watercolor watermelon card

watercolor watermelon card

by | Jun 24, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, techniques

Today’s card uses Blending brushes to color the Basic White cardstock and then apply splatters of water with Water Painters to achieve a wonderful watercolor background to create a watermelon for my summer card!

Measurements:
BASE: Granny Apple Green CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, (2) 3″ x 4″
Basic Black CS: 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

Take the first 3″ x 4″ Basic White layer and blend the Granny Apple Green ink onto the CS.

Take the Water Painter and squeeze excess water into the brush, tap the water painter over a bone folder to splatter the surface of the blended cardstock.
Do the same process of blending and water splattering to the second piece of 3″ x 4″ with Strawberry Slush ink.
Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic white CS layer with the Paradise Garden Hybrid embossing folder.

Adhere the embossed layer onto the Granny Apple Green base.

Cut the water splattered layers with consecutive Everyday Arches dies.

Adhere the Strawberry Slush layer onto the Granny Apple Green layer.

Die the Basic Black CS with the six petal die from the Scalloped Blooms. Adhere them to the Strawberry Slush layer as watermelon seeds.

Adhere the watermelon piece to the left-hand side of the embossed layer.

Stamp the sentiment in Strawberry Slush ink onto a sentiment piece from the Scalloped Blooms die set. Add a “seed” to the sentiment piece.

Add three embellishments from the Strawberries and Dots to finish the cards.

What a fun summer card – now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Scalloped Blooms Bundle (English) [ 167647 ]
[167647]
$53.00
Words Of Beauty Bundle (English) [ 167090 ]
[167090]
$45.75
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146990 ]
[146990]
$14.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [ 147095 ]
[147095]
$9.00
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165286 ]
[165286]
$11.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[163987]
$60.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$9.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$13.00
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Everyday Arches Dies [ 164629 ]
[164629]
$29.00
Paradise Garden Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 167120 ]
[167120]
$44.00
Scalloped Blooms Dies [ 167646 ]
[167646]
$39.00
Strawberries & Dots [ 167479 ]
[167479]
$9.00
last onstage swap to share – fun fold #4 swap

last onstage swap to share – fun fold #4 swap

by | May 1, 2026 | card samples, card swap, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, fun fold, gift card holder, masculine cards, my favorites, retiring products, stamps ink paper, techniques

Well I saved the best for last – I participated in 4 specially organized swaps by my friend Michael D. at OnStage this past March in Long Beach, California. This was Fun Fold swap #4 and I love the ideas and diversity of the swap!

The first swap card I have to show you Ann O. used the Easter Basket stamp set which is on the LAST CHANCE LIST and still available as I wrote this yesterday! She used sweet pastel colors of Pretty in Pink and Balmy Blue for a pull out gift card design. She used our Take Your Pick tool’s crafter’s tips to perforate two of the edges for the outer holder. Such a cute design!

Lola R. made a Homemade Sweetness extended Z-fold using the Homemade Sweetness Suite of products and both the Made with Sweetness dies and the Filled with Sweetness bundle. Lots of lovely layers and detail!
My next swap example is from Judy K. and features the current Garden Poetry Suite of Products with the lovely Garden Poetry DSP and the embossing folder both inside and out which adds such depth and dimension, and I love the color combination of Berry Burst, Blackberry Bliss and Garden Green.
My entry used the Swirled Designs Bundle and the Splash of Sparkles DSP with a slider card fun fold!
The next swap card is from Michelle R and is one of my favorite easy fun folds. You just cut the card front on half and twist it and use it as the matte for the top flap. Michelle used the Turtely-Cute Suite of products which is still available when I last checked but is on the LAST CHANCE LIST!
Easel cards are always a WOW for me and not difficult to make (check out the instructions on how to make one in my 11-19-2025 post “winter meadow easel card”) Yolanda N. featured the Beach Boardwalk DSP which is still current and the Boardwalk Fun Bundle which is unfortunately sold out! This card is so stinkin’ cute though!
Another Turtle-y Cute entry from Sandy R uses a little slider technique – open the door and you get a turtle-y surprise!
Joanne J. used a gorgeous palette of Old Olive and Basic Beige with the Discontinued Beautiful Gallery DSP and the sentiment is from the Nature’s Symphony stamp set for a Corner Tuck fun fold card. Just Lovely!
The new and very popular Delicate Dreams Suite of products was used by Robyn B. for this double box display fun fold card. This suite is so popular it is currently unavailable but expected back in stock shortly. Did you know that we added a feature on our shopping website that if the product is out of stock you can ask for an email notification when it returns! Sign up now to be notified if this suite is on your list – it’s on mine!

This card folds flat to send in a normal sized envelope but stands for display when opened! SO FUN!!

My last swap card is from Joy N. and features the Nature’s walk Suite Collection, the Nature’s walk DSP and the Nature’s Symphony Bundle. This Z-Fold Flap card will be highlighted in an upcoming blog post coming soon!
I hope these gave you inspiration to try a new fun fold soon they certainly inspired me!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beach Boardwalk Suite Collection (English) [ 166844 ]
[166844]
$63.50
Delicate Dreams Suite Collection (English) [ 167512 ]
[167512]
$92.00
Nature Walk Suite Collection (English) [ 166936 ]
[166936]
$84.75
Swirled Designs Bundle (English) [ 167311 ]
[167311]
$42.25
Turtle Y Cute Suite Collection (English) [ 165235 ]
[165235]
$80.50
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Beach Boardwalk 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 166820 ]
[166820]
$12.50
Beautiful Gallery 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 165196 ]
[165196]
$12.50
Delicate Designs 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [ 167509 ]
[167509]
$11.00
Turtle Y Cute 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 165221 ]
[165221]
$12.50
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
Swirled Designs Dies [ 167032 ]
[167032]
$28.00
direct to paper technique – garden poetry suite

direct to paper technique – garden poetry suite

by | Apr 15, 2026 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, embossing folders, masculine cards, techniques

Have you ever done a direct to paper technique?

Try it on one a embossed piece of paper from one of your 3D folders – and make a few try it on the embossed side and the DEBOSSED side – it is amazing the magic that happens when you do this!!

Measurements:
BASE: Shaded Spruce CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for the die
Textured Garden Specialty paper: 1″ x 4″

Emboss the Paradise Garden hybrid embossing folder on one of the Basic White CS layers.

Drag your Shaded Spruce ink pad lightly over the surface of the debossed side of the paper.

REMEMBER DRAG LIGHTLY – you can always go over it again to make it darker but you cannot make it lighter.

This is what the debossed side looks like with the direct to paper technique – COOL right?
Adhere the embossed layer to the card front.
Adhere the Textured garden Specialty paper over the middle of the debossed layer.
The sentiment piece is one of the Stylish Shapes circle dies and I am using a SNEAK PEAK Sending Salutations which I got as a Prize Patrol winner from the OnStage 2026 convention!

This is a fabulous sentiment only stamp set which I cannot wait for you to be able to use!
This will be available May 5th when the new catalog goes live!

I stamped the birthday sentiment on full strength in Shaded Spruce ink and then I stamped the leaf image from the Paradise Garden stamp set twice onto my grid paper and then stamped off onto the circle die so it is lighter then the sentiment. I blended the edges with a blending brush and popped the circle up on Stampin’ Dimensionals for some added dimension.

I stamped the Fabulous Sayings “happy birthday” from the former Product of the Month onto the other Basic White layer and stamped the leaf image again on grid paper and stamped it off as a lighter generation onto the right-hand corner of the layer.

Adhere the layer to the inside of the card.

I added Pearlized Faceted Gems which are retired but you could easily substitute the Pearlized Faceted Circles.

This finishes this lovely card with a little sparkle!

Try this direct to paper technique with your favorite 3D embossing folder and make a few to see what the embossed versus debossed sides look like with this technique!

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

Happy Stampin,
Natalie

Reminder the SNEAK PEAK stamp set will not appear below in the photo links until it goes live for customers on posts after May 5th!

Product List
Garden Poetry Suite Collection (English) [ 167127 ]
[167127]
$100.00
Paradise Garden Bundle (English) [ 167121 ]
[167121]
$61.00
Paradise Garden Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167114 ]
[167114]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146981 ]
[146981]
$14.00
Garden Textures 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Foil Sheets [ 167125 ]
[167125]
$10.50
Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147088 ]
[147088]
$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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Paradise Garden Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 167120 ]
[167120]
$44.00
Pearlized Faceted Circles [ 166978 ]
[166978]
$8.00
introducing garden poetry new march online exclusive suite

introducing garden poetry new march online exclusive suite

by | Mar 6, 2026 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, masculine cards, online exclusives, specialty papers, techniques

Do you like foliage sets?
Do you like bright colors?
Do you like pretty papers?

Well then the Garden Poetry suite is going to be a MUST have for you!

This Suite comes with a beautiful stamp set, coordinating dies and a hybrid embossing folder that will work hard to create lovely cards, scrapbooking and gift items – really anything you can imagine this Suite is going to elevate!

The following are the Online exclusive web images from the Stampin’ Up! website showing the details of the suite:

Lush botanical imagery meets rich, vibrant color with the Garden Poetry Suite Collection. Whether you’re layering floral elements, accenting with delicate greenery, or finishing with a pop of color or shine, every piece works together to create bold, nature-inspired designs. This suite is perfect for creating stunning handmade cards, with thoughtful sentiment stamps that deliver messages of gratitude, appreciation, and positivity. Add ink, cardstock, and adhesive to complete your projects.

SUITE COLLECTIONS
– Are designed with complete product coordination in mind—every piece of a suite looks great together.
– No two suite collections are the same! They come in a variety of design styles with a range of products in each suite.

Here is the bundle: 10 % discount for the Paradise Garden stamp set, Hybrid embossing folder and dies.

Suite collection includes one of each item listed below.
PARADISE GARDEN PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (10% off)
– 14 stamps
– Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, c, e
– Two-Step

PARADISE GARDEN HYBRID EMBOSSING FOLDER (10% off)
– 4-1/2″ x 6-1/4″ (11.4 x 15.9 cm)
– 13 dies
– Largest die: 4-3/8″ x 6″ (11.1 x 15.2 cm)
– Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (sold separately)

The suite also comes with two coordinating papers:
Garden Poetry Designer Series paper – with beautifully bright watercolored images of florals and leaves on the A side and watercolor washes in coordinating colors on the B side.

GARDEN POETRY 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER
– 12 sheets: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs
– Acid and lignin free (this product is photo-safe)

– Colors: Berry Burst, Blackberry Bliss, Blueberry Bushel, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Flirty Flamingo, Night of Navy, Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Shaded Spruce

There is also a specialty paper that is beautifully textured available in three bright colors of Berry Burst, Blueberry Bushel and Shaded Spruce.

GARDEN TEXTURES 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) SPECIALTY FOIL SHEETS
– 6 sheets
– Acid and lignin free (this product is photo-safe)

The suite also contains a beautiful bright coordinating ribbon.

BERRY BURST 1/4″ (6.4 MM) SHINY RIBBON
– Width: 1/4″ (6.4 mm)
– Length: 10 yards (9.1 m)

And lastly the suite comes with epoxy embellishments:

GARDEN EPOXY DOTS
– 80 adhesive-backed pieces
– 20 each of 4 colors
– 40 flower dots, 40 solid dots
– 5 mm, 6 mm

This card I created uses the Shaded Spruce DSP and Specialty papers (the ribbon I used is retired but you could use our new Shaded Spruce and Gold edged ribbon instead!)
I used the stamp set and the embossing folder as well!

Measurements:
BASE: Shaded Spruce CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for circle
die
DSP: 1″ x 4″
Specialty Paper: 1″ x 4″

Emboss one of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layers with the Paradise Garden hybrid embossing folder.
Die cut a circle from the Stylish Shapes die set that will fit the sentiment you choose from the Paradise Garden stamp set.
Grab the other 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and stamp the leaf image from the Paradise Garden stamp set full strength in Shaded Spruce ink on the lower right-hand corner of the layer.

Then without re-inking the stamp, stamp the leaf image again (second generation stamping) on the Stylish Shapes circle die.

Stamp the sentiments in Tuxedo Black Memento ink over the leaf image on the circle die and above the leaf image on the Basic White layer.

Adhere the 1″ strips to the embossed layer.
Cut a piece of coordinating ribbon about 5 3/4″ long and wrap around the embossed layer and secure with scotch tape.
Adhere the embossed layer to the card front.
Adhere the inside Basic White layer to the inside of the card base.
Pop up the circle die on Stampin’ Dimensionals over the ribbon on the right-hand side of the card.
Place embellishments on the card to complete it.
If you wanted you could color the sentiment piece by using Shaded Spruce ink and a blending brush.
Which version do you like?

Both are great but the shaded version adds just a little – don’t you think?

Try designing a card and then adding one more detail and see if it makes a difference! That is how you grown creatively! Now go and be creative – create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Garden Poetry Suite Collection (English) [ 167127 ]
[167127]
$100.00
Paradise Garden Bundle (English) [ 167121 ]
[167121]
$61.00
Paradise Garden Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167114 ]
[167114]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146981 ]
[146981]
$14.00
Garden Poetry 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167113 ]
[167113]
$12.50
Garden Textures 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Foil Sheets [ 167125 ]
[167125]
$10.50
Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147088 ]
[147088]
$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
Paradise Garden Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 167120 ]
[167120]
$44.00
Berry Burst 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Shiny Ribbon [ 167126 ]
[167126]
$8.00
Shaded Spruce 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Satin & Sheer Ribbon [ 164224 ]
[164224]
$8.50
Shaded Spruce & Gold Edged 7/8" (2.2 Cm) Ribbon [ 166078 ]
[166078]
$12.00
Garden Epoxy Dots [ 167124 ]
[167124]
$8.00