heat embossing - nataliegramleystamps

more color mondays – pretty peacock, melon mambo and poppy parade

by nataliegramleystamps | Dec 29, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, more color mondays, new catalog, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features Pretty Peacock, Melon mambo and Poppy Parade.

There are a couple of fun techniques to this card and a SNEAK PEAK of the Boardwalk Fun Bundle.

Measurements:
BASE: Melon Mambo CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Poppy Parade CS: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″, scraps for dies
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
Pretty Peacock CS: scraps for dies
Melon mambo CS: scrap for dies

Adhere the Poppy Parade CS to the Melon Mambo CS base.

Color the bottom of one of the Basic White CS layers with a blending brush with Pretty Peacock ink.

Using another blending brush color the top of the Basic White layer with the Melon Mambo ink.

Color the top of the Basic White layer with a blending brush and Poppy Parade ink.

Spray the glass surface with water and pat the Basic White layer over the water covered glass and mix the watercolor onto the blended color surface.

Dry the layer with a heat tool.

Using the edge of a Versamark ink pad, swipe in lines over the top of the layer and concentrated in a small squiggle down at the bottom.

Sprinkle gold embossing powder over the versamark ink.

Heat with a heat tool until embossing powder melts.

Adhere the watercolored layer onto the card base.

Stamp Happy Birthday in Pretty Peacock ink on the second Basic White layer.

Color over the Basic White layer with the Melon Mambo and Poppy Parade blending brushes.

Die a small palm tree from the Boardwalk Fun die set from Pretty Peacock cardstock. Adhere the palm tree die to the right of the stamped sentiment.

Adhere the layer to the inside of the card.

Die cut the ferris wheel and the taller palm tree in Pretty Peacock CS.

Adhere to the middle of the colored layer on the card front. Pop up the ferris wheel on Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Die cut the ferris wheel carts in Poppy Parade and Melon Mambo cardstock.

Adhere the carts onto the ferris wheel in alternating colors.

Die cut the ticket die in Melon Mambo cardstock.

Stamp the Enjoy the Ride in Melon Mambo ink onto the ticket die.

Pop up the ticket onto the card front on the lower left hand corner at the base of the Ferris Wheel dies.

I love the way this background turned out – try this watercolor and heat embossing technique.

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Reminder this card is a SNEAK PEAK of an upcoming stamp bundle – the photo links for the sneak peak items will not be included below until they are available.

Product List

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[115320]

$14.00

Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119793]

$14.00

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

[150880]

$14.00

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147051]

$9.00

Versamark Pad

[102283]

$9.50

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 Glue Dots

[103683]

$7.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$15.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

[129053]

$32.00

Metallics Wow! Embossing Powder

[165678]

$21.00

← card sketch #114 - hope, love & joy card double front flap fun fold card - boardwalk fun bundle →

seasons of elegance pleated card

by nataliegramleystamps | Nov 12, 2025 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, Designer Series Paper, fun fold, techniques

This pleated card looks so impressive and is so easy it’s all about the folding and adhering – easy peasy! Let me show you how to make this show stopper Christmas card!

Measurements:
BASE: Cherry Cobbler CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ x 9 3/4″ scored at 1/4″, 1/2″, 1 1/4″,
1 1/2″, 2 1/4″, 2 1/2″, 3 1/4″, 3 1/2″, 4 1/4″,
4 1/2″, 5 1/4″, 5 1/2″, 6 1/4″, 6 1/2″, 7 1/4″,
7 1/2″, 8 1/4″, 8 1/2″, 9 1/4″ and 9 1/2″
DSP: in a complimentary color: 1″ x 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ for inside

Cut the DSP to 4″ x 9 3/4″
Then score at 1/4″, 1/2″, 1 1/4″,
1 1/2″, 2 1/4″, 2 1/2″, 3 1/4″, 3 1/2″, 4 1/4″,
4 1/2″, 5 1/4″, 5 1/2″, 6 1/4″, 6 1/2″, 7 1/4″,
7 1/2″, 8 1/4″, 8 1/2″, 9 1/4″ and 9 1/2″

Start with three mountain folds and then 2 valley, then continue with 2 mountain and 2 valleys until the end and you will have 3 mountain folds for the last three folds.

I modified the original design I found online and added a 1/4″ fold on both ends so you would have a fold back portion to secure the pleats to the card base.

This next step is the hardest and it’s really about dexterity LOL – you need to fold the pleats inward and hold them at their closest while adhering Tear-n-Tape to the back side.

This will curl – do not be alarmed that is natural because of the pleating.

Once you remove the release paper from the Tear-n-Tape and attach the pleated paper to the Card base this will eliminate the curling.

Remove the release paper from both Tear-n-Tape strips and adhere to the card base.

I heat embossed the sentiment from the Jolly Holly stamp set in Gold embossing powder with a Heat Tool and adhered the DSP embossed strip to the two end pleats.

Cut away any excess – I made that 5 1/2″ long because the pleated size will vary so you will have excess.

I added the gold colored sequins from the Traditional Sparkling Sequins -these are my new favorite holiday embellishment – you can use them as is or you can color the lighter ones with Stampin’ Blends markers – they are so sparkly and versatile!

This easy WOW card is a fabulous design – try it today with your stash of DSP and let me know how it turns out!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Jolly Holly Bundle (English)

[166120]

$54.00

Jolly Holly Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[166117]

$19.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119685]

$14.00

Season Of Elegance 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[164144]

$16.50

Versamark Pad

[102283]

$9.50

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

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

[129053]

$32.00

Metallics Wow! Embossing Powder

[165678]

$21.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Jolly Holly Hybrid Embossing Folder

[166119]

$41.00

Traditional Sparkling Sequins

[165875]

$8.00

← more color mondays - misty moonlight, secret sea and crumb cake cozy christmas paper pumpkin alternatives →

peace on earth christmas card – upcoming mini catalog sneakpeak

by nataliegramleystamps | Aug 13, 2025 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors, my favorites, new catalog, sneak peak, techniques

Starting in September comes a new holiday mini catalog – the September to December 2025 Mini Catalog! I will have copies available at my Open House – Friday, August 22nd 12pm – 3pm and Saturday, August 23rd 9am to 12pm!

This is one of the products we could pre-order and this one was featured in a demonstrator exclusive craft day a few weeks back!

This is a card I designed for the Christmas in July Demonstrator Swap! It features the Peace on Earth bundle along with the Peaceful Greenery 3D embossing folder and a fun technique.

Measurements:
BASE: Secret Sea CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Misty Moonlight CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Peaceful Garden Glimmer Paper: 2″ x 3″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″

Place the Misty Moonlight layer in the Peaceful Greenery 3D embossing folder and run through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the Base plate #1 and the grey embossing plate #4 with the embossing folder sandwiched in between #1 and #4.

Using a direct to paper technique rub Versamark ink onto the edges of the embossed layer.

Using the brush that comes in the Embossing Additions Tool Kit (#159971) $27.00 dip the brush into the Silver embossing powder and then tap the powder from the brush onto the versamark ink covered paper. Heat with the Heat Tool until the embossing powder melts.

(Product Details for the Embossing Additions Tool Kit: Make embossing easier with the Embossing Additions Tool Kit. This kit includes an Embossing Buddy, Powder Pal, Crafting Tweezers, and Crafting Brush. The Embossing Buddy is a small bag of powder. Rub it over your paper before inking and embossing. This ensures the embossing powder stays only where you want it. The Powder Pal is an easy way to catch and funnel excess embossing powder back into its container. Use the Crafting Tweezers to hold items while embossing them. And the Crafting Brush is handy for brushing powder for keeping your paper and work area clean. Keep this kit on hand, and you’ll what you need to keep your embossing neat and tidy.

* Embossing Buddy
* Powder Pal
* Crafting Tweezers
* Crafting Brush)

Stamp the Peace on Earth sentiment in Secret Sea ink in the middle of the embossing folder outlined middle area.

Adhere the embossed layer to the Secret Sea cardstock card base.

Die cut the smaller dove image out of the silver hue Peaceful Garden glimmer paper and two of the stars.

Place it on the card front to see where you would like to adhere the dove.

Adhere the two stars to the right and slightly below the sentiment.

Place Stampin’ Seal + below where the dove will be adhered and fold a 5″ piece of Misty Moonlight and Silver edged ribbon that is part of the Peaceful Garden Suite of products, adhere the ribbon down and then remove the release paper from some Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the dove and adhere over the ribbon.

Adhere some Basic Rhinestone Jewels to the card front.

Stamp wishing you and Peace, Love and Joy in Secret Sea ink to the Basic White layer and adhere to the inside of the card.

The embossing powder dusting gives the edges of the card an antiqued look and enhances the Glimmer paper dove and stars for a gorgeous Christmas card!

This is a lovely set that can be used for so much more than just Christmas! Let me know if you would like a catalog and will not be at my Open House or upcoming Library Card classes and I will get one to you!

Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!
As a reminder since this is a sneak peak and the products are not available until September 3rd for customers the photo links will not be available below.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[153081]

$14.00

Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165624]

$14.00

Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad

[165285]

$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

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$15.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

$6.00

← more color mondays - night of navy, misty moonlight and calypso coral in color card sale 15% off until end of august →

decorative trees simple christmas card in blueberry bushel and white

by nataliegramleystamps | Oct 25, 2024 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, masculine cards

Sometimes all you are looking for is a simple card – especially when it comes to Christmas cards if you send out quite a few like I do!

This card fits the bill lovely and simple – requiring just a few steps and minimal layers!

Measurements:
BASE: Blueberry Bushel CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
1″ x 4″ strip
scrap for the die cut tree
Basic White layer: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″

Use the embossing buddy – rub over the 1″ strip of Blueberry Bushel cardstock and stamp the “O Christmas Tree” sentiment in Versamark ink in the center. Sprinkle the White embossing powder from the Embossing Basics pack and heat set with the Heat Tool.
Emboss one of the Basic White CS layers with the Snowflake Sky 3D embossing folder and adhere the strip to the lower 1/3 of the layer.

Adhere the Basic White embossed layer to the card front.

Die cut the snowflake tree die in Blueberry Bushel and adhere to the card center with glue.

Adhere Basic Rhinestone jewels to the card front to complete this simple Christmas card!
I love the winter-y vibe this blue and white card gives off. So elegant and simple!

Try making a few Christmas cards in plenty of time now so you will not feel rushed as the season approaches.

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Decorative Trees Bundle (English)

[164085]

$52.00

Decorative Trees Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164275]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

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

[146968]

$11.50

Versamark Pad

[102283]

$9.50

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

Decorative Trees Dies

[164084]

$38.00

Snowflake Sky 3 D Embossing Folder

[162026]

$11.00

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

[129053]

$32.00

Basics Embossing Powders

[155554]

$18.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

$6.00

← overlapping tri-fold humble home card more color mondays meets christmas mix and match →

to color or not to color that is the question

by nataliegramleystamps | Feb 21, 2024 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, new catalog, Sale-a-bration, stamps ink paper, techniques

Do you like to color? Some people, like me, find it very relaxing! As a little girl I was the one you could plop at a table with a box of crayons and a coloring book and I would color the edges dark and the insides lighter and spend hours happily making great drawings. For me it is fun to color, for others not so much and today I thought I would show you two ways to go about “coloring” an image for each type of artist!

Measurements:
BASE: Calypso Coral CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″ for all samples
Basic White CS 1/4″ larger than your focal
image for cards 2 and 3
DSP large enough for your image to be stamped
on for card 1
3 1/4″ x 5″ for card 2
2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ for card 1

For those that do not find coloring in the details of a stamp like the Stippled Roses fun – there are a number of options. First and easiest is to just stamp it in one color and make a monochromatic card.

If you do not like to color but still want to step it up a notch then a technique I love is embossing on the B side of our DSP – most of our Designer Series Papers are double sided. Most of the DSP that is two sided has a complimentary colored more plain B side that works well with the more elaborate A side. Many times the B sides are perfect for embossing on pretty enough to be a great background but not too busy to distract from the beautiful stamped images!
Stamp the Stippled Rose large rose image in Versamark ink onto the Calypso Coral B side of the Softly Stippled FREE Sale-a-bration DSP, then sprinkle with the white embossing powder from the Basic Embossing powder pack!

Heat set with the Heat Tool and once cool cut to the desired size – you could also die cut the Roses but I love this watercolor washed look on the B side and wanted more of it to show so I cut a rectangle around the embossed image!
I then mounted it onto a Basic White cardstock matte.

Pop up the Rose embossed image with Stampin’ Dimensionals and mount onto the Calypso Coral card base.

I stamped the birthday greeting from the Stippled Rose stamp set in Calypso Coral using the Stampin’ Write marker brush tip side and punched one end with the Banners Pick-a-punch and mounted it onto the card front.

I added Ombre Matte Dots to the card and what a WOW and easy card without having to color!

For the coloring example, I started with the black and white Stippled Rose images from the FREE Softly Stippled Sale-a-bration paper!

I used the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol combo packs in Calypso Coral and Granny Apple Green.
I start and color the entire image with the Light marker.

Once all the flowers are colored in the Light marker I go back over the flowers with the Dark marker highlighting the edges and the dark shading marks made by the original artist!

Then I go back over the entire petal images with the Light marker to blend the two colors. I love the way these markers work – no streaking and blending is so easy!

Next I colored all the leaves with the Light Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends marker.

Highlighted the leaves with the Dark Marker.

Blended the leaves by going over the entire leaf surface with the Light marker again to blend the colors.

I mounted the colored DSP onto a Basic White cardstock matte.

I wrapped and knotted the Black & White Gingham ribbon around the card and mounted it onto the card base.

I stamped the thank you sentiment from the Stippled Rose set in Calypso Coral and added some leaves in Granny Apple Green ink and mounted onto the card.