layering technique - nataliegramleystamps

more color mondays – pecan pie, mossy meadow and granny apple green

by nataliegramleystamps | Dec 22, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, masculine cards, more color mondays, new catalog, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays Color Challenge made me think of a masculine nature card and there is a upcoming suite in the new January to April 2026 mini catalog that fit the bill perfectly!

The new Nature’s Walk Suite is gorgeous with a great stamp set and coordinating dies but also TWO fabulous new coordinating papers and I didn’t even use those for this card! But I will make something soon to SNEAK PEAK some of the other products in this suite!

Measurements:
BASE: Mossy Meadow CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
Granny Apple Green CS: 2″ x 4″, scrap for
sentiment
Pecan Pie CS: scraps for dies and under
sentiment

Building layers applies to many things in this project – not only physical layers but layers of color depth as in the first thing I did for this card. Instead of just die cutting the leaves die from a colored cardstock I blended color on one of the Basic White layers with Granny Apple Green and Mossy Meadow inks. Then I sprayed the layer with water to color lift and create some texture! Then I die cut multiple leaves to use on the card using every inch of the pretty paper I created even if it was only a leaf or two from the die!

I stamped the smaller leaf image in Granny Apple Green in opposite corners of the other Basic White layer. Then I stamped the speckled lines image in Mossy Meadow ink around the outside of the layer.

I blended Granny Apple Green around the edges and mounted it to the inside of the card base.

I stamped a sentiment on the upper center of the layer in Mossy Meadow ink from the Nature’s Symphony stamp set.

Then I started building the layers.

I added two log dies in Pecan Pie cardstock to the lower portion of the card front and started placing leaves around the card.

I stamped the two stamps from the inside layer of the card on a 2″ x 4″ Granny Apple Green layer and blended a little color on the edges, I added two strips for the sentiment and popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals over the Pecan Pie dies.

I added more leaf layers around the card and the sentiment.

I adhered five Shades of Green Hexagons around the card for some color coordinated embellishments!

I also stamped the speckled lines image in Mossy Meadow (truthfully I wish I had done this first as a background to add more depth under where the leaves are but I hopefully will think of that next time LOL!

I decided to add two more leaves to balance the sentiment piece on the left side.

I added some linen thread under the sentiment piece for a little more texture!

Remember when building layers you can always add if you feel it needs a little more “something” – that’s what building layers is all about – depth and texture!

Try to make a card building layers for that depth and texture – now go and create some art of your very own – one stamp – one layer at a time!

***Reminder this is a SNEAK PEAK from the upcoming January to April 2026 catalog available to customers January 6th so the photo links below will not have any sneak peak items listed.***

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146990]

$14.00

Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[133676]

$14.00

Pecan Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[161717]

$14.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad

[147095]

$9.00

Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad

[147111]

$9.00

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

Linen Thread

[104199]

$5.00

Shades Of Green Hexagons

[165233]

$8.00

← demonstrator swap card ideas sneak peak - nature walk suite card →

split front card with a floating element technique

by nataliegramleystamps | Sep 6, 2023 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, Designer Series Paper, embossing folders, my favorites, new catalog, techniques

What’s better than a mini catalog go live day? Well nothing LOL but how about learning a fabulous new technique? Even better how about combining two fabulous techniques on one card! Today’s card is all about techniques using one new and one past highlighted technique and combining them into one super card! A split front card is a very simple variation on a normal layout cutting each side of the card front at 1 1/4″ from the sides. The Floating elements technique I highlighted on my August 10th, 2022 post last year, it uses a window sheet to make strips of DSP or cardstock appear as if it’s floating off the page!

Measurements:
BASE: Pebbled Path CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4
Pebbled Path layer: 2 3/4″ x 4″ and scrap for
sentiment piece
Basic White Layer: 2 3/4″ x 4″
DSP pieces: (2) 1″ x 4″
(1) 3″ square cut into strips
Window Sheet: 2 1/2″ x 4″

The Mini catalog is now live and the current hostess code in case you have to have something is 4RZZKTH7

Score the card front at 4 1/4″.
Cut from each side 1 1/4″ in from the edge of the card front to the score line.
Run adhesive on the back side of the two outer strips and adhere to the back of the card.

Adhere the 1″ x 4″ strips of DSP to the two cardstock strips you just adhered to the card base.

Adhere the Basic white layer 2 3/4″ x 4″ to the middle section of the card base.

Run the Pebbled Path layer through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder and adhere to the card front’s middle section.

Cut the 3″ square DSP section into incrementally smaller strips. I cut mine at 5/8″ from each outer edge, then 1/2″ from each edge then split the last strip in half at about 3/8″.

Adhere the strips on the window sheet and cut off overlap.

Adhere Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to the underside of the middle strips ( as the window sheet will hang over the split front flap and you do not want the mini dimensionals to show.

Stamp the Winter Wishes from the Magical Meadow stamp set in Pebbled Path ink on a Pebbled Path scrap and die cut with the second smallest banner die in the Nested Essentials die set.

Adhere the sentiment piece to the floating element and adhere the floating element onto the middle flap of the split front card.

Add Adhesive Backed Sparkle Gems in Silver to the card front and this dynamic duo of technique cards is complete!

Try combining your favorite techniques and go make some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

← more color mondays - blueberry bushel, mambo melon, and granny apple green fractured masculine christmas card →

hippest hippo – final days of sale-a-bration 2022

by nataliegramleystamps | Aug 29, 2022 | card samples, Sale-a-bration

Today’s blog post is a reminder that you all need to get any last minute Sale-a-bration orders in if you still want any Sale-a-bration FREE merchandise – ‘Cause Sale–abration ends on Wednesday of this week.
I do have a current Hostess code going until then.

CURRENT HOSTESS CODE = WP4GHJB9

The Hippest Hippos is a cute, whimsical set that contains three smaller hippo images. Ever wonder how to make a standard size card with smaller images – LAYERING is the answer!!!

Here I used multiple layers to draw the eye towards the focal point – the cute little hippo and greeting!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS 5 /12″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Layer: Basic White CS 4″ x 5 1/4″ embossed
Largest circle from Stylish Dies –
Gingham Cottage DSP
Basic Black and White CS – Stylish Shapes
consecutive banner dies

I embossed the Basic White layer on the Timeworn Type 3D Embossing Folder (#156505) and then popped this layer up the Stampin’ Dimensionals (#104430). I then offset the largest circle die from the Stylish Shapes die set (#159183) on Gingham Cottage DSP (#159651)

I colored the hippo first in Light Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends marker (#154882) and then overlaid Light Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends marker (#154904) I added Sweet Sorbet Stampin’ Blends marker to the flower and toenails (#159224) and the leaf I colored with Mint Macaron Stampin’ Blends (#154889). I fussy cut the image out using our fabulous knife edged Paper snips scissors (#103579) and added it to the left side of the circle die on the card.

I took the smallest banner die from Stylish Shapes and die cut the “Love you a ton” sentiment on Basic White CS and cut the next largest banner die in Basic Black – layered them and added then to the card sliding the left edge under the hippo.

I added coordinating embellishments starting with the 2022-2024 In Color Matte Decorative Dots (#159186). I always add them in odd numbers here I used three in a triangular pattern.