shadow block technique painted illusions card

shadow block technique painted illusions card

by | Feb 27, 2026 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, stamps ink paper, techniques

I love this simple technique not only does it efficiently use up scraps of paper but it looks so cool! And you can create this card with minimal supplies – BONUS!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, 1″ x 3″
Misty Moonlight CS: (12) 1″ x 1″ squares, 1″ x 3″
DSP: (12) 1″ x 1″ squares

Place a small amount of glue or tape on one of the Misty Moonlight squares and attach one of the DSP squares on top of it with the bottom and right hand side of the Misty Moonlight square peeking out evenly as shown in the photo.
Do 11 more squares varying the pattern making sure to put the “shadow” in the same place each time.
Stamp the Hello Sunshine sentiment from the Exploring Nature stamp set in Misty Moonlight ink on the 1″ x 3″ Basic White CS layer.
Mount this layer onto the 1″ x 3″ Misty Moonlight CS layer with the same pattern of offset as a “shadow”
Start to place the double shadow squares on the card front – 3 across and four down.

TIP: When I adhere something across the span of the card I place the outside images first and then center the middle in between the two outside images – it is easier to space them this way!

Next I place the four down so I can match the rows and columns evenly.

Adhere all the shadow squares to the card front.

Finish adhering the squares lining them up in even rows.
Pop up the sentiment piece on Stampin’ Dimensionals and place on the card over the shadow squares.
Place the sentiment piece in the middle of the four rows.
I added three Pearlized Faceted Circles to finish off this fun card!

Try this simple technique with your paper scraps and see what fun art work you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Exploring Nature Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 166913 ]
[166913]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 153081 ]
[153081]
$14.00
Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [ 153118 ]
[153118]
$9.00
Painted Illusions 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167977 ]
[167977]
$5.00
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
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Pearlized Faceted Circles [ 166978 ]
[166978]
$8.00
more color mondays – lost lagoon, flirty flamingo and darling duckling

more color mondays – lost lagoon, flirty flamingo and darling duckling

by | Feb 23, 2026 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, In Colors, online exclusives, techniques

Well this third Product of the Month release is a hit! This Designer Series Paper is beautiful and the inspiration fort todays’ More Color Mondays color challenge card! Painted Illusions is the February release in the Product of the Month category and this DSP is fabulous if I could buy it more than once I would. the first few photos are the different sides of the paper included in the packet.

Measurement:
BASE: Lost Lagoon CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for dies
DSP: 4″ square and 2″scrap strip for dies
Vellum CS: 4″ square

Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer with the Soft Waves 3D embossing folder and adhere to the Lost Lagoon card base.
Take the empty circle die from the Springtime Scenes awesome die set collection die cut the Painted Illusions Product of the Month DSP and save both the inner circle and the outer ring – we will be using both!

Die cut the vellum layer with the leaf circle.

Glue the DSP outer circle to the outer portion of the vellum leaf circle die.

Glue the inner DSP circle die to the upper middle of the card front onto the embossed Basic White layer.
Add glue to the vellum layer only under where the DSP ring is. Attach over the circle ont he card front.
Take two blending brushes and Flirty Flamingo and Darling Duckling ink and color a scrap piece of Basic White CS.
Stamp the lady bug image from the Springtime Scenes stamp set and die cut them out.
Blend another Basic White scrap and die cut the sentiment image and stamp the sentiment “Sweet springtime” in Tuxedo Black memento ink on the die cut.

Pop up the three lady bugs around the vellum circle.

Adhere the sentiment on the lower right hand side of the card front.
I added the new embellishments Pearlized Faceted circles – I love these new sparkles!

I wanted to add a little more Lost Lagoon so I die cut some leaf dies!

I added the leaf die images to the card for more color balance!

Don’t be afraid to add to a card that you had planned out if it seems out of balance – you will grow better at design elements of a card and if you are thinking something is missing or off sometimes it is. Try adding something with out gluing it down you can always remove it then if you decide it was better in the original format.
Experiment that is how you get better at designing!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

PS: remember that the Springtime Scenes is an Online Exclusive March Release so it will not appear in the photo links below because it is only available as a pre-order for demonstrators or new recruits in the starter kit!

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 133679 ]
[133679]
$14.00
Painted Illusions 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167977 ]
[167977]
$5.00
Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [ 167099 ]
[167099]
$10.00
Darling Duckling Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165277 ]
[165277]
$9.00
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147052 ]
[147052]
$9.00
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [ 132708 ]
[132708]
$8.00
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
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Soft Waves 3 D Embossing Folder [ 164695 ]
[164695]
$11.00
Pearlized Faceted Circles [ 166978 ]
[166978]
$8.00
card sketch #118 challenge

card sketch #118 challenge

by | Feb 18, 2026 | card samples, card sketches, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, product of the month, sneak peak, stamps ink paper, techniques

Anyone that hoards paper (and OK all papercrafters do it!) knows that IF AND WHEN you actually get the courage up to cut your gorgeous Designer Series Paper – YOU ABSOLUTELY WANT to get the MOST out of it!

And this sketch is the right one for this task!

Cut in 4″and 3″ squares this will stretch your paper to the MAX with NO WASTE!!

Measurements:
BASE: Flirty Flamingo CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, scrap for word die
DSP: 3″ and 4″ squares
Basic White CS: 3 1/4″ square, scraps for dies

Adhere the 4″ square of DSP to the card front.
Mount the 3″ DSP square onto the Basic White CS 3 1/4″ square and mount it off center below the edge of the 4″ square on the card front.

Adhere the Flirty Flamingo “because” die cut from the Words of Beauty die set at the top of the 3″ square.

Stamp the sentiment from the Words of Beauty stamp set in Flirty Flamingo ink on the sentiment die from the same set. Pop that up on Stampin’ Dimensionals below the “because.”

I placed three Sparkle Dot Essentials around the words and sentiments and realized I wanted a little something below the sentiments to balance the whole thing so I grabbed the upcoming Springtime Scenes and there is an adorable little leaf die image and cut two of them to adhere below!

Sometimes you look at a card and know it needs just a little something more! This card needed that! It looked complete after that die addition, don’t you think?

Now it’s your turn – go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Words Of Beauty Bundle (English) [ 167090 ]
[167090]
$45.75
Words Of Beauty Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167083 ]
[167083]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[166780]
$14.00
Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2
[141416]
$14.00
Painted Illusions 12
[167977]
$5.00
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147052 ]
[147052]
$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
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Words Of Beauty Dies (English) [ 167089 ]
[167089]
$31.00
Sparkle Dot Essentials [ 166991 ]
[166991]
$8.00
birthday secret message slider card

birthday secret message slider card

by | Jan 16, 2026 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, fun fold, In Colors, my favorites, specialty papers, stamps ink paper, techniques

Did you like decoder rings when you were little or secret messages like the ones with invisible ink? This card is a throwback to the those fun days! This is a Secret Message Slider Card featuring the Swirls Designs stamp set and the new Online Exclusive Splash of Sparkles Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Measurements:

BASE: Timid Tiger CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
3 3/4″ x 4 1/4″, 2 1/2″ x 5″
Pretty In Pink layer: 5 1/4″ x 8 1/2″, scored at
2 3/4″ and 6 3/4″
DSP: 2 5/8″ x 5 1/8″, 1 5/8″ x 5 1/8″
Basic White CS: 2 3/8″ x 4 7/8″, 3 1/4″ x 4 1/8″

I stamped the circle image from the Swirled Designs stamp set in Timid Tiger ink to the two Basic White CS layers as shown.

Then I used the splatter image, the Enjoy the Ride and the Happy Birthday from the Boardwalk Fun stamp set in Versamark and heat embossed with Gold embossing powder and the Heat Tool.

I actually stamped the Enjoy the Ride on the 3 1/4″ piece after I photographed it – it will be the secret message you will see at the end!

With the 3 3/4″ side at the top of the 3 3/4″ x 4 1/4″ piece, score at 3/8″ for the inside slider piece.

Adhere the Basic White layers to the Mattes of Timid Tiger making sure that the score is on the left hand side of the smaller piece.

Score the Pretty In Pink cardstock layer at 2 3/4″ and 6 3/4″.

Adhere the 2 5/8″ x 5 1/8″ DSP piece to the inside left panel.

Adhere the 1 5/8″ x 5 1/8″ DSP piece to the outside right hand panel.
Add two small pieces of Tear-n-Tape to the upper and lower edge of the inside of the right side panel as shown in the photograph.
With the small tab to the left of the 3 1/4″ x 4 1/8″ adhere the Basic White stamped layer to the 3 3/4″ x 4 1/4″ Timid Tiger piece to the right of the score line.

Add a piece of Tear-n-Tape along the length of the inside slider piece on the 3/8″ tab to the left of the score line.

Place the inside slider piece to the right hand side of the score line. Peel off the release paper for the Tear-n-Tape.
Fold the front panel down over the slider piece.
Adhere the front stamped panel to the outside of the first panel.

]Open up the first panel and bend the slider piece back towards the inside of the card and use a bone folder to secure the Tear-n-Tape and crease the score line.

Remove the release paper of the two smaller pieces on the last panel.

Fold the right panel over the left hand edge of the slider piece and rub the areas where the Tear-n-Tape is to secure the panel over the slider mechanism.

Now as you open and close the front left hand panel the slider mechanism will slide in and out to reveal you message – cool right?

Just like when you where a little kid create one of these cards and send a hidden message to one of your favorite childhood playmates to remind them of all the fun you used to have as kids!

Here is a short video to show you the mechanism in action!

Now it’s your turn – go and create some interactive artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Swirled Designs Bundle (English) [ 167311 ]
[167311]
$42.25
Swirled Designs Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 167030 ]
[167030]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Pretty In Pink 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 163793 ]
[163793]
$14.00
Timid Tiger 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165626 ]
[165626]
$14.00
Timid Tiger Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165278 ]
[165278]
$9.00
Versamark Pad [ 102283 ]
[102283]
$9.50
Splash Of Sparkles 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [ 167200 ]
[167200]
$16.50
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' Spritzer [ 126185 ]
[126185]
$6.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [ 129053 ]
[129053]
$32.00
Metallics Wow! Embossing Powder [ 165678 ]
[165678]
$21.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Swirled Designs Dies [ 167032 ]
[167032]
$28.00
Brushed Brass Butterflies [ 158136 ]
[158136]
$10.00
more color mondays – petunia pop, daffodil delight and strawberry slush

more color mondays – petunia pop, daffodil delight and strawberry slush

by | Jan 5, 2026 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, fun fold, In Colors, new catalog, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features the suite that debuts tomorrow on January 6th all of the great new projects become available in our new January to April 2026 mini catalog!

This sweet and whimsical fun fold card starts like a normally 4 1/4″ x 11″ card scored at 5 1/2″ but cut a little off one side and it allows you to see the inside of the card at a glance!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″ cut 1 1/2″ off one side
DSP: 3″ x 4″ and 1 1/2″ x 4″
Strawberry Slush CS: 1/4″ x 4 1/4″
Petunia Pop CS: 1/4″ x 4 1/4″
Daffodil Delight CS: 1/8″ x 4 1/4″

Cut 1 1/2″ off the left hand side of the 11″ length. Save that piece and cut for the sentiment piece.
Cut the DSP at 3″ x 4″ and 1 1/2″ x 4″ – adhere the 3″ piece to the upper flap, leaving an even 1/8″ border on the top and sides.
Adhere the 1 1/2″ piece to the inside bottom of the card leaving a 1/8″ border on the bottom and sides.
Adhere the Colored cardstock strips below the 3″ DSP piece so that they cover the white section completely.
Adhere the Daffodil Delight strip and stamp the sentiment in Petunia Pop Ink and blend with a blending brush and Daffodil Delight ink over the sentiment. Pop up the sentiment on the right-hand side of the strips.
The Beach Boardwalk Suite comes with these fun Puffy Stickers so I decided to add a few for the coordinating embellishments around the sentiment – a yellow sun and two dots.
This finishes the card with more whimsy and color and hopefully will bring some sunshine to someone’s day!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Reminder the Boardwalk Fun and Beach Boardwalk items are SNEAK PEAK until tomorrow and therefore will not be in the photo links below as they are not available just yet – but only 24 MORE HOURS TO GO!

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 119683 ]
[119683]
$14.00
Petunia Pop 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 163801 ]
[163801]
$14.00
Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165625 ]
[165625]
$14.00
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147094 ]
[147094]
$9.00
Petunia Pop Classic Stampin Pad [ 163811 ]
[163811]
$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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00