creating a blended background - nataliegramleystamps

building a reflection with light and wonder set

by nataliegramleystamps | Oct 24, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, my favorites, new catalog, techniques

Have you ever wondered how to create a water reflection scene on a card? Well today I will describe my process that I used to create these cards for this reflection post!

Measurements:
BASE: Gorgeous Grape CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic Black CS: 2: x 5 1/2″

Die cut the Basic Black layer with the smaller tree die from the Light & Wonder bundle.

Take the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and create a mirror image of the colors you choose for the sunset. I used Gorgeous Grape, Poppy Parade and Pumpkin Pie.

I started with the deepest color (Gorgeous Grape) on top and less on the bottom I used a circular motion for the color on the top but a back and forth motion on the bottom.

I continued with the second deepest color (Poppy Parade) below the Gorgeous Grape and less on the bottom just above the grape – I used a circular motion for the color on the top but a back and forth motion on the bottom.

I colored the middle of the layer with the Pumpkin Pie color and blending brush.

I positioned the die cut and the negative die cut above and below one another to get an idea of the placement.

Using a blending brush and Gray Granite ink I brushed in an upward stroke over the negative die space. Darker on the bottom and lighter as I stroked upward.

I colored over the bottom of the Basic White layer below the tree shadow reflections with a blending brush and Azure Afternoon ink for the water – because there is already color there the blue will color over but not completely mask the color so it looks like the water is reflecting the color in the sky! I placed more blue color closer to the tree line and less at the bottom of the layer.

Using a water painter and a drop of Craft White ink refill I lightly brushed side to side with the brush to streak the water with white lines and then went over the center area with a Wink of Stella glitter pen for a little sparkle!

I stamped the sentiments in Gorgeous Grape ink at the top of the layer.

Adhere the tree die just above the reflection shadow and cut off the overhang.

Adhere the colored layer onto the Gorgeous Grape card base.

I added three of the purple hued Frosted Iridescent Dots from the Lights of Aurora Suite Collection around the sentiment to finish off this stunning card with coordinating sparkle!

The first card that I did with this technique I tried Crushed Curry at the bottom inside of mirroring the colors and it took on a brighter tone like it captured the moments before the sun goes down! Two different looks just by experimenting with the colors used on the background! Try this technique and let me know what you create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Lights Of Aurora Suite Collection (English)

[165768]

$81.25

Light & Wonder Bundle (English)

[165763]

$51.25

Light & Wonder Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[165756]

$19.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$14.00

Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146987]

$14.00

Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161663]

$9.00

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

[147087]

$9.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

[147099]

$9.00

Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad

[147118]

$9.00

Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad

[147050]

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[147086]

$9.00

Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial)

[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]

$15.00

Water Painters

[168253]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Light & Wonder Dies

[165762]

$38.00

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$9.00

Frosted Iridescent Dots

[165766]

$9.00

← new packaging tips and tricks more color mondays - real red, old olive and pool party - swing door fun fold →

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

by nataliegramleystamps | 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]

$50.25

Snowflake Kisses Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[166018]

$18.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146982]

$14.00

Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146986]

$14.00

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[122924]

$14.00

Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad

[147105]

$9.00

Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad

[147103]

$9.00

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

[147107]

$9.00

Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial)

[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]

$15.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Snowflake Kisses Dies

[166022]

$38.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

$6.00

← scrapbooking tips and tricks pleated prism fun fold →

best starter kit deal ever!

by nataliegramleystamps | Oct 1, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masks, online exclusives, techniques

Can you believe it’s October already?

Today starts one of the best starter kit deals ever!
New team members who purchase their starter kit from October 1 to 31 will be able to choose between these two offers:

$125 USD worth of products for just $35 USD
$189 USD worth of products for just $99 USD

…and still free shipping!

Today’s card is a sweet monochromatic Halloween card using the Spooky Halloween bundle.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for die
Basic Black CS: 2 1/4″ x 4 1/4″

Die cut a smaller Stylish Shapes die circle and place a small roll of Scotch tape to the back of the circle in the upper right-hand corner of the Basic White layer.

Color the layer with a blending brush and Secret Sea ink.

Stamp the top portion of the layer with the star image from the Spooky Halloween bundle with Secret Sea ink.
Remove the mask.

Stamp the sentiment onto the left-hand side of the layer.

Adhere the layer to the card base.

Die cut the house and bats on Basic Black CS and stamp the Halloween critter from the Spooky Halloween bundle in Secret Sea ink and die cut.
Adhere them to the card front.

Adhere three black stars from the Shimmer Star Foam stickers onto the card front.

Don’t like Halloween cards – try this technique with the Light & Wonder bundle.

If you are thinking about getting some home supplies to start your paper crafting journey now is the time – this starter kit deal is the best ever! Let me know if you want help ordering some supplies and getting your own starter kit!

Try creating some artwork of your very own one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Spooky Halloween Bundle (English)

[166199]

$45.00

Spooky Halloween Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[166192]

$19.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165624]

$14.00

Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad

[165285]

$9.00

Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial)

[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]

$15.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Spooky Halloween Dies

[166198]

$31.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Shimmer Star Foam Stickers

[166202]

$9.50

← more color mondays - pretty peacock, crumb cake and gorgeous grape direct to paper technique →

boho vibes su creativity challenge

by nataliegramleystamps | Sep 10, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masculine cards, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

Every month, Sara Douglas, Stampin’ Up!’s CEO challenges us with a creativity task – everyone can play along and this month’s challenge uses any of our alphabet sets!

On pages 106-107 in our current 2025-2026 Annual Catalog is a beautiful spread entitled “Customize & Personalize with Dies” and features our three current alphabet sets –

the Mini Alphabet Dies #162934 ($31.00) – this set is perfectly sized for customizing your cards small enough to fit onto a card front and designed as one die to cut all of your letters at once – How easy is that?

My personal favorite – the Alphabet A La Mode #160750 – ($42.00) this medium sized alphabet is your do it all work horse small enough for card making and large enough for scrapbooking – this set can do it all!

and new this year the Party Alphabet Dies – #165263 – ($99.00) these letters are about 2 1/4″ tall and add an eye-catching accent to any of your projects. This also comes in a bundle for $125.00 (#165265) with the Party Banner dies for a complete banner making package that will be the hit of your parties!

Today’s project uses the Sunshine Vibes bundle from the Boho Vibes Suite Collection in Fall colors for a great happy Fall card!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
4″ x 5 1/4″ layer, scraps for rainbow base and
letter dies
Cajun Craze CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps
Calypso Coral CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps
Crushed Curry CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps
Poppy Parade CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps
Pumpkin Pie CS: 3″ x 4 1/4″ and scraps

Die cut the rainbow pieces from each color .

Take the Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer and with blending brushes color the entire area with Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie and calypso Coral inks.

Spray the area with water droplets from a Stampin’ Spritzer – this is called water lifting – the areas of water droplets will lift the ink and make lighter spotting on the surface of the colored area.

Dry with a Heat Tool or let air dry. If using a Heat Tool you should heat from both the bottom and the top of the layer to minimize paper curling.

Cut the word FALL from the Alphabet A La Mode dies and place on the bottom of the layer for spacing and stamp the word “happy” in Tuxedo Black Memento ink from the Blooming Phrases stamp set above where the letters will be adhered.

Adhere the letters to the colored layer and then adhere the layer to the card base.

Arrange the rainbow pieces one from each color on the rainbow Basic White base die and adhere starting on one side and adhering the next one in order.

Pop up the rainbow dies onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere above the stamped sentiment.

I stamped the inside with the good vibes sentiment from the Sunshine Vibes stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and the sun and rays in Daffodil Delight ink above the sentiment to finish off the inside of the card!