masking - nataliegramleystamps

sunrise sailing mask card

by nataliegramleystamps | Jun 4, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masks, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

We are busy! So please forgive the lateness of this post, I was building some IKEA furniture for my new studio late into the night and this morning and totally forgot to post this!

For those of you that do not know me well., I moved a a small lake town in Pennsylvania three years ago and we gutted a lake front property and designed and build our forever home. We had plans to do it in phases and we finally are almost done with the second phase!
We added on some space to the back of the house to include my dream stamping studio – and we are probably a month out from moving day! I am super excited and will share the project at it’s completion sometime in June/July!

Today’s card is a fun masking technique that I have done before taking a negative space from a die cut and creating a mask from it.

Measurements:
BASE: Cloud Cover CS: 5 1/2″ x 11″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for additional masking at least 4 1/2″
wide
Secret Sea CS: scraps for the boat dies

Cut a large circle die – I used my favorite die set the Stylish Shapes dies and cut a circle in the top center of a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Basic White cardstock.
Place over the 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece.

Using Blending brushes and 3 inks: I used Strawberry Slush, Flirty Flamingo and Gorgeous Grape, blend through the mask creating a sunset circle.

Die cut the larger boat from the Sunrise Sailing die set in Secret Sea CS.
Place the boat where you will be adhering it on the card and stamp the water ripple image in Azure Afternoon ink below the boat.

Using a scrap piece of cardstock that is wider than the Basic White layer, plav=ce it across the paper directly above the ripple stamped image.

Blend with Azure Afternoon ink below the scrap mask or use masking paper!

Adhere the boat to the card above the ripple image.

Stamp the bird images around the sunset in Azure Afternoon ink.

Stamp congratulations from the Sunrise Sailing stamp set on the top of the card layer in Azure Afternoon ink.

Adhere the Basic White layer to the Cloud Cover card base.

Stamp a sentiment on the inside of the card!

Add Basic Rhinestones around the sentiment for the final sparkly touch and you are complete!

Try this simple masking technique today and see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Sunrise Sailing Bundle (English)

[165497]

$50.25

Sunrise Sailing Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[165491]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Cloud Cover 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165621]

$14.00

Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161663]

$9.00

Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147052]

$9.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

[147099]

$9.00

Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad

[165286]

$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

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Sunrise Sailing Hybrid Embossing Folder

[165496]

$36.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

$6.00

← more color mondays - petunia pop, azure afternoon and gorgeous grape florals in bloom anniversary card →

bokeh background with golden greenery

by nataliegramleystamps | Jul 24, 2024 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, die cutting, stamps ink paper, techniques

Besides stamping, I love photography! The Bokeh effect has always reminded me of those pictures people take of Christmas lights where the lights are out of focus and there are loads of white circles covering the page – like the photo below!

For today’s blog post I am going to teach you an easy method for recreating this effect! All you need is a circle mask made from punches or dies and white ink!

Measurements:
BASE: Pretty Peacock: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ for masks
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the outside layer
scraps for die cut and sentiment piece.

I did a watercolor wash on an acrylic block. I used the Stampin’ Up! E acrylic block and applied ink direct to the block from the lemon Lime Twist ink pad directly onto the E block in the center.

I added Lost Lagoon to the left side of the block and Pretty Peacock to the right side.

I misted the surface of the acrylic block with water.
Spray enough water so that the ink starts to run together and dose not have a lot of beading on the surface.

Place the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer over the acrylic block and rub gently so that the water and ink absorb into the paper. Pick up and place another paper on the ink – you usually can get two impressions from one ink application – the second will be lighter but still pretty!
Allow to air dry or if in a hurry dry with the Heat Tool.

Every paper turns out with slight variations – I simply LOVE this technique for creating awesome watercolored backgrounds!

Here are some of the papers I created.

Create a mask with multiple different sized circle openings – I used the four smallest circles from the Stylish Shapes die set!
Place over the dried watercolor paper.

Using a Blending brush and the Craft White ink – I squeezed a few drops of re-inker in the ink lid and brushed the ink onto the blending brush.
Using a circular motion I applied the ink over the mask – in a variety of sizes and depths of color.

Remove the mask – reposition and repeat the blending brush ink application until the desired Bokeh effect is achieved.

Stamp a sentiment I chose a sentiment from the new Online Exclusives Greetings of the Season in Pretty Peacock. I fussy cut the sentiment and blended Pretty Peacock ink over the cut surface of the sentiment! I also cut a die from the Golden Greenery die set in Basic White scrap.

I adhered the watercolored layer to the Pretty Peacock base. I popped up the fussy cut sentiment piece onto the lower left hand corcer of the card front.

I popped up the die on mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the top right corner.

I added some white pearlescent sequins from the Adhesive-Backed Sequins Trio to finish off the card.

This effect has always reminded me of Christmas lights so I thought it perfect for this first Christmas card of the season!

Try this Bokeh effect soon and let me know what

Product List

Golden Greenery Bundle

[164117]

$56.50

Golden Greenery Photopolymer Stamp Set

[164331]

$24.00

Greetings Of The Season Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164325]

$25.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

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

[150880]

$11.50

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

[147145]

$9.00

Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161678]

$9.00

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

[150083]

$9.00

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

[147277]

$10.50

Whisper White Craft Stampin' Ink Refill

[101780]

$7.00

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

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$15.00

Clear Block E

[118484]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Golden Greenery Dies

[164116]

$39.00

Adhesive Backed Sequins Trio

[161206]

$8.00

← more color mondays - lost lagoon, berry burst, and soft sea foam stamp and spritz watercolor technique →

more color mondays – calypso coral, mambo melon and gorgeous grape

by nataliegramleystamps | Jan 8, 2024 | card samples, color challenge, more color mondays, new catalog, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s More Color Monday’s is bright and cheery for this New Year and new catalog season and I might just have some tropical sunsets on my mind!

I love creating scenic backgrounds and this card is all about ink blending in today’s color challenge colors: Calypso Coral, Mambo melon and Gorgeous Grape!

Measurements:
BASE: Mambo Melon 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White layer: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″

Take the outside Basic White layer and starting at the bottom layer Calypso Coral ink about one-third of the way up the card with a blending brush.

with the same outside Basic White layer and starting just above the Calypso Coral ink layer the Mambo Melon ink about one-third of the way up the card with a blending brush above the coral layer.

Using a new blending brush layer Gorgeous Grape ink in the top third of the Basic White layer.

Cut a scrap piece of Basic White thick cardstock with the Basic Borders cloud edge die and place at the top of the ink blended layer. Using the same Gorgeous Grape ink brush over the die mask and create cloud shadowing with the mask and the ink.

Move the die mask down to the Mambo melon layer and brush over the mask creating clouds in this section as well.

Move the mask to the Coral section and do the same with the Mask and Blending brush in Calypso Coral ink.

Stamp the sentiment in Gorgeous Grape ink to the lower middle left hand side of the colored layer.

Stamp the “hill” stamp on the lower layer in Gorgeous grape ink multiple times to create a ground silhouette.

Stamp a single floral image to the left side of the card layer in Gorgeous Grape ink.

Wrap the Black and White Gingham ribbon around this layer and tie a knot.

Adhere onto the Mambo melon card base.
Add five Basic Rhinestone Jewels to the card front to finish off with a little bling.

Here is another sample using an added layer of Daffodil Delight ink. Giving a different look just by adding an additional color of ink!

Try this technique and this color combination and let me know what you created – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Delicate Forest Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[162675]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

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

[115320]

$10.00

Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad

[147101]

$9.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

[147099]

$9.00

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147051]

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

[147094]

$9.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$26.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$5.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$11.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$128.00

Basic Borders Dies

[155558]

$29.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$13.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

$6.00

Black & White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Gingham Ribbon

[156485]

$7.00

← sale-a-bration is here - check out watercolor melon making your own designer paper →

creating a scene inside a mask

by nataliegramleystamps | Sep 23, 2023 | card samples, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today we are creating a scene inside negative die space with strip scraps torn across the width to represent mountains and sky scenery.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic Gray 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White: layer 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ for die cut
4″ x 5 1/4″ for card front layer
and strip scraps for blending

you will notice in the picture I have two ink pads and blending brushes I switched out the Gray Granite for Smoky Slate ink to make the sky lighter.

Die cut a shape out of the 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ layer in the upper center space of the layer. Place the die cut layer over the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer for blending.

Tear strip scraps in mountainous shapes and lay each one down over the die space. Blending the mountainous strips with lightly colored Night of Navy ink in a circular motion. Remove the first strip and add another above the first and repeat the blending. Do the same with a different third strip scrap.

Add straighter torn strips for the sky portion. I added strips with Smoky Slate blending then added a little setting sun colors in Crushed Curry and Cameo Coral.

Remove the die layer and add a silhouette stamp from the Magical Meadows stamp set from the new September to December catalog and a sentiment – this one is from the Charming Sentiments stamp set. Wrap the Black and white Gingham ribbon around the bottom of the layer and tie a knot.

Adhere that layer to the Basic Gray base.

I added some Irridescent Pearls to the berries section of the silhouette stamp and the card is complete!

See what dies and scenes you can make with this technique – and go create some art of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Charming Sentiments Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[159985]

$23.00

Winter Meadow Suite Collection (English)

[162150]

$96.50

Magical Meadow Cling Stamp Set (English)

[162134]

$27.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121044]

$10.00

Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad

[149165]

$9.00

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

[147110]

$9.00

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad

[147113]

$9.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$26.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$5.50

Paper Snips

[103579]

$11.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$128.00

Nested Essentials Dies

[161597]

$34.00

Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels

[158987]

$7.50

Black & White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Gingham Ribbon

[156485]

$7.00

← new mini catalog swap cards more color mondays - cajun craze, wild wheat and pecan pie →

overlapping masks

by nataliegramleystamps | Sep 13, 2023 | card samples, stamps ink paper, techniques

Foursquare Decorative Masks is a delightful set of four different patterns of masks.

Masks are great for creating backgrounds.

Moving the mask around creates an even more spectacular background.

Measurements:
BASE: Gorgeous Grape CS
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4
Basic White CS Layer: 4″ x 5 1/4″
scraps: for sentiment and banners

Place the decorative mask on the Basic White layer. Using a Blending Brush, and an Azure Afternoon ink in a circular motion apply the ink.

Move the decorative mask to cover the current ink spots.

Add Coastal Cabana ink to the next spots.

Add Lemon Lime Twist to another section.

Move the decorative mask to reveal clean spaces. Add Gorgeous Grape ink to the paper.

This is the finished product of the overlapping decorative mask.

Add Stampin’ Seal to the upper back of the layer and adhere the 2022- 2024 In Color Baker’s Twine Pack in Lemon Lime Twist. Add four small banners and fold over the edges over the twine. Adhere the decorative mask layer to the Gorgeous Grape CS base.

Using a 1/2″ strip, stamp in Gorgeous Grape the Happy Birthday stamp from the Something Fancy stamp set. Add color with a Blending Brush and Lemon Lime Twist ink. Punch a banner edge with the Banners Pick a Punch to one edge. Add Stampin’ Dimensionals on the backside and add to the lower half of the card.