swirled designs z fold card in 2 colors

swirled designs z fold card in 2 colors

by | Mar 20, 2026 | card samples, color theory, die cutting, masculine cards, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

This simple birthday card starts with the fun Online Exclusive Swirled Designs bundle! This bundle comes with 10 geometric dies with ovals, diamonds, flowers and stars perfect for birthday and all occasions cards!

Measurements:
BASE: Strawberry Slush or Cloud Cover CS:
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ scored at 2 1/8″, 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″

Using the Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad, stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment on the lower center and then the lines image randomly on one of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layers around the sentiment.
Die cut the large and smaller starts from the Swirled Designs die set from the 2025-2027 In Colors DSP pack.
Using the silicone mat, I transfer my multipurpose glue into a fine tip bottle for easier application onto thin dies like these. If you are interested in this non Stampin’ Up! product – text me for the link!

Apply glue to the large star and adhere to the stamped layer.

Adhere the smaller stamps strategically around the larger star die.
Stamp the lines image in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on the other 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer and then the smaller star clusters in the matching ink for your cardstock color in each of the diagonal corners.

Score the base at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/4″, fold into a Z fold fun fold card.

Adhere to the inside of the card.

Place glue 1/4″ away from the edges of the front flap of the z-fold card base and adhere the other 4″ x 5 1/4″ paper that has the die cut on it.
Adhere some embellishments to the card and it is complete! This is one of the cards we will be making this coming Monday for my Studio Stamp-a-Stack! Register and come make cards with us – this group is a lot of fun!

What is a Stamp-a-stack? Come and make as many cards as you like – pay as you leave – count up the cards you got done and pay! $2.50 per card and make one of each or two or more of the ones you like or need!

Come get creative and create some artwork of your very own Monday, March 23rd starting at 1pm – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Here is a masculine version of this z-fold just by changing out the colors!
Product List
Swirled Designs Bundle (English) [ 167311 ]
[167311]
$42.25
Swirled Designs Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 167030 ]
[167030]
$19.00
With You In Mind Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 164747 ]
[164747]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
2025–2027 In Color™ 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 165300 ]
[165300]
$12.50
Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165625 ]
[165625]
$14.00
Cloud Cover 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165621 ]
[165621]
$14.00
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165286 ]
[165286]
$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
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
Swirled Designs Dies [ 167032 ]
[167032]
$28.00
Sparkle Dot Essentials [ 166991 ]
[166991]
$8.00
more color mondays – misty moonlight, secret sea and cloud cover

more color mondays – misty moonlight, secret sea and cloud cover

by | Nov 17, 2025 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors, masculine cards, more color mondays, my favorites, new catalog, specialty papers, techniques

Today’s More Color Monday’s color challenge features the Peaceful Garden Suite Collection of products highlighting the Misty Moonlight, Secret Sea and Cloud Cover blue tones.

I will also be teaching you the layering circles technique which is a cool layering technique!

Measurements:
BASE: Misty Moonlight CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Secret Sea CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Cloud Cover CS: 3 3/4″ x 5″
Peaceful Garden DSP: pick three designs for
die cutting
Peaceful garden Glimmer Paper: for die cuts
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, 1/2″ strip for
sentiment

I used the Spotlight on Nature nested circles die set and choose the second, third, fourth and fifth circles from the largest.

DSP design #1 cut one each from the smallest and largest circle die.
Glimmer Paper: cut one each from the third and fourth circle sizes.
DSP design #2 cut one each from the third and fourth circle sizes.
DSP #3 cut one each from the smallest and largest circle die.

Lay them out so that the top row the design #1 smallest circle starts the row and next is Glimmer Paper second smallest then DSP #2 second largest circle and last in the top row is DSP #3 largest circle.

On bottom row DSP #1 largest circle, then Glimmer Paper second largest circle then DSP #2 second smallest and lastly DSP #3 smallest circle.

Starting with the bottom row adhere the second largest circle to the largest circle move the Glimmer Paper circle so that the curves of the circle on the left side line up.
Adhere the next circle on top of the Glimmer Paper this will be DSP #2 or the second smallest circle and then adhere the smallest circle on top of the entire stack matching up the left curve of the circles.
Start on the top row with the largest circle on the bottom and adhere the second largest circle so that the right-hand side of the curve of the circles line up.
Adhere the second smallest circle which will be the Glimmer paper on top of the first two circles matching up the right sided curve of the circles.
Then adhere the smallest circle on top of the Glimmer Paper circle.
This is how they will look completely adhered.
Cut both circle bunches in half.
Swap the bottom halves of the circles and slide the pieces until the papers match up and look like they are swirling into one another.
Emboss the Cloud Cover layer in the Peaceful Greenery embossing folder and adhere to the Secret Sea layer and then adhere those two layers onto the Misty Moonlight card base.
Place the two pieces of the layering circles on the card base and place then so they are equidistant from the edges of the card. Adhere the bottom part of the circles to the card base.
Using a Basic White 1/2″ strip, stamp in Secret Sea ink the Peace, Love & Joy from the Peace on Earth stamp set.

If you slide the end of the strip into the punch you can cut one side at a time and therefore make the banner any size you wish! Place one end of the strip into the Banner Sayings punch and cut one end of the strip into a banner edge.

Place the other end of the strip through the other end and lift up the banner cut edge above the punch so that you only cut the remaining side!
Glue the top half of the layering circles above the bottom circle offset so that the matching DSP lines up.

Pop up the sentiment strip and place over the entire length of the layering circles.

One o fthe things I love about these Traditional Sparkling Sequins is that you can color them with our Stampin’ Blends markers! I used the dark Azure Afternoon Stampin’ Blends marker as well as the Misty Moonlight Stampin’ Blends markers to color the blue sequins and added it to the card around the sentiment piece.
I wanted to add a dove on the right hand side but the dove faces the other way so I cut the dove upside down on the Secret Sea Glimmer paper so that it would face the opposite way!

I popped it up on Stampin’ Dimesionals and placed it as if it was sitting on the right-hand side of the sentiment strip to finish off the card!

This is a stunning card and although it requires a little extra die cutting and adhering the layers together it is not difficult to do and the effect is well worth it!

Try this layering circles technique with your stash and let me know how it turns out!

Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Peaceful Garden Suite Collection (English) [ 165932 ]
[165932]
$90.50
Peace On Earth Bundle (English) [ 165925 ]
[165925]
$38.50
Peace On Earth Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165918 ]
[165918]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Cloud Cover 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165621 ]
[165621]
$14.00
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 153081 ]
[153081]
$14.00
Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165624 ]
[165624]
$14.00
Peaceful Garden 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 165917 ]
[165917]
$12.50
Peaceful Garden 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Glimmer Paper [ 165929 ]
[165929]
$10.50
Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165285 ]
[165285]
$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
Azure Afternoon Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 161672 ]
[161672]
$11.00
Misty Moonlight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 153108 ]
[153108]
$11.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Peaceful Greenery 3 D Embossing Folder [ 165928 ]
[165928]
$10.00
Peace On Earth Dies [ 165924 ]
[165924]
$24.00
Traditional Sparkling Sequins [ 165875 ]
[165875]
$8.00
more color mondays – cloud cover, fresh freesia and highland heather

more color mondays – cloud cover, fresh freesia and highland heather

by | Aug 25, 2025 | card samples, card sketches, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors

For today’s More Color Mondays Color Challenge I pulled from last week’s Sketch Challenge #110 and did a simple card using the Florals in Bloom Designer Series Paper which features pretty floral designs in Bubble Bath, Cloud Cover, Darling Duckling, Garden Green, Granny Apple Green, Peach Pie, Petunia Pop, Pretty In Pink, Secret Sea, Shy Shamrock, Strawberry Slush, Summer Splash, Timid Tiger

I picked the Cloud Cover striped B side of one of the choices of Designer Series paper and a complementary floral pattern for the two DSP pieces!

Measurements:
BASE: Cloud Cover CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″ and 2″ x 3 3/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Fresh Freesia CS: scrap for the sentiment die
Highland Heather CS: 2″ x 3 3/4″
DSP: (2) 1 3/4″ x 3 1/2″

PLace the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer in the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder. Place the folder in the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the #1 base platform and the #4 embossing plate. Emboss the layer.
Adhere the Cloud Cover striped DSP piece to the Cloud Cover matte.

Adhere the floral piece to the Highland Heather matte.

Pick a sentiment from The Right Words stamp set and pick a suitably sized Spotlight on Nature circle die.

Stamp the sentiment onto a Fresh Freesia scrap
and die cut with the Spotlight on Nature die using the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the #1 base, #2 thin die adaptor plate and 2 cutting plates #3’s.

Using the Highland Heather ink and a blending brush color the edges with the ink.

Adhere the Basic White layer to the card base leaving even borders.

Adhere the Cloud Cover DSP piece vertically to the left side of the White embossed layer leaving an even border on the left-hand side.

I adhered the floral DSP layer perpendicular to the Cloud Cover piece positioning it higher on the card so that I could adhere the sentiment piece below and at their junction of the the pieces forming a triangular shape which is appealing to the eye!
Pop up the sentiment piece onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and place in the junction of the two DSP pieces.
I added three Purple Fine Shimmer Gems to finish off the card.

Sketches are a simple way to find your card or project inspiration – try picking out a card sketch today and design a card or scrapbook page from the sketch design! Go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
The Right Words Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 165316 ]
[165316]
$26.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Cloud Cover 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165621 ]
[165621]
$14.00
Fresh Freesia 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 155613 ]
[155613]
$14.00
Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146986 ]
[146986]
$14.00
Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147103 ]
[147103]
$9.00
Florals In Bloom 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper & Sticker Sheet (English) [ 166643 ]
[166643]
$17.00
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
Exposed Brick 3 D Embossing Folder [ 161600 ]
[161600]
$11.00
Spotlight On Nature Dies [ 163580 ]
[163580]
$35.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems [ 162611 ]
[162611]
$8.00
sunrise sailing mask card

sunrise sailing mask card

by | Jun 4, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masks, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

We are busy! So please forgive the lateness of this post, I was building some IKEA furniture for my new studio late into the night and this morning and totally forgot to post this!

For those of you that do not know me well., I moved a a small lake town in Pennsylvania three years ago and we gutted a lake front property and designed and build our forever home. We had plans to do it in phases and we finally are almost done with the second phase!
We added on some space to the back of the house to include my dream stamping studio – and we are probably a month out from moving day! I am super excited and will share the project at it’s completion sometime in June/July!

Today’s card is a fun masking technique that I have done before taking a negative space from a die cut and creating a mask from it.

Measurements:
BASE: Cloud Cover CS: 5 1/2″ x 11″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for additional masking at least 4 1/2″
wide
Secret Sea CS: scraps for the boat dies

Cut a large circle die – I used my favorite die set the Stylish Shapes dies and cut a circle in the top center of a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Basic White cardstock.
Place over the 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece.
Using Blending brushes and 3 inks: I used Strawberry Slush, Flirty Flamingo and Gorgeous Grape, blend through the mask creating a sunset circle.
Die cut the larger boat from the Sunrise Sailing die set in Secret Sea CS.
Place the boat where you will be adhering it on the card and stamp the water ripple image in Azure Afternoon ink below the boat.
Using a scrap piece of cardstock that is wider than the Basic White layer, plav=ce it across the paper directly above the ripple stamped image.

Blend with Azure Afternoon ink below the scrap mask or use masking paper!

Adhere the boat to the card above the ripple image.
Stamp the bird images around the sunset in Azure Afternoon ink.
Stamp congratulations from the Sunrise Sailing stamp set on the top of the card layer in Azure Afternoon ink.
Adhere the Basic White layer to the Cloud Cover card base.
Stamp a sentiment on the inside of the card!
Add Basic Rhinestones around the sentiment for the final sparkly touch and you are complete!

Try this simple masking technique today and see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Sunrise Sailing Bundle (English) [ 165497 ]
[165497]
$50.25
Sunrise Sailing Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165491 ]
[165491]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Cloud Cover 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165621 ]
[165621]
$14.00
Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad [ 161663 ]
[161663]
$9.00
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147052 ]
[147052]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147099 ]
[147099]
$9.00
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165286 ]
[165286]
$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]
$140.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Sunrise Sailing Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 165496 ]
[165496]
$36.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [ 144220 ]
[144220]
$6.00
gallery blooms card sketch #101 layout

gallery blooms card sketch #101 layout

by | May 14, 2025 | card samples, card sketches, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors, my favorites, new catalog, techniques

Today’s blog post is the first in a series of cards using a card sketch. Card Sketches are a great starting point for creativity.

Sketch #101 starts with a base card with several layers including a natural element.

Measurements:
BASE: Secret Sea CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Cloud Cover CS: 2″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 3″ x 4 1/2″ and 4″ x 5 1/4″

The trio of flowers image from the Gallery Blooms bundle has a long stem and I have a tip for proper placement for the coordinating die.

Gallery Blooms stamp set is a photopolymer stamp set and they can be repositioned so the stem might not be in the current position to be die cut. I die cut a scrap piece of Basic White cardstock with the trio floral stamp image. I put this die cut paper over the photopolymer stamp and adjusted the stem inside the die paper.

Take this positioned stamp image and ink it up in the Secret Sea ink and stamp on a scrap piece of Basic White CS.
Using a Blender Pen – which is a brush tip pen that contains clear ink – this clear ink can “re-wet” the Secret Sea ink of the trio flower image.
Draw the Blender Pen over the outlines of the flowers and spread the ink from the edges into the center.
Stamp the background stamp from Beautiful Motifs stamp set all across the front of the card base. Stamp in Secret Sea ink.
Color the edges of the card front in Secret Sea ink.
Emboss a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Cloud Cover CS piece with the Mini 3D embossing folder.
Cut the layer in half to 2″ x 5 1/4″.

Die cut the trio flower image with the coordinating die from the Gallery Blooms Bundle.

Adhere the embossed layer to the left hand side of the card base, mimicking the layer on the card sketch.
In card sketches, use your creative eye and know that you do not need to copy the sketch literally! For the circle in the sketch I added a rectangular layer instead of a circular image!

I die cut from the Textured Noted set of dies and stamped a sentiment from the Beautiful Motifs stamp set in the bottom right-hand corner.

I die cut the trio flower image from the Gallery Blooms stamp set and popped it up on the Textured Notes rectangular die cut.
This stamped image is the Natural element in the sketch – this element could be anything so use your imagination!
Adhere the rectangular die layer to the center and right of the embossed layer.
Stamp the flower tops on the bottom of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer Basic White CS and adhere it to the inside of the card.
I added three Secret Sea 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls to the card around the floral image and this is my take on Card Sketch #101.

Let me know what you come up with! Now grab some items from your personal stash and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Gallery Blooms Bundle [ 165213 ]
[165213]
$53.00
Gallery Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 165211 ]
[165211]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[166780]
$14.00
Cloud Cover 8 1/2
[165621]
$14.00
Secret Sea 8 1/2
[165624]
$14.00
Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165285 ]
[165285]
$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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Gallery Blooms Dies [ 165212 ]
[165212]
$40.00
Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder [ 165559 ]
[165559]
$11.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls [ 165192 ]
[165192]
$8.50