more color mondays – crumb cake, balmy blue and summer splash sneak peak

more color mondays – crumb cake, balmy blue and summer splash sneak peak

by | Feb 9, 2026 | card samples, card swap, die cutting, fun fold, In Colors, masculine cards, my favorites, online exclusives, stampin' tools, techniques

When I saw this stamp set in the Online Exclusives pre-order release I knew I would love it – I am a water baby and love the waves and the lake that I live on! So this set was perfect. These are coming in the new Online Exclusive product release in March – so this is a sneak peak!

This card is a center flap fun fold and so super easy but I LOVE the effect!

Measurements:
BASE: Crumb Cake CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″ scored at
5 1/2″ and cut from the score line down the
front from 1″ from either side.
Balmy Blue CS: 2 1/4″ x 4 1/2″
Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ length scraps for die cuts
2″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for the umbrella die cuts
DSP: 1 1/2″ wide scraps for beach towel

I stamped the water image on the Balmy Blue CS layer by stamping off first on my grid paper and then multiple times on the Balmy Blue to add motion and texture.

I used Balmy Blue ink and a blending brush on a scrap of 4 1/4″ wide Basic White CS.
I layered Summer Splash ink over the Balmy Blue blended area to add layers of color to the wave die.
I die cut the foam die out of Basic White CS and the wave area out of the blended Basic White colored cardstock.
I adhered the White foam to the blended area.
I adhered those wave pieces to the Balmy Blue stamped layer.
I cut the Crumb Cake base at 1″ from each side of the front of the card of the 4 1/4″ x 11″ cardstock base from the score line at the top of the card to the opening on the front section only.

I cut the wave layers to 4 1/4″ inches wide and then at 1″ from each side to create three piece.

I stamped the sand image on the three front panels of the card front in Crumb Cake ink just above where the waves will be adhered.
I adhered the three wave layers to the bottom of the card front panels.
I adhered the two side panels down to the back panel of the card.
I stamped the starfish on each corner in Crumb Cake ink and Happy Birthday sentiment in the middle in Summer Splash ink and adhered it to the middle in between the two wave panels.
I cut a 1 1/2″ piece from the Splash of Sparkles DSP and cut fringe on it end for the beach towel and saved a thin strip for the front sentiment.

I die cut the umbrella solid image in Basic White CS and the striped umbrella in Summer Splash and Basic White and alternately adhered the bands to the solid umbrella.

I adhered both to the middle front panel hanging off both sides being careful to only glue the center portions.

I stamped the sentiment on a thin strip of DSP and added it to the front.

I popped up the umbrella on Stampin’ Dimensionals on the left side only and therefore popped up the sentiment on the left side and glued it directly to the umbrella on the right side to make up the height differential.

Using the Stampin’ Blends alcohol marker Summer Splash Dark I colored five Iridescent Pearl embellishments for the card.
I adhered the pearls to the card front.
I adhered two clusters on the outside panels so you can see the pearls when the card is open and closed!
I love this simple fun fold and I LOVE this new stamp set.

Try this new stamp set when available or play with the ones you already own and create something today to warm up your day – one stamp at a time!

These stamps and dies will be released in the new Online exclusives release in March they are currently only available to demonstrators and in the starter kit so they will not be listed in the photo links below!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146982 ]
[146982]
$14.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 120953 ]
[120953]
$14.00
Splash Of Sparkles 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [ 167200 ]
[167200]
$16.50
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147105 ]
[147105]
$9.00
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147116 ]
[147116]
$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
Summer Splash Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 163826 ]
[163826]
$11.00
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels [ 158987 ]
[158987]
$7.50
sneak peak – nature walk suite card

sneak peak – nature walk suite card

by | Dec 24, 2025 | card samples, color theory, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, my favorites, sneak peak, techniques

Today’s blog post is a gorgeous monochromatic SNEAK PEAK card from the Nature Walk Suite Collection of products and I didn’t even use half of the cool things in this Suite! This is a beautiful suite for Nature’s lovers and a great set for making masculine cards with ease!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Pretty Peacock CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″, 3 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
for the leaf die
Vellum CS: 2″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for circle die
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″ 1 1/2″ x 4″

Using a Basic White BASE eliminates the need for an extra Basic White layer on the inside with darker colored cardstock colors.

I adhered the 4″ x 5 1/4″ DSP to the Pretty Peacock layer.

There is a very cool cross hatch patterned die in the Nature’s Symphony die set that cuts a pattern into the cardstock without totally cutting it off the cardstock layer. I die cut this patter into opposite corners of the 2″ x 51/4″ piece of vellum cardstock.

I adhered the 1 1/2″ piece of DSP to the front of the vellum and then I could add adhesive under the DSP to attach both pieces.

Attaching Vellum can be tricky because it is translucent. Because you can partially see through the material that means you usually can see the mode of adhesion too!

TIP: There are several ways around this!

1. Hiding the adhesive under non translucent paper attached to the vellum as I did in this example!
2. Hiding glue dots under wisely placed embellishments!
3. Adding Multipurpose liquid glue with a sponge or Q-tip to the entire back of the vellum
4. If you emboss vellum it creates a pattern and makes the vellum white and a little less translucent making it easier to hide adhesive as you will see I did to attach the sentiment piece!

Using a scrap of vellum stamp the sentiment from the Nature’s Symphony stamp set in Pretty Peacock ink.
I die cut the leaf die from the Nature’s Symphony die set in Pretty Peacock cardstock and mounted it with glue to the right-hand side of the card.

I die cut a circle around the sentiment from the Spotlight on Nature dies and using a silicone mat I squeezed a dollop of Multipurpose Liquid Glue onto the silicone matte and applied glue around the embossed edges of the circle die where it is less likely to show and attached the die to the center of the card above the leaf die and DSP layer.

I used the Balmy Blue gingham ribbon – did you know you can take any light colored ribbon and color it with darker Stampin’ Blends?
I love this technique! You can color coordinate ribbon to any project with the coordinating Stampin’ Blend!
Place Tear-n-Tape on the lower back edges of the Pretty Peacock and wrap the colored ribbon around the front of the layer attaching it on the tape on the back of the Pretty Peacock layer.

Then glue the layer onto the card front.

Using the Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends, color the Iridescent Pearls for a coordinated embellishment look!
I added five colored pearls to the card.

I added one larger and one small on either side of the sentiment piece and then added the last small one to the dot on the “i” in “smile”.

On this version I added the fifth pearl to the right of the sentiment end.

Which do you like better?

Try adding vellum to your cards for an elevated and elegant look – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

REMINDER: the SNEAK PEAK items in the Nature Walk Suite Collection and the Balmy Blue Gingham ribbon are only available to demonstrators and in starter kits until January 6th so there will not be photo links below until they are released.

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 150880 ]
[150880]
$14.00
Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [ 167099 ]
[167099]
$10.00
Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [ 150083 ]
[150083]
$9.00
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
Pretty Peacock Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154895 ]
[154895]
$9.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels [ 158987 ]
[158987]
$7.50
fold over card – card sketch #112

fold over card – card sketch #112

by | Sep 19, 2025 | card samples, card sketches, techniques

This simple card features a fold down technique that is made extra easy and special with our two-tone cardstock! This cardstock is now available in all of the Stampin’ Up! Exclusive colors and is printed with a true color on one side and a lighter version on the other – because it is printed and not dyed the entire way through like our signature cardstock – it has a white core that can be used in many unique ways.

I am using the two tones and white core to my advantage with this card design today!

Measurements:
BASE” Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, scrap for sentiment die
Real Red Two-tone cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″

Cut the two-tone cardstock to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and then score from the top left corner to about 2″ down on the opposite side of the layer.

I embossed the Real Red Two-tone cardstock in the Dotted Circles 3D embossing folder and because it is 3D it breaks the paper fibers and reveals the white core of the cardstock in the process.

Fold at the score line.
Adhere the flap down onto the layer revealing the lighter side of the two-tone cardstock.
Stamp the flowers from the Gallery Blooms stamp set in the right-hand corner of the card base in real Red ink.

Adhere the embossed two-tone cardstock layer to the card base.

Without re-inking stamp the flower stamp from the Gallery Blooms stamp set on the smaller Stylish Shapes circle die. This is called second generation stamping or stamping off which creates a lighter version of the ink color.

Stamp the You’re so kind sentiment from The Right Words stamp set in full Real Red ink over the faded floral image on the sentiment die.

Pop the sentiment circle on Stampin’ Dimensionals and place over the folded turned down point of the embossed layer.

I colored one of the Iridescent Pearls with Real Red Stampin’ Blends Dark marker and placed it on the sentiment circle die. I added two more Iridescent Pearls not colored on the folded down section of the card to finish this easy card off with a little elegance!

Try this easy card design and go 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" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Real Red 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Two Tone Cardstock [ 166696 ]
[166696]
$10.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147084 ]
[147084]
$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
Dotted Circles 3 D Embossing Folder [ 163789 ]
[163789]
$12.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels [ 158987 ]
[158987]
$7.50
experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

by | Apr 18, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masculine cards, stamps ink paper, techniques

The other day I was playing around with the Painted Stripes background stamp. I wanted to experiment with water and ink and see what the difference would be between applying ink directly to the stamp and spritzing with water or applying the ink directly to the glass mat studio and spraying it down and then dipping the stamp into the inky water?

I got a bunch of 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White sheets and started to play with the ink and water!
First I applied Pool Party onto the Glass Matt and then applied Pretty Peacock ink directly above the Pool Party ink. I sprayed water from a Stampin’ Spritzer until the colors were fluid and started to blend in the middle.

I placed the Painted Stripes background stamp into the inky water and then placed it onto the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and held it in place while the ink and water soaked into the card stock.
Next I placed the Pool Party ink pad over the cleaned Painted Stripes stamp set and inked about half of the stripes.
Then I inked the top half of the Painted Stripes stamp set with the Pretty Peacock ink pad.
I sprayed water from a spray bottle or Stampin’ Spritzer over the entire surface of the Painted Stripes stamp.
I placed a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White Cardstock layer over the Painted Stripes stamp that is on the table facing upwards (this way the water does not run but stays in place) and rub the back side of the cardstock holding the paper in place so it does not shift.
I resprayed the stamp surface and placed a second piece of cardstock over the surface this will produce a lighter softer version of the first but still pretty as there is enough ink to do this at least twice!

Allow to dry before using.

I found that the first version turned out lighter than the full strength second version! But the second spraying of the second ink direct to stamp version looked a lot like the first ink on glass version without a lot less mess!
Answer achieved! I liked the second version better but the first one was messy fun!

I cut a few dies from the Textured Notes die set from the prepared watercolor sheets. This die set is a series of concentric rectangles with all different types of embossed edging – so very cool – perfect for cards as well as scrapbooking!
I cut a 4 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Basic White cardstock and scored it at 5 1/2″.
I stamped the smaller leaved foliage in Pool Party ink on opposite diagonal ends of the card base and flicked some inked water from a Water Painter over the card base surface.

I stamped the larger leaved foliage on the larger Basic White die in Pretty Peacock ink.

I cut a smaller die with the stripes in the opposite direction from one of the watercolored layers. I stamped the sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink and die cut one die up in Pool Party card stock. I popped the sentiment piece up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the Pool Party die and added it to the middle of the card above the other stamped die piece.
I colored some Iridescent Pearls with the Dark Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends marker.
I added the pearls to the card front.
I added some more splatters with a Water Painter and the left over inky water on the glass matte surface.
I thought the card needed a little more color and a die cut one up from the larger Basic White die on the card as it was blending into the card and you could not see the lovely Textured Notes die edging – so I cut the larger die in Pretty Peacock card stock and mounted it under the original rectangle.
This made the first die cut pop and looks so much better I think.

I keep the card in the order I designed it to show you all sometimes you go back at the end and add one thing to make the card even better! Do not hesitate to add and play if you feel the card is missing something – usually your gut is right!

Hope you get a chance to have a play with stamps, ink and paper this week! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Painted Stripes Cling Stamp Set [ 165437 ]
[165437]
$20.00
Textured Notes Bundle (English) [ 165556 ]
[165556]
$48.50
Textured Notes Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 165548 ]
[165548]
$23.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122924 ]
[122924]
$11.50
Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 150880 ]
[150880]
$11.50
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147107 ]
[147107]
$9.00
Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [ 150083 ]
[150083]
$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
Water Painters [ 151298 ]
[151298]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 161676 ]
[161676]
$11.00
Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels [ 158987 ]
[158987]
$7.50
seaside wishes z with a side fold fun fold

seaside wishes z with a side fold fun fold

by | Apr 2, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, fun fold, techniques

This is a fun fold I designed it is a z fold with a side flap. I added an extra piece on the z fold and extended over the side flap with lots of fun Seaside Wishes die cuts!

Measurements:
BASE: Crumb Cake 5 1/2″ x 10 3/8″
scored at 2″, 4″ and 8 1/4″
scraps for die cutting and stamping
1/2″ x 4 1/2″ strip
Basic Beige CS: 2 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
4″ x 5 1/4″ for inside middle layer
scraps for stamping, embossing and die cutting
Flirty Flamingo CS: 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ strip and scraps
for die cutting

Stamp the inside sentiment and starfish images on the Basic Beige 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer and adhere to the inside middle panel.
Score the base cardstock at 2″, 4″ and 8 1/4″.
Fold the 2″ score line in a mountain fold, score the 4″ and 8 1/4″ score lines into a valley fold.
Emboss the 2 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ Basic Beige layer in the Seaside Wishes hybrid embossing layer and placing tape on the outside of the first panel adhere so the Basic Beige panel is about 1/4″ from the edge and hanging over the right hand side of the first panel.
Emboss and die cut a few of the sand dollars from the Hybrid embossing folder in the Basic Beige CS and adhere to the outside middle of the right hand panel.
Die cut a few small starfish stamped in Pecan Pie ink on Crumb Cake CS and plain and use two on this panel as well.
Die cut a bunch of the Seaside Wishes images and dies in all three cardstock colors and arrange them on the left-hand outside panel extending over towards but not exceeding the right-hand edge of the card.
Stamp the outside sentiment in Pecan Pie ink on the Flirty Flamingo strip and adhere it over the Crumb Cake strip. Pop up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and place in the middle of the left-hand panel.

Color Pearl Basic Jewels with the Dark Flirty Flamingo Stampin’ Blends and adhere to the card as a final coordinating detail!

Unfolded this card will stand on it’s own and with all of the die cut decor it will display beautifully!

Try this extra flap z-fold card soon with your supplies and show me how it turns out!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Seaside Wishes Bundle (English)
[163498]
$47.50
Seaside Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[163494]
$20.00
Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[164511]
$11.50
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[120953]
$11.50
Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[141416]
$11.50
Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
[161665]
$9.00
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 Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Seaside Wishes Hybrid Embossing Folder
[163497]
$33.00
Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154884]
$11.00
Pearl Basic Jewels
[144219]
$6.00