glass mat studio - nataliegramleystamps

experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

by nataliegramleystamps | Apr 18, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masculine cards, stamps ink paper, techniques

The other day I was playing around with the Painted Stripes background stamp. I wanted to experiment with water and ink and see what the difference would be between applying ink directly to the stamp and spritzing with water or applying the ink directly to the glass mat studio and spraying it down and then dipping the stamp into the inky water?

I got a bunch of 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White sheets and started to play with the ink and water!
First I applied Pool Party onto the Glass Matt and then applied Pretty Peacock ink directly above the Pool Party ink. I sprayed water from a Stampin’ Spritzer until the colors were fluid and started to blend in the middle.

I placed the Painted Stripes background stamp into the inky water and then placed it onto the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and held it in place while the ink and water soaked into the card stock.

Next I placed the Pool Party ink pad over the cleaned Painted Stripes stamp set and inked about half of the stripes.

Then I inked the top half of the Painted Stripes stamp set with the Pretty Peacock ink pad.

I sprayed water from a spray bottle or Stampin’ Spritzer over the entire surface of the Painted Stripes stamp.

I placed a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White Cardstock layer over the Painted Stripes stamp that is on the table facing upwards (this way the water does not run but stays in place) and rub the back side of the cardstock holding the paper in place so it does not shift.

I resprayed the stamp surface and placed a second piece of cardstock over the surface this will produce a lighter softer version of the first but still pretty as there is enough ink to do this at least twice!

Allow to dry before using.

I found that the first version turned out lighter than the full strength second version! But the second spraying of the second ink direct to stamp version looked a lot like the first ink on glass version without a lot less mess!
Answer achieved! I liked the second version better but the first one was messy fun!

I cut a few dies from the Textured Notes die set from the prepared watercolor sheets. This die set is a series of concentric rectangles with all different types of embossed edging – so very cool – perfect for cards as well as scrapbooking!

I cut a 4 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Basic White cardstock and scored it at 5 1/2″.
I stamped the smaller leaved foliage in Pool Party ink on opposite diagonal ends of the card base and flicked some inked water from a Water Painter over the card base surface.

I stamped the larger leaved foliage on the larger Basic White die in Pretty Peacock ink.

I cut a smaller die with the stripes in the opposite direction from one of the watercolored layers. I stamped the sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink and die cut one die up in Pool Party card stock. I popped the sentiment piece up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the Pool Party die and added it to the middle of the card above the other stamped die piece.

I colored some Iridescent Pearls with the Dark Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends marker.

I added the pearls to the card front.

I added some more splatters with a Water Painter and the left over inky water on the glass matte surface.

I thought the card needed a little more color and a die cut one up from the larger Basic White die on the card as it was blending into the card and you could not see the lovely Textured Notes die edging – so I cut the larger die in Pretty Peacock card stock and mounted it under the original rectangle.
This made the first die cut pop and looks so much better I think.

I keep the card in the order I designed it to show you all sometimes you go back at the end and add one thing to make the card even better! Do not hesitate to add and play if you feel the card is missing something – usually your gut is right!

Hope you get a chance to have a play with stamps, ink and paper this week! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Painted Stripes Cling Stamp Set

[165437]

$20.00

Textured Notes Bundle (English)

[165556]

$48.50

Textured Notes Cling Stamp Set (English)

[165548]

$23.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[122924]

$11.50

Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[150880]

$11.50

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

[147107]

$9.00

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

[150083]

$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

Water Painters

[151298]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Textured Notes Dies

[165555]

$31.00

Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161676]

$11.00

Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels

[158987]

$7.50

← 2025 OnStage fun fold swap cards bonus post - hoppy easter treat box →

early bird swaps arrive

by nataliegramleystamps | Jan 24, 2024 | card samples, card swap, Designer Series Paper, embossing folders, fun fold, new catalog, Sale-a-bration, stamps ink paper, techniques

Every month I find a new inspiration to share with you from my upline and sideline swap group! Last week I shared my own versions of the Twisted Book Bind Easel card and making your own Designer Series paper as a background for a card – you will find the inspiration card below and so much more. All these cards came from a December Early Bird new catalog swap! Enjoy!

This first swap card was designed Jeanna T and uses the Perennial Lavender DSP from the new mini catalog and the Jungle Pals Sale-a-bration offers both the stamp set in Level One and the coordinating dies set in Level Two!

Carol S’s swap card features the Sale-a-bration Level Two Softly Sophisticated Bundle in shades of Boho Blue, Calypso Coral and White with Flight and Airy Sale-a-bration Level One DSP.

This next swap card is full of whimsy combining the Cutest Cows Bundle and the Sunny Days Sale-a-bration Level One DSP designed by Lyn L.

Veronica’s adorable Let’s Chat card is from a new set in the 2024 January to April Mini Catalog and is a sweet card you could send to any friends or family!

Another stamp set full of whimsy is the Submarine Life and our swap leader Denise W sent this cute card in hues of Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Daffodil Delight and Lemon Lime Twist! I love how the Iridescent Adhesive Dots look like bubbles in the water!

Jennie T’s swap card uses the new Enduring Beauty bundle with stamps, dies and coordinating mask for easy coloring!

The swap card below features the Heartfelt Hexagon bundle from the mini catalog and the Flight and Airy DSP from the Sale-a-bration catalog for a sleek and sophisticated sympathy card.

Kathi D’s swap card features the Flight and Airy DSP as well with the Layered Florals 3D as her background on a Boho Blue card base.

Maria W shared a paper saving tip with this Bee Mine Suite Collection swap card! She die cut the Sweet Sorbet die from her layer and covered it with DSP – saves paper and makes the card lighter when you are adding many layers, she also cut another die from the Scalloped Contours die set from the black to use for a future card! So smart and thanks for sharing that tip – I do that too!

The last swap card for this swap session comes from Beth R. and she used the Watercolor Melon Sale-a-bration Level One stamp set for a Twisted Easel Bookfold card – I recreated this one for the January 12th, 2024 blog post with the Ice Cream Swirl bundle! I love all the extra details she put into the card to step it up! Just Kiddin’ DSP, Basics 3D Embossing Folder trio and she used a Stampin’ Spritzer on the whole watermelon after she first stamped off to give it an even more watercolor look!

Now it’s time for you to pull out your supplies and create some art of your own – one stamp at a time!

LOVE IT ALL – NOW DURING SALE-A-BRATION IS THE PERFECT TIME TO JOIN MY TEAM
$99 AND FREE SHIPPING GETS YOU THE NEW GLASS MAT STUDIO AND $125 OF PRODUCT OF YOUR CHOICE IN YOUR STARTERS KIT OR ADD $30 EXTRA IN PRODUCT INSTEAD OF THE GLASS MAT STUDIO AND GET $155 IN PRODUCT FOR $99!!! CONTACT ME FOR ALL THE DETAILS!

The Current Hostess code to order this month is SQAAWK23 receive a little something from me in the mail with any $50 order or more plus during Sale-a-bration get any Level One item of your choice for FREE with that order amount! Let me know if you have any questions or need catalogs!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List