embossed designs mix and match cards and envelopes card

embossed designs mix and match cards and envelopes card

We have such a great catalog but sometimes it is overwhelming and very cool things can easily be missed. One of those items is the Embossed Designs Mix and Match cards and envelopes, on page 25 of the current annual catalog. These cards and envelopes come in two embossed designs: stripes on the card front and envelope flaps and polka dots. The package contains 10 cards and envelopes, 5 of each design for $10.00. Order # is #165358. I used the striped design for the card design.

Measurements:
BASE: folded card designs is 4 1/4″ x 6 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″, 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

Blend the top 2/3 of the 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ layer of Basic White with Soft Sea Foam ink and Lost Lagoon ink. Blend the bottom 1/3 of the layer with Real Red ink.
Stamp in Tuxedo Black Memento ink three ladybug images from the Springtime Scenes stamp set from the Online Exclusives March Release that dropped yesterday.

Run the layer through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the Base#1, thin die adaptor #2 and two cutting plates #3 with one of the circle dies from the Springtime Scenes die set on the top of the blended layer and cut out each of the three ladybugs.

Take the smaller scrap of Basic White CS and blend with the Lost Lagoon and Soft Sea Foam inks and blending brushes.
Stamp “You brighten my day” with Tuxedo Black memento ink onto the smaller blended scrap of Basic White CS.
Adhere the die cut to the top of the Embossed Designs card.
Die cut the sentiment blended piece and adhere it below the circle die on the card front.
Adhere the ladybugs around the circle die – some directly to the card some popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Adhere three embellishments to the card – the clear circles from the Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes.

These overlooked cards and envelopes create some elevated and easy cards and envelopes. Try this item soon and create some artwork one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

P.S. The Springtime Scenes dies are currently unavailable to order so they will not appear below on the photo links until they are available.

happy birthday sneak peak card

happy birthday sneak peak card

Rolling Waves are a great analogy for life sometimes – you just need to roll with things! Today’s post should have posted yesterday but for anyone that has been following me – you know this week was a busy and hard one that eventually everyone needs to deal with. Late in January we lost my mother unexpectedly and Saturday was her Memorial Mass. I stayed in Northern Virginia for a few extra days to work on things at her home and drove back late Tuesday night with the intention of getting everything I needed to do done on Wednesday! I almost succeeded – I just didn’t get this post typed up and finished in time so it is here for you today.
One of the special things about stamping is that it is my ME time, my solace, my saving grace – it is how I pamper and “take care” of myself – truely – it is something I have loved and enjoyed for 25 years now!

It is so important to have time to recoup and regenerate especially when you are taking care of children and parents and are in that middle space. This is my comfort zone and if you know me I gravitate towards summer, sun and water! This card combines all of that into a fun and whimsical birthday card!

Measurements:
BASE: Crumb Cake CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: 2 1/2″ x 3″, scraps for
umbrellas, sentiment, shells and foam dies
Summer Splash CS: scrap for water and
umbrella dies

Die cut the shells out of a scrap of Basic White CS.
Using blending brushes and Summer Splash, Flirty Flamingo and Crumb Cake ink, I colored the shells and starfish.
I cut a corner out of a scrap of Basic White CS about 3″ on the bottom side and about 2 1/4″ up the side. I stamped it with the large water stamp in Balmy Blue and blended the color with a blending brush as well.
I adhered it to the card front corner.
I die cut the foamy water die out of Summer Splash CS and set it on the card corner above the Balmy Blue stamped piece.
I die cut the foam out of a scrap of Basic White CS tucked it under the Summer Splash die.
I stamped the Crumb Cake CS with the sand image in Crumb Cake ink and then adhered the foamy water dies down over the corner piece.
I adhered some of the shells at the water line.
I die cut two umbrellas out of scraps of Basic White CS and then one of each design in Flirty Flamingo and Summer Splash. I adhered them in alternating patterns.
I adhered the Flirty Flamingo and White umbrella to the card.
I popped up the Summer Splash and White umbrella on Stampin’ Dimensionals over the lower left-hand edge of the Flirty Flamingo and White umbrella.

I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Rolling Waves stamp set in Summer Splash on a long 1/2″ strip of Basic White CS and slid it back and forth until I decided on the location of the wording and adhered it down to the card.

I adhered the last two shells to the left-hand side of the Happy Birthday sentiment.
I added three Pearlized faceted Circles from the Lovely and Beautiful Suite of products to finish off this fun card that did my soul good!

Take time out each day to do something you love and take care of yourself so you can be good for others! Now go and create something beautiful – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Remember since this is a sneak peak and not available until March 3rd to customers the rolling waves stamps, dies and bundle will not appear below in the photo clickables.

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

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

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!

more color mondays – gorgeous grape, secret sea and pool party

more color mondays – gorgeous grape, secret sea and pool party

Today’s installment of More Color Mondays features one of our new In Colors Secret Sea – a dark blackish Blue that is a softer substitution for Black and a fabulous neutral! Paired with the rich tones of Gorgeous Grape and the subtle brightness of Pool Party this makes a beautiful combination for this Northern Lights Lights of Aurora Suite card!

Measurements:
BASE: Gorgeous Grape CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Secret Sea CS: 3 3/4″ x 4 1/4″ for die cutting
Pool Party Two Tone CS: scraps at least 4 1/4″ in
width

Die cut the Secret Sea layer with the larger tree line die image from the light & Wonder die set.

Cut the Pool Party Two Tone Cardstock to 4 1/4″ in width and then rip so the nice white inside layer shows on the darker side on two pieces and the lighter side on two thinner pieces.

Cut the 6″ x 6″ DSP to 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″

Adhere the DSP to the card front and then Adhere the torn pieces of Two Tone Pool Party Cardstock alternating the colors dark on bottom light next and dark on top and adhere to the bottom of the card front.

Do not adhere the top 1/4″ to allow for room to slip in the tree die cut.

Slip the tree die cut under the top Two Tone cardstock ripped layer and cut the piece to size.
Adhere the tree die cut to the card front with Multipurpose glue.
Stamp a sentiment inside in Gorgeous Grape ink. I have multiple November birthday cards to send out and thought this was a perfect holiday card but also equally awesome winter birthday card!
I used the final torn Pool Party Two Tone cardstock on the bottom of the inside layer.

Adhere the Pool Party to the layer and adhere the layer to the inside of the card.

I added three Basic Rhinestone Jewels to the card around the sentiment and then two of our new Faceted Snowflakes embellishments which I think look like stars!

Try ripping some two tone cardstock to expose the white center and using it on your next project.

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – azure afternoon, daffodil delight, and lemon lime twist

more color mondays – azure afternoon, daffodil delight, and lemon lime twist

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features a sneak peak from the upcoming November release of the Online Exclusives line of products!
Demonstrators are able to pre-order the upcoming products and I chose the Swirled Designs Bundle and the Banner Sayings Bundle from the many great offerings available.

This card uses both stamp sets and the dies from the Swirled Designs bundle!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 3 3/4″ x 5″
Basic Black CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for dies

Die cut the oval die in Basic Black card stock. Place the oval die cut in the center of the Basic White layer.
Color some of the openings in the Basic Black die with the Daffodil Delight dark Stampin’ Blends.
Color some of the openings in the Basic Black die with the Lemon Lime Twist dark Stampin’ Blends.
Color some of the openings in the Basic Black die with the Azure Afternoon dark Stampin’ Blends.
Adhere the die over the colored openings.
Stamp the splatter image stamp with Daffodil Delight ink around the Basic Black die.
Stamp the splatter image stamp with Lemon Lime Twist ink around the Basic Black die.
Stamp the splatter image stamp with Azure Afternoon ink around the Basic Black die.
Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink in the center of the Basic Black die.
Adhere the stamped Basic White layer to the Basic Black layer.
Adhere the Basic Black layer to the card front.
Adhere the green sequins from the Traditional Sparkling Sequins on the card front.
Die cut the stars from the Swirled Designs dies from the center of the oval die.
This first card uses one star adhered onto the Basic Black die.
Adhere the rest of the stars to the card.

This easy card is a sweet masculine card and the Swirled Designs bundle is perfect for geometric cards.

Go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie