more color mondays – misty moonlight, old olive and crisp cantaloupe

more color mondays – misty moonlight, old olive and crisp cantaloupe

by | Jun 1, 2026 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, In Colors, masculine cards, my favorites, new catalog

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features some of the colors from the Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper. Pulling colors from the DSP is one of the things I love about Stampin’ Up! -everything coordinates: the DSP uses the same colors as our cardstock and inks and embellishments! It is super easy when everything matches and coordinates and even easier when the designers at Stampin’ Up! pick great colors that work well together!

Today’s color match up uses Misty moonlight, Old Olive and the returning In Color Crisp Cantaloupe!

It also features the NEW Waterside Retreat Suite of products and the DSP in this Suite has a 12″ x 12″ piece that has 13 different images – cut them apart and use for easy card or scrapbook page designs!

Measurements:
BASE: Misty Moonlight CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for the grass
dies
Crisp Cantaloupe CS: scrap for the adirondack
stamp and die

Cut the center top image from the multi image piece of DSP down to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and adhere to the Misty Moonlight card base front.
Stamp the adirondack chair image from the Relaxing Waterside Bundle in Pecan Pie ink on Crisp Cantaloupe CS and die cut out from the coordinating die set Relaxing Waterside dies.
On Basic White CS scrap stamp the tall and shirt grasses in old Olive ink and die cut out.
Pop up the Adirondack chair on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the lower left-hand corner of the card front.
Adhere the grass die cuts behind the chair image.
Stamp the sentiment Relax in Old Olive ink in the upper right-hand corner of the DSP.
Adhere the Crisp Cantaloupe In Color Dots around the sentiment.
I added the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer to the inside of the card and stamped off a tall grass on the right-hand side and an inside sentiment in full strength Old Olive ink.
I stamped another grass in old Olive and layered it under the chair image on the left side to give the card a little balance.

I added some seagull die cuts from the Sunset Coast bundle to finish off the card.

Now it is your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Waterside Retreat Suite Collection (English) [ 167932 ]
[167932]
$68.75
Relaxing Waterside Bundle (English) [ 167928 ]
[167928]
$46.75
Relaxing Waterside Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167922 ]
[167922]
$20.00
Crisp Cantaloupe 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 167693 ]
[167693]
$14.00
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 153081 ]
[153081]
$14.00
Waterside Retreat 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167920 ]
[167920]
$13.00
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147090 ]
[147090]
$9.00
Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [ 161665 ]
[161665]
$11.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[163987]
$60.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$8.00
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
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Relaxing Waterside Dies [ 167927 ]
[167927]
$32.00
2026–2028 In Color™ Dots [ 167546 ]
[167546]
$9.00
card sketch #121

card sketch #121

by | May 22, 2026 | card samples, card sketches, die cutting, In Colors, washi tape

Card Sketches sometimes feel like cheating to my Catholic Girl mentality LOL – because they make card making SOOOOOO much easier!

When I look or design a template – suddenly I see all the possibilities! This is such a fun and easy design – the top layer is “cut in half” you can do that as simply as stamping on only half the layer – which is what I did for this card but you could also cut cardstock and do a color block technique with one color on top and another on the bottom. You could have one of the sections be embossed or use DSP – see the possibilities are endless!!!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, scrap for punch
Strawberry Slush CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″

Using the Extraordinary Flora stamp set and a Hybrid Black ink pad I stamped the lower half of the Strawberry Slush CS.
I lined a ribbon at the top of the stamped image and wrapeed it around the back side of the stamped layer and adhered it with two pieces of Scotch tape.
Turn the layer over and adjust height of ribbon if necessary.
Stamp the sentiment at the top left hand side of the layer.
Adhere a piece of Extraordinary Flora washi tape to a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer slowly pressing down flat without wrinkles.
Run through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the BASE plate #1, Thin Die Adaptor plate #2 and sandwich the die and washi tape paper in between two Cutting Plates #3.
Take a scrap piece of Basic White cardstock and punch out a rectangle from the NEW Rounded Rectangle Punch #167880.
Stamp the sentiment and lines from the Extraordinary Flora stamp set and hybrid black ink pad onto the punched out piece.

Pick out one of the die cut flowers for an accent on the sentiment piece.

Place Stampin’ Dimensionals on the backside of the sentiment punch and the flower, remove the backing and adhere over the ribbon on the Strawberry Slush layer.
Adhere the Strawberry Slush layer to the Basic White card base.
Place some embellishments on the card – these are flat pearls which are discontinued but you could use any of our pearl embellishments to enhance your version!

Here is a similar version using a different color flower in a slightly different place – such an easy card I could make so many of them in a flash!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Extraordinary Flora Bundle (English) [ 165245 ]
[165245]
$43.00
Extraordinary Flora Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 169116 ]
[169116]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165625 ]
[165625]
$14.00
Basic Black Hybrid Stampin' Pad [ 166648 ]
[166648]
$12.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[163987]
$60.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$8.00
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
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Extraordinary Flora Die [ 165244 ]
[165244]
$28.00
Extraordinary Flora Washi Tape [ 165269 ]
[165269]
$15.00
2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls [ 165192 ]
[165192]
$8.50
Antique Pearls [ 164679 ]
[164679]
$9.00
Pearls Of Beauty [ 167098 ]
[167098]
$8.00
embossed designs mix and match cards and envelopes card

embossed designs mix and match cards and envelopes card

by | Mar 4, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, Mix and Match, techniques

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.

Product List
Springtime Scenes Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167457 ]
[167457]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[166780]
$14.00
Embossed Designs Mix & Match Specialty Cards & Envelopes [ 165358 ]
[165358]
$10.00
Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad [ 161678 ]
[161678]
$9.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147084 ]
[147084]
$9.00
Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147102 ]
[147102]
$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
Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes [ 167005 ]
[167005]
$8.00
happy birthday sneak peak card

happy birthday sneak peak card

by | Feb 26, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, my favorites, online exclusives, sneak peak, stamps ink paper

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.

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 120953 ]
[120953]
$14.00
Summer Splash 8 1/2" X 11 Cardstock [ 163797 ]
[163797]
$14.00
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147105 ]
[147105]
$9.00
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147116 ]
[147116]
$9.00
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147052 ]
[147052]
$9.00
Summer Splash Classic Stampin Pad [ 163809 ]
[163809]
$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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
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