 ]
[165559]
$11.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems [ 162611 ]
[162611]
$8.00
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

by | May 12, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, fun fold, kits, more color mondays, my favorites, paper pumpkin/kit collection alternatives, paper pumpkin/kits collection, stamps ink paper, techniques

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

Product List
Paper Pumpkin 12 Month Subscription [ 166818 ]
[166818]
$324.00
Paper Pumpkin 6 Month Subscription [ 166817 ]
[166817]
$162.00
Paper Pumpkin 3 Month Subscription [ 166816 ]
[166816]
$81.00
Paper Pumpkin Subscription [ 166815 ]
[166815]
$27.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 144243 ]
[144243]
$11.50
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 131297 ]
[131297]
$11.50
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146987 ]
[146987]
$11.50
Window Sheets [ 142314 ]
[142314]
$5.00
Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147143 ]
[147143]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147099 ]
[147099]
$9.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Spotlight On Nature Dies [ 163580 ]
[163580]
$35.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems [ 162611 ]
[162611]
$8.00
more color mondays – wild wheat, berry burst and summer splash

more color mondays – wild wheat, berry burst and summer splash

by | Apr 7, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, color theory, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, In Colors, more color mondays, my favorites, online exclusives

For today’s color challenge we are touching on a little bit of color theory.
Stampin’ Up! has a great color tool called the Color Coach and it is a color wheel based on color theory. It is a very easy and effective way to determine which of our colors look best paired together. Whether you are looking for a monochromatic, analogous, complimentary or triadic color palette this color wheel makes it simple to devise a color plan for your cards and projects!

Today’s color palette is a triadic combination which means that the three colors I picked are in a triangular position from one another. If you look at the Color Coach in the picture below you will see the black lines in the center that point to the three inner windows – when you slide the white circle around the windows reveal the triadic combinations you can choose!

I picked Wild Wheat which is one of the 2023-2025 In Colors that will be retiring with this current annual catalog in May. This is a color that I grew to LOVE! It compliments so many other colors and is a lovely gold-ish brown! If you like any of these In Colors you will want to purchase them RIGHT AWAY because when they are gone they are gone! And do not forget the re-inkers!

The other thing I love about this card is that you can color Black and White DSP any way you like to create the best effect and color coordinate to any palette! I also colored the White Ribbon to color coordinate too!

Measurements:
BASE: Summer Splash CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″ and scrap for die
Berry Burst CS: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ and scrap for die
Wild Wheat CS: scraps for dies
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″

I cut a piece of the black and white foliage design from the Botanical Textures Designer Series Paper to 4″ x 5 1/4″.
Taking a blending brush I colored the lower third of the DSP with Wild Wheat ink.
Taking a blending brush I colored the middle third of the DSP with Summer Splash ink.
Taking a blending brush I colored the upper third of the DSP with Berry Burst ink.
I cut a half sheet of Summer Splash to 4 1/4″ x 11″ and scored it at 5 1/2″.
I die cut the foliage stem from the Memorable Blooms die set in all three cardstock colors.
I cut a 1/4 sheet of card stock in Berry Burst to 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″.
I adhered the Berry Burst layer to the Summer Splash card front.
I adhered the DSP to the Berry Burst layer.
I stamped the “you are seriously the best” sentiment from the Textured Notes stamp set from the Botanical Textures Suite in Tuxedo Black memento ink on Wild Wheat scrap and die cut with the Botanical Textures dies.
I think this die set will be a new favorite of mine! It contains 8 rectangular frames that both cuts and embosses the edges in different patterns! SO FUN!
I adhered the foliage die cuts in each of the cardstock colors to the left side of the card front over the colored DSP.
I colored the white 1/4″ ribbon on both sides from the Botanical Textures Suite Collection with a Berry Burst Dark Stampin’ Blends marker and allowed it to dry.
I popped up the sentiment piece with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and placed the folded ribbon underneath one of the dimensionals to hold it in place. I adhered the sentiment piece about half way up the card front.
I placed 5 of the Pastel Adhesive-Backed Sequins on the card front to finish this color coordinated triadic card with a gold sparkle!
The color Coach is a great investment to step your color game up to the next level! Try it today on your next card – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Botanical Textures Suite Collection (English)
[165563]
$100.50
Textured Notes Bundle (English)
[165556]
$48.50
Textured Notes Cling Stamp Set (English)
[165548]
$23.00
Berry Burst 8-1/2
[144243]
$11.50
Summer Splash 8 1/2
[163797]
$11.50
Wild Wheat 8 1/2
[161725]
$11.50
Botanical Textures 12
[165545]
$12.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
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
Berry Burst Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack
[161681]
$11.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Textured Notes Dies
[165555]
$31.00
White 1/4
[165562]
$8.00
Pastel Adhesive Backed Sequins
[160387]
$8.00
multiple layered background card

multiple layered background card

by | Mar 21, 2025 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, techniques

Sometimes card making is all about layering the background of the card…taking the colors and shapes and creating texture and dimension.

Measurements:
BASE: Berry Burst CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: scraps for dies

Stamp the crab from the Ocean Friends 2 step stamping base with Berry Burst and stamp off so the background is lighter.
Stamp full strength of the detailed crab stamp over the lighter background.
Stamp off the background of the lobster with the Pumpkin Pie ink. Stamp the detailed lobster stamp in full strength over the background image.
Place the dies over the stamped images and secure with some 3M tape.
Stamp the DSP layer with the bubble image in Berry Burst ink.
Using Blending Brushes color three Stylish Shapes smallest square die with Berry Burst and Pumpkin Pie inks – I colored one with half Berry Burst, one with half Berry Burst and half Pumpkin Pie, and one with half Pumpkin Pie.
Adhere the white edging on either side of the DSP. Then adhere the Designer Series Paper on the card base.
Adhere the squares over the DSP layer.
Adhere the Basic White die cut of the sea grass on top of the die cut squares.
Adhere the crab and lobster die cuts on Stampin’ Dimensionals and place over the seagrass and squares.
Stamp the sentiment in Berry Burst on a Basic White strip, stamp the bubbles on either side of the sentiment.
Adhere a small strip of DSP below the sentiment space.
Adhere the sentiment piece below the sea creatures.
Add five Sunny Day Iridescent Dots embellishments to finish off the card.
Sometimes layering and building up a background can add interest, depth and dimension to a card – try building a scene with your next card design.
Go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Friends Of The Ocean Suite Collection (English)
[164697]
$81.00
Ocean Friends Bundle (English)
[164692]
$49.50
Ocean Friends Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[164685]
$24.00
Friends Of The Ocean 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
[164684]
$12.50
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[144243]
$11.50
Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad
[147143]
$9.00
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
[147086]
$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' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Ocean Friends Dies
[164691]
$31.00
Sunny Day Iridescent Dots
[164696]
$8.00