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
friendly seagulls sale-a-bration card

friendly seagulls sale-a-bration card

by | Feb 5, 2025 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, embossing folders, masculine cards, Sale-a-bration, stamps ink paper

We are Sale-a-bration simply stamping today folks easy and fun card using the Level One Sale-a-bration Rewards stamp set Friendly Seagulls. this fun and whimsical stamp set is perfect for a lake girl like me with loads of seagulls flying around here! This set has three gull images, four words and phrases images and five smaller images o f fish, shells, sand or pebbles, french fries and a flock of birds flying.

Measurements:
BASE: Crumb Cake CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ inside
2 1/4″ x 5 1/4″
Misty Moonlight CS: 2 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
Forever Plaid DSP: 3/8″ x 5 1/2″

Emboss the front section of the base Crumb Cake card with the Soft Waves 3D embossing folder.
Adhere the Misty Moponlight CS layer to the top of the card base leaving about 1/2″ space from the fold.
I stamped the three seagull images across the 2 1/4″ Basic White layer in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and added the “I love you MORE than” sentiment above the seagulls on the left-hand side.
I started to color the wings in Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends markers.
Adhere the seagull layer to the Misty Moonlight layer on the card front.
Adhere the DSP strip below the Misty Moonlight layer as an accent piece.
I decided I wanted more color deviation in the wing stripes so I added a Basic Black strip in the middle of the wing next to the Smoky Slate colored edge of the wing.
I stamped the words French Fries in the center of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ inside layer in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and added the sleeve of fries image to the left-hand side and colored with Real Red and Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends.
I adhered the layer on the inside of the card.
I added Daffodil Delight on the webbed feet and the beaks of the seagulls to finish coloring the birds.
Although I have a love-hate relationships with our lake birds (I love to watch them fly around and above the water I just hate the messes they tend to leave behind on the ground LOL)
I do think this stamp set is so much fun!

Have you gathered your list to order so you can earn some FREE goodies of your own? The current hostess code for February is UD4FJSJK
We are in the last month of Sale-a-bration so if you want to earn any of these products get your list ordered!
Now go out and create some artwork of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Friendly Seagulls Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[164961]
$17.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$13.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2
[120953]
$11.50
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2
[153081]
$11.50
Timeless Plaid 6
[164678]
$12.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
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
Soft Waves 3 D Embossing Folder
[164695]
$11.00
Basic Black Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154843]
$11.00
Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154882]
$11.00
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154883]
$11.00
Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack
[161674]
$11.00
Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154899]
$11.00
Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154904]
$11.00
Ombre Matte Decorative Dots
[161448]
$8.00
off to “onstage” houston

off to “onstage” houston

by | Mar 15, 2024 | card samples, card swap, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

I left yesterday and my husband is cooking which means that he and my children will be eating out until I get home on Sunday LOL! They are excited and so am I – I rarely go away by myself in fact the last time I went to a Stampin’ Up! event it was convention 20 years ago I had only been a demonstrator for two years! I celebrated my 40th birthday in Las Vegas with my Stampin’ Up! family and it was a blast. We have not had large gatherings during Covid so I am so happy that the world is returning to normal and we can go back to doing large events like this one.
OnStage is in Houston in the United States as well as Rotterdam, Netherlands and Melbourne Australia! I am going to be with a good friend of mine and hopefully meet lots of fun people and learn a bunch of new things!
One of the many fun things we get to do besides meet people from all over the United States that love this hobby and business as much as I do is get to swap cards and ideas!
This is the swap card I made for OnStage.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
second layer 3 3/4″ x 5″
scrap for the Magnolia die
Granny Apple Green: 4″ x 5 1/4″

Adhere the Granny Apple Green layer to the card base.
Stamp the sentiment in Granny Apple Green ink in the upper right hand corner of the second Basic White layer and then stamp the Magnolia pods in the upper left corner and the lower right corner. Then adhere the Basic White layer to the Granny Apple Green layer.
I flipped the Silicone matte that comes with the Glass Matte Studio over to the smooth side and placed a drop of Granny Apple Green ink refill on the upper right side and added water from a Water Painter. I used the medium Water Painter and painted the leaves of the Magnolia die cut.
I used the Light Bubble Bath Stampin’ Blends marker and colored the folds of the Magnolia petals.
Using the Dark Mambo Melon I created highlight lines over the Light Bubble Bath.
I then blended the Light and Dark with the Dark Bubble Bath Stampin’ Blends marker.
I adhered the Magnolia die to the card and realized that I forgot to color in the flower center with Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends marker, so I added that in the second photo! OOPS!
I added five 2022-2024 In Color Pearls in the green Parakeet Party these will be retiring and I am so sad about these embellishments especially because of the iridescence they match so many of our colors not just the In Colors themselves. The Parakeet Party pearls look great on this card and match the Granny Apple Green very well.
I ended up making a lot of these to swap and i added our Basic Rhinestone Jewels to most as I did not have enough of the In Color Pearls so this is the actual swap card!
Cannot wait to tell you all the fun things I learn this weekend! Hope to see you all very soon at an upcoming class or my next Open House!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Magnolia Mood Bundle (English)
[163507]
$54.75
Magnolia Mood Cling Stamp Set (English)
[163502]
$27.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$10.50
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2
[146990]
$10.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad
[147095]
$9.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$26.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$7.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$12.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive
[138995]
$7.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
[110755]
$5.50
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$11.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$128.00
Magnolia Mood Dies
[163506]
$34.00
Granny Apple Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
[147163]
$5.00
Water Painters
[151298]
$13.00
Bubble Bath Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack
[161675]
$10.00
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154883]
$10.00
Melon Mambo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[153112]
$10.00
2022–2024 In Color Pearls
[161621]
$7.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels
[144220]
$6.00
color blending for dies

color blending for dies

by | Jul 7, 2023 | card samples, stamps ink paper, techniques

Using blending brushes and color blend multiple colors on the 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece and cut two artistic leaf dies for the card front.
Adhere the Basic White layer onto the Smoky Slate card base. Place the leaves dies in alternating positions on the Basic White layer.
On a Smoky Slate torn piece of paper, stamp the Timeless Arrangement sentiment in Old Olive ink and adhere to the lower left corner of the card front.
Place 5 Iridescent rhinestones around the card and this simple way to add color to the card if a fun way to make a card pop!
Try this fun technique soon and go create some art of your own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$10.50
Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[131202]
$10.00
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad
[147097]
$9.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad
[147095]
$9.00
Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad
[161678]
$9.00
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
[147090]
$9.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$26.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$7.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$12.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive
[138995]
$7.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
[110755]
$5.50
Paper Snips
[103579]
$11.00
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$128.00
Artistic Dies
[155371]
$35.00
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$13.00
Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels
[158130]
$7.50
shading with watercolor pencils

shading with watercolor pencils

by | May 25, 2022 | card samples, techniques

Watercolor looks impressive and most people think it is difficult to use – it is actually the exact opposite!

Measurements:

Basic White Cardstock: 4 1/4″ x 11
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic Black Cardstock Layer 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″
Perfectly Penciled DSP 4″ x 5 1/4″
(I cut the 12 x 12 DSP at 4″ and then at 5 1/4″
and at 3/4″ if you cut this twice you will have
DSP for a second card with no DSP waste!)

Using the Watercolor Pencils Assortment #2 I used the two green colored pencils, Granny Apple Green as the base color of the leaf. I then added water to the barrel of the thinnest fine tip Water Painter (these Water Painters (#151298) come in a package of 3 painters: 1 fine tip, 1 medium tip, and 1 large flat brush tip)
Brush the water onto the watercolor pencil color and this water will push and blend the color to the edges of the leaves and even out the color drawn onto the leaf.
Add shading with the darker green, Garden Green and then blend with the Water Painter.
Add colors to the flowers, add water from the fine tip water painter and smooth color to the edges.
Add shading by reapplying the same color in a darker line and then re-blend with water.
Complete the coloring of the images desired and blend.
Mount DSP onto Basic Black layer and mount that onto the Basic White Cardstock base card.
Pop Up and add the sentiment and embellishments and ribbon.
Coloring is relaxing to me if you like to do it too
try this technique of shading with watercolor pencils. At 13 pencils in Assortment #1 for $16 and 10 pencils in Assortment #2 for $12.50, you have colors galore and the opportunities are endlessly beautiful!

Now go and create some art of your own – one stamp, one DSP or one watercolor pencil at a time!

Happy Stampin’ and Watercoloring,

Natalie

Product List
Perfectly Penciled 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
[159244]
$12.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$10.25
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[121045]
$9.25
Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2
[149014]
$12.50
Water Painters
[151298]
$13.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$25.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$7.00
Paper Snips
[103579]
$11.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$12.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Take Your Pick
[144107]
$10.00
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Orchid Oasis 1/8" (3.2 Mm) Woven Metallic Ribbon
[159199]
$9.00
Glossy Dots Assortment
[158827]
$8.00