splash and relax water card

splash and relax water card

by | Jul 24, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, masks, techniques

Today’s blog post is a super simple card using the Water and Dotted Lines 12″ x 12″ Decorative Masks and the Splash and Relax bundle!

Measurement: Pool Party CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Coastal Cabana CS: scrap pieces for dies
Gorgeous Grape CS: scraps for dies
Basic White CS: scrap for circle die

Place the Water Decorative Mask over the entire surface of the Coastal Cabana card front.

Hold down with your fingers over tape to your grid paper.

Using a blending brush and Pool Party ink blend ink in a circular motion over the water mask until desired color depth is achieved.

Die cut the flip flop bases in Coastal Cabana CS and Gorgeous Grape CS. Die cut the flip flop straps in each color also. Die cut the drinking cup in Coastal Cabana CS and the cap in Gorgeous Grape CS.
Die cut the large circle from the Spotlight on Nature dies set in Coastal Cabana CS and the next size smaller in Basic White.
Glue the die cut pieces together.

Stamp the Hello Sunshine sentiment in Coastal Cabana ink from the Splash and Relax stamp set on the Basic White circle die from the Spotlight on Nature die set.

Adhere the Basic White circle to the Coastal Cabana circle.

Pop up the sentiment circles to the upper center of the card base. Star to adhere the flip flops and cup to the card below the circles.

Finish adhering the coordinating die cuts to the card front.
Place some coordinating Sunset Sparkle Sequins around the card to give it some Summer Sparkle and this card is complete!

Try these masks to make a great fun water background soon! Now it’s your turn to create a fun background – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Splash & Relax Bundle [ 167903 ]
[167903]
$44.00
Splash & Relax Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167901 ]
[167901]
$21.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 131297 ]
[131297]
$14.00
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146987 ]
[146987]
$14.00
Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122924 ]
[122924]
$14.00
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147107 ]
[147107]
$9.00
Water & Dotted Lines 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Decorative Masks [ 167760 ]
[167760]
$21.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$9.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$13.00
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Splash & Relax Dies [ 167902 ]
[167902]
$28.00
Spotlight On Nature Dies [ 163580 ]
[163580]
$35.00
Sunset Sparkle Sequins [ 167785 ]
[167785]
$8.50
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
pressed flowers color mask card

pressed flowers color mask card

by | Jul 30, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors, masks, online exclusives, techniques

Sometimes you just need a pretty and simple birthday card and the summer is prime birthday season for my BIG family – so I need lots of cards! This card fits the bill all around – fast and easy but stunning in it’s simplicity!

Welcome to the new Pressed Flowers embossing folder (#165614) is part of the new Online Exclusives Floral Impressions Suite. It is a regular embossing folder and so sweet and simple.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 4 1/4″ x 51/2″ piece,
4″ x 5 1/4″ and 2 scraps for die cuts

That’s it! I told you this one was simple!

Take the Basic White layer and run it through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the base plate #1 and sandwich the folder between two cutting plates #3’s and run through!

Take a Basic White scrap and cut one small butterfly die from the Beautiful Butterflies die set and the long thin banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set.

Color the butterfly using Petunia Pop ink and a blending brush.

Take the 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ quarter sheet of cardstock and die cut the fourth from the smallest rectangular die from the Textured Notes die set (save the die for another use).
We will be using the negative space created by the die cut.

Place the negative die cut directly on the embossed layer and color with a blending brush and Coastal Cabana ink on the top right hand corner inside the negative space.

Color the lower half diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom two corners with Petunia Pop ink and a blending brush slightly overlapping the Petunia Pop over the previously colored Coastal Cabana.
Remove the negative die space mask from the embossed layer.
Tie and knot a length of Petunia Pop ribbon around the embossed layer.
Adhere the ribbon embossed layer onto the card front with even borders.
Pop up the small butterfly die onto the upper right edge of the colored area.
Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment image in Petunia Pop ink onto the Stylish Shapes banner die.

Lightly color the banner with the Petunia Pop blending brush without re-inking it so you get a subtler color on the sentiment piece.

Pop up on Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and place on the lower portion of the card slightly above the ribbon.

Place three coordinating 2024-2026 In Color Flat Pearls to the card to finish this easy birthday card! Now time to mail it off!

It’s your turn to make a cute and easy birthday card – try your hand at this negative space masking technique with things you have in your stash! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English) [ 164615 ]
[164615]
$59.25
Beautiful Butterflies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 164608 ]
[164608]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147097 ]
[147097]
$9.00
Petunia Pop Classic Stampin Pad [ 163811 ]
[163811]
$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
Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 164614 ]
[164614]
$42.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
Petunia Pop 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Iridescent Ribbon [ 166203 ]
[166203]
$9.50
more color mondays – azure afternoon, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape

more color mondays – azure afternoon, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape

by | Jul 7, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, color theory, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, fun fold, masculine cards, more color mondays, my favorites, online exclusives, techniques

Sometimes with a special birthday you just need to go the extra mile and create a really special card – today son #2 turns 30 (first of all how can I have two children over 30 – CRAZY!!)

I still am designing cards from the color coach this is an analogous color combination – meaning these three colors are adjacent to one another on the color wheel and work well together.

I am so in love with this card – I saw a similar card from a demonstrator in Australia so I copied the design with different colors and modified a few other things but a special thank you to Julianne R for the inspiration!

Measurements:
BASE 1: Azure Afternoon 5 1/2″ x 11” (14cm x 28cm) scored at 2-¾” & 5-½” (7cm & 14cm) along long edge
BASE 2: Azure Afternoon 2” x 11” (5.1cm x 28cm) scored at 2-¾” & 5-½” (7cm & 14cm) along long edge
Bracket: 1-¾” x 3-3/4 “ (4.4cm x 9.5cm) scored at ½” (1.3cm) in from both ends
DSP Layer: 5-1/8” (13cm) square
DSP Layers: 2-3/8” x 5-1/8” (6cm x 13cm) (cut 2)
Azure Afternoon Base 2 bottom layers:
1-⅝ x 5-⅛” (4.1cm x 13cm) AND 1-⅝ x 2-3/8”
(4.1cm x 6cm) (cut 2)
Basic White CS:
Base 2 Layers: 1-3/4” x 2-1/2” (4.4cm x 6.4cm) (cut 2)
Base 2 Layer: 1-¾” x 5-¼” (4.4cm x 13.3cm)
DSP Matte layers:
2-1/2” x 5-¼” (6.4cm x 13.3cm) (cut 2)
5-1/4” (13.3cm) square
scraps for stamping and die cutting 3 boats

This is a bunch of cutting but it is a WOW Card for sure!

Score the 5 1/2″ x 11″ BASE 1 at 2 3/4″ and 5 1/2″.

Fold into a Z fold.

Adhere the 5 1/8″ DSP square layer onto the 5 1/4″ Basic White square layer and then adhere these to the third panel which will be the back inside panel.

Cut another DSP sheet to 5 1/8″ long and then cut two consecutive 2 3/8″ cuts so the images match together when adhered.

Adhere the DSP pieces to the 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ layers of Basic white CS. Adhere these pieces to the first and second panel in order so that the images flow into one another.

Take BASE 2 and fold it in half – run it through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the wave edgelit from the Sunrise Sailing die set. The edgelit will cut through both layers at once.
Cut the Basic White layers and the Azure Afternoon layers with the different edgelits.

I used the same edgelit on all Azure Afternoon pieces as the BASE 2 and the different edgelit for the Basic White CS pieces.

Take the three Azure Afternoon layers and emboss them in the bottom part of the Sunrise Sailing hybrid embossing folder.
Position the long side of BASE 2 on the left.

Adhere the Basic White pieces onto BASE 2 leaving an even top border showing.

Adhere the embossed Azure Afternoon pieces over the Basic White layers leaving an even top border showing.
Fold the BASE 2 z fold and lay the long side of the BASE 2 onto the first panel of BASE 1.

Adhere only the portion of BASE 2 that touches the first panel.

Adhere the back of the third panel of BASE 2 and close the card making sure that the card is laying flat and adhere the BASE 2 Z fold to the BASE 1 Z fold.

Place Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue onto both small scored edges of the bracket.

Place in between the small box created by the joining of BASE 1 and BASE 2.

Place it towards the top of the BASE 2 edge just below the edge so you cannot see it but when the boat is attached it is high enough to be seen.

Stamp three boats from the Sunrise Sailing stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

Stamp each boat with the boat fill in stamp and sail stripes in the analogous colors for this color challenge: Azure Afternoon, Coastal Cabana and Gorgeous Grape inks.

Die cut the boats out.

Run the boats through the embossing folder to give them a little embossed definition.
I used the Take Your Pick Tool attachment cutting knife to cut out the center piece between the two sails.
Take the first boat and adhere Stampin’ Dimensionals to the left-hand side of the boat and stick onto the first panel edge at the water-wave line.
Adhere the second boat onto the bracket so that the boat sticks up and looks like it is floating on the waves.
Adhere the last boat onto the last DSP panel at the water-wave line.
I added the Holographic Resin Dots from the Celebratory Sips Suite of Online Exclusive products for some fun clear shimmery embellishments like reflections on the water!

I stamped “You’re Destined for Great Things” on the first panel in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and Happy Birthday from a retired set for the inside panel.

This advanced stamping project is so worth the extra time for a special WOW card for a special someone!

Happy Birthday to my baby boy #2 you deserve all the world can give – hope you like the card because I loved making it for you!

Try making a special project for someone special to you today! Now go create something spectacular – 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
Azure Afternoon 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 161719 ]
[161719]
$14.00
Everyday Skies 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 164622 ]
[164622]
$12.50
Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad [ 161663 ]
[161663]
$9.00
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147097 ]
[147097]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147099 ]
[147099]
$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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$140.00
Sunrise Sailing Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 165496 ]
[165496]
$36.00
Holographic Resin Dots [ 165598 ]
[165598]
$8.00
Color Coach™ (English) [ 166481 ]
[166481]
$12.50
more color mondays – daffodil delight, coastal cabana and melon mambo

more color mondays – daffodil delight, coastal cabana and melon mambo

by | Jun 23, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, color theory, die cutting, embossing folders, more color mondays, new catalog, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

Welcome to More Color Mondays – today’s color challenge uses a triadic color combination from our Color Coach tool. This color wheel is actually two interconnected spinning circles that contain all of Stampin’ Up!’s basic colors on the outer wheel and an inner white circle with cut out sections that reveal different color theory color combinations!
We have four different color theory combinations available on this Color Coach Wheel:
Monochromatic, Analogous, Complementary and Triadic.
Today’s combination of Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana and Melon mambo is a triadic color combination forming a triangular position on the wheel.

Measurements:
Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer
Daffodil Delight CS: strip scrap
Coastal Cabana CS: strip scrap
Melon Mambo CS: strip scrap

Place the large butterfly die from the Beautiful Butterflies bundle and die cut in the center of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer – saving both the negative and positive images.
Place the negative die cut layer and emboss it in the Dotted Circles 3D embossing folder.
On the front of the Basic White card base, brush with Blending Brushes a layer of Daffodil Delight ink on the top about an inch in from the top, then a layer of Coastal Cabana then a layer of Melon Mambo about an inch from the bottom. Place the negative space layer on top of the card base before you start to gauge the area that you will want to color and the areas you want to leave white. We only want to color the area that will be seen through the butterfly opening.
Adhere the embossed negative die layer on the card base leaving an even border around the edges of the card front.
Adhere the butterfly detail die that came from the center of the original layer and adhere with in the borders of the negative die space.
I used strip scraps of Melon mambo and Daffodil delight and adhered these strips below the die.
Stamp a sentiment onto a Coastal Cabana strip and pop up the strip on the card over the bottom of the dies and above the other colored strips.
Adhere some embellishments around the sentiment and this lovely triadic color card is complete!

Our Color Wheel is a MUST HAVE – making color combinations a snap! Try some color combinations from the color wheel on page 136 in the new catalog or better yet order your own color wheel today!

Now go and create some great color combinations for your own artwork – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English) [ 164615 ]
[164615]
$59.25
Beautiful Butterflies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 164608 ]
[164608]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 131297 ]
[131297]
$14.00
Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 119683 ]
[119683]
$14.00
Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 115320 ]
[115320]
$14.00
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147097 ]
[147097]
$9.00
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147094 ]
[147094]
$9.00
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147051 ]
[147051]
$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
Small Blending Brushes [ 160518 ]
[160518]
$14.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$140.00
Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 164614 ]
[164614]
$42.00
Dotted Circles 3 D Embossing Folder [ 163789 ]
[163789]
$12.00