more color mondays – real red, old olive and pool party – swing door fun fold

more color mondays – real red, old olive and pool party – swing door fun fold

by | Oct 27, 2025 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, fun fold, new catalog, techniques

Easy Christmas cards that look elegant are the best – don’t you think? I make a lot of Christmas cards to send out to people and I want them to look beautiful but be able to put many together in the shortest amount of time.

That being said – if you send out Christmas cards NOW is the time to start designing and ordering your supplies so you are not rushed to make and send them on time!

This fun fold attaches the DSP to a shorter piece of cardstock so it swings open and you can see both sides of the cardstock! I saw this card from a number of demonstrators and there was no name for it so I am naming mine a swing door fun fold card because that is what it reminds me of!

Measurements:
BASE: Old Olive CS: 5 1/2″ x 6″
scored at 4 1/4″, 1″ x 5 1/2″ or 5 1/4″, scraps
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
DSP: 3″ x 5 1/2″
Pool Party CS: scrap for die circle

Score the base at 4 1/4″ – place the shorter panel on the right-hand side. Adhere the Basic White layer on the inside of the card.
Cut the Traditions of Christmas DSP to 3″ x 12″ then cut to 5 1/2″ there will be a 1″ x 3″ left over from cutting two 5 1/2″ pieces. Adhere that to the top left-hand corner of the Basic White layer.
Turn the Dsp to the side you want on the inside and place a thin bead of glue down the right-hand side edge. Flip it over and glue to the left-hand edge of the small panel. Match up the right-hand top and bottom corners with the top and bottom edges of the back of the card.
Emboss the 1″ piece and attach to the front Old Olive panel. You choose if you want it to be the full length as shown here or 5 1/4″ length with a border as the final card shows.
Die cut a small circle from the Stylish Shapes die set.

Stamp the Have a Happy on a Old Olive 1/4″ strip and banner punch this (this is an upcoming Online Exclusive punch that is in the Banner Sayings bundle! – stay tuned to see it November 1st!)

Stamp the Christmas from Holly Jolly Stamp set in Old Olive ink on Old Olive cardstock.

Adhere the Christmas layer on the Pool Party circle and adhere the banner diagonally above the Christmas layer on the Pool Party circle.

Add Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of all the components of the sentiment focal point.
Attach to the card in the center.

Add some gold embellishments to the card to enhance the gold foil and you have a lovely easily reproduced Christmas card!

Are you going to send some of your people a special handmade Christmas card this year? I am available to help you design and order your supplies if you need assistance – just call or text me!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Jolly Holly Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 166117 ]
[166117]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[166780]
$14.00
Old Olive 8-1/2
[100702]
$14.00
Pool Party 8-1/2
[122924]
$14.00
Traditions Of Christmas 12
[165853]
$16.50
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147090 ]
[147090]
$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
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Plaster Painting 3 D Embossing Folder [ 164656 ]
[164656]
$12.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Gold Textured Adhesive Backed Dots [ 164027 ]
[164027]
$8.00
Drusy Adhesive Backed Embellishments [ 164223 ]
[164223]
$9.00
more color mondays – highland heather, balmy blue and pool party

more color mondays – highland heather, balmy blue and pool party

by | Oct 13, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, more color mondays, my favorites, online exclusives, techniques

If you have been following me for any length of time you know that I am partial to snowflakes in the winter and butterflies in the summer!

I loved the Snowflake Kisses bundle when it came out with our recent Online Exclusives release this Fall! The beautiful die set paired with the clever sentiments are a must have for anyone like me that loves snowflakes!

Measurements:
BASE: Highland Heather CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″ scraps for snowflake dies
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
Balmy Blue CS: scraps for snowflake dies
Pool Party CS: scraps for snowflake dies

Take one of the Basic White CS layers and using blending brushes and burnish the Highland Heather, Balmy Blue and Pool Party inks into the layer.
Take the other Basic White CS layer and die cut with the large snowflake background die from the Snowflake Kisses bundle.
Adhere the snowflake die background to the Blended Background layer and cut any excess from the edges of the colored layer.
Stamp a sentiment into the circle space in Highland Heather ink.
Die cut one or two snowflakes from each colored cardstock scrap.

Arrange the snowflakes around the snowflake background and adhere once satisfied with the arrangement.

Cut the snowflakes that hang over the edge.

Adhere the layer onto the Highland Heather card base.
I added Basic rhinestone Jewels to the center of each snowflake.
I added two more rhinestones around the snowflake sentiment in the center of the card for emphasis.

Don’t you just love this background effect – it is so easy to achieve with a little colored ink and blending brushes – try your hand at creating a background of your very own and then add some stamping and create some great artwork of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Snowflake Kisses Bundle (English) [ 166023 ]
[166023]
$50.25
Snowflake Kisses Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 166018 ]
[166018]
$18.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146982 ]
[146982]
$14.00
Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146986 ]
[146986]
$14.00
Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122924 ]
[122924]
$14.00
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147105 ]
[147105]
$9.00
Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147103 ]
[147103]
$9.00
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147107 ]
[147107]
$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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Snowflake Kisses Dies [ 166022 ]
[166022]
$38.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [ 144220 ]
[144220]
$6.00
more color mondays – azure afternoon, berry burst and pool party

more color mondays – azure afternoon, berry burst and pool party

by | Sep 15, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, masculine cards, more color mondays, my favorites, new catalog

Do you have a BUCKET LIST?

I do – and one of the items on my bucket list is to someday see the Northern Lights!
So when I saw the new mini catalog the very first thing that caught my eye was the Lights of Aurora Suite Collection – I loved EVERYTHING about this – the gorgeous paper, the stamp set with it’s hopeful sentiments and the dies with there silhouette possibilities!

The Designer Series paper steals the show it is stunning but honestly the dies are some of my favorites – I love silhouette style cards and what better as a backdrop than this gorgeous paper!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
Basic Black CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
DSP 6″ x 6″ piece to make 2 cards

This paper is so delicious I made two of the same card design with both edges of this one 6″ x 6″ piece.

Below is a photo from the Stampin’ Up! website that shows the DSP designs.

I cut the DSP to 5 1/2″ wide and then into (2) 3″ sections 3″ x 5 1/2″ pieces.

Adhere the pieces to the top edge of the card base.

Die cut the Basic White layer with the mountain die.
Die cut the black layer with the trees on one side and the mountain edge on the other side using all of the paper to its fullest!
Adhere the white snow mountain die to the black mountain die peaks.
Adhere the mountain die layers to the card below the Designer Series paper.
I popped up the tree silhouette die cut on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the bottom edge of the card base over the mountain dies and the DSP.
I stamped in Berry Burst ink the wishing you a year of Wonder for the inside sentiment.
I did the same procedure with the other half od the DSP and adhered Frosted Iridescent Dots to finish off both cards!

I love, love , love this card!!!
Wishing you all a year of wonder! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time – hopefully a project that you will love like I love this one!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Lights Of Aurora Suite Collection (English) [ 165768 ]
[165768]
$81.25
Light & Wonder Bundle (English) [ 165763 ]
[165763]
$51.25
Light & Wonder Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165756 ]
[165756]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 121045 ]
[121045]
$14.00
Lights Of Aurora 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 165755 ]
[165755]
$12.50
Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147143 ]
[147143]
$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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Light & Wonder Dies [ 165762 ]
[165762]
$38.00
Frosted Iridescent Dots [ 165766 ]
[165766]
$9.00
experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

by | Apr 18, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masculine cards, stamps ink paper, techniques

The other day I was playing around with the Painted Stripes background stamp. I wanted to experiment with water and ink and see what the difference would be between applying ink directly to the stamp and spritzing with water or applying the ink directly to the glass mat studio and spraying it down and then dipping the stamp into the inky water?

I got a bunch of 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White sheets and started to play with the ink and water!
First I applied Pool Party onto the Glass Matt and then applied Pretty Peacock ink directly above the Pool Party ink. I sprayed water from a Stampin’ Spritzer until the colors were fluid and started to blend in the middle.

I placed the Painted Stripes background stamp into the inky water and then placed it onto the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and held it in place while the ink and water soaked into the card stock.
Next I placed the Pool Party ink pad over the cleaned Painted Stripes stamp set and inked about half of the stripes.
Then I inked the top half of the Painted Stripes stamp set with the Pretty Peacock ink pad.
I sprayed water from a spray bottle or Stampin’ Spritzer over the entire surface of the Painted Stripes stamp.
I placed a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White Cardstock layer over the Painted Stripes stamp that is on the table facing upwards (this way the water does not run but stays in place) and rub the back side of the cardstock holding the paper in place so it does not shift.
I resprayed the stamp surface and placed a second piece of cardstock over the surface this will produce a lighter softer version of the first but still pretty as there is enough ink to do this at least twice!

Allow to dry before using.

I found that the first version turned out lighter than the full strength second version! But the second spraying of the second ink direct to stamp version looked a lot like the first ink on glass version without a lot less mess!
Answer achieved! I liked the second version better but the first one was messy fun!

I cut a few dies from the Textured Notes die set from the prepared watercolor sheets. This die set is a series of concentric rectangles with all different types of embossed edging – so very cool – perfect for cards as well as scrapbooking!
I cut a 4 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Basic White cardstock and scored it at 5 1/2″.
I stamped the smaller leaved foliage in Pool Party ink on opposite diagonal ends of the card base and flicked some inked water from a Water Painter over the card base surface.

I stamped the larger leaved foliage on the larger Basic White die in Pretty Peacock ink.

I cut a smaller die with the stripes in the opposite direction from one of the watercolored layers. I stamped the sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink and die cut one die up in Pool Party card stock. I popped the sentiment piece up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the Pool Party die and added it to the middle of the card above the other stamped die piece.
I colored some Iridescent Pearls with the Dark Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends marker.
I added the pearls to the card front.
I added some more splatters with a Water Painter and the left over inky water on the glass matte surface.
I thought the card needed a little more color and a die cut one up from the larger Basic White die on the card as it was blending into the card and you could not see the lovely Textured Notes die edging – so I cut the larger die in Pretty Peacock card stock and mounted it under the original rectangle.
This made the first die cut pop and looks so much better I think.

I keep the card in the order I designed it to show you all sometimes you go back at the end and add one thing to make the card even better! Do not hesitate to add and play if you feel the card is missing something – usually your gut is right!

Hope you get a chance to have a play with stamps, ink and paper this week! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Painted Stripes Cling Stamp Set [ 165437 ]
[165437]
$20.00
Textured Notes Bundle (English) [ 165556 ]
[165556]
$48.50
Textured Notes Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 165548 ]
[165548]
$23.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122924 ]
[122924]
$11.50
Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 150880 ]
[150880]
$11.50
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147107 ]
[147107]
$9.00
Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [ 150083 ]
[150083]
$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
Water Painters [ 151298 ]
[151298]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 161676 ]
[161676]
$11.00
Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels [ 158987 ]
[158987]
$7.50
scrapbooking workshops

scrapbooking workshops

by | Mar 19, 2025 | Designer Series Paper, kits, new catalog, scrapbooking, scrapbooking page, sketch challenge, stamps ink paper, techniques

I had the opportunity recently to attend the first of three virtual scrapbooking workshop training seminars.
To say that I am delighted for Stampin’ Up! to be expanding their scrapbooking line is an understatement – I am so excited with the offerings that are coming out and super excited to see the line that will be debuting in the future!
The first session met to discuss and put together the double scrapbooking pages of the new Meant To Bee scrapbooking workshop.
The workshop is a totally self contained packet that includes all of the product to make three gorgeous double page scrapbooking spreads with a lot of product left over to create more matching pages of your own!
The kit comes with a full color instructions booklet with step by step details on how to cut and put together these pre-designed scrapbooking pages.
The first page of the first double page spread features little 2″ x 2″ square of the patterned paper – one of which is exclusive to this workshop and coordinates with a stamp bundle and two toned scrapbooking paper that color coordinates with this suite of products.
The words and bumble bees are stickers for easy adhesion and coordination!
The second page of this spread carries the squares of DSP theme to the matching page and allows for a seamless spread to highlight your scrapbooking photos!
I used some recent photos of a family vacation to set off this stunning and easy to do scrapbooking spread!
I used a coordinating marker to draw dotted lines for the bee’s trail across the pages – such a cute detail!
The second spread used Designer Series paper as the background with the exclusive bee designed DSP to make the photos pop. Easy coordination with pop out die cut stars and flowers to decorate as you like along with the stick words with mixed fonts and coordinating colors!
The last page is set on Old Olive cardstock and carries the coordinating DSP papers along for a coordinated set of pages or use them separately – these photos were from an adult only Napa wine country tour we took last year and featured just a few of the many happy pictures we took! The third page was made from scraps and left overs from the kit and I still have many more scraps of DSP, stickers, punch out shapes and cardstock to use to create a bunch more pages!

I loved the ease of this coordinated kit and cannot wait for the next one to show you!

Interested in getting a group together for a scrapbooking night? Let me know and we can make your next ladies night out a scrapbooking fun night!

Below I have included the codes and linked photos of ALL the coordinating products,
I only used the Meant to Bee Scrapbooking Workshop to create these pages! You could do a whole themed scrapbook with just these products though – would “bee” super cute!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Meant To Bee Scrapbooking Workshop Kit (English)
[166622]
$33.00
Meant To Bee 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Two Tone Cardstock
[166626]
$12.00
Meant To Bee Bundle (English)
[167243]
$49.50
Meant To Bee Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[166583]
$20.00
Bee My Valentine Bundle (English)
[162554]
$38.50
Bee My Valentine Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[162547]
$21.00
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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Meant To Bee Dies
[166582]
$35.00
Bee Builder Punch
[162553]
$24.00