simple stamping - nataliegramleystamps

beautiful butterflies spotlight technique

by nataliegramleystamps | Apr 4, 2025 | card samples, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

I have always loved this technique it was one of the first techniques I learned over 23 years ago when I was brand new to stamping and it is just as simple and impressive today!

TO SPOTLIGHT:a projected spot of light used to illuminate brilliantly a person, object, or group on a stage. b. : public notice or attention.
While the dictionary definition helps the crafting term uses color instead of light to illuminate a small piece of the entire stamped image to create notice or draw attention!

What better stamp set to use this technique with than the Beautiful Butterflies!

Measurements:
BASE: Crushed Curry CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic Black CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″ and 2 3/4″ x 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 3 3/4″ x 5″ and 2 1/2″ x 4″

Place the two Basic White layers of cardstock smaller one on top and evenly spaced in the center of the larger layer.

Place the uninked large butterfly image over the layers and decide where you would like to place two partial images of the butterfly.

Ink up the entire butterfly image with Memento ink and stamp over both layers of cardstock press VERY firmly as you are stamping on two separate pieces of cardstock and need to get the image on the bottom layer as well as the smaller top layer.
(Do not worry if the image does not stamp just to the outside of the smaller layer this will be covered by the smaller Basic Black layer)

Color the butterfly images on the smaller layer ONLY! This is your SPOTLIGHT area.

I used Daffodil Delight light first then dark then light Stampin’ Blends markers to blend.
Then I colored the rest of the butterfly images on the smaller layer with the Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends in the same order as with the Daffodil Blends. I went over the entire image with the Dark Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends to finish the blending of the butterfly spotlighted image.
Adhere the smaller Basic White layer to the smaller Basic Black image.
Adhere the large Basic Black image to the Crushed Curry cardstock base and then adhere the larger Basic White layer to the card base over the Basic Black layer.

Adhere the smaller spotlighted layers to the larger Basic White layer matching up the images as best you can.
Stamp the sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink in the center of the two spotlighted butterfly images.

Stamp two smaller butterflies in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on the top and bottom diagonally on the other large Basic White CS layer.
Adhere to the second 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic Black layer and after stamping the sentiment adhere to the inside of the card base.

Apply Wink of Stella to the colored wings.

Adhere embellishments to finish off this spotlighting technique card!

I just LOVE the way this turned out – this is just one way to spotlight – try stamping and spotlighting one of your stamped images and see what artwork of your own you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English)

[164615]

$59.25

Beautiful Butterflies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164608]

$24.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$11.50

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[131199]

$11.50

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

Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154883]

$11.00

Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154897]

$11.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder

[164614]

$42.00

Adhesive Backed Pearl Trio

[163319]

$7.50

← seaside wishes z with a side fold fun fold more color mondays - wild wheat, berry burst and summer splash →

cheerful daisies everyday arches simply stamped card

by nataliegramleystamps | Mar 26, 2025 | card samples, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s simple white card is a favorite of mine – using the dies from Everyday Arches and Cheerful Daisies. Every coloring with blending brushes in Lemon Lime Twist and Summer Splash hues!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the Everyday Arches die
scraps for the Cheerful Daisies dies

Cut the three flowers and leaves die apart. Die cut the three flower details dies and the feathery twig. Adhere the detailed dies on top of the corresponding flowers.

Using Blending Brushes in Lemon Lime Twist and Summer Splash ink and color the center of the Everyday Arches die.
Stamp the birthday sentiment in Summer Splash ink at the top of the Everyday Arches die.
Adhere 5 Rhinestones Basic Jewels around the Everyday Arches die.
Adhere the die onto the Basic White CS Base.

Adhere the large flower in the upper right corner of the die.

Adhere the smaller flower below the large daisy. Adhere the leaf under the large daisy die.

Adhere the twig in the lower left hand corner.

Adhere the smallest flower die above the twig.

This simple card with it’s subtle pop of colors and lots of white space is an elegant birthday card. I love the simple stamping look of this card!

Try a white card with a subtle pop of color for your next project! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Cheerful Daisies Bundle (English)

[161297]

$53.00

Cheerful Daisies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[161290]

$25.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

[147145]

$9.00

Summer Splash Classic Stampin Pad

[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 Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Cheerful Daisies Dies

[161296]

$34.00

Everyday Arches Dies

[164629]

$29.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

$6.00

← more color mondays - flirty flamingo, daffodil delight and boho blue february swap cards →

using basic white strip scraps

by nataliegramleystamps | Mar 14, 2025 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, fun fold

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

Product List

Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English)

[164615]

$59.25

Beautiful Butterflies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164608]

$24.00

Memorable Blooms Bundle (English)

[164826]

$55.75

Memorable Blooms Cling Stamp Set (English)

[164816]

$26.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$11.50

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper

[149612]

$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 Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder

[164614]

$42.00

Everyday Arches Dies

[164629]

$29.00

Memorable Blooms Dies

[164825]

$36.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Drusy Adhesive Backed Embellishments

[164223]

$9.00

Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs

[161954]

$7.00

Adhesive Backed Sparkle Gems

[161288]

$8.50

← spring corners card more color mondays - old olive, pool party and daffodil delight →

simple stamping – cut, flip and add a strip cards

by nataliegramleystamps | Feb 28, 2025 | card samples, card sketches, Designer Series Paper, Sale-a-bration, sketch challenge, stamps ink paper, techniques

When you first start stamping coming up with a card design can be the most difficult thing. Perusing pinterest and blogs is fun but time consuming and if you are in a pinch and need a card in a hurry this is a fun little trick for fast, easy and beautiful designer series paper cards.

One of the tings I LOVE about our Designer Series Paper beside the fact that the artist’s designs are gorgeous works of art is the fact that the artists strive to make the front and backs of each piece of DSP coordinate! This technique plays into that strength!

This card making technique is called cut-flip and add a strip I first saw it years ago from a fellow demonstrator named Patti B and I thank her for the original inspiration!

Measurements:
BASE: Colored CS to coordinate with the DSP
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″, 3/4″ x 4″
Basic White CS: scrap for the sentiments

I made four different cards in a flash with this technique! Three using the Fruit Salad Level One Sale-a-bration DSP and one using the Bloom Impressions Level One Sale-a-bration Rewards!

This one used Pumpkin Pie CS for the base.

I cut the ^” x 6″ piece of DSP to 6″ x 5 1/4″ cutting off the bottom 3/4″ then cut the remianing piece to a 4 ” x 5 1/4″ piece.

Cut the 4″ x 5 1/4″ DSP piece into two sections 2″ x 4″ and 3 1/4″ x 4″.

I adhered the larger piece to the bottom of the card front.

Flip the smaller DSP piece over to the opposite pattern and adhere above the other DSP piece on the top of the card base.

Because I was making multiple cards I took the remaining 3/4″ x 6″ pieces cut from the bottoms of each of the cards and swapped them so I would have a different pattern of DSP for the strip piece but you could easily add a coordinating color of cardstock as the strip as I do in the last example – your choice!
I adhered the DSP strip over the place where the two pieces of DSP meet.

I stamped a sentiment and border from the Hugs for You bundle in coordinating Pumpkin Pie ink and punched it out with the bundle To the Point punch!

I popped up the sentiment punch on Stampin’ Dimensionals and added it over the strip.

I added Sunny Day Iridescent Dots embellishments to finish off this first card!

This second card uses the Fruit Salad Sale-a-bration DSP as well but I backed it on a Daffodil Delight CS base.

I cut and flipped and adhered the DSP to the card stock base.

I added a strip of DSP in between the two dsp pieces.

I stamped a different sentiment from the Hugs for Love bundle in Daffodil Delight with a different border around the words from the complimentary stamp set called Bright Borders which is also designed to work with the To the Point Punch from this bundle and popped it up over the center of the strip.
I added Sunny Day Iridescent Dots embellishments to finish this card as well.

The third card uses a Coastal Cabana base.
I also stamped the sentiment in Coastal Cabana to coordinate.

Cut the DSP as before flip and adhere to the card base.

Adhere the strip over where the two pieces of DSP come together.

I popped up the sentiment punch over the strip and added the Sunny Day Iridescent Dots in the blue hue.

This used the sentiment from the Hugs for Love stamp set and the border from the Bright Borders stamp set.

The last card uses the Bloom Impressions Sale-a-bration DSP and colored cardstock for the strip.

Cut the DSP and adhere the bottom piece to the base card.

Flip the smaller piece of DSP and adhere over the larger piece on the top half of the card base.

I used a 1″ x 4″ piece of Flirty Flamingo Colored cardstock over the area where the two pieces of DSP come together. Then I fussy cut both ends of a 3/4″ x 4″ piece of Berry Burst CS and adhered it over the Flirty Flamingo strip.

I stamped the sentiment in Berry Burst ink and punched out the stamped image with the To the Point punch. I popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and placed it int he center of the strips. I added Sunny Day Iridescent Dots to finish off this last quick and easy card!

Try this technique to make designing a sweet DSP card a snap! Now go and create a card with some DSP you have lying around your craft space! Create some artwork – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Hugs For Love Bundle (English)

[165738]

$38.50

Hugs For Love Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164559]

$20.00

Bright Borders Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164753]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[144243]

$11.50

Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[131297]

$11.50

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119683]

$11.50

Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[141416]

$11.50

Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[105117]

$11.50

Bloom Impressions 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[164944]

$12.50

Fruit Salad 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[164943]

$12.50

Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad

[147143]

$9.00

Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad

[147097]

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

[147094]

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[147086]

$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 Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

To The Point Label Punch

[164568]

$23.00

Sunny Day Iridescent Dots

[164696]

$8.00

← fruit salad sale-a-bration double z fold card mixed floral bokeh blended card →

friendly seagulls sale-a-bration card

by nataliegramleystamps | Feb 5, 2025 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, embossing folders, masculine cards, Sale-a-bration, stamps ink paper

We are Sale-a-bration simply stamping today folks easy and fun card using the Level One Sale-a-bration Rewards stamp set Friendly Seagulls. this fun and whimsical stamp set is perfect for a lake girl like me with loads of seagulls flying around here! This set has three gull images, four words and phrases images and five smaller images o f fish, shells, sand or pebbles, french fries and a flock of birds flying.

Measurements:
BASE: Crumb Cake CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ inside
2 1/4″ x 5 1/4″
Misty Moonlight CS: 2 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
Forever Plaid DSP: 3/8″ x 5 1/2″

Emboss the front section of the base Crumb Cake card with the Soft Waves 3D embossing folder.

Adhere the Misty Moponlight CS layer to the top of the card base leaving about 1/2″ space from the fold.

I stamped the three seagull images across the 2 1/4″ Basic White layer in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and added the “I love you MORE than” sentiment above the seagulls on the left-hand side.
I started to color the wings in Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends markers.

Adhere the seagull layer to the Misty Moonlight layer on the card front.

Adhere the DSP strip below the Misty Moonlight layer as an accent piece.

I decided I wanted more color deviation in the wing stripes so I added a Basic Black strip in the middle of the wing next to the Smoky Slate colored edge of the wing.

I stamped the words French Fries in the center of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ inside layer in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and added the sleeve of fries image to the left-hand side and colored with Real Red and Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends.
I adhered the layer on the inside of the card.

I added Daffodil Delight on the webbed feet and the beaks of the seagulls to finish coloring the birds.

Although I have a love-hate relationships with our lake birds (I love to watch them fly around and above the water I just hate the messes they tend to leave behind on the ground LOL)
I do think this stamp set is so much fun!

Have you gathered your list to order so you can earn some FREE goodies of your own? The current hostess code for February is UD4FJSJK
We are in the last month of Sale-a-bration so if you want to earn any of these products get your list ordered!
Now go out and create some artwork of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie