tile garden die card

tile garden die card

I think sketches can be so freeing! They can get your creative juices flowing and give you a starting point. Today’s sketch is a simple top triangle and the possibilities are endless you could do two different colors cut diagonally or an embossed layer at the top. I chose to make a top layer of smaller die cuts diagonally placed on the top half of the card base!

The square dies are from the NEW Mosaic Garden suite and although it is a lovely suite I chose to get only the Tile Garden. Dies – they are so versatile and I cannot buy everything, right?

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

Die cut the smallest square from the Tile Garden dies in scraps from the Beautiful Ordinary Life DSP, using all the different patterns.

Adhere the first square 2/3rd of the way down on the Basic White layer diagonally.

Continue to layer the squares in straight diagonal lines up to the top of the layer.

Fill in the edge spots and cut the overhang off.

Adhere the layer to the Basic White card base.
I had a spare sentiment from the Silver Foil and Classic Greetings Hot Foil die that I thought would be perfect for the sentiment for this card!
I chose Flirty Flamingo ink and a blending brush as it matches the colors in the DSP and blended the edges of the sentiment for a coordinated look.
I popped up the sentiment onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and placed it on the bottom third of the card base.
I added three Sunset Sparkle Sequins to the card around the Hot Foil sentiment to add some sparkle and color coordination!

This is a super easy and fun sketch – try your hand at it and see what great cards you can create from your stash! Now it’s your turn to create something of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’,
Natalie

more color mondays – pretty peacock, lemon lime twist and pool party

more color mondays – pretty peacock, lemon lime twist and pool party

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge is also a sketch challenge! It’s a Twofer as we say in my family – two for the price of one LOL!

This is a great way to use scraps as well! Lots of great ideas in this card!

Measurement:
BASE: Lemon Lime Twist CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 1/4″,1/2″and/or
3/4″ strips that are at least 3″ in length
Basic White CS: 3″ square, 3 1/2″ x 4″ scrap for
die cut
Pool Party CS: 3 1/4″ square, 1/4″,1/2″and/or
3/4″ strips that are at least 3″ in length
Pretty Peacock CS: 1/4″,1/2″and/or
3/4″ strips that are at least 3″ in length

Take the Basic White CS square and add adhesive over the entire surface – I used Stampin’ Seal around the edges and a strip or two in the middle. Lay cardstock strips over the Basic White cardstock to cover the entire square and the trim the overhang.
Add Stampin’ Dimensionals on the Basic White layer backside. Adhere to the Pool Party square.
Adhere the colored cardstock strip focal point onto the top center of the card. Adhere a white leave die over the popped up strips, in this case I used the leaf die from the Nature’s Symphony die set.
Stamp the sentiment from the WIld Bunch Product of the Month stamps et in Pretty Peacock ink centered below the strips.
Adhere the Dots embellishments around the sentiment to finish off the card!
With just a few tweeks you can get a different look – I had a die cut that ripped so I used the smaller section to make an additional card using the butterfly stamp and die from the Extraordinary Life Bundle. I stamped them in Pretty Peacock ink and then added Wink of Stella over them for a nice subtle sparkle!

Try your hand at this strip card design today and let me know what you design! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – cherry cobbler, basic beige and crumb cake

more color mondays – cherry cobbler, basic beige and crumb cake

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge is a rich blend of Cherry Cobbler, Basic Beige and Crumb Cake colors for a fabulous Christmas card using Seasons of Elegance Specialty Designer Series Paper scraps!

Measurements:
BASE: Crumb Cake CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ strips in varying widths
Gold Foil: scraps for die cuts
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for sentiment

Adhere the 4: strips to the card base.
Using the snowflake dies from the Snowflake Kisses die set – cut all three snowflakes from the Gold Foil sheet and adhere the negative foil onto a Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer and then adhere to the inside of the card base.
Stamp with Versamark ink the “happy winter” sentiment from the Snowflake Kisses stamp set, sprinkle with WOW gold embossing powder and heat set with a Heat Tool on a small banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set.

Adhere to the middle of the card over the Seasons of Elegance Specialty paper strips.

Pop up the snowflake foil die cuts around the sentiment piece.
Add red Traditional Sparkling Sequins around the card.
I added Gold Striped Mesh ribbon around the bottom of the card front and tie in a knot to finish off this card with some elegant sparkle to match the Specialty paper!

This is a super easy card made from scraps what is better than that!

Try making something beautiful from your DSP scraps – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

beautiful gallery louvered card

beautiful gallery louvered card

I am always looking for ways to use my Basic White strip scraps.

Today’s card is a great way to use up some of the scraps! I saw a version of this card on Pinterest and decided to try it with the Beautiful Gallery Suite of products.

Measurements:
BASE: Highland Heather CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Lemon Lime Twist CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: (8) 1/2″ strips

Take the 8 strips and press them together and using 3M Post-It Tape to tack down both sides so that the strips stay tightly together.

Make sure that the strips are together without leaving any space in between them. Stamp with Tuxedo Black Memento ink the triple flower image from the Gallery Blooms stamp set from the Beautiful Gallery Suite of products.
Color the blossoms of the flowers with Highland Heather and Fresh Freesia Stampin’ Blends.
Color the leaves with Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends.
Cut and score the Highland Heather base card.
Cut the Lemon Lime Twist layer.
Stamp the hello sentiment in Highland Heather ink onto the second to the last strip.
Pull the top strip off the 3M Post-It Tape and adhere three Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the strip and adhere to the card.
Pull the next strip off the tape and adhere directly below the first strip – do not pop this one up but adhere directly to the Lemon Lime CS layer.
Continue layering the strips and alternating popped up and adhered directly, creating a louver effect, like you see on shutters!
Finish adhering all the strips in an alternating pattern.
I adhered 5 Purple Fine Shimmer Gems to the card tucking two slightly under the popped up strips to accentuate the louver effect!

Try this technique with your scraps and see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

using basic white strip scraps

using basic white strip scraps

If you are an avid card maker like me than chances are you create a ton of paper scraps while creating! And if you are also like me you just KNOW that you can create something with those scraps, right?
I love this easy card because it uses a ton of the 1/4″ Basic White cardstock strips that I accumulate quickly when cutting my layers for my cards! I will also show you my method for organizing my paper and paper scraps using Stamp-n-Storage paper storage pockets
(you can use my affiliate link here to see the product) – http://www.stampnstorage.com/#a_aid=nataliestamps

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
strips of 1/4″ scraps
Basic Black CS: scraps for dies

This is how I organize my 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock.
Each cardstock color is labeled and has two different styles of pockets the 8 1/2″ x 11″ WHOLE cardstock is stored in 8.5×11 Landscape Paper Pockets (actual size: 11-5/8″ x 9-5/8″) so I can easily slip whole sheets of cardstock out the side.
Each Package contains 15 pockets and costs $21.75 making them an economical $1.45 each
When I cut sheets of cardstock and have scraps left over I put them in the
8.5×11 Portrait Paper Pockets (actual size: 9-1/4″ x 12-1/4″)
the opening for these pockets are located on the top and keep the scraps from falling out!
8.5×11 Landscape (actual size: 11-5/8″ x 9-5/8″)
which I turn on it’s side so the opening is facing outward and I put my whole sheets of 8 1/2″ x 11″ pieces of cardstock in these.
8.5×11 Portrait Paper Pocket (actual size: 9-1/4″ x 12-1/4″) which I use for my paper scraps.
So what do you do with all those scraps? Well we use them to make more cards of course!

This technique uses similarly cut strip scraps.
When I cut my 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layers I end up with 1/4″ left over strips!

If you take and glue these strips together you get a sturdy dimensional strip – I used three strips glued together to give the strip enough dimension to add depth and shadow to these cards!

Glue multiple strips together after you have a bunch of strips 3 high glued together – make a pattern on a Basic White cardstock BASE.

I used a 4 1/4″ x 11″ card base scored at 5 1/2″
I started gluing one of the strips on a diagonal.

I followed the diagonal of the first strip and glued more on base card.
Die cut some of your detailed dies in Basic Black cardstock and glue the die over the diagonal strips.
For this card I used the Memorable Blooms bundle – for the die and the sentiment.
You can place the strips in different directions and glue different dies on for a totally different look!
This card uses the foliage stem die from the Memorable Blooms die set.
This card uses the Beautiful Butterflies bundle for a stunning birthday card also in black and white!
You can also add a colored cardstock die cut atop the strip scraps for a different look.

This card uses 1/8″ strips 3 deep and attached straight across the card instead of diagonal.
I added leftovers from previous cards that were on my desk to add a pop of colors from Everyday Arches dies and Beautiful Butterflies bundle!

What a great way to use up scraps and add simple dimension to your cards – try this great technique with your scraps and see what artwork you can create of your very own – one stamp at a time – one scrap at a time!!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie