blending brush background - nataliegramleystamps

more color mondays – balmy blue, old olive and basic beige

by nataliegramleystamps | Sep 8, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, more color mondays, specialty papers, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s another color challenge to inspire you to more creativity in your card design work!

The palette today is soft and neutral – perfect for a soft, subtle thank you card for someone special. The card features a gorgeous product that was introduced with the new annual catalog and I have totally ignored until now! I purchased it in the pre-order and then got busy with the new stamps and dies and forgot I had it! The Irresistible Designs contains 2 one-sided sheets of 3 different designs of white tone on tone embossed images in a leaf, floral and criss-cross pattern – used as is or colored to create stunning effects – this paper is amazing!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic Beige CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Balmy Blue CS: scrap for die

Using blending brushes in a soft circular motion – starting off the paper – I colored in a diagonal pattern Old Olive ink at the bottom right-hand corner, Basic Beige ink in the middle and Balmy Blue in the top left-hand corner.
Because the specialty paper in embossed the image does not take the ink and pops off the page in a spectacular fashion!

Adhere the specialty paper to the Basic Beige card base and add a small piece of the Basic Beige Classic ribbon folded in a loop to the card.

I stamped the thanks and the leaf image from the Spotlight on Nature stamp set in Old Olive ink on a Balmy Blue die cut from the Spotlight on Nature die set. I popped up the sentiment die on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it over the ribbon loop.

I added three gold flecked embellishments from the Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems – these actually have a section of clear gems as well as the two pink colors and are perfect for this wonderful card!

Have you played with this type of Specialty paper before? It is super fun and produces easy, amazing results – try your hand at it soon!
Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Spotlight On Nature Bundle

[163581]

$52.00

Spotlight On Nature Cling Stamp Set (English)

[163579]

$23.00

Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146982]

$14.00

Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[164511]

$14.00

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

[147090]

$9.00

Irresistible Designs 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[165305]

$10.00

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]

$140.00

Spotlight On Nature Dies

[163580]

$35.00

Basic Beige 3/8" (1 Cm) Classic Ribbon

[165216]

$9.50

Strawberry Slush & Pretty In Pink Gems

[165615]

$8.50

← snowy delight bundle card boho vibes su creativity challenge →

extraordinary flora elements of text card

by nataliegramleystamps | Aug 22, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, my favorites, techniques

The Extraordinary Floral Washi tape makes a such a pretty card! The background for this card features the Elements of Text stamp set. This stamp set is one of my favorites that has just been listed on the Last Chance List! It’s on sale until it is sold out! It makes great backgrounds!

BASE: Berry Burst CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, scrap for the Spotlight on
Nature die
Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for the Spotlight on Nature die.

Stamp the Basic White layer with the Elements of Text stamp set with the Berry Burst ink all over the layer. Add the splatter image around the edges in Berry Burst ink. Then add some blending around the edges of the layer with the blending brush and the Berry Burst ink.

Emboss the Basic White layer in the Eyelet 3D embossing folder.

Adhere the layer to the Berry Burst card front.

Stamp the sentiment from The Right Words in Berry Burst ink in the center of the Basic White die from the Spotlight on Nature die set.
Stamp the splatter image around the edges.
Adhere the die to the Berry Burst Spotlight on Nature die.
Adhere the sentiment dies on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the center of the card front.

I took the Extraordinary Flora Washi Tape and unrolled it from the roll and adhered it to a half sheet of Unscored Basic White cardstock (5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″). Ensure that the washi tape is smooth without wrinkles or air pockets I secure the tape starting at one edge and lying the tape down slowly rubbing as I go with my hands or a bone folder to ensure a smooth surface.
Die cut with the Extraordinary Flora die – designed to cut in one pass loads of flowers from the washi tape or the coordinating stamp.
Mounting the tape on cardstock allows the die cuts to have a more rigid background allowing for easier attachment to the card.
Arrange the die cut floral and greenery around the sentiment dies to your liking and then secure with glue, tape and Stampin’ Dimensionals for some depth and dimension.

I added Purple Fine Shimmer Gems to the card in the Berry Burst hue to coordinate with the card and finish it off with a lot of sparkle!

I love creating backgrounds and this Last Chance stamp set called Elements of Text is a great way to achieve a cohesive background look that is both eye-catching and elegant.

Text stamps can create a subtle yet intricate background that can accent the base of your card without overpowering your main focal image!

If you like this look shop before this set is all gone! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Extraordinary Flora Bundle (English)

[165245]

$43.00

The Right Words Cling Stamp Set (English)

[165316]

$26.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[144243]

$14.00

Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad

[147143]

$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]

$140.00

Extraordinary Flora Die

[165244]

$28.00

Extraordinary Flora Washi Tape

[165269]

$15.00

Eyelet 3D Embossing Folder

[163414]

$10.00

Spotlight On Nature Dies

[163580]

$35.00

Purple Fine Shimmer Gems

[162611]

$8.00

← card sketch #110 - black and white with a pop of color more color mondays - cloud cover, fresh freesia and highland heather →

prairie grass stamp set – new online exclusive release for july

by nataliegramleystamps | Jul 11, 2025 | card samples, online exclusives, techniques

July marks the release of more Online Exclusives products! This stamp set Prairie Grass is one of the releases.

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

Ink the bottom of the Basic White CS with Crushed Curry ink and a blending brush.

Ink a strip above the Crushed Curry with the Pumpkin Pie ink.

Blend with blending brush and Poppy Parade ink above the Pumpkin Pie ink.

Blend Melon mambo ink above the Poppy Parade.

Blend Gorgeous Grape ink to the top of the Basic White layer.

Stamp the Prairie Grass image in Tuxedo Black Memento ink over the rainbow blended colors.

Take a paint brush and add water to the lid of a Craft White ink pad, tap the edge of the paint brush over a bone folder and splatter ink over the surface.

Stamp the sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink in the right hand corner.

Add Rhinestone Basic Jewels to the card front.

Adhere the layer to the Melon Mambo cardstock base.

Another sample without the white ink splatter.

I adhered this sample to a Crushed Curry cardstock base.

I love silhouette cards and this set lends itself perfectly to this genre.

Check out all of the great new products released in July! Go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

← card sketch #107 - extraordinary flora more color mondays - pumpkin pie, petal pink and balmy blue →

card sketch #107 – extraordinary flora

by nataliegramleystamps | Jul 9, 2025 | card samples, card sketches, die cutting, embossing folders, techniques

Sketch challenges can stretch you creatively!

This sketch (Sketch #107) has so many possibilities!

I chose to make the layers all white but you could chose to use colored cardstock or Designer Series Paper.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 4″ x 5 1/4″, (2) 1″ x 5 1/4″,
scrap for the sentiment die and the washi tape

Run the Basic White layer through the Garden and Glass embossing folder. Place the folder down the center of the layer and emboss.

Cut two strips of Basic White CS 1″ x 5 1/4″.

Place Stampin’ Dimensionals down each 1″ strip.

Adhere each 1″ strip down each side of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ embossed layer.

Place the Extraordinary Flora Washi Tape onto a Basic White layer and then die cut the flower images out.

Adhere the flower images on the top left hand edge and the bottom right-hand edge. Placing some under the edge and some above.

Stamp the sentiment in Flirty Flamingo ink and then use a blending brush to lightly color the Textured Notes die.

Adhere the sentiment piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals on the left hand side and tape on the right hand edge to the strip. Tuck a flower under the sentiment die piece.

Place three sequins on the card front to finish it off.

Try this card sketch and see what you can come up with! Go and create some artwork of your very own using #107 – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Extraordinary Flora Bundle (English)

[165245]

$43.00

Extraordinary Flora Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[165243]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147052]

$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

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Extraordinary Flora Die

[165244]

$28.00

Glass & Gardens Embossing Folders

[165597]

$9.00

Extraordinary Flora Washi Tape

[165269]

$15.00

Holographic Resin Dots

[165598]

$8.00

← more color mondays - azure afternoon, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape prairie grass stamp set - new online exclusive release for july →

happy 4th – thank a veteran with a card

by nataliegramleystamps | Jul 4, 2025 | card samples, embossing folders, masculine cards, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

The Fourth of July is probably my second favorite holiday after Christmas. I am so very grateful to have been born in this great country! I am also very thankful for the freedoms we so often take for granted.

So I am challenging all of my friends and customers to send a thank you card to a friend or family member that you know that served or is serving in the military – we often do not take the opportunity to let people know how much they are appreciated and this is a perfect example. Do you have someone you know that has sacrificed in service of this special country of ours? Will you rise to my challenge and make and send a thank you card? I hope I inspire you! I didn’t necessarily have a 4rth of July stamp set but if you color the card in red, white and blue and place a thank you sentiment on it that conveys the point!

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

This is a simple and sweet thank you card.

Brush the top third of the Basic White layer with Real Red ink using a blending brush.

Brush the bottom third of the layer with Blueberry Bushel ink and a different blending brush. Leave the middle white uninked.

Stamp the Spring Corners thank you sentiment on diagonal corners and then stamp the small heart image in between the two sentiments using Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

Emboss the Basic White stamped layer in your Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the Dotted Circles 3D Embossing folder.

Because you blended the ink first and this is a deep 3D embossing folder you may get some white paper crackling through the color – I love this effect! If you do not want this effect color the embossed layer after running through the machine.

Adhere the embossed layer onto the Real Red CS base.

I adhered some white sequins (these are retired sorry but you could use our Iridescent Pearls for the same effect!) on the card front and you can send this patriotic thank you note on it’s way to your favorite veteran – mine is on it’s way to my marine brother-in-law!

Have a wonderful Fourth of July celebration! We are so blessed to be free and able to live in this wonderful Democracy – even though we may not all agree politically – we all have the right to live as we choose and that I am so very thankful for.

Hope that this inspires you to make your own thank you card for someone that you care about! Now go and create some beautiful red,white and blue artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Fourth of July and Happy Stampin’
Natalie