sneak peak sweetest star punch ornaments

sneak peak sweetest star punch ornaments

Today’s blog post is a sneak peak of a new punch bundle from the upcoming September to December 2024 Mini Catalog debuting this September 4th! The Punch bundle is called Sweetest Star Bundle and features a stamp set with three star images, 4 sentiments and a corner snowflake image. I thought this would make a fun wreath Christmas Ornament and used the upcoming new 6″ x 6″ Take a Bow DSP with the punch to assemble some fun and easy ornaments.

I used old DSP cardboard inserts that I saved for the backing for these ornaments and die cut with the Deckled Circles die set, placing the largest and third largest circle dies inside one another evenly spaced to make a wreath base.

Punch 12 stars from the Take a Bow DSP package.
Adhere tape on the entire wreath base and start to place the stars on the base.
Complete the wreath with the stars.
Stamp the Santa Star with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and color with Stampin’ Blends, stamp the sentiment onto a 1/4″ strip and cut banner edges into each edge.
Adhere the Santa star to the top of the wreath and the sentiment across the bottom.
Tie some twine around the back of the wreath and stamp the To and From from the Greetings of the Season stamp set.
This is the wreath hanging up.
I cut the center circle with the fifth circle down from the Deckled Circle die set to create a circle ornament and a smaller wreath.
Place the stars around the smaller wreath, adhere a ribbon and the sentiment.
Stamp the To and From on the back.
Stamp the Santa Star in Tuxedo Black Memento ink onto the Deckled Circle. Color the Santa with the Stampin’ Blends and adhere two stars onto the bottom of the circle ornament.
Punch a hole and loop the ribbon through the hole and tie in a knot.
The Sweetest Star bundle is so fun and easy to make these Christmas Ornaments!

Go and create some artwork of your own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

PS: Because this is a sneak peak there will not be any link boxes available until September 4th when the products debut!

more color mondays – pecan pie, old olive and mossy meadow tri-fold tuck card

more color mondays – pecan pie, old olive and mossy meadow tri-fold tuck card

Today’s More Color Monday gives off woodsy vibes of pine trees and Christmas and was inspired by the newly available Online Exclusive Christmas suite called Seasons of Green and Gold Suite #164121 and includes:

GREETINGS OF THE SEASON PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (10% off)
* 21 photopolymer stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): c, d, e, h

GREETINGS OF THE SEASON DIES (10% off)
* 9 dies
* Largest die: 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″ (6.4 x 9.5 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine
* Compatible with the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

GOLDEN GREENERY PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (10% off)
* 12 photopolymer stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): c, d, e

GOLDEN GREENERY DIES (10% off)
* 13 dies
* Largest die: 2-7/8″ x 4″ (7.3 x 10.2 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine
* Compatible with the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

SEASON OF GREEN & GOLD 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs
* 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
* Acid free
* Lignin free

GRACEFUL GREENERY VELLUM 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER
* 6 sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 3 single-sided designs
* 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm)

VERY VANILLA 3/4″ (1.9 CM) SATIN RIBBON
* Width: 3/4″ (1.9 cm)
* Length: 10 yards (9.1 m)

CHERRY COBBLER & PEARL ADHESIVE-BACKED BERRIES
* 64 adhesive-backed pieces
* 4 mm, 8 mm

Product colors: Garden Green, gold, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Pecan Pie, Very Vanilla

Add ink, cardstock, and adhesive to complete your projects.

Measurements:
BASE: Mossy Meadow 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
Old Olive layer: 4″ x 11″ scored at 2 7/8″
and 8 1/4″
scraps for die cuts
Basic White layer: 3 3/4″ x 5 1/8″
DSP: (2) 2 3/4″ x 3 3/4″
Pecan Pie: scraps for die cuts

Die cut 2 of the second largest squares from the Stylish Shapes die set in Old Olive cardstock.
Die cut 3 of the largest square from the Stylish Shapes die set in Pecan Pie cardstock.
Cut two different patterns of the DSP.
Die cut a bell from the Season of Green and Gold DSP.

I stamped from the Greetings of the Season stamp set on one of the Old Olive squares and stamped the outside edges with the pine bough stamp in Old Olive ink.
I die cut a bell out of the DSP with the coordinating dies and it wasn’t exactly centered – normally that isn’t very noticeable but I was adding it to darker colored cardstock so I could tell! Let me teach you a little trick! If the die cut’s white border is a little uneven (or in my case NON EXISTENT on one side LOL) die cut a small portion from a scrap strip of white on the same side that you are lacking and adhere it to the die’s backside!
I twisted the Pecan Pie square and rotated it to be a diamond and mounted the Old Olive square on top of the Pecan Pie diamond and adhered the bell die cut – the focal piece is ready to adhere to the card front once ready!
Score the Old Olive piece at 2 7/8″ and 8 1/4″ and fold inward.
Stamp the two step pine bough in the right hand corner of the Basic White layer and then adhere to the center inside panel of the Old Olive layer.
I added an inside sentiment in Pecan Pie.
I usually stamp this prior to adhering down just in case I need to flip the paper over and have a redo but luckily I did it right the first try!
I cut two pieces of different patterns of the Seasons of Green and Gold DSP for the Old Olive layers outside panels and adhered the right side on first.
The front flaps overlap and I want the left side of the flap to remain on top when the card is closed! I adhered the more foliage heavy DSP to this side.
I used one of the Pecan Pie Stylish Shapes die cuts and scored about 1/4″ to the right of the top point when angled as a diamond. score the paper and adhere underneath the DSP. I adhered my DSP for this layer early and then decided to make this a tuck card so I would adhere this side DSP at this point and not as I did in the photos – it will be easier!
Place adhesive on the Pecan Pie diamond on the right side of where the diamond meets the DSP.
Adhere down in place.
Add half of the Old Olive die leaving about 1/4″ border from the edges of the Pecan Pie diamond.
Add Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the left side of the focal point – do not place the dimensionals over the line from one point to the other or it will show when you open the card. Match up the top and bottom point of the diamond to the edge of the left hand panel.
I added another half diamond of the Pecan Pie and the Old Olive die cuts to balance out the sides of the card.
I moved the bell die cut over to the left hand side of the focal piece for balance as well since the right hand DSP had bells in the design I moved the bell die cut to the opposite side to balance that element out!
I added Iridescent Foil Gems to fill the card out with shimmer and shine!
The focal point piece tucks under the diamonds on the right hand side of the card to allow the card to remain flat and closed! Fun closure to this sweet fun fold! Double flap tucked card or tri-fold tucked card.
Try this fun fold next time you create some art work of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

bokeh background with golden greenery

bokeh background with golden greenery

Besides stamping, I love photography! The Bokeh effect has always reminded me of those pictures people take of Christmas lights where the lights are out of focus and there are loads of white circles covering the page – like the photo below!
For today’s blog post I am going to teach you an easy method for recreating this effect! All you need is a circle mask made from punches or dies and white ink!

Measurements:
BASE: Pretty Peacock: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ for masks
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the outside layer
scraps for die cut and sentiment piece.

I did a watercolor wash on an acrylic block. I used the Stampin’ Up! E acrylic block and applied ink direct to the block from the lemon Lime Twist ink pad directly onto the E block in the center.

I added Lost Lagoon to the left side of the block and Pretty Peacock to the right side.
I misted the surface of the acrylic block with water.
Spray enough water so that the ink starts to run together and dose not have a lot of beading on the surface.
Place the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer over the acrylic block and rub gently so that the water and ink absorb into the paper. Pick up and place another paper on the ink – you usually can get two impressions from one ink application – the second will be lighter but still pretty!
Allow to air dry or if in a hurry dry with the Heat Tool.
Every paper turns out with slight variations – I simply LOVE this technique for creating awesome watercolored backgrounds!

Here are some of the papers I created.

Create a mask with multiple different sized circle openings – I used the four smallest circles from the Stylish Shapes die set!
Place over the dried watercolor paper.
Using a Blending brush and the Craft White ink – I squeezed a few drops of re-inker in the ink lid and brushed the ink onto the blending brush.
Using a circular motion I applied the ink over the mask – in a variety of sizes and depths of color.
Remove the mask – reposition and repeat the blending brush ink application until the desired Bokeh effect is achieved.
Stamp a sentiment I chose a sentiment from the new Online Exclusives Greetings of the Season in Pretty Peacock. I fussy cut the sentiment and blended Pretty Peacock ink over the cut surface of the sentiment! I also cut a die from the Golden Greenery die set in Basic White scrap.
I adhered the watercolored layer to the Pretty Peacock base. I popped up the fussy cut sentiment piece onto the lower left hand corcer of the card front.
I popped up the die on mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the top right corner.
I added some white pearlescent sequins from the Adhesive-Backed Sequins Trio to finish off the card.

This effect has always reminded me of Christmas lights so I thought it perfect for this first Christmas card of the season!

Try this Bokeh effect soon and let me know what

double flap kissing gate fold card

double flap kissing gate fold card

I modified another fun fold card and made a new one where the gate fold edges “kiss” the edges of the front flap instead of each other! I made a belly band to hold the card closed and made the square overlap to look like a Christmas present! I called it the Double Flap Kissing Gate Fold card! Hope you like it!

Measurements:
BASE: Real Red CS 5 1/2″ x 5 3/4″
scored on 5 3/4″ side at 3/4″ and 5″
Front Flap layer: 2 3/4″ x 6″
scored on 6″ side at 1/2″
Side Flap layers:
Basic White: 2 1/2″ square
DSP: 2 3/8″ square
Belly Band 3/4″ x 10″
Belly Band focal point
Real Red CS: 1 3/4″ square
DSP: 1 1/2″ square

Cut the Real Red base CS to 5 1/2″ x 5 3/4″ and score at 3/4″ and 5″.
Fold inward towards the middle.
Cut two strips of DSP to 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ and adhere to the outside gate fold 3/4″ panels.
Cut a piece of Basic White CS to 2 3/4″ x 6″ and score on the 6″ side at 1/2″.
Emboss the 5 1/2″ side and adhere the 1/2″ tab to the center top of the base card.
I closed the two side gate folds and made sure the front flap fit within those side gate folds.
Adhere an inside layer to cover up the flap connection. Adhere a 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Basic White CS to the inside of the base CS. Pictured here under the front flap.
Stamp the sentiment on the inside 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece.
Adhere the DSP 2 3/8″ piece to the Basic White 2 1/2″ square matte. Adhere ONLY the right side to the right gate fold.
Create the belly band from a 3/4″ x 10″ piece of cardstock and I added a offset square focal point to look like stacked presents on the card.
Adhere the 1 1/2″ square DSP to the 1 3/4″ square of Real Red CS and adhere to the belly band so it will lie over the side flap.
Add a bow of Linen thread to the DSP square and Iridescent Rhinestone Gems to finish off this fun fold card!
Try something new today and create some art work of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

one inch dsp strip cards

one inch dsp strip cards

I love sending Christmas cards out – even if it is the only time I communicate with some people I hope it shows them that even in this busy life I still think of them at this special time of year! Since I send out a TON of cards I look for pretty and easy cards that will work in bulk and this is a perfect option.
These simple cards allow our gorgeous Designer Series Paper to do all the work!

Measurements
BASE: Basic White 8 1/2 X 5 1/2 scored at 4 1/4
Layer: 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″
Designer Series Paper: (2) 1″ x 2 5/8″
(2) 1″ x 3 7/8″
Coordinating Colored Cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″

Fold the Basic White card base at the score line and burnish with your bone folder for a crisp clean fold.

Adhere the Basic white layer to the colored cardstock layer.

Using liquid glue adhere the 1 inch strips around the border of the White layer leaving an even 1/8″ border on the outside and in between the DSP pieces. Alternate the sizes of the DSP pieces. I cut the same images for each size so that the opposing panels would be identical or similar you could choose to use four images as well. I liked the symmetrical look. See sample below for reference.
Attach the layered piece to the card front.
Using a coordinating ink color stamp a sentiment in the center and add embellishments if you like but it is pretty all on it’s own with the gorgeous paper!
You can add detail to the Basic White layer with ink and a mask as I did in this other sample below.
Or just change the paper and the color scheme and get a beautiful alternative look!

These cards are perfect for those of us with busy lives or that send a lot of Christmas cards!

Try this DSP strip technique with paper you have in your craft room and let me know what you come up with! Now go and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie