more color mondays – berry burst, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape – paper pumpkin alternatives

more color mondays – berry burst, coastal cabana and gorgeous grape – paper pumpkin alternatives

by | May 12, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, fun fold, kits, more color mondays, my favorites, paper pumpkin/kit collection alternatives, paper pumpkin/kits collection, stamps ink paper, techniques

Every month I get a craft kit in the mail and I was super excited to receive last month’s April 2025 Inked Occasions kit – so excited in fact I increased my order to 2 kits because I knew that i would LOVE the alcohol inks images on the base cards so much that I would want extra and I am so glad that I did!

This kit is absolutely gorgeous and I have so many ideas! This is the first set of alternative projects and the first one highlighted is the More Color Mondays color challenge card!

I picked three favorite colors from the kit: Berry Burst, Coastal Cabana and Gorgeous Grape and designed a fabulous window card to highlight one of the stunning die cuts in this kit!

First let me show you the three card designs that are detailed in the kit – beautiful on their own with nothing more to do than just follow the full color instructions sheet!

Here are the items required for the first card:

This card features a beautiful gold-foiled die cut as the sparkling focal point. The instructions detail to pop this die cut up on the right-hand side of the gorgeous card base.

First I stamped the small butterfly images onto the card with the Berry Burst ink spot included in the kit. Then popped up the die in between the stamped images.

I stamped the Congratulations sentiment on the shaped die and the “you are amazing” on the rectangular sentiment die and popped them up on the mini Stampin’ Dimensionals provided in the kit over the gold-foiled die cut.
And the first gorgeous card is complete!
I gathered the supplies for the second card in the instructions.
I stamped the “thinking of you” sentiment in Berry Burst ink on the appropriate shaped die cut and punched it out and popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The base card is gold-foil framed and I adhered the fabulous alcohol inked die cut silhouettes over the bottom of the card.
I adhered the sentiment piece over the right-hand side of the die and stamped a few butterflies above the sentiment to finish off card #2 from the instructions! So EASY!
Card #3 from the instructions stamped the small butterflies onto the card, popped up the gold-foiled “hugs” sentiment and stamped the “I’m here for you” sentiment in one of the rectangular sentiment die boxes and popped that up below the hugs and this card is done! Even easier!
These are the three cards that come in the kit SO SO PRETTY as is but now for today’s More Color Monday card and the rest of the alternative projects I made!
I just loved the silhouette die that came in the kit so I decided to highlight that in my More Color Monday’s card and I made a window card out of it!

Measurements:
BASE: Coastal Cabana CS: 5 1/2″ x 9″
scored at 2 3/4″
Gorgeous Grape CS: 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ strip
Berry Burst CS: scrap for sentiment matte
Card Kit Card: cut into four pieces
2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″
Window Sheet: 3″ x 5 1/2″

Adhere the Window Sheet to the shorter edge of the card and match with the back edge of the card to make a clear front panel.

Adhere the Gorgeous Grape strip under the bottom edge of the 2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ card kit layer.

Adhere the card kit layer over the Window Sheet layer and adhere evenly to the top of the card front.

Lay the die cut piece face side down over the card matching the bottom edges. Add liquid glue to the foliage that will be above the cardstock edge not below where the window sheet is except foe the very bottom edge.
Turn the die cut over and matching up the bottom edges adhere to the card.
Stamp the “Congratulations” and “you are amazing”sentiments in Berry Burst and pop up on the card base. Place the “Congratulations” above the Window sheet on the left-hand side and the “You are Amazing” below the window sheet on the right-hand side.
I added five Purple Shimmer Gems to the card front, tucking some under the sentiments.
I added three small single butterflies in Gorgeous Grape ink to the upper right-hand side of the card kit card layer.
I decided I wanted to little bit more emphasis on the “Congratulations” sentiment so I added a Berry Burst matter under the sentiment and fussy cut to match the die cut form.

I love the see through bottom “apron” of the card – just stunning and it shows of the beauty of this alcohol inked die!

I liked this style so much I tried it with a Gorgeous Grape cardstock base.
This simple alternative card started with a Coastal Cabana card base. I used one of the
2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ pieces of card base, I adhered two Gorgeous Grape strips on either side of the card kit layer.
I stamped the butterflies around the sentiments. I popped up the sentiment on Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals at the lower right-hand corner.
I cut one of the card bases from the kit to 4″ x 5 1/4″ and adhered it to a Gorgeous Grape CS base. I stamped the “thinking of you” sentiment in Gorgeous Grape ink and added the small butterflies around the sentiment. I added three Purple Fine Shimmer Gems.
The last alternative card from this batch I created a z-fold fun fold.
I used one of the 2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ card kit layers on the right-hand side of the inside of the card base.
I cut the colored part of the envelope to a
2″ x 5 1/4″ piece and adhered it to the first panel of the z-fold.
I stamped the sentiment “hugs” in Gorgeous Grape and added color with a Blending Brush and stamp extra butterflies.
Add adhesive to the left-hand side of the circle die and adhere to the center of the first panel.
I added 5 Purple Shimmer Gems to the card front to finish the card.
Paper Pumpkin card kits are such great monthly kits delivered to your mailbox – for a bit of fun every month!

Try it one month and watch your creativity blossom! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Pumpkin 12 Month Subscription [ 166818 ]
[166818]
$324.00
Paper Pumpkin 6 Month Subscription [ 166817 ]
[166817]
$162.00
Paper Pumpkin 3 Month Subscription [ 166816 ]
[166816]
$81.00
Paper Pumpkin Subscription [ 166815 ]
[166815]
$27.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 144243 ]
[144243]
$11.50
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 131297 ]
[131297]
$11.50
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146987 ]
[146987]
$11.50
Window Sheets [ 142314 ]
[142314]
$5.00
Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147143 ]
[147143]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147099 ]
[147099]
$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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Spotlight On Nature Dies [ 163580 ]
[163580]
$35.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems [ 162611 ]
[162611]
$8.00
corner in bloom sale-a-bration wedding card

corner in bloom sale-a-bration wedding card

by | Feb 7, 2025 | card samples, embossing folders, out of the box stamping, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s blog post features a wedding card made with the Corner in Bloom Level Two Sale-a-bration stamp set. Typically a “corner” stamp set is traditionally used in well the corners LOL of the card! But today I am pivoting and using those corners stamped twice in a diamond design to form a lovely floral backdrop for the sentiment!

Measurements:
BASE: Gorgeous Grape CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″ pieces
scrap strip for the sentiment

Emboss one of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layers of Basic White CS with the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder.
Stamp the smaller flower corner image in Tuxedo Black Momento ink and match up the open ends and stamp again creating a diamond shape with the two corner images.
Because Gorgeous Grape is such a deep hued purple we do not carry the Stampin’ Blends. The Highland Heather is the same hue but in a lighter shade so this is a wonderful compliment to this project. I colored all of the flower petals in Light Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends marker and then highlighted the centers and edges near the stem in Dark Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends marker.
I colored over the petal areas in Light marker and blended the petals for a more even look.
I colored the leaves in Dark Granny Apple Green and highlighted in Dark Old Olive Stampin’ Blends marker for a nice shaded look.
Adhere the embossed layer to the Gorgeous Grape base card.
Fussy cut the floral diamond out.
Using a Blending Brush and Gorgeous Grape ink pad highlight a diagonal area above to the right and below to the left where you will adhere the diamond image.
Adhere the floral image over the blended area.
I stamped the “lifetime of love” sentiment from the Linked Together stamp set from the 2025 January to April mini catalog release on a scrap 1/4″ strip of Basic White CS. Using a Paper Snip scissors I cut a banner edge on both sides of the sentiment and colored it with the Blending Brush and Gorgeous Grape ink. I popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it between the two corner images.
I added Purple Shine Shimmer Gems to finish off this easy and lovely card perfect for a Spring Wedding or an anniversary!
I also made one with Berry Burst Stampin’ Blends as an alternative coloring sample – Which do you like the Monochromatic (Highland Heather) or the Analogous (Berry Burst) Color design?

Try some out of the box stamping and use one of your stamps in an unexpected way! Now go and create some unexpected artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Corner In Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set
[164959]
$24.00
Linked Together Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[164806]
$18.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[146987]
$11.50
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad
[147099]
$9.00
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
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 Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Berry Burst Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack
[161681]
$11.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154885]
$11.00
Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154887]
$11.00
Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154892]
$11.00
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Distressed Tile 3 D Embossing Folder
[162189]
$10.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems
[162611]
$8.00
sketched butterfly double z gate fold card

sketched butterfly double z gate fold card

by | Oct 18, 2024 | card samples, fun fold, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

This is a card that you can prop up on your desk and look at! I love fun folds and this is a fun one! It is called a double Z Gate fold card and was inspired by fellow demonstrator Connie S.’s video! Thanks for the inspiration. Thought I would share my version!

Measurements:
Basic White Base: 5 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 1 3/4″ and 3 1/2″ from each 5 1/4″
side
Gorgeous Grape CS: (2) 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
(1) piece of 1 3/4″ x 5 1/2″
scrap for sentiment
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
DSP: 1 1/2″ x 5 1/4″

Score the Basic White CS and fold mountain fold at the 1 3/4″ on each side and a valley fold at the 3 1/2″ score line.
Adhere the large panel to one of the Gorgeous Grape 1/4 sheets of card stock.
Adhere the DSP to the Gorgeous Grape matte.
Adhere the DSP matted piece to the left hand panel of the Basic White card stock base.
On the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White card stock piece, stamp in Tuxedo Black Memento ink the medium sketched butterflies in random order.
Color one of the butterflies with your choice of watercolor pencils.
Brush the colored butterfly with a Water Painter to blend the watercolor pencils.
Adhere the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White card stock to the other Gorgeous Grape 1/4 sheet of card stock.
Die cut in Gorgeous Grape card stock the Nested Essentials.
Stamp the “wishing you a beautiful birthday” sentiment on the die with Tuxedo Black Memento ink.
I added three Purple Fine Shimmer Gems to the sentiment piece.
Run adhesive along the left-hand panel.
Adhere the matted panel to the left hand panel on the Basic White card stock base.
This is the 3D card – what a great way to display an extra special birthday card!

Try this fun and easy fold with your stash and go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Sketched Butterflies Bundle (English)
[163492]
$49.50
Sketched Butterflies Cling Stamp Set (English)
[163490]
$26.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$13.00
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2
[146987]
$11.50
Regals 6
[163774]
$12.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
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 Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Watercolor Pencils Assortment 1
[161700]
$18.00
Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2
[149014]
$14.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Nested Essentials Dies
[161597]
$34.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems
[162611]
$8.00
more color mondays – changing leaves amazing card

more color mondays – changing leaves amazing card

by | Sep 23, 2024 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, embossing folders, more color mondays, my favorites, techniques

Today’s More Color Monday features Basic Gray, Coastal cabana and Gorgeous Grape. I love this Changing Leaves Hybrid Bundle and this card has lots of depth and dimension and gorgeous color!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic Gray CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Layer: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Coastal Cabana: scraps for sentiment piece and
leaves dies
Gorgeous Grape: scraps for leaves dies

Take the Basic Gray layer and emboss with the Changing Leaves hybrid embossing folder.
Die cut leaves in both Coastal Cabana and Gorgeous Grape.
Die cut the long sentiment piece and stamp the sentiment in Gorgeous Grape ink.
Pop the sentiment piece onto the center of the card front.
Adhere the leaves under sentiment piece.
Add three Basic Gray and Smoky Slate Pearlson the card.
This is a great color combination – see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Changing Leaves Bundle (English)
[164139]
$54.00
Changing Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[164351]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$13.00
Basic Gray 8-1/2
[121044]
$11.50
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2
[131297]
$11.50
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2
[146987]
$11.50
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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder
[164138]
$40.00
Basic Gray & Smoky Slate Pearls
[163416]
$7.50
rainbow sketched butterflies card and shadowbox

rainbow sketched butterflies card and shadowbox

by | Aug 23, 2024 | card samples, embossing folders, my favorites, new catalog

I love this card and the shadowbox I created for my father’s funeral.

Measurements:

BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
scrap for the Deckled Circle dies/embossed
Real Red scrap for Sketched Butterflies
dies
Melon Mambo scrap for Sketched Butterflies
dies
Flirty Flamingo scrap for Sketched Butterflies
dies
Pumpkin Pie scrap for Sketched Butterflies
dies
Lemon Lime Twist scrap for Sketched Butterflies dies
Coastal Cabana scrap for Sketched Butterflies
dies
Blueberry Bushel scrap for Sketched Butterflies
dies
Gorgeous Grape scrap for Sketched Butterflies
dies

Die cut the third largest deckle circle and cut in half.
Stamp the butterfly stamp in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.
Emboss the butterfly stamped layer in the Birch Wood 3D embossing folder.
Pop up the butterfly layer onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and match the right-hand edge to the card edge.
Stamp the sentiment onto the upper left hand edge of the card base.
Die cut the Sketched Butterflies dies in Real Red, Melon Mambo, Flirty Flamingo, Pumpkin Pie, Lemon Lime Twist, Coastal Cabana, Blueberry Bushel and adhere them around the deckled circle embossed layer tucking them in and under the edges in rainbow order.
Add adhesive-backed shiny sequins and sequins trio to the card front to finish this card.

I added this card to a Coastal Cabana 8 1/2″ x 11″ and added pictures for my father’s funeral and mounted it into a shadow box.

This stamp set has so many uses and it is my new favorite! Hope you get to stamp today now go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Sketched Butterflies Bundle (English)
[163492]
$49.50
Sketched Butterflies Cling Stamp Set (English)
[163490]
$26.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Blueberry Bushel 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[146968]
$11.50
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[131297]
$11.50
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[146987]
$11.50
Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[141416]
$11.50
Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[144245]
$11.50
Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[115320]
$11.50
Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[102482]
$11.50
Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[105117]
$11.50
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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Sketched Butterflies Dies
[163491]
$29.00
Adhesive Backed Sequins Trio
[161206]
$8.00
Adhesive Backed Shiny Sequins
[163484]
$7.50