elegant leaves water lift card

elegant leaves water lift card

by | Sep 23, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, new catalog, techniques

I love this technique and I have shown it multiple times but somehow die cutting it into leaves hits differently! These leaves are stunning and the varigation of color that this technique produces is just awesome!

Follow along today to see how this technique is accomplished!

Measurements:
BASE: Calypso Coral CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for blending
technique, 1 1/4″ x 4″ for sentiment

Take a scrap piece of Basic White CS and using a glass matte surface choose three Fall colors to blend with blending brushes.

I started with Cherry Cobbler ink and a dedicated Blending Brush for that color – in a circular motion starting off the paper and transitioning on I blended two edges with this ink.

Next I blended Pumpkin Pie ink with a dedicated blending brush in other spots on this cardstock.
I filled in any of the white space with the last color Calypso Coral and went over any of the other colors to blend and increase hue if necessary.
Using a Water Painter I squeezed water into a puddle on the glass to the side of the paper and dipping the brush into the puddle I tapped water droplets onto the cardstock.

I dabbed off the excess and dried the paper with a Heat Tool – it is important that the cardstock be TOTALLY DRY prior to die cutting.
The Elegant Leaves are a delicate die with many thin strips the paper has to be dry before die cutting!

Die cut the Elegant Leaves dies from this blended background.

I blended the 1 1/4″ strip with the same three colors and then stamped the sentiment in Cherry Cobbler ink over the background and cut the end at an angle for added interest.

I embossed the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White CS layer with the Rustic Check 3D embossing folder, wrapped the NEW Calypso Coral and Copper ribbon around the upper edge of the embossed layer and secured with Scotch tape on each end and adhered the layer to the Calypso Coral card base.
I popped up the sentiment piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals to the bottom left hand corner of the embossed layer.
I adhered the blended leaf dies around the sentiment piece tucking them under and over the sentiment.
I added Adhesive-backed Metallic Gems in Copper to coordinate with the ribbon around the sentiment piece to finish off the card with matching sparkle and shine!

You need to try this easy technique with the dies you have in your collection and see what you can create!

Here is another sample using another sentiment from the Lily of the Valley stamps set.
I dropped the next card right on top of one of my ink pads and got an ink splotch on the upper corner – I always say mistakes are creative opportunities so this sample got an extra die cut over the ribbon and ink splotch!
And finally the blended and water lifted paper was just to pretty not to use the negative – so here is a card made from the negative die space and the NEW Softly Woven 3D embossing folder as a background.
Now it’s your turn to create something with this blended and water lifting technique – one stamp at a time – see what you can make!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Elegant Leaves Bundle (English) [ 168303 ]
[168303]
$52.00
Elegant Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 168300 ]
[168300]
$25.00
Lily Of The Valley Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167937 ]
[167937]
$21.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122925 ]
[122925]
$14.00
Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147101 ]
[147101]
$9.00
Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147083 ]
[147083]
$9.00
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147086 ]
[147086]
$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
Elegant Leaves Dies [ 168302 ]
[168302]
$33.00
Rustic Check 3 D Embossing Folder [ 168442 ]
[168442]
$10.00
Softly Woven 3 D Embossing Folder [ 168466 ]
[168466]
$12.00
Calypso Coral With Copper Border 3/8" (1 Cm) Ribbon [ 168444 ]
[168444]
$9.00
Adhesive Backed Metallic Gems [ 163780 ]
[163780]
$9.50
watercolor watermelon card

watercolor watermelon card

by | Jun 24, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, techniques

Today’s card uses Blending brushes to color the Basic White cardstock and then apply splatters of water with Water Painters to achieve a wonderful watercolor background to create a watermelon for my summer card!

Measurements:
BASE: Granny Apple Green CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, (2) 3″ x 4″
Basic Black CS: 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

Take the first 3″ x 4″ Basic White layer and blend the Granny Apple Green ink onto the CS.

Take the Water Painter and squeeze excess water into the brush, tap the water painter over a bone folder to splatter the surface of the blended cardstock.
Do the same process of blending and water splattering to the second piece of 3″ x 4″ with Strawberry Slush ink.
Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic white CS layer with the Paradise Garden Hybrid embossing folder.

Adhere the embossed layer onto the Granny Apple Green base.

Cut the water splattered layers with consecutive Everyday Arches dies.

Adhere the Strawberry Slush layer onto the Granny Apple Green layer.

Die the Basic Black CS with the six petal die from the Scalloped Blooms. Adhere them to the Strawberry Slush layer as watermelon seeds.

Adhere the watermelon piece to the left-hand side of the embossed layer.

Stamp the sentiment in Strawberry Slush ink onto a sentiment piece from the Scalloped Blooms die set. Add a “seed” to the sentiment piece.

Add three embellishments from the Strawberries and Dots to finish the cards.

What a fun summer card – now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Scalloped Blooms Bundle (English) [ 167647 ]
[167647]
$53.00
Words Of Beauty Bundle (English) [ 167090 ]
[167090]
$45.75
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
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [ 147095 ]
[147095]
$9.00
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165286 ]
[165286]
$11.00
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
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
Everyday Arches Dies [ 164629 ]
[164629]
$29.00
Paradise Garden Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 167120 ]
[167120]
$44.00
Scalloped Blooms Dies [ 167646 ]
[167646]
$39.00
Strawberries & Dots [ 167479 ]
[167479]
$9.00
gallery blooms su creative coloring challenge

gallery blooms su creative coloring challenge

by | Apr 17, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, my favorites, retiring products, techniques

One of my favorite LAST CHANCE LIST items is the Gallery Blooms Bundle! I am so sad this is leaving and I did not use it enough for sure!

This card actually qualifies for the April SU Creative Challenge as well as being a gorgeous card! This month the challenge is to use two different coloring tools on a single card design.
I used the Water Painters and blender pens to color in the Gallery Blooms flower image!

Measurements:
BASE: Granny Apple Green CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, scraps for dies
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for floral die

Emboss the Basic White CS layer with the Damask Designs embossing folder and using the Water Painter and the Poppy Parade ink refill make a very wet ink slurry and splatter the embossed layer for added texture and color.
Stamp the flower image from the Gallery Blooms stamp set on a scrap of Basic White with Tuxedo Black memento ink which is on the LAST CHANCE LIST as well as the ink refills for these stamp pads.

Die cut out the flower image. Using the glass matte use a drop of the Poppy Parade ink from the ink refill bottle and mix with water from the Water Painter and paint the bloom petals.

Mix a drop of Granny Apple Green ink refill with water and paint the leaves on the die.

Adhere the embossed layer to the card base and place the floral die on the center of the card to see where to place it.
Die cut two small leaf images from Granny Apple Green scraps. Adhere the two Granny Apple Green leaf dies behind where the flower will be eventually adhered.
Die cut a small circle from the Spotlight on Nature dies from Granny Apple Green scraps and stamp the Happy Birthday from The Right Words (which is on the LAST CHANCE LIST also)
to the middle of the die in Tuxedo Black memento ink.

Pop up the floral image from the Gallery Blooms bundle and slide the sentiment circle under the floral die and adhere down to the card.

I added three embellishments to the card.
I wanted to add a little more texture and shading to the petals and grabbed a blender pen and added some darker Poppy Parade lines with the blender pen to create shadows on the petals.
Coloring the petals with two different tools adds a lot of depth and dimension to the petals – these are gorgeous flowers to begin with but add some detailed coloring to them and they are STUNNING!!

Try a coloring technique to two to your next coloring project and see what a difference multiple tools can make!

Now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp and a couple of coloring tools at a time!!!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Gallery Blooms Bundle [ 165213 ]
[165213]
$53.00
Gallery Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 165211 ]
[165211]
$19.00
The Right Words Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 165316 ]
[165316]
$26.00
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
Granny Apple Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [ 147163 ]
[147163]
$5.50
Poppy Parade Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill [ 119791 ]
[119791]
$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
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Damask Designs Embossing Folder [ 165214 ]
[165214]
$9.50
Gallery Blooms Dies [ 165212 ]
[165212]
$40.00
Spotlight On Nature Dies [ 163580 ]
[163580]
$35.00
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 azure afternoon, coastal cabana, and lemon lime twist

more color mondays azure afternoon, coastal cabana, and lemon lime twist

by | Feb 3, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, embossing folders, more color mondays, my favorites, new catalog

Today’s blog post card is another card using the card layouts on page 22 from the current 2024-2025 Annual Catalog. These colors pop off the page for this More Color Monday color challenge of Azure Afternoon, Coastal Cabana and Lemon Lime Twist.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic Black CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Fluid 100 paper

Using the Fluid 100 Paper, I picked three colors: Azure Afternoon, Coastal Cabana, and Lemon Lime Twist.
Color the entire surface of the Fluid 100 paper with Blending Brushes in the three ink colors.
Using a Stampin’ Spritzer filled with water and a large Water Painter and spray the surface with water splatter and drop water from the water painter. Allow the paper to dry.
Emboss the Basic Black layer with the Beattiful Butterflies hybrid embossing folder.
Adhere the embossed layer to the card front.
Die cut the large butterfly from the Fluid 100 paper and adhere the top half of the card.
Color the Basic Rhinestones Jewels with the Azure Afternoon Stampin’ Blends.
Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set on the Fluid 100 paper and die cut the sentiment piece.
Pop up the sentiment piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the bottom of the card on the right hand side.
Adhere five Rhinestones to the card front around the butterflies and sentiment piece.
I love this card – the colors pop off the Basic Black embossed layer.

Try to make a card with Basic Black and pops of color! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Bokeh Suite Collection (English)
[164619]
$79.25
Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English)
[164615]
$59.25
Beautiful Butterflies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[164608]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$13.00
Basic Black 8-1/2
[121045]
$11.50
Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad
[161663]
$9.00
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad
[147097]
$9.00
Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad
[147145]
$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
Azure Afternoon Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack
[161672]
$11.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder
[164614]
$42.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels
[144220]
$6.00