more color mondays – golden glow, hydrangea hue and crisp cantaloupe

more color mondays – golden glow, hydrangea hue and crisp cantaloupe

by | Jun 8, 2026 | card samples, card sketches, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, In Colors, product reviews, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s color challenge features three of the five NEW 2026-2028 In Color collection – Golden Glow, Hydrangea Hue and Crisp Cantaloupe.

This easy card uses a blended water splatter technique background.

Measurements:
BASE: Hydrangea Hue CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ scrap for banner die
DSP: 3″ x 3″, (2) 2″ x 2″

Take the Basic White layer and a blending brush and color the top third with Golden Glow ink.
Color the middle third with a new blending brush and the Hydrangea Hue ink pad.
Color the bottom third with a new blending brush and the Crisp Cantaloupe ink pad.
Take the large water painter brush and squeeze out a large puddle of water onto the glass matte studio surface – tap the end of the brush to drop water sprinkles over the surface of the blended background layer. The water sprinkled on the surface will lift the ink and create a splattered background technique. This distresses the paper layer in a unique way – different every time you do it!
Adhere the splattered blended layer to the Hydrangea hue card base.
Die cut the banner dies in three sizes with each of the colors – Golden Glow, Hydrangea Hue and Crsip Cantaloupe from the 2026-2028 In Color 12″ x 12″ DSP pack. Pick different patterns in the three different colors and die cut.

Adhere them with the largest banner in the upper center of the card base. Then adhere the two other smaller banners to the left and the right side overlapping and matching up the top edge to be even with the center banner.

Punch out two of the butterfly images from the NEW Floral Flight Accents embellishments and adhere them over the banners.
Die cut the shorter, thicker banner from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamp the “fluttering by to say hi” sentiment from the All Aflutter stamp set in Hydrangea Hue ink. Blend the edges with a blending brush.
Pop up the sentiment piece on Stampin’ Dimensionals and place in the bottom center of the card front.
Add three 2026-2028 In Color Dots around the sentiment to complete this easy and fun card.

Try using this technique to make a background and create some artwork of your very own using this background and the stamps you have at home – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
All Aflutter Bundle (English) [ 167570 ]
[167570]
$41.25
All Aflutter Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167564 ]
[167564]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Hydrangea Hue 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 167687 ]
[167687]
$14.00
2026–2028 In Color™ Painted Patterns 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167755 ]
[167755]
$19.00
Floral Flight Accents [ 167558 ]
[167558]
$6.50
Hydrangea Hue Classic Stampin' Pad [ 167677 ]
[167677]
$14.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[163987]
$60.00
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
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
2026–2028 In Color™ Dots [ 167546 ]
[167546]
$9.00
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
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
more color mondays – highland heather, balmy blue and pool party

more color mondays – highland heather, balmy blue and pool party

by | Oct 13, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, more color mondays, my favorites, online exclusives, techniques

If you have been following me for any length of time you know that I am partial to snowflakes in the winter and butterflies in the summer!

I loved the Snowflake Kisses bundle when it came out with our recent Online Exclusives release this Fall! The beautiful die set paired with the clever sentiments are a must have for anyone like me that loves snowflakes!

Measurements:
BASE: Highland Heather CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″ scraps for snowflake dies
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
Balmy Blue CS: scraps for snowflake dies
Pool Party CS: scraps for snowflake dies

Take one of the Basic White CS layers and using blending brushes and burnish the Highland Heather, Balmy Blue and Pool Party inks into the layer.
Take the other Basic White CS layer and die cut with the large snowflake background die from the Snowflake Kisses bundle.
Adhere the snowflake die background to the Blended Background layer and cut any excess from the edges of the colored layer.
Stamp a sentiment into the circle space in Highland Heather ink.
Die cut one or two snowflakes from each colored cardstock scrap.

Arrange the snowflakes around the snowflake background and adhere once satisfied with the arrangement.

Cut the snowflakes that hang over the edge.

Adhere the layer onto the Highland Heather card base.
I added Basic rhinestone Jewels to the center of each snowflake.
I added two more rhinestones around the snowflake sentiment in the center of the card for emphasis.

Don’t you just love this background effect – it is so easy to achieve with a little colored ink and blending brushes – try your hand at creating a background of your very own and then add some stamping and create some great artwork of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Snowflake Kisses Bundle (English) [ 166023 ]
[166023]
$50.25
Snowflake Kisses Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 166018 ]
[166018]
$18.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146982 ]
[146982]
$14.00
Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146986 ]
[146986]
$14.00
Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122924 ]
[122924]
$14.00
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147105 ]
[147105]
$9.00
Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147103 ]
[147103]
$9.00
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147107 ]
[147107]
$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
Snowflake Kisses Dies [ 166022 ]
[166022]
$38.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [ 144220 ]
[144220]
$6.00
more color mondays – balmy blue, old olive and basic beige

more color mondays – balmy blue, old olive and basic beige

by | Sep 8, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, more color mondays, specialty papers, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s another color challenge to inspire you to more creativity in your card design work!

The palette today is soft and neutral – perfect for a soft, subtle thank you card for someone special. The card features a gorgeous product that was introduced with the new annual catalog and I have totally ignored until now! I purchased it in the pre-order and then got busy with the new stamps and dies and forgot I had it! The Irresistible Designs contains 2 one-sided sheets of 3 different designs of white tone on tone embossed images in a leaf, floral and criss-cross pattern – used as is or colored to create stunning effects – this paper is amazing!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic Beige CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Balmy Blue CS: scrap for die

Using blending brushes in a soft circular motion – starting off the paper – I colored in a diagonal pattern Old Olive ink at the bottom right-hand corner, Basic Beige ink in the middle and Balmy Blue in the top left-hand corner.
Because the specialty paper in embossed the image does not take the ink and pops off the page in a spectacular fashion!
Adhere the specialty paper to the Basic Beige card base and add a small piece of the Basic Beige Classic ribbon folded in a loop to the card.
I stamped the thanks and the leaf image from the Spotlight on Nature stamp set in Old Olive ink on a Balmy Blue die cut from the Spotlight on Nature die set. I popped up the sentiment die on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it over the ribbon loop.
I added three gold flecked embellishments from the Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems – these actually have a section of clear gems as well as the two pink colors and are perfect for this wonderful card!

Have you played with this type of Specialty paper before? It is super fun and produces easy, amazing results – try your hand at it soon!
Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Spotlight On Nature Bundle [ 163581 ]
[163581]
$52.00
Spotlight On Nature Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 163579 ]
[163579]
$23.00
Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146982 ]
[146982]
$14.00
Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 164511 ]
[164511]
$14.00
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147090 ]
[147090]
$9.00
Irresistible Designs 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [ 165305 ]
[165305]
$10.00
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
Spotlight On Nature Dies [ 163580 ]
[163580]
$35.00
Basic Beige 3/8" (1 Cm) Classic Ribbon [ 165216 ]
[165216]
$9.50
Strawberry Slush & Pretty In Pink Gems [ 165615 ]
[165615]
$8.50