creativity now fun

creativity now fun

Back on June 22nd, Stampin’ Up! hosted an event open to all demonstrators called Creativity Now. One of the objectives for this event was to have fun stamping virtually with other demonstrators from around the world and to give us a sneak peak into some of the new products and sets that would be coming in the upcoming September to December 2024 mini catalog!
One of my downline, Robyn joined me to watch the virtual broadcast and create all of the projects along with all of the guest demonstrator presenters!
The sneak peak set from the upcoming mini catalog is called Wintry Tree Tops Bundle and features a gorgeous set of wintry stamps and coordinating dies.
Join me in this sneak peak look at this great new set!
It is always fun to create but doing it with a friend is even better. Robyn and I listened to the presentations and crafted together and made all of the projects!
The first project shown below used the gorgeous frame die in Basic Grey as a background over a Misty Moonlight card base and colored in the bird stamp with watercolor pencils!
One of the Bonus projects used the Nests of Winter Suite collection DSP. We fussy cut out lovely birds from the upcoming Designer Series Paper called Nests of Winter and used the frame again but this time we cut the die out of Shaded Spruce cardstock for a totally different look!
It is hard to see in the photo but the crumb cake layer is embossed with the new Birch Wood 3D embossing folder and it adds so much to the background!
The next project shown features the double bird stamp also colored with watercolor pencils, die cut and layered onto Crumb Cake cardstock layer that is adhered to a Early Espresso card base.
This scalloped gift box was decorated with a smear of Metallic Enamel Effects Basics and then we added the sprigs in a wreath arrangement and we added Iridescent Pearls as the berries.
The second bonus card used some additional Nests of Winter Designer Series Paper as the background and the Wintry Sprigs in the foreground.
The last card I have to show you used the negative die of the frame as a mask! This created a unique background – I really like the way this mask created a great background from something many would just thrown away!
Creativity Now is a fun perk of being a demonstrator! Looking for a fun community? People to craft with? I would love to have you join us on the next creative retreat! If you would like to know anything about what we do and the many ways to do this art of papercrafting whether as a customer or a new team member do not hesitate to contact me for additional information.

Now go and create some artwork 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

new mini catalog is just around the corner – more samples

new mini catalog is just around the corner – more samples

There is so much in this new catalog that I cannot wait for it to go live Wednesday, September 6th – there is not enough space to show you all the great cards and things in here – hopefully you got yours – if not let me know!

The first card features the beautiful Winter Meadow DSP in colors of Pretty Peacock, Lost Lagoon, Misty Moonlight, Blueberry Bushel, Moody Mauve and Smoky Slate! This is the Lost Lagoon background paper with the trees pattern that is soft and misty. The Silver and White Sheer ribbon compliments this design perfectly and the Adhesive-Backed Milky Dots tie in the Gray Granite card base color.

This simple single layer card uses Tuxedo Black ink and Real Red Stampin’ Write marker to color only the berries. I die cut NOEL in Smoky Slate and added the Black and White Gingham ribbon. The Adhesive-Backed Sprakle gems are the perfect finishing touch.
This 4″ square of Joyful Specialty paper cut at angles adds a little interest to the DSP layer. Adhered to the Cherry Cobbler base with a Cherry Cobbler Stylish Shapes circle die cut, the sentiment and stamped holly and berries come from the Christmas Classics stamp set1 The Neutrals Adhesive-Backed Sequins tie in the gold foil accents in the Specialty paper!
Stars at Night is a lovely hybrid embossing bundle. Her on a Night of navy card base I adhered a Basic WHite layer embossed with the Stars at Night folder and added a square of the Shining Brightly Specialty paper from the Suite. The die cut in the middle is stamped in Coordinating Night of Navy ink and die cut. I stamped the sentiment from the same set and popped them up with Foam adhesive Strips.
I stamped the smallest snowflake from the Sparkling Snowflakes on the largest Nested essentials banner die in Lost Lagoon and popped it up over the Snowflake Magic Specialty paper mounted on Lost Lagoon cardstock base. The faceted Gems Trio pack adds a great sparkle along with the Silver and White Sheer ribbon.
The soft leaf pattern in the Joy of Christmas DSP makes a great background on Shaded Spruce cardstock base. The white Stylish Shapes die circle blended with Cherry Cobbler ink pops up over the Parakeet Party Metallic ribbon for a lovely sparkle over the red plaid patterned paper.
The Sentiment and the peak of the Pomegranate are from the Magical Meadow stamp set.
The Joy of Christmas DSP continues to shine on our next card with the Pecan Pie musical background paper and the Christmas berry and greenery in the center. The Tinsel Gems Four-Pack pick up the sparkle in the Silver Threaded Twine. The sentiment is from the Christmas Classics stamp set inked in Shaded Spruce to match the card base and the banner from the Nested Essentials die set.
The next card also lets the Joy of Christmas do most of the work the 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece is mounted onto coordinating Cherry Cobbler and the Cherry Cobbler Stylish Shapes circle die features the stamps and sentiment from the Christmas Classics set. Iridescent Pastel Gems finish off the card with a sweet sparkle!
Another Specialty DSP shines on this next card featuring the Shining Brightly Specialty DSP and the Stars at Night bundle with dies cut from Gold Foil.
This card uses the same Specialty paper set on a Basic White cardstock base with Night of Navy ink and accents.
Coastal Cabana steals the show with this non traditional Christmas Winter card featuring the Sparkling Snowflake punch bundle!
Joy of Christmas DSP criss-crosses this embossed card front with the Merry Melody 3D embossing folder. The Winter Wishes sentiment is stamped in Cherry Cobbler on our new Deckled Circles die cut. The Iridescent Pastel Gems finish off this round of New Catalog samples!

Now go and make your list to order something new to make your Christmas cards with this year – if you need help designing a simple and elegant Christmas card let me know – I’m happy to help organize and design your order!
Go create some art of your own – one stamp at a time! Remember this fabulous catalog goes live September 6th!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

holographic trio cards

holographic trio cards

Holographic paper is pretty cool and getting three different types in one pack is even more fun!

I set out last week to have a play with the Holographic Trio 12″ x 12″ Specialty Paper and the cards are something special. The light plays with Holographic paper and creates a rainbow of refracted light! Hard to photograph but stunning to look at! Holographic paper is made by embossing a pattern or design and then coating the paper in a very thin layer of metal or foil. The resulting sheet has a distinctive iridescent sheen where the embossed design can be seen at certain angles. FUN!!!!

Below are a number of cards I made using the three different types of Holographic paper featured in the Holographic Trio (#151744) This comes as 6 single sided sheets, 2 each of 3 holographic patterns: Berry Burst, holographic and Starry Sky.

The Stars at Night bundle is the perfect collection of products to use with the Holographic Trio! I used the patterned holographic paper in the hybrid embossing folder with coordinating dies and ran it through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss mounted it on Balmy Blue cardstoick base and popped up the middle star on Stampin’ Dimensionals. I added a fussy cut sentiment and retired White Glittered Organdy ribbon.
This next card uses the Berry Burst Holographic paper from the Trio in a 4″ square. The Berry Burst base is covered with a Basic White layer that is embossed with the Stars at Night embossing folder – I die cut the eleven point star out of the Basic White layer and the holographic piece in the center, adhered the white star to the holographic negative space and added a sentiment piece to the card bottom. Iridescent rhinestones and Glittered Organdy ribbon finish off this flashy card!
I used the Hybrid embossing folder with out the die inserts on the plain holographic paper and adhered it to the top of the Azure Afternoon card base. Pretty enough to stand on it’s own with the new Silver and White Sheer Ribbon and a simple banner sentiment piece in Azure Afternoon ink.
My last sample uses the Starry Sky holographic paper with the thirteen point star popped up over the Silver and White Sheer ribbon knot. I mounted the Winter Meadow DSP square over a slightly larger holographic square that I stamped in Misty Moonlight a Sparkling Snowflake and the Make the season sparkle sentiment. I two stepped stamped the largest snowflake from the Sparkling Snowflakes stamp on the Basic White cardstock base and mounted the square in the card base center. I added Iridescent Rhinestones to the center of the holographic star and around the sentiment to finish off the Sparkle!
This paper is a real WOW factor! Try it today and go create some art of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Because these are sneak peak products they will not be included in the products below until after release one September 1st – check back to this post then if you would like to click on the new products to order!

more color mondays – cherry cobbler, granny apple green and shaded spruce

more color mondays – cherry cobbler, granny apple green and shaded spruce

If you asked me what are classic Christmas colors I would say either our Real Red or Cherry Cobbler and our Shaded Spruce or Granny Apple Green. Nowadays there are plenty of variations on Christmas cards really anything goes – from pinks and purples to blues to brown. But I still love traditional Christmas cards – so today’s More Color Monday is all about traditional Red and Green!

It is also a sneak peak for the upcoming September to December catalog and I cannot believe I am writing that the mini is almost here! This year is 3/4 over – crazy! This Friday the catalog will go live and you will be able to order from this absolutely fabulous catalog!

Today’s More Color Monday starts with Gorgeous Designer Series paper – the Joy of Christmas 12″ x12″ DSP graces both the front and back covers of our new mini catalog and contains 12 sheets of 6 double sided designs in plaids and woody patterns and softly drawn Christmas foliage in hues of Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Old Olive, Shaded Spruce, Pecan Pie and Pebbled Path.

Measurements:
BASE: Cherry Cobbler CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 2″ x 5 1/4″ (2)
Scraps of Granny Apple Green and Shaded
Spruce for the Nested Essentials dies

Fold the base Cheery Cobbler CS in half and burnish with a bone folder for a crisp crease.
Adhere the 2″ x 5/14″ strips of DSP so that they butt up together in the middle of the card base and give an even 1/8″ border all around the card front.
Cut the smallest wide hexagon shape from a scrap of Shaded Spruce cardstock and the next biggest shape in Granny Apple Green cardstock.

Stamp the sentiment in Shaded Spruce ink in the center of the Shaded Spruce die cut. Stamp in Shaded Spruce ink and stamp off the pine bough stamp for a second generation lighter inking. Stamp on the Shaded Spruce die cut over the sentiment.

Adhere the Granny Apple Green die cut onto the center of the card front over the DSP, leaving an even border right to left.
Add Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the Shaded Spruce die cut and place over the Granny Apple Green die.
Before adhering one side of the Shaded Spruce die wrap some 1/8 Metallic woven ribbon under the Stampin’ Dimensional. The color of this is Parakeet Party but because of it’s metallic hue it contains various shades of green and works well on this project!
For the same reason as the ribbon I added the 2022-2024 In Color Pearls to the card front – because of their metallic sheen I think the green color works well on this card!
Just changing the DSP and embellishments makes a brand new card! This sample uses the iridescent Basic Pearls and the new Silver and White Sheer Ribbon! I love white ribbon because you can color it to coordinate with your card! I used the Shaded Spruce Dark Stampin’ Blend Alcohol Marker on my Grid paper I used the brush tip side to die the ribbon to exactly match the cardstock – so very cool!
Here is another sample with a different sentiment from the Joy of Noel stamp set – the other bundle in this suite. and the embellishments are the Brushed Metallic Dots for a more rustic look!

Try to make a Christmas card with classic Christmas colors – go and create some Christmas art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Remember if you play in the color challenge consider uploading your art to the comment section of today’s Facebook post to share with everyone and inspire someone today!

Because these are sneak peak products they will not be included in the products below until after release one September 1st – check back to this post then if you would like to click on the new products to order!