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
more color mondays – old olive, pool party and daffodil delight

more color mondays – old olive, pool party and daffodil delight

by | Mar 17, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, more color mondays, specialty papers, stamps ink paper, techniques

I do love flowers as some of you already know! So it is a dilemma when you are attracted to all of the pretty floral stamp sets – so what is a girl to do? Well I cannot buy it all SO I bought just the pretty papers from this beautiful Floral Delight Suite Collection and paired it with a sentiment I already owned from then Mixed Labels bundle.

This gorgeous suite comes with two packages of beautiful paper: a vellum specialty pack with three designs of blue gingham, and blue, yellow and white flowers with old olive leaf accents, and a 12 sheet pack of lovely 12″ x 12″ DSP full of floral and patterned papers.

This is a very simple card using the paper to make this card pop! I choose the colors from the suite as the inspiration for today’s color challenge!

Measurements:
BASE: Daffodil Delight CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Timeless Plaid DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Floral Delight DSP: scrap for flower cut out
3″ x 5 1/4″
Pool Party CS: scrap for die cut
Basic White CS: scraps for 2 die cuts
Floral and Gingham Vellum: scraps for 2 dies

I choose coordinating patterns and cut different circle dies from the Spotlight on Nature dies and die cut different sized circles from two different patterns of the Floral and Gingham vellum pack. I cut the same circle die from the gingham patterned die cut in Basic White so I could layer them together to make that die more vibrant with the white paper backing.
I cut Pool Party CS with a Stylish Shapes circle die and I fussy cut a flower from the Floral Delight DSP pack.

I layered the 3″ DSP vellum over the Timeless Plaid 4″ layer and added adhesive only in the middle where I knew the circle dies would cover the adhesive.
After all of the pieces are cut play around with the arrangement of the circles and the fussy cut flower until the arrangement is pleasing to the eye. Then adhere the pieces over the Timeless plaid and vellum layer. I trimmed off the vellum circle that went over the side of that layer but allowed the white circle die to hang over the edge to give the layer some depth and dimension and interest!
I then adhered the layer to the card base.
I stamped the sentiment from the Mixed labels stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.
I popped up the sentiment piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
I added Rhinestone Basic Jewels around the sentiment and fussy cut flower and the card was complete!
Try using some of the random pretty Designer Series Paper that you have lying around to create some artwork of your very own. Die cut or chop it and use it on your next card creation!
Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Mixed Labels Cling Stamp Set (English)
[164643]
$23.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[122924]
$11.50
Floral & Gingham Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper
[164713]
$10.00
Floral Delight 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
[164700]
$12.50
Timeless Plaid 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
[164678]
$12.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
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
Spotlight On Nature Dies
[163580]
$35.00
Stylish Shapes Dies
[159183]
$30.00
Adhesive Backed Sparkle Gems
[161288]
$8.50
Rhinestone Basic Jewels
[144220]
$6.00
mixed floral bokeh blended card

mixed floral bokeh blended card

by | Mar 3, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, more color mondays, my favorites, new catalog, online exclusives, techniques

Today is Monday and that means the latest color challenge has arrived and you all know that I love the bright colors so this trio is right in my wheel house! Pool Party, Berry Burst and Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends bring the Mixed Florals stamp image to life and are the perfect foreground for the Beautiful Bokeh 6″ x 6″ DSP!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
scrap for dies
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″

This simple card still packs a punch due to all the gorgeous pigmented colors from the Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers!

Coloring with the Stampin’ Blends is so easy and fun. The alcohol markers are streak free and seamless. They make blending a breeze!
I always start with the Light color in the Combo pack and then highlight with the Dark blend and then redraw over the entire image with the Light again to help blend the dark highlights in to the image.

I colored the background with the Pool Party to eliminate the white space between the flower images mimicking sky in the background.

I stamped a sentiment from the Mixed Labels bundle and die cut around the imaged words. I used a blending brush in Pool Party ink to highlight the edges of the die.

I die cut the flowers.

I adhered the DSP layer to the card front.
I adhered the flowers to the right-hand side of the card front over the DSP layer.
I popped up the sentiment piece over the flower stems on the lower left-hand corner of the image.

I added Basic Rhinestone Jewels to the card around the sentiment piece and above the flowers on the upper right-hand side of the card.
I tied the Silver and White Sheer ribbon around the top score line of the card to finish off this lovely card and coordinate the silver in the ribbon and rhinestone embellishments.

Go you have any Stampin’ Blends? They really are the coolest coloring tools! Try some out today or order some soon!

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

Happy Stampin’,
Natalie

Product List
Mixed Media Florals Suite Collection (English)
[164659]
$128.00
Mixed Florals Bundle
[164642]
$56.50
Mixed Florals Photopolymer Stamp Set
[164639]
$24.00
Mixed Labels Bundle (English)
[164653]
$39.50
Mixed Labels Cling Stamp Set (English)
[164643]
$23.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Beautiful Bokeh 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
[164607]
$12.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
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
Berry Burst Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack
[161681]
$11.00
Pool Party Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154894]
$11.00
Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack
[161682]
$11.00
Melon Mambo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[153112]
$11.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Mixed Florals Dies
[164641]
$39.00
Mixed Labels Dies
[164652]
$21.00
Silver & White 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Sheer Ribbon
[162149]
$9.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels
[144220]
$6.00
making a watercolor template – friendly seagulls watercolor card

making a watercolor template – friendly seagulls watercolor card

by | Feb 21, 2025 | card samples, my favorites, new catalog, Sale-a-bration, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s blog post is about creating a template with dies to use to watercolor through the negative space to create a unique background.
Today I wanted to create a segmented background of equal squares so i used the smallest square die from the Stylish Shapes die set and ran a 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer of Basic White through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine creating two rows of three die cuts resembling window panes.

Measurements:
BASE: Coastal Cabana CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Pool Party CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper: 1/2 sheet
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ for mask/template
scraps for stamping

Using 3M Post-it Labeling and cover up tape I secured down one side of the template over the watercolor paper – because the Fluid 100 1/2 sheet is smaller than the template make sure that the template is evenly spaced on the watercolor paper.
Squeeze the lid of the Coastal Cabana ink pad and get some ink on the lid.
With a Water Painter place a few drops of water onto the lid and mix the ink and water with the brush. I used the medium brush size from the three piece set that comes with when you order the Water Painters #151298 3 painters in a set $13.00.
Brush the inside of each die opening with the watercolor wash.
Allow to dry before removing the template.
Remove the template and make sure the surface is totally dry before stamping.
I stamped in Tuxedo Black Momento ink the flying birds image in the top two boxes.
I stamped the fish image in the middle left-hand box and the shells image in the lower right-hand box.
On scraps of Basic White CS I stamped two of the birds from the Friendly Seagulls FREE Level One Sale-a-bration Rewards stamp set that you can earn with a $60 order. I think this is such a fun set!
I used Stampin’ Blends to color the birds: Pool Party Light and Dark to color the wings and Smoky Slate to shade the bellies and wings of the seagulls, Lemon Lolly for their beaks and webbed feet and crumb cake dark for the french fries.
I fussy cut the birds using the Stampin’ Up! Paper Snips which are the best knife edged scissors to fussy cut with as you can cut all the way to the tip!
I adhered the birds onto the remaining two boxes.
I stamped “hey friend” sentiment in the upper left-hand box to finish the stamping on the card!
I popped up the watercolored layer on Stampin’ Dimensionals and added it to the 4″ x 5 1/4″
Pool Party layer.
Opening the Paper Snips scissors and running one of the blades across the edges of the Pool Party layer I distressed the edges of this layer and then adhered it to the Coastal Cabana base card.
I finished off the card with the new Sparkle Gems but just as easily could have used the Riverside Irregular Pearls on this project as well
Which do you like better?
Try this water coloring template technique and show me what you create!
Which embellishment do you like better?

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Friendly Seagulls Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[164961]
$17.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[131297]
$11.50
Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[122924]
$11.50
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad
[147097]
$9.00
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
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
Water Painters
[151298]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Stylish Shapes Dies
[159183]
$30.00
Riverside Irregular Pearls
[164937]
$9.00
Two Tone Sparkle Gems
[164633]
$9.50