april stampin’ up! creative challenge

april stampin’ up! creative challenge

by | Apr 8, 2026 | card samples, masculine cards, sneak peak, stamps ink paper, techniques

Do you know that Stampin’ Up! sponsors a creative challenge every month?

April features a challenge to use two different coloring tools! Will you rise to the challenge? If you create a card or project using this challenge post it on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #SUCREATIVECHALLENGE see Stampin’ Up’s video announcing the new challenge by going to this link

Here’s my card for the challenge using water painters and blending brushes two of my favorites!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ , scrap for
the die
Granny Apple Green CS: 1/4″ x 4″ strip scrap for
leaf die
Vellum CS: scrap for Spotlight on Nature circle
die

I combined some OLD AND NEW PRODUCTS – some LAST CHANCE items – Petals of Beauty dies and some sneak peak Phrases and Frames bundle…

I die cut the middle die from the Phrases and Frames bundle and used the frame and the inside piece. I blended the lower right-hand corner of the inside piece.

I added a drop of ink refill to my glass mat and added water to the drop from my Water Painter. I diluted the drop so it was very watery and tapped the edge of the water painter over the blending brush handle over the blended rectangular piece to add a splatter effect! Such an easy effect with HUGE impact!
I blended the Granny Apple Green onto the card front.
Adhere the rectangle to the card base off to the right-hand side of center.
Die cut the open leaf die from the Petals of Beauty die set in Granny Apple Green CS – cut into two sections and add glue to the frame and add the leaf sections under the frame on bottom and top corners. Adhere over the rectangle.
Die cut one of the circles from the Spotlight in Nature die set in Vellum CS and stamp the Thinking of You sentiment from the Phrases and Frames stamp set in Granny Apple Green ink and blend the edges.
Adhere the Granny Apple Green strip over the bottom of the vellum circle. Add glue under the vellum where the strip is to adhere to the card without the glue being visible.
Add the vellum circle onto the card.
Add a black accent from the Floral Flight Accents upcoming in the new catalog from the Beautiful Ordinary Life suite of products.
Add an extra Petals of Beauty leaf die.
Add embellishments to finish the card.

Coloring tools can add a lot to a card do not discount the little details can make a BIG difference!

Here is the same card design using a different Floral Flight accent!

Such fun! Try this #SUCREATIVECHALLENGE today and see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

REMINDER: All of the SNEAK PEAK products will not be in the photo links below until they are available!

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146990 ]
[146990]
$14.00
Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [ 167099 ]
[167099]
$10.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [ 147095 ]
[147095]
$9.00
Granny Apple Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [ 147163 ]
[147163]
$5.50
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
Blending Brushes Storage [ 160519 ]
[160519]
$16.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Petals Of Beauty Dies [ 167095 ]
[167095]
$35.00
using the new stampin’ positioner tool

using the new stampin’ positioner tool

by | Mar 18, 2026 | stampin' tools

Stampin’ Up!’s new Stampin’ Positioner is the latest in a long line of practical and innovative Stampin’ tools! We are super excited to have a stamp positioning tool back in the Stampin’ Up! inventory and this one is exceptional.

With its spring loaded design, the stamp sits above the paper until you press on the plate and bring the stamp in touch with the cardstock, which makes this design ideal for this card technique!

When you are making a card with a repeating design – it is imperative to place the stamp in an exact position and be able to re-stamp if the image is not perfect. Placement is key for this type of project and this spring loaded board delivers!

Measurements:
BASE: Granny Apple Green CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for masking

Place the Basic White CS layer on the bed of the Stampin’ Positioner and place the two magnets down on the paper to hold the paper in place.
Attach the floral stamp onto the Stamp Positioner plate – make sure that it is hovering over the cardstock layer exactly where you would like to have the stamped image.
Ink up the stamp and press down on the sring loaded plate to stamp the image.
Remove the plate and if the image did not stamp properly you can ink again and stamp in the same spot.

If the stamp if complete rotate the paper and place the plate with the stamp over the paper – adjust the paper if the stamp will not stamp in the place that you would like it to be.

Take the masks that you pre-stamped and pre-cut and place one over the stamped image to protect it from the stamp and ink.

Once the second stamp is placed and stamped rotate the paper and mask the image closest to where the new stamp will be.

Place the plate back on the positioner and make sure that when it is stamped it will be in the right place.

Ink up the stamp and press down to stamp, remove the mask and rotate the paper for the last stamp to complete the wreath shape.

For this last stamp placement you will m=need two masks one for the left and right stamped images – cover with the masks, make sure that the stamp is hovering over the place you would like to stamp it. Ink up the stamp and press down on the spring loaded platform plate.
Remove the layer from the Stampin’ Positioner and using blending brushes color the flowers in Poppy Parade ink.
Color the leaves and the outer edges of the layer in Granny Apple Green ink with a blending brush.
Adhere the Basic White CS layer to the Granny Apple Green CS base.
Adhere three embellishments – I used some retired embellishments from the holiday mini but there are many current ones that would look excellent with this card like the Sparkle Dot Essentials!

This Stampin’ Positioner is a great tool to add to your Stampin’ Supplies. Now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Motifs Bundle (English) [ 165206 ]
[165206]
$45.75
Beautiful Motifs Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165198 ]
[165198]
$18.00
Gallery Blooms Bundle [ 165213 ]
[165213]
$53.00
Gallery Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 165211 ]
[165211]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[166780]
$14.00
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2
[146990]
$14.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [ 147095 ]
[147095]
$9.00
Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147050 ]
[147050]
$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
Blending Brushes Storage [ 160519 ]
[160519]
$16.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Beautiful Motifs Dies [ 165205 ]
[165205]
$33.00
Gallery Blooms Dies [ 165212 ]
[165212]
$40.00
Sparkle Dot Essentials [ 166991 ]
[166991]
$8.00
embossed designs mix and match cards and envelopes card

embossed designs mix and match cards and envelopes card

by | Mar 4, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, Mix and Match, techniques

We have such a great catalog but sometimes it is overwhelming and very cool things can easily be missed. One of those items is the Embossed Designs Mix and Match cards and envelopes, on page 25 of the current annual catalog. These cards and envelopes come in two embossed designs: stripes on the card front and envelope flaps and polka dots. The package contains 10 cards and envelopes, 5 of each design for $10.00. Order # is #165358. I used the striped design for the card design.

Measurements:
BASE: folded card designs is 4 1/4″ x 6 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″, 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

Blend the top 2/3 of the 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ layer of Basic White with Soft Sea Foam ink and Lost Lagoon ink. Blend the bottom 1/3 of the layer with Real Red ink.
Stamp in Tuxedo Black Memento ink three ladybug images from the Springtime Scenes stamp set from the Online Exclusives March Release that dropped yesterday.

Run the layer through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the Base#1, thin die adaptor #2 and two cutting plates #3 with one of the circle dies from the Springtime Scenes die set on the top of the blended layer and cut out each of the three ladybugs.

Take the smaller scrap of Basic White CS and blend with the Lost Lagoon and Soft Sea Foam inks and blending brushes.
Stamp “You brighten my day” with Tuxedo Black memento ink onto the smaller blended scrap of Basic White CS.
Adhere the die cut to the top of the Embossed Designs card.
Die cut the sentiment blended piece and adhere it below the circle die on the card front.
Adhere the ladybugs around the circle die – some directly to the card some popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Adhere three embellishments to the card – the clear circles from the Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes.

These overlooked cards and envelopes create some elevated and easy cards and envelopes. Try this item soon and create some artwork one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

P.S. The Springtime Scenes dies are currently unavailable to order so they will not appear below on the photo links until they are available.

Product List
Springtime Scenes Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167457 ]
[167457]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[166780]
$14.00
Embossed Designs Mix & Match Specialty Cards & Envelopes [ 165358 ]
[165358]
$10.00
Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad [ 161678 ]
[161678]
$9.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147084 ]
[147084]
$9.00
Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147102 ]
[147102]
$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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes [ 167005 ]
[167005]
$8.00
happy birthday sneak peak card

happy birthday sneak peak card

by | Feb 26, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, my favorites, online exclusives, sneak peak, stamps ink paper

Rolling Waves are a great analogy for life sometimes – you just need to roll with things! Today’s post should have posted yesterday but for anyone that has been following me – you know this week was a busy and hard one that eventually everyone needs to deal with. Late in January we lost my mother unexpectedly and Saturday was her Memorial Mass. I stayed in Northern Virginia for a few extra days to work on things at her home and drove back late Tuesday night with the intention of getting everything I needed to do done on Wednesday! I almost succeeded – I just didn’t get this post typed up and finished in time so it is here for you today.
One of the special things about stamping is that it is my ME time, my solace, my saving grace – it is how I pamper and “take care” of myself – truely – it is something I have loved and enjoyed for 25 years now!

It is so important to have time to recoup and regenerate especially when you are taking care of children and parents and are in that middle space. This is my comfort zone and if you know me I gravitate towards summer, sun and water! This card combines all of that into a fun and whimsical birthday card!

Measurements:
BASE: Crumb Cake CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: 2 1/2″ x 3″, scraps for
umbrellas, sentiment, shells and foam dies
Summer Splash CS: scrap for water and
umbrella dies

Die cut the shells out of a scrap of Basic White CS.
Using blending brushes and Summer Splash, Flirty Flamingo and Crumb Cake ink, I colored the shells and starfish.
I cut a corner out of a scrap of Basic White CS about 3″ on the bottom side and about 2 1/4″ up the side. I stamped it with the large water stamp in Balmy Blue and blended the color with a blending brush as well.
I adhered it to the card front corner.
I die cut the foamy water die out of Summer Splash CS and set it on the card corner above the Balmy Blue stamped piece.
I die cut the foam out of a scrap of Basic White CS tucked it under the Summer Splash die.
I stamped the Crumb Cake CS with the sand image in Crumb Cake ink and then adhered the foamy water dies down over the corner piece.
I adhered some of the shells at the water line.
I die cut two umbrellas out of scraps of Basic White CS and then one of each design in Flirty Flamingo and Summer Splash. I adhered them in alternating patterns.
I adhered the Flirty Flamingo and White umbrella to the card.
I popped up the Summer Splash and White umbrella on Stampin’ Dimensionals over the lower left-hand edge of the Flirty Flamingo and White umbrella.

I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Rolling Waves stamp set in Summer Splash on a long 1/2″ strip of Basic White CS and slid it back and forth until I decided on the location of the wording and adhered it down to the card.

I adhered the last two shells to the left-hand side of the Happy Birthday sentiment.
I added three Pearlized faceted Circles from the Lovely and Beautiful Suite of products to finish off this fun card that did my soul good!

Take time out each day to do something you love and take care of yourself so you can be good for others! Now go and create something beautiful – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Remember since this is a sneak peak and not available until March 3rd to customers the rolling waves stamps, dies and bundle will not appear below in the photo clickables.

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 120953 ]
[120953]
$14.00
Summer Splash 8 1/2" X 11 Cardstock [ 163797 ]
[163797]
$14.00
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147105 ]
[147105]
$9.00
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147116 ]
[147116]
$9.00
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147052 ]
[147052]
$9.00
Summer Splash Classic Stampin Pad [ 163809 ]
[163809]
$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
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Pearlized Faceted Circles [ 166978 ]
[166978]
$8.00
more color mondays – lost lagoon, flirty flamingo and darling duckling

more color mondays – lost lagoon, flirty flamingo and darling duckling

by | Feb 23, 2026 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, In Colors, online exclusives, techniques

Well this third Product of the Month release is a hit! This Designer Series Paper is beautiful and the inspiration fort todays’ More Color Mondays color challenge card! Painted Illusions is the February release in the Product of the Month category and this DSP is fabulous if I could buy it more than once I would. the first few photos are the different sides of the paper included in the packet.

Measurement:
BASE: Lost Lagoon CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for dies
DSP: 4″ square and 2″scrap strip for dies
Vellum CS: 4″ square

Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer with the Soft Waves 3D embossing folder and adhere to the Lost Lagoon card base.
Take the empty circle die from the Springtime Scenes awesome die set collection die cut the Painted Illusions Product of the Month DSP and save both the inner circle and the outer ring – we will be using both!

Die cut the vellum layer with the leaf circle.

Glue the DSP outer circle to the outer portion of the vellum leaf circle die.

Glue the inner DSP circle die to the upper middle of the card front onto the embossed Basic White layer.
Add glue to the vellum layer only under where the DSP ring is. Attach over the circle ont he card front.
Take two blending brushes and Flirty Flamingo and Darling Duckling ink and color a scrap piece of Basic White CS.
Stamp the lady bug image from the Springtime Scenes stamp set and die cut them out.
Blend another Basic White scrap and die cut the sentiment image and stamp the sentiment “Sweet springtime” in Tuxedo Black memento ink on the die cut.

Pop up the three lady bugs around the vellum circle.

Adhere the sentiment on the lower right hand side of the card front.
I added the new embellishments Pearlized Faceted circles – I love these new sparkles!

I wanted to add a little more Lost Lagoon so I die cut some leaf dies!

I added the leaf die images to the card for more color balance!

Don’t be afraid to add to a card that you had planned out if it seems out of balance – you will grow better at design elements of a card and if you are thinking something is missing or off sometimes it is. Try adding something with out gluing it down you can always remove it then if you decide it was better in the original format.
Experiment that is how you get better at designing!

Now it’s your turn to go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

PS: remember that the Springtime Scenes is an Online Exclusive March Release so it will not appear in the photo links below because it is only available as a pre-order for demonstrators or new recruits in the starter kit!

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 133679 ]
[133679]
$14.00
Painted Illusions 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167977 ]
[167977]
$5.00
Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [ 167099 ]
[167099]
$10.00
Darling Duckling Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165277 ]
[165277]
$9.00
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147052 ]
[147052]
$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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Soft Waves 3 D Embossing Folder [ 164695 ]
[164695]
$11.00
Pearlized Faceted Circles [ 166978 ]
[166978]
$8.00