easy card designs - nataliegramleystamps

card sketch #121

by nataliegramleystamps | 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]

$43.00

Extraordinary Flora Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[169116]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165625]

$14.00

Basic Black Hybrid Stampin' Pad

[166648]

$12.00

Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial)

[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]

$17.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[154031]

$7.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Extraordinary Flora Die

[165244]

$28.00

Extraordinary Flora Washi Tape

[165269]

$15.00

2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls

[165192]

$8.50

Antique Pearls

[164679]

$9.00

Pearls Of Beauty

[167098]

$8.00

← updated with 26-28 in colors - stampin' up!'s color evolution - a little history lesson repost more color mondays - pool party, pecan pie and crisp cantaloupe →

snowflake kisses die cut out card

by nataliegramleystamps | Dec 3, 2025 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, die cutting, techniques

This card is a quick and easy Christmas card idea using the cut through corner snowflake die from the Snowflake Kisses Bundle. Cut through dies actually cut an image out of the cardstock leaving the cardstock intact and complete with the dies cut out of them. It’s a cool look!

Measurements:
BASE: Blueberry Bushel CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″

Yep – that’s it like I said an quick and easy card!

Take the Basic White CS layer and cut the corner snowflake die in two diagonally opposite corners – it will look like this!

Save the die cut snowflakes for the inside of the card!

Use a piece of scrap paper or a piece of cardboard as a mask/edge and apply Blueberry Bushel ink with a blending brush on that outside corners that have the die cuts in them.

Replace the edging mask on the opposite side and blend the ink on that corner.
Remove the mask and this is what you will end up with.

I stamped the “let it snow” sentiment from the Snowflake Kisses stamp set in Blueberry Bushel ink diagonally down the inbetween white space!

I adhered the die cut snowflake pieces to the inside of the card.

If I had to do it over again I would adhere a second Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece on the inside because of the darker colored cardstock and then adhere the snowflake pieces for a tone on tone effect!

Adhere the die cut and blended layer to the card base and adhere the blue Traditional Sparkling Sequins to the front to finish this super quick and easy card!

Now go and create some artwork of your very own and start collecting your Christmas cards to send to family and friends – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Snowflake Kisses Bundle (English)

[166023]

$50.25

Snowflake Kisses Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[166018]

$18.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Blueberry Bushel 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146968]

$14.00

Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad

[147138]

$9.00

Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial)

[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

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Snowflake Kisses Dies

[166022]

$38.00

Traditional Sparkling Sequins

[165875]

$8.00

← more color mondays - real red, pumpkin pie and crushed curry hostess gift - christmas tags and holder →

fruit salad sale-a-bration thank you card

by nataliegramleystamps | Jan 22, 2025 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, Sale-a-bration, stamps ink paper

There is nothing better than FREE stuff!
January and February Stampin’ Up!’s tradition sale called Sale-a-bration is in full swing!

Today’s card uses the Fruit Salad bright and cheery FREE Designer Series paper for a simple stamped card. I also used the To the Point punch with one of the two sets that coordinate with it called Bright Borders for the fun sentiment punch!

Measurements:
BASE: Coastal Cabana CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Granny Apple Green CS: 3 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
scrap for the punch
DSP: 3″ x 5 1/4″

I cut the 6″ x 6″ FREE sale-a-bration paper at 5 1/4″ on the bottom of the patterned paper and then in half at 3″ so I could make two cards with the 3″ x 5 1/4″ pieces!
I adhered the DSP to the Granny Apple Green CS layer.

I wrapped 8 inches of Silver and White Sheer ribbon around the DSP layer and adhered it to the center of the card front and tied it in a know above the DSP.

I stamped one of the borders from the Bright Borders stamp set in Granny Apple Green ink on the coordinating cardstock and stamped the thank you sentiment in the middle of the border.
I punched the sentiment out with the To the Point coordinating punch.
I used a blending brush in the Granny Apple Green ink to burnish and color the edges of the punched out image.

I popped up the punch onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it over the ribbon.

I finished the card off with Basic Rhinestone Jewels around the sentiment punch and love how the silver in the rhinestones pulls the silver from the ribbon and coordinates the embellishments together.

Try making a simple card with DSP you already have or better yet use the current hostess code GTWJKUXX and spend $60 in pretax/shipping merchandise and choose your own FREE DSP or other level one item!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

← more color mondays - peach pie, calypso coral and azure afternoon starry everyday arches card →

more color mondays – berry burst, highland heather and blackberry bliss

by nataliegramleystamps | Oct 14, 2024 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, fun fold, more color mondays, stamps ink paper, techniques

Another More Color Monday back with a Double Diamond Fun fold in hues of purple! Berry Burst, Highland Heather and Blackberry Bliss compliment the rich floral designs in the new Regal Winter DSP! Follow along for the easy instructions for this fun fold design! Also learn a fun coloring technique along the way.

Measurements:
BASE: Blackberry Bliss CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 2 1/8″ and 5 1/2″
Berry Burst: (2) 2 3/4″ squares
Basic White: (2) 2 1/2″ squares
DSP: (2) 3″ x 4″
(1) 4″ x 5 1/4″

Take the two Basic White card squares,
stamp thank you from the Humble Home stamp set on the center of the first one.

Color the entire inside of the hollow lettering of the thank you sentiment in light Stampin’ Blends Highland Heather.

Next I wanted to create a gradient of color so I took the Dark Stampin’ Blends marker in Highland Heather and colored only the bottom half of the lettering.

Color over the inside of the lettering with the Light Marker to blend the colors. This creates an ombre look to the letters!

Have you ever wanted to use a sentiment but it was not the right size?
This is a fun and easy technique – it’s called omitting and you take a Stampin’ Write marker in the color you need – in this case I used the Highland Heather marker. Using the brush tip, I colored the first two words with the side of the brush tip marker “for the” from the Humble Home “for the sweet gift” sentiment.
I stamped those words on the upper middle of second diamond shape.
Then I brushed ink onto the “sweet gift” portion of the sentiment and stamped it below the “for the” on the diamond.
This way I could use the sentiment I wanted on the shape that I chose!

On the edge closest to the 2 1/8″ score line mark at 2 1/8″ on the 4 1/4″ side.

Cut diagonally from the middle 2 1/8″ mark to the score line on the left and then reposition and cut from the mark to the score line on the right edge of the card.

Fold the triangular piece back towards the score line of the card.

Adhere the 4″ x 5 1/4″” DSP piece to the inside right hand panel of the card.

Take one of the 3″ x 4″ pieces of DSP and adhere to the left hand inside panel of the card.

Take the other 3″ x 4″ DSP piece and adhere to the outside panel underneath the triangular cut….

Adhere the Basic White Diamonds to the Berry Burst diamonds.
Adhere the left side of the thank you diamond to the triangle on the card front

You want to place the inside diamond so that it is directly under the front diamond, so it is hidden and a surprise when opening the card!
I found the easiest way for me to do this is to adhere the entire back of the diamond and place tape side up on the back of the first diamond.

Close the back of the card over the diamonds and press on the back of the card securing the adhesive on the second diamond to the inside of the card.

The inside diamond should be in line with the front diamond when the card is closed!

I added three shiny sequins to the front sentiment on the card and two on the inside diamond to finish off the card with a coordinating bit of bling!

Try this easy fun fold with stamps and DSP you have at home. Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Humble Home Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164286]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[144243]

$11.50

Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[133675]

$11.50

Regal Winter 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[164156]

$12.50

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 Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154887]

$11.00

Adhesive Backed Shiny Sequins

[163484]

$7.50

← frosted forest peek-a-boo window card humble home double box fun fold →

designing a card from a template

by nataliegramleystamps | Feb 16, 2024 | card samples, embossing folders, stamps ink paper, techniques

Were do you get your inspiration? That’s a question I get often from my customers. Inspiration can come from everywhere, really! Many paper crafters find inspiration from card sketches. Easy cards are made easier when you use sketches as a starting point.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
scrap for the largest rectangular in Everyday
Details Dies
strips 4 1/4″ x 1/2″, 4 1/4″ x 3/4″

Below is a card template as a starting point.

Fold the card base at the score line and place adhesive in the top portions of the card. Place the first wild wheat cardstock strip across the center of the card area that has your adhesive on it from left edge to right edge straight across.

Add two identical copper clay strips above and below the wild wheat cs strip in the center.

Lay down the last color of strips above and below the copper clay in Boho Blue cardstock strips.

This adds color and a foundation for a simple card background.
Die cut a scrap of Basic White cardstock with the largest rectangular die in the Everyday Details die set.

I stamped one of the twig stamps from the Layering Leaves stamp set from Million Dollar sales achiever, fellow demonstrator Rachel Tessman in Wild Wheat ink at an angle on the upper left hand side of the die.

I stamped the open leaf twig in Boho Blue lower and angled towards the opposite corner on the rectangular die cut out.

Next I stamped the sentiment Sending Hugs from the Layering Leaves stamp set below the two stamped twig images in Boho Blue.

Using a small Blending Brush I edged the perimeter of the die cut out in Wild Wheat ink by brushing the edges in a perpendicular downward brush stroke against the edge.

I cut a 6″ scrap of Wild Wheat Textured ribbon and looped it on one end and adhered it down over the strip background.

I popped up the sentiment die cut on Stampin’ Dimensionals and popped it up over the ribbon piece.

I added In Color Dots in Wild Wheat around the sentiment to finish off this easy card inspired from the template.

I used the negative space of the rectangle and adhered tape around the backside of the frame using similar color palette from the 2023-2025 In Colors cardstock strips pushed up next to one another.

I stamped a sentiment across the strips in Pebbled path ink.
Then I ran it through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the 3D Basics embossing folder with the hatch marks to give it a textured linen look.

I Popped up the layer on Stampin’ Dimensionals and added it to a 4 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Basic White cardstock scored and folded at 5 1/2″ in landscape mode.
I added three Pebbled Path In Color dots to finish this card.
This card used the template as a starting point but I changed the orientation of the strips and added some embossing and a frame. So many possibilities!

This card started with a Gorgeous Grape Colored Cardstock base and used white and Pool Party strips as the starting point for the card background and added the focal point and the sentiment in the circle from the Circle Sayings Bundle. I added the In Color Pearls in Tahitian Tide to compliment the Pool Party strips and colored the cupcake image with Watercolor Pencils and Water Painters.

My last sample using this template started with a Mambo Melon base and Basic White, Gorgeous Grape and mambo Melon strips as the centerpiece background and added a Paper Butterfly Accent colored with blending brushes and ink as the focal point. I popped up a Gorgeous Grape die cut from the Deckled rectangles die set and embossed the sentiment from the Layering Leaves stamp set in white embossing powder. I added Iridescent Rhinestones to finish off this elegant and easy strip card inspired by the template.

Try designing some artwork of your very own from this template or one of your choosing – let me know what you come up with! Now go and create your own art – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie