more color mondays – lost lagoon, flirty flamingo and darling duckling

more color mondays – lost lagoon, flirty flamingo and darling duckling

by | Feb 23, 2026 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, In Colors, online exclusives, techniques

Well this third Product of the Month release is a hit! This Designer Series Paper is beautiful and the inspiration fort todays’ More Color Mondays color challenge card! Painted Illusions is the February release in the Product of the Month category and this DSP is fabulous if I could buy it more than once I would. the first few photos are the different sides of the paper included in the packet.

Measurement:
BASE: Lost Lagoon CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for dies
DSP: 4″ square and 2″scrap strip for dies
Vellum CS: 4″ square

Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer with the Soft Waves 3D embossing folder and adhere to the Lost Lagoon card base.
Take the empty circle die from the Springtime Scenes awesome die set collection die cut the Painted Illusions Product of the Month DSP and save both the inner circle and the outer ring – we will be using both!

Die cut the vellum layer with the leaf circle.

Glue the DSP outer circle to the outer portion of the vellum leaf circle die.

Glue the inner DSP circle die to the upper middle of the card front onto the embossed Basic White layer.
Add glue to the vellum layer only under where the DSP ring is. Attach over the circle ont he card front.
Take two blending brushes and Flirty Flamingo and Darling Duckling ink and color a scrap piece of Basic White CS.
Stamp the lady bug image from the Springtime Scenes stamp set and die cut them out.
Blend another Basic White scrap and die cut the sentiment image and stamp the sentiment “Sweet springtime” in Tuxedo Black memento ink on the die cut.

Pop up the three lady bugs around the vellum circle.

Adhere the sentiment on the lower right hand side of the card front.
I added the new embellishments Pearlized Faceted circles – I love these new sparkles!

I wanted to add a little more Lost Lagoon so I die cut some leaf dies!

I added the leaf die images to the card for more color balance!

Don’t be afraid to add to a card that you had planned out if it seems out of balance – you will grow better at design elements of a card and if you are thinking something is missing or off sometimes it is. Try adding something with out gluing it down you can always remove it then if you decide it was better in the original format.
Experiment that is how you get better at designing!

Now it’s your turn to go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

PS: remember that the Springtime Scenes is an Online Exclusive March Release so it will not appear in the photo links below because it is only available as a pre-order for demonstrators or new recruits in the starter kit!

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 133679 ]
[133679]
$14.00
Painted Illusions 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167977 ]
[167977]
$5.00
Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [ 167099 ]
[167099]
$10.00
Darling Duckling Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165277 ]
[165277]
$9.00
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147052 ]
[147052]
$9.00
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [ 132708 ]
[132708]
$8.00
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Soft Waves 3 D Embossing Folder [ 164695 ]
[164695]
$11.00
Pearlized Faceted Circles [ 166978 ]
[166978]
$8.00
more color mondays – petunia pop, peach pie and summer splash

more color mondays – petunia pop, peach pie and summer splash

by | Jan 26, 2026 | card samples, color challenge, embossing folders, In Colors, more color mondays, my favorites, online exclusives, product of the month, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features some very cool new stamp sets, plus did you wonder where Sale-a-bration had gone?
Well, let me. tell you about that! This past year Stampin’ Up! announced to the demonstrators that they were developing a program to replace Sale-a-bration called the Product of the month promotion!

So instead of just two months of sales items to get for FREE with a qualifying over they are doing a YEAR LONG promotion for every month that a demonstrator or customer spends $75 they are eligible to buy one Product of the Month per that month for $5. Today’s card is made with January’s incentive “fabulous Sayings” stamp set! This is the coolest stamp set with the coolest fonts!

Measurements:
BASE: Summer Splash CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 1 1/2″ x 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, 1 1/4″ x 4″

This card is also made with the new Mini Catalog stamp set Shell Collecting – this is a reversible stamp set! This means if the image is symmetrical you can turn the stamp over and stamp the backside that is the flat side – I always stamp that off on my grid paper so that the background is lighter than the detailed side at full strength!

For the non-symmetrical stamps this Shell Collecting stamp set have reversed images and the non-symmetrical stamps. Use the backside of one and the front detailed side of the other to get both sides!

I stamped the conical shell detailed stamp in Petunia Pop ink full strength.

This particular shell is not symmetrical so I took the other conical shell and turned it so that the flat side was upwards and stamped it into the Petunia Pop ink and stamped it off once on the grid paper, then I stamped it over the detailed image for a filled in look!

I then stamped the starfish image in Peach Pie ink.

The starfish image is symmetrical so there is only one starfish in the collection so I turned the starfish over and stamped off so that the inside filled portion is lighter.

Then I stamped the larger shell in Summer Splash ink.

I also used the January POM (Product of the Month) that I explained in the intro of this blog post – the January selection is called Fabulous Sayings and it is a fantastic sentiment stamp set. I stamped the Happy Birthday from this Product of the Month in Summer Splash ink on the Basic White strip.

Since there are two stamped images of the larger sea shell these are non symmetrical and you will use the detailed side of one and the flat backside of the other stamp. I used the other flat backside at half strength to fill in the background of the shell.
Finish the Basic White layer by alternating colors and shells to completely fill the page.

Take the layer and emboss it with the Soft Waves 3D embossing folder.

Take and adhere the Basic White sentiment strip to the Summer Splash matte strip.
Adhere the embossed layer to the card base and then pop up the sentiment strip across the card front.

I added two silver faceted snowflake embellishments – I know these are snowflakes but they look like stars or starfish to me as well!

The Product of the Month promotion is ONLY while supplies last – so make your supply list and get your order in if this is the set for you!

Below is a picture of the set – it is a great one and it’s only $5 with a qualifying order of $75!
Best $5 I have spent recently!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Fabulous Sayings Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167972 ]
[167972]
$5.00
Shell Collecting Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 167016 ]
[167016]
$21.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Summer Splash 8 1/2" X 11 Cardstock [ 163797 ]
[163797]
$14.00
Peach Pie Classic Stampin Pad [ 163810 ]
[163810]
$9.00
Petunia Pop Classic Stampin Pad [ 163811 ]
[163811]
$9.00
Summer Splash Classic Stampin Pad [ 163809 ]
[163809]
$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 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Soft Waves 3 D Embossing Folder [ 164695 ]
[164695]
$11.00
Faceted Snowflakes [ 166077 ]
[166077]
$10.00
more color mondays – pretty peacock, blackberry bliss and crumb cake

more color mondays – pretty peacock, blackberry bliss and crumb cake

by | Jan 12, 2026 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, embossing folders, new catalog, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

I wanted to create some fun background papers for this card so I took each of the challenge colors and did the same technique with each (I only have pictures of the Pretty Peacock version)

The first thing I did was blend color onto a 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer of Basic White CS with a Blending Brush.

Next I placed a drop of Ink refill in the lid of the ink pad and dipped the wide Water Painter into the ink and liquified it with extra water.

I splattered the ink onto the layer that was set on my glass mat.

Do not disturb the over splatter it will be used in the next step of the technique!

I then moved the layer and sprayed the over splatter with a Stampin’ Spritzer filled with water.

I turned the layer blended color side down on the glass matte surface over the water and patted the layer down to absorb the water – I moved the layer around to wet different portions of the layer in the over splattered water.

Allow the layer to dry.

I repeated this step with the other two colors of ink – Blackberry Bliss and Crumb Cake.

I cut the Crumb Cake layer into 1 1/2″ x 4″ strips and added it to the Crumb Cake card front.

I forgot to take pictures of the next steps – so sorry! I stamped the large leaf image from the Nature’s Symphony stamp set in Pretty Peacock ink and then cut them out with the corresponding die.

I cut the large leaf die from the Blackberry Bliss colored layer.

I cut a circle die from the Spotlight on Nature dies in Crumb Cake CS and stamped the “you make me smile” sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink.

I arranged the Blackberry bliss dies and the stamped Pretty Peacock leaves under the sentiment circle. I popped the circle up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and finished arranging the leaves in a loose cluster around the card!

I added 5 Faceted Snowflakes in the pretty Peacock hue to finish the card with a sweet color coordination – I think the snowflakes look like stars and loved the faceted look it gave this card!

I hope this inspires you to try this fun background technique and see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Nature Walk Suite Collection (English) [ 166936 ]
[166936]
$84.75
Nature's Symphony Bundle (English) [ 166926 ]
[166926]
$46.75
Nature's Symphony Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 166919 ]
[166919]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 120953 ]
[120953]
$14.00
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147092 ]
[147092]
$9.00
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [ 133648 ]
[133648]
$5.50
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147116 ]
[147116]
$9.00
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill [ 121029 ]
[121029]
$5.50
Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [ 150083 ]
[150083]
$9.00
Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill [ 150090 ]
[150090]
$5.50
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 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Spritzer [ 126185 ]
[126185]
$6.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Nature's Symphony Dies [ 166925 ]
[166925]
$33.00
Faceted Snowflakes [ 166077 ]
[166077]
$10.00
more color mondays – petunia pop, daffodil delight and strawberry slush

more color mondays – petunia pop, daffodil delight and strawberry slush

by | Jan 5, 2026 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, fun fold, In Colors, new catalog, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features the suite that debuts tomorrow on January 6th all of the great new projects become available in our new January to April 2026 mini catalog!

This sweet and whimsical fun fold card starts like a normally 4 1/4″ x 11″ card scored at 5 1/2″ but cut a little off one side and it allows you to see the inside of the card at a glance!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″ cut 1 1/2″ off one side
DSP: 3″ x 4″ and 1 1/2″ x 4″
Strawberry Slush CS: 1/4″ x 4 1/4″
Petunia Pop CS: 1/4″ x 4 1/4″
Daffodil Delight CS: 1/8″ x 4 1/4″

Cut 1 1/2″ off the left hand side of the 11″ length. Save that piece and cut for the sentiment piece.
Cut the DSP at 3″ x 4″ and 1 1/2″ x 4″ – adhere the 3″ piece to the upper flap, leaving an even 1/8″ border on the top and sides.
Adhere the 1 1/2″ piece to the inside bottom of the card leaving a 1/8″ border on the bottom and sides.
Adhere the Colored cardstock strips below the 3″ DSP piece so that they cover the white section completely.
Adhere the Daffodil Delight strip and stamp the sentiment in Petunia Pop Ink and blend with a blending brush and Daffodil Delight ink over the sentiment. Pop up the sentiment on the right-hand side of the strips.
The Beach Boardwalk Suite comes with these fun Puffy Stickers so I decided to add a few for the coordinating embellishments around the sentiment – a yellow sun and two dots.
This finishes the card with more whimsy and color and hopefully will bring some sunshine to someone’s day!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Reminder the Boardwalk Fun and Beach Boardwalk items are SNEAK PEAK until tomorrow and therefore will not be in the photo links below as they are not available just yet – but only 24 MORE HOURS TO GO!

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 119683 ]
[119683]
$14.00
Petunia Pop 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 163801 ]
[163801]
$14.00
Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165625 ]
[165625]
$14.00
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147094 ]
[147094]
$9.00
Petunia Pop Classic Stampin Pad [ 163811 ]
[163811]
$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 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
more color mondays – pretty peacock, melon mambo and poppy parade

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

by | 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 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 115320 ]
[115320]
$14.00
Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 119793 ]
[119793]
$14.00
Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 150880 ]
[150880]
$14.00
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147051 ]
[147051]
$9.00
Versamark Pad [ 102283 ]
[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 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [ 129053 ]
[129053]
$32.00
Metallics Wow! Embossing Powder [ 165678 ]
[165678]
$21.00