shining stars card sketch challenge

shining stars card sketch challenge

by | Oct 23, 2026 | card samples, card sketches, color challenge, die cutting, embossing folders, product of the month, sneak peak, techniques, watercolor

Today’s card uses the Shining Stars product of the month incentive set.

Are you familiar with our Product of the Month incentive? Spend $75 in product and you can get any Product of the Month (POM) that is still available for $5! You can only purchase the Products of the Month one time – (for instance spend $75 this month and you really want the Shining Stars October 2026 POM for $5 – spend another $75 and if the September POM is still available you can get that one for $5 but cannot purchase another October Shining Stars die set because you already got one of those)

This card used the left over watercolor paper from this week’s More Color Monday card using three of the colors from the Stampin’ Up! October Creative Challenge which is a color challenge!

If you missed that post I took a large water painter and brushed the surface of a Fluid 100 watercolor paper with an excess of water. Then I dropped color from three acrylic blocks that I squeezed ink refill bottle drops of ink onto. I allowed the Fluid 100 paper to dry and then die cut the Shining Stars die set from the watercolored paper!

This is also a card sketch challenge #136!

Measurements:
BASE: Hydrangea Hue CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
Fluid 100 paper: one sheet
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″

Emboss the Basic White layer with the Swirls of Magic embossing folder.
Adhere the embossed layer to the Hydrangea Hue card base.
Cut a scrap of Hydrangea hue to 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ and stamp (SNEAK PEAK) with an upcoming GREAT sentiment set called Friend Like You in Hybrid Black ink.

Using the Dark Hydrangea Hue Stampin’ Blends alcohol marker I flicked the brush tip side off the inside of the cap to make a splatter effect over the layer!

Pop up the sentiment layer on Stampin’ Dimensionals and place on the bottom center of the embossed layer.

Take the watercolor paper and die cut lots of stars from the POM Shining Stars die set.

Adhere a medium and small star onto the sentiment piece.

Adhere more die cut stars to the embossed layer above the sentiment piece!
I LOVE coordinating your embellishments and the In Color Dots are awesome for color coordination!

I added five dots to the card to finish it off in total color coordination! These stars are so much fun! Try your hand at this card sketch challenge and see what little things you can add to your card! Now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

PS – Remember that the stamp set is a SNEAK PEAK from the upcoming November Online Exclusives Friend Like You stamp set and will not be available to customers until November but if you want to join my team you can get it in your demonstrator starter kit as a preorder purchase – JUST ONE OF THE GREAT PERKS TO being a Demonstrator and being on my team!

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Hydrangea Hue 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 167687 ]
[167687]
$14.00
Basic Black Hybrid Stampin' Pad [ 166648 ]
[166648]
$12.00
Barely Blush Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [ 167673 ]
[167673]
$6.00
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [ 133648 ]
[133648]
$5.50
Hydrangea Hue Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [ 167672 ]
[167672]
$6.00
Hydrangea Hue Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 167666 ]
[167666]
$12.00
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
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper [ 149612 ]
[149612]
$9.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Shining Stars Dies [ 168600 ]
[168600]
$5.00
Swirls Of Magic Embossing Folder [ 168179 ]
[168179]
$10.50
2026–2028 In Color™ Dots [ 167546 ]
[167546]
$9.00
winter birthday card

winter birthday card

by | Oct 2, 2026 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors, masculine cards, specialty papers, techniques

Today’s card is a great Dreamy Snowflakes Winter Birthday card with the NEW Winter Dreams Specialty flocked paper in Secret Sea!
So elegant and fun – soft to the touch and great patterns!

Measurements:
BASE: Secret Sea CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″, 3″ square for die
DSP: 2 1/4″ square

Stamp the birthday sentiment I chose the “have a beautiful birthday” from the Poetic Petals stamp set on one of the Basic White CS layers.
Emboss the first Basic white layer with the sentiment with the Dreamy Snowflakes embossing folder.
Take the second Basic white layer and stamp the trio of snowflakes in Secret Sea ink and blend the edges with a blending brush and Secret Sea ink.
Adhere the trio snowflake stamped layer to the inside of the Secret Sea card base.
Adhere the sentiment layer on the front of the card base.
Using the middle square die from the Tile Garden die set, die ciut the 3″ Basic White CS square.

Cut the Specialty paper Winter Dreams to 2 1/4″ square.

Blend the die edges with a blending brush and Misty Moonlight ink.
Adhere the DSP to the Blended die cut square.
Pop up the DSP square on Stampin’ Dimensionals to the top center of the embossed layer.
Adhere the Adhesive-Backed Snowflakes to finish off this lovely winter birthday card!
I made to alternative cards with the extra watercolored paper from the card this past week. I first made the card embossing the Basic White layer before stamping the sentiment so I added the sentiment to a leftover watercolored Fluid 100 paper.
Instead of an embossed layer I used the rest of the watercolored paper for the background layer!
I love all the different versions and these Adhesive-Backed Snowflakes are such a sweet embellishment!

Try making a winter birthday card for your stash – now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Dreamy Snowflakes Bundle (English) [ 168385 ]
[168385]
$58.50
Dreamy Snowflakes Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 168378 ]
[168378]
$25.00
Poetic Petals Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 168266 ]
[168266]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper [ 149612 ]
[149612]
$9.00
Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165624 ]
[165624]
$14.00
Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [ 153118 ]
[153118]
$11.00
Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165285 ]
[165285]
$11.00
Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147113 ]
[147113]
$9.00
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
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
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
Dreamy Snowflakes Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 168384 ]
[168384]
$40.00
Tile Garden Dies [ 168573 ]
[168573]
$37.00
Adhesive Backed Snowflakes [ 168316 ]
[168316]
$9.00
more color mondays – petunia pop, azure afternoon and gorgeous grape

more color mondays – petunia pop, azure afternoon and gorgeous grape

by | Jun 2, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, embossing folders, In Colors, more color mondays, my favorites, new catalog

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features Petunia Pop, Azure Afternoon, and Gorgeous Grape hues for a bright and cheery birthday card using the single stamp set Simple Birthday!

Measurements:
BASE: Azure Afternoon CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 3 1/2″ x 4 3/4″
Petunia Pop CS: 3 5/8″ x 4 7/8″
Gorgeous Grape CS: 3 3/4″ x 5″

Stamp the Simple Birthday sentiment onto the 3 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ Basic White layer in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

Using blending brushes on the Basic White layer add a strip of Petunia pop ink with a Blending Brush to the top third of the Basic White layer.
Then add Azure Afternoon ink with a Blending Brush to the middle third of the Basic White Layer.
Add Gorgeous Grape ink with a Blending Brush to the lower third of the Basic White layer.
Place the garden folder of the Glass and Garden mini embossing folder over the middle of the Basic White blended area and emboss with the flower images.
Using a Stampin’ Spritzer filled with water spray the surface of the Basic WHite layer with the Spritzer and dry the splatter effect created when the water lifts the ink color with a Heat Tool.
Adhere the Basic White blended layer to the Petunia Pop layer.
Adhere the layers to the Gorgeous Grape layer.
Adhere the front of the card base with the Garden embossing folder from the Glass and Garden embossing folders, right down the middle of the card front.
Add Stampin’ Dimensionals along the back of the Layered piece and adhere to the back of the card the White 1/4″ ribbon from the Botanical Textures Suite wrapping it around the middle of the card.
Adhere to the Azure Afternoon card front.
Adhere the Two Toned Sparkle Gems to the card front to finish off this lovely and easy Simple Birthday card.

Try this coloring technique with a larger sentiment from your stash and see what fun color combinations you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

everyday you and me corner fold card

everyday you and me corner fold card

by | Apr 21, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, fun fold, In Colors, retiring products, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays features the retiring 2023-2025 In Color Wild Wheat, Lost Lagoon and Pretty Peacock.

Everyday You and Me Bundle is on the Last Chance List and Everyday Happiness DSP is beautiful and makes this corner fold card.

Measurements:
BASE: Pretty Peacock CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
DSP: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for sentiment piece and flowers/leaves

Mark the top of the 4 1/4″ side of the base at 1 3/4″ and score from the middle score to the mark.
Cut one of the DSP layers from the corner to 1 1/4″ mark on one side.
Adhere the DSP cut piece to the front of the card base.
Turn down the corner and adhere it down.

Cut 1/4″ off the fat end of the small DSP triangle and adhere to the turned down triangle.

Stamp the sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink on a Basic White scrap. Stamp a leaf in Wild Wheat above the sentiment. Stamp the five circle image in Lost Lagoon ink all over the background of the sentiment piece.
Fussy cut the sentiment piece.
Cut another triangle from corner to a 1 3/4″ mark of the second DSP layer.
Adhere to the top of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White piece.
Stamp two flowers in Pretty Peacock ink and stamp off one flower in a lighter tone.
Stamp one each of the leaves in Wild Wheat ink and die cut all the flowers and leaves.
Arrange the flowers and leaves with dies around the sentiment piece.
Adhere the sentiment over the card front.
Adhere the Sunny Day Dots embellishments to the card front.
I cut a matte for the sentiment piece and then re-adhered the sentiment piece to the card front.

Place a linen thread bow to the bottom right hand-side of the sentiment piece.

This is a fun and easy way to make a standard card with a little interest – a corner turned down. Try this technique and create some artwork of your very own one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Everyday You & Me Bundle (English) [ 167240 ]
[167240]
$43.00
Everyday You & Me Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 166629 ]
[166629]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 133679 ]
[133679]
$11.50
Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 150880 ]
[150880]
$11.50
Everyday Happiness 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 166632 ]
[166632]
$12.50
Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad [ 161678 ]
[161678]
$9.00
Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [ 150083 ]
[150083]
$9.00
Wild Wheat Classic Stampin' Pad [ 161651 ]
[161651]
$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
Everyday You & Me Dies [ 166633 ]
[166633]
$24.00
Sunny Day Iridescent Dots [ 164696 ]
[164696]
$8.00
Linen Thread [ 104199 ]
[104199]
$5.00
nests of winter suite card – new mini catalog products

nests of winter suite card – new mini catalog products

by | Sep 6, 2024 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, die cutting, techniques

Today’s blog features the Nests of Winter Suite of products – one of the coolest things in this suite in my opinion is the frame die of foliage. Today I am using the negative space of that frame die to create a background for the card!

Measurements:
BASE: Pecan Pie 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Mossy Meadow layer 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White layer. 3 3/4″ x 5″
scrap for sentiment piece
Basic Beige scrap for birds stamp

Stamp the double birds in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on Basic Beige cardstock.
Using the Cherry Cobbler watercolor pencils – color the berries.
Color the bird with Balmy Blue watercolor pencil.
Color the bird’s belly with the Crushed Curry watercolor pencil.
Color the branches with Pecan Pie watercolor pencil.
Using a water painter color each colored section starting with the lightest color and then brush the water painter until it paints clear and paint the next darkest color until all colors are watercolored.
Die cut the frame from the Nest of Winter and use the negative die space for the mask, place the mask in the center of the Basic White layer and with a blending brush color the outside edges of the Basic White layer over the mask with Mossy Meadow ink.
Turn the mask 180 degrees and without reinking the blending brush brush the remaining color over the edges of the mask which will result in a lighter color bledning over the mask.
Adhere the Mossy Meadow layer onto the Pecan Pie card base.
Adhere the Basic White layer onto the card base slightly tilted.
Die cut the largest circle from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamp the sentiment in Mossy Meadow ink and drag the blending brush across the edges to just give the edges a little color.
Adhere to the lower left hand corner of the card.
Pop the double bird image up onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and layer in the upper right hand corner of the card.
I added two cork embellishments around the sentiment and the card is complete.

Sometimes using the negative space that might easily just get tossed in the trash produces a beautiful unexpected background! Try using those negative die spaces and see what you can create – one die, one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Nests Of Winter Suite Collection (English)
[164072]
$97.75
Winterly Tree Tops Bundle (English)
[164066]
$55.75
Winterly Tree Tops Cling Stamp Set (English)
[164184]
$26.00
Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[164511]
$11.50
Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[133676]
$11.50
Pecan Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[161717]
$11.50
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad
[147111]
$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
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$15.00
Small Blending Brushes
[160518]
$14.00
Watercolor Pencils Assortment 1
[161700]
$18.00
Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2
[149014]
$14.00
Water Painters
[151298]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Winterly Tree Tops Dies
[164065]
$36.00
Adhesive Backed Cork Rounds
[162643]
$6.50