frosted pinecone spanner card

frosted pinecone spanner card

by | Oct 9, 2026 | card samples, embossing folders, fun fold, In Colors, masculine cards, stamps ink paper, techniques

It’s wild to think that you can take a standard card and with two simple cuts you can create a WOW card. Same dimensionals – TOTALLY different results!

The spanner card starts out as a standard card and then something magical happens with two cuts! Stick around and I will show you how to make this fun fold card!

Measurements:
BASE: Pecan Pie CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Pecan Pie Two-toned CS: (4) 3/4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 3 1/4″ x 4″, 1/2″ x 5 1/2″

Score the card base at 4 1/4″.

Place the right-hand edge of the card at 1″ (on the right-hand side of the cutting track) with the top of the card at the top of the Stampin’ Trimmer upper edge and the score line in the middle.

Place the cutting blade at the score line and cut upwards to the top edge of the card at 1″ in.

Move the card base to the right so that the left-hand edge aligns to the 1″ mark at the left hand side of the cutting track.

Place the cutting blade in the score line and cut upwards to the top of the card base.

Move the left-hand edge to the

Take your four 3/4″ pieces of Two-tone cardstock and emboss two of them on the light side in the 3D Textured Tree Ring embossing folder.

Take the other two strips and stamp the splatter image on the light side in Pecan Pie ink.

Adhere the two stamped strips about 1/8″ in on the inside of the card base leaving 1/8″ even border on the sides and top and bottom of the card. Adhere to both sides of the inside of the card (these strips will be hidden underneath the top flaps when the card is closed.)
Blend the diagonal edges of one of the Basic White 3 1/4″ x 4″ pieces and adhere to the middle of the inside of the card base.
Stamp the inside sentiment in Pecan Pie ink to the center of this inside Basic White layer.
Adhere the two embossed strips of Two-tone CS to the front outside panels leaving an even 1/8″ border on top, bottom and sides.
Using the Stampin’ Positioner because of the large stamp image of the pinecone, take the second Basic White 3 1/4″ x 4″ layer and position the layer under the pinecone stamp in the Stampin’ Positioner.

Add Pecan Pie ink to the stamp and stamp onto the Basic White layer.

Using a water painter wet the brush and drawing from the stamped lines inward draw the ink into the pinecone and stem to watercolor the image.

Using a blender pen, dip the tip into the lid of the Peaceful Pine ink pad with ink on it and use the pen like a colored marker and draw over the pine needle images.

Using blending brushes blend the edges of the pinecone layer with Peaceful Pine and Pecan Pie inks.

Using a White Gel pen I added white lines above the Peaceful Pine marker lines to look like a snow effect!

Adhere the pinecone image layer to the center front panel.
Take the 1/2″ strip and stamp a straight line sentiment across the middle of the strip in Pecan Pie ink.

Blend the edges in Pecan Pie ink and a blending brush.

Add adhesive ONLY 3/4″ in from the outside edges and secure over the two outside panels of the card – this creates a “spanner” piece to connect the two outside panels to act as one unit and “span” the gap leaving the middle panel to become another layer to the card!

This is what the card looks like when you lift the first spanner layer open to reveal layer number 2 which is the card front’s original middle panel!
Adhere three embellishments to the spanner strip and this WOW card is completed!

Try making a spanner card soon with your own stash and see how easy it is to make something special! Now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Frosted Pinecones Bundle (English) [ 168373 ]
[168373]
$66.50
Frosted Pinecones Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 168369 ]
[168369]
$25.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Pecan Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 161717 ]
[161717]
$14.00
Pecan Pie 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Two Tone Cardstock [ 166688 ]
[166688]
$10.00
Peaceful Pine Classic Stampin Pad [ 167679 ]
[167679]
$14.00
Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [ 161665 ]
[161665]
$11.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$9.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$13.00
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Positioner [ 167768 ]
[167768]
$49.00
Stampin' Positioner Grid Paper [ 169442 ]
[169442]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Frosted Pinecones Dies [ 168371 ]
[168371]
$34.00
White Gel Pens [ 166642 ]
[166642]
$9.00
elegant leaves water lift card

elegant leaves water lift card

by | Sep 23, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, new catalog, techniques

I love this technique and I have shown it multiple times but somehow die cutting it into leaves hits differently! These leaves are stunning and the varigation of color that this technique produces is just awesome!

Follow along today to see how this technique is accomplished!

Measurements:
BASE: Calypso Coral CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for blending
technique, 1 1/4″ x 4″ for sentiment

Take a scrap piece of Basic White CS and using a glass matte surface choose three Fall colors to blend with blending brushes.

I started with Cherry Cobbler ink and a dedicated Blending Brush for that color – in a circular motion starting off the paper and transitioning on I blended two edges with this ink.

Next I blended Pumpkin Pie ink with a dedicated blending brush in other spots on this cardstock.
I filled in any of the white space with the last color Calypso Coral and went over any of the other colors to blend and increase hue if necessary.
Using a Water Painter I squeezed water into a puddle on the glass to the side of the paper and dipping the brush into the puddle I tapped water droplets onto the cardstock.

I dabbed off the excess and dried the paper with a Heat Tool – it is important that the cardstock be TOTALLY DRY prior to die cutting.
The Elegant Leaves are a delicate die with many thin strips the paper has to be dry before die cutting!

Die cut the Elegant Leaves dies from this blended background.

I blended the 1 1/4″ strip with the same three colors and then stamped the sentiment in Cherry Cobbler ink over the background and cut the end at an angle for added interest.

I embossed the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White CS layer with the Rustic Check 3D embossing folder, wrapped the NEW Calypso Coral and Copper ribbon around the upper edge of the embossed layer and secured with Scotch tape on each end and adhered the layer to the Calypso Coral card base.
I popped up the sentiment piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals to the bottom left hand corner of the embossed layer.
I adhered the blended leaf dies around the sentiment piece tucking them under and over the sentiment.
I added Adhesive-backed Metallic Gems in Copper to coordinate with the ribbon around the sentiment piece to finish off the card with matching sparkle and shine!

You need to try this easy technique with the dies you have in your collection and see what you can create!

Here is another sample using another sentiment from the Lily of the Valley stamps set.
I dropped the next card right on top of one of my ink pads and got an ink splotch on the upper corner – I always say mistakes are creative opportunities so this sample got an extra die cut over the ribbon and ink splotch!
And finally the blended and water lifted paper was just to pretty not to use the negative – so here is a card made from the negative die space and the NEW Softly Woven 3D embossing folder as a background.
Now it’s your turn to create something with this blended and water lifting technique – one stamp at a time – see what you can make!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Elegant Leaves Bundle (English) [ 168303 ]
[168303]
$52.00
Elegant Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 168300 ]
[168300]
$25.00
Lily Of The Valley Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167937 ]
[167937]
$21.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122925 ]
[122925]
$14.00
Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147101 ]
[147101]
$9.00
Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147083 ]
[147083]
$9.00
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147086 ]
[147086]
$9.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$9.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$13.00
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Elegant Leaves Dies [ 168302 ]
[168302]
$33.00
Rustic Check 3 D Embossing Folder [ 168442 ]
[168442]
$10.00
Softly Woven 3 D Embossing Folder [ 168466 ]
[168466]
$12.00
Calypso Coral With Copper Border 3/8" (1 Cm) Ribbon [ 168444 ]
[168444]
$9.00
Adhesive Backed Metallic Gems [ 163780 ]
[163780]
$9.50
garden silhouette blended hot foil card

garden silhouette blended hot foil card

by | Aug 17, 2026 | card samples, color challenge, hot foil, more color mondays, reverse hot foiling, stampin' tools, techniques

So the other week when I was playing with my new Stampin’ Hot Foil System I ended up with a sheet of Garden Silhouette regular hot foil and played with the blending brushes to color in this gorgeous silver edged floral design!

Measurements:
BASE: Berry Burst CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ strip,
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, 4″ x 5 1/4″scraps for
the reverse foiling and sentiment piece

I grabbed Berry Burst, Crushed Curry and Granny Apple Green ink pads and three corresponding blending brushes and colored in the large blooms with Berry Burst, smaller blooms in Crushed Curry and the leaves in Granny Apple Green. I cut the layer down to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and save on of the longer strips to decorate the inside.
I adhered the blended layer to the Berry Burst card base.
I adhered the 1/4″ strip across the card.
I blended the three ink colors over the sentiment piece – the sentiment comes from the Scalloped blooms stamp set.

I popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it over the 1/4″ strip.

I tucked two of the extra reverse Garden Silhouette Hot foil cut outs from Fridays card under the sentiment for some added depth and dimension.
Here is the inside of the card.
I added three Rhinestone Basic Jewels to coordinate with the silver foiling to finish off the card with a matching sparkle!

Try a blended background on one of your creations soon – now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Scalloped Blooms Bundle (English) [ 167647 ]
[167647]
$53.00
Scalloped Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167639 ]
[167639]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[166780]
$14.00
Berry Burst 8-1/2
[144243]
$14.00
Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147143 ]
[147143]
$11.00
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147087 ]
[147087]
$9.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [ 147095 ]
[147095]
$9.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$9.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$13.00
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Garden Silhouette Hot Foil Die [ 170041 ]
[170041]
$37.00
Silver Stampin' Hot Foil Rolls [ 170067 ]
[170067]
$12.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [ 144220 ]
[144220]
$6.00
creating a faux layer card

creating a faux layer card

by | Jul 1, 2026 | card samples, stamps ink paper, techniques

Have you ever created a faux layer with masking?

This is a simple card using 3M sticky notes to create a mask to make a white “faux” layer diagonally across the middle of the Basic White layer to give the illusion of an extra layer in the middle of the card!

Measurements:
BASE: Real Red CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/2″

I adhered three sticky notes together and cut them to the width desired.

Attach to the Basic White layer diagonally in the center of the Basic White layer.

In Real red ink stamp the flat florer across both sides of the 3M sticky note mask and around the edges of the layer.
Blend the layer with the mask in place with a blending brush and Real Red ink.
Remove the mask and stamp the sentiment diagonally from the Phrases and Frames stamp set in Real Red ink.
Cut a length of Red ribbon an inch or two wider than the layer and tape the edges to the back of the Basic White layer.
Adhere the Basic White layer to the Real Red cardstock base.
Adhere three embellishments to the card to finish off this easy faux layer card!

Try this easy technique and let me know when you create! Now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Opulent Oasis Bundle (English) [ 167595 ]
[167595]
$56.50
Opulent Oasis Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167591 ]
[167591]
$25.00
Phrases & Frames Bundle (English) [ 167587 ]
[167587]
$49.50
Phrases & Frames Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167581 ]
[167581]
$21.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 102482 ]
[102482]
$14.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147084 ]
[147084]
$11.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[163987]
$60.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$9.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$13.00
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Opulent Oasis Dies [ 167594 ]
[167594]
$38.00
Phrases & Frames Dies [ 167586 ]
[167586]
$34.00
card sketch #123 water mask card

card sketch #123 water mask card

by | Jun 10, 2026 | card samples, card sketches, die cutting, masks, stamps ink paper, techniques

I love a good masking technique and when I was at OnStage in March, Stampin’ Up! debuted the Water and Dotted Lines 12″ x 12″ masks.

They are so cool and great for not only card making but because of the size they are also great for scrapbooking backgrounds!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″, 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
scraps for die cuts
Hydrangea Hue CS: scrap for sunglasses die

Place the card base in the middle of the Glass Matte Studio and place the Water Mask over the card.

You can hold the card and mask in place with tape or just with your hand (which is what I do)

Using Balmy Blue ink and a Blending Brush in circular motion color the surface of the card through the mask. YOU can lift up one side to look and see how deep the color is and whether you are getting adequate coverage.

Continue coloring the card surface until the entire card is filled with the mask design and is the color desired.

Take the Basic White CS strip and stamp the sentiment on it in Hydrangea Hue ink.

Adhere to the card placing the words on the right-hand side of the card. Cut off the overhang.

The beach ball and inner tube from the Splash and Relax Bundle are a two-step stamping process – I stamp the detailed stamp in full strength Hydrangea hue ink first and then stamp the background stamp in Hydrangea Hue ink and stamp off onto the grid or scrap paper and then stamp over the detailed image. I think it is easier to place the stamps correctly over the darker colored detailed images then the other way around – BUT it can be done either way!
Die cut out the beach ball and the inner tube with the Splash and Relax dies and die cut the sunglass outer image in Hydrangea Hue CS.

Cut the sunglass lenses out of Silver or Irredescent Foil and glue onto the sunglasses base Hydrangea Hue CS.

Adhere the sunglasses directly over the left-hand side of the sentiment strip and pop up the inner tube and beach ball above and below the sentiment strip!

Stamp the inside sentiment and the beach ball on the inside of the card!
Place three Rhinestones around the sentiment strip and this easy card sketch card is complete! I love the simple masking background – this makes the card don’t you think?

Try this masking background technique soon and go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Splash & Relax Bundle [ 167903 ]
[167903]
$44.00
Splash & Relax Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167901 ]
[167901]
$21.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Hydrangea Hue 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 167687 ]
[167687]
$14.00
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147105 ]
[147105]
$9.00
Hydrangea Hue Classic Stampin' Pad [ 167677 ]
[167677]
$14.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[163987]
$60.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$9.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$13.00
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 & Dotted Lines 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Decorative Masks [ 167760 ]
[167760]
$21.00
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Splash & Relax Dies [ 167902 ]
[167902]
$28.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [ 144220 ]
[144220]
$6.00