happy birthday sneak peak card

happy birthday sneak peak card

Rolling Waves are a great analogy for life sometimes – you just need to roll with things! Today’s post should have posted yesterday but for anyone that has been following me – you know this week was a busy and hard one that eventually everyone needs to deal with. Late in January we lost my mother unexpectedly and Saturday was her Memorial Mass. I stayed in Northern Virginia for a few extra days to work on things at her home and drove back late Tuesday night with the intention of getting everything I needed to do done on Wednesday! I almost succeeded – I just didn’t get this post typed up and finished in time so it is here for you today.
One of the special things about stamping is that it is my ME time, my solace, my saving grace – it is how I pamper and “take care” of myself – truely – it is something I have loved and enjoyed for 25 years now!

It is so important to have time to recoup and regenerate especially when you are taking care of children and parents and are in that middle space. This is my comfort zone and if you know me I gravitate towards summer, sun and water! This card combines all of that into a fun and whimsical birthday card!

Measurements:
BASE: Crumb Cake CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: 2 1/2″ x 3″, scraps for
umbrellas, sentiment, shells and foam dies
Summer Splash CS: scrap for water and
umbrella dies

Die cut the shells out of a scrap of Basic White CS.
Using blending brushes and Summer Splash, Flirty Flamingo and Crumb Cake ink, I colored the shells and starfish.
I cut a corner out of a scrap of Basic White CS about 3″ on the bottom side and about 2 1/4″ up the side. I stamped it with the large water stamp in Balmy Blue and blended the color with a blending brush as well.
I adhered it to the card front corner.
I die cut the foamy water die out of Summer Splash CS and set it on the card corner above the Balmy Blue stamped piece.
I die cut the foam out of a scrap of Basic White CS tucked it under the Summer Splash die.
I stamped the Crumb Cake CS with the sand image in Crumb Cake ink and then adhered the foamy water dies down over the corner piece.
I adhered some of the shells at the water line.
I die cut two umbrellas out of scraps of Basic White CS and then one of each design in Flirty Flamingo and Summer Splash. I adhered them in alternating patterns.
I adhered the Flirty Flamingo and White umbrella to the card.
I popped up the Summer Splash and White umbrella on Stampin’ Dimensionals over the lower left-hand edge of the Flirty Flamingo and White umbrella.

I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Rolling Waves stamp set in Summer Splash on a long 1/2″ strip of Basic White CS and slid it back and forth until I decided on the location of the wording and adhered it down to the card.

I adhered the last two shells to the left-hand side of the Happy Birthday sentiment.
I added three Pearlized faceted Circles from the Lovely and Beautiful Suite of products to finish off this fun card that did my soul good!

Take time out each day to do something you love and take care of yourself so you can be good for others! Now go and create something beautiful – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Remember since this is a sneak peak and not available until March 3rd to customers the rolling waves stamps, dies and bundle will not appear below in the photo clickables.

demonstrator swap card ideas

demonstrator swap card ideas

This month’s Demonstrator Swap was a potluck swap – so anything current in any catalog or Online Exclusive was available for us to play with and I got some fun cards to show you today!

This first card is from my upline organizer Denise W and she was inspired by the Amazing Tammy Wilson for her watercolor card using the Weekend Adventures stamp set from the Annual Catalog. She stamped the image in Saddle Brown StazON which is waterproof so she was able to stamp and go! She stamped the image on Watercolor paper and then used water Painters to color in the cup and flowers! Such a beautiful job!

My second swap entry was done by Susan W featuring the You Are Remarkable stamp set which is currently on SALE in the Last Chance list for 20% off at $16.00 from $20.00.
She also used the Forever Plaid 3D embossing folder and the Textured Notes dies on a z fold fun fold card!
She stamped the inside as well as the envelope!
This Love and Courage stamp set is also on SALE on the Last Chance list for $22.50 down from the original price of $25.

The Love & Courage Stamp Set is made for those affected by breast cancer. For moments when words matter most, these stamps help you create cards that honor both the fighters and the friends who stand by them. Express love, support, encouragement, solidarity, gratitude, and appreciation in a meaningful way with the breast cancer sentiments and images in this stamp set.

With each purchase of the Love & Courage Stamp Set, we’ll donate $3 to support the fight against breast cancer around the world. We hope you’ll join us in making a difference this holiday season.

Patricia J made a lovely swap card with this stamp set! Get it before it is all gone!

This next fun fold card from Lyn L features the gorgeous Thoughtful Journey Designer Series Paper and the sentiment from Notes and Totes!

Love how this opens to reveal this lovely paper inside!

This flip up and open fun fold from Andrea U uses the Festive Friends bundle which was so popular this season it is currently unavailable but it will be back soon!

Look how cute this fun fold opens!

Lori V’s swap card is also on the Last Chance list on SALE for $19.80 if this is more your style.

So elegant and she stamped the inside as well.

This next swap card from Carol S. features a little old, a little new! Our favorite Extraordinary Flora Bundle and Washi Tape is mixed with the Eyelet embossing folder and the Spotlight on Nature dies for the something “old” and the something new is a sneak peak at the sentiment from the upcoming January – April 2026 Mini Catalog bundle Greenery Lane. She also used a stamp from that sneak peak set for some greenery on the envelope which I forgot to photograph!
I don’t know if shows up well in the photograph but Carol colored Antique Pearls with the Petunia Pop Stampin’ Blends markers and they are so pretty!
And our last demonstrator swap card for this month features a sneak peak at the upcoming Boardwalk Fun bundle from Kathi D.

Super cute card and as a reminder none of the sneak peak items are available until January 6th unless you would like to order them in a starter kit as demonstrators are in the pre-order period so these upcoming Mini Catalog sets are available to order as a Starter Kit item.
Because they are not currently available to the general public I will not have a link photo below. But check back after January 6th for those links to order these products!

Hope these cards inspired you for future projects – now go and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – azure afternoon, daffodil delight, and lemon lime twist

more color mondays – azure afternoon, daffodil delight, and lemon lime twist

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features a sneak peak from the upcoming November release of the Online Exclusives line of products!
Demonstrators are able to pre-order the upcoming products and I chose the Swirled Designs Bundle and the Banner Sayings Bundle from the many great offerings available.

This card uses both stamp sets and the dies from the Swirled Designs bundle!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 3 3/4″ x 5″
Basic Black CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for dies

Die cut the oval die in Basic Black card stock. Place the oval die cut in the center of the Basic White layer.
Color some of the openings in the Basic Black die with the Daffodil Delight dark Stampin’ Blends.
Color some of the openings in the Basic Black die with the Lemon Lime Twist dark Stampin’ Blends.
Color some of the openings in the Basic Black die with the Azure Afternoon dark Stampin’ Blends.
Adhere the die over the colored openings.
Stamp the splatter image stamp with Daffodil Delight ink around the Basic Black die.
Stamp the splatter image stamp with Lemon Lime Twist ink around the Basic Black die.
Stamp the splatter image stamp with Azure Afternoon ink around the Basic Black die.
Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink in the center of the Basic Black die.
Adhere the stamped Basic White layer to the Basic Black layer.
Adhere the Basic Black layer to the card front.
Adhere the green sequins from the Traditional Sparkling Sequins on the card front.
Die cut the stars from the Swirled Designs dies from the center of the oval die.
This first card uses one star adhered onto the Basic Black die.
Adhere the rest of the stars to the card.

This easy card is a sweet masculine card and the Swirled Designs bundle is perfect for geometric cards.

Go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

peace on earth christmas card – upcoming mini catalog sneakpeak

peace on earth christmas card – upcoming mini catalog sneakpeak

Starting in September comes a new holiday mini catalog – the September to December 2025 Mini Catalog! I will have copies available at my Open House – Friday, August 22nd 12pm – 3pm and Saturday, August 23rd 9am to 12pm!

This is one of the products we could pre-order and this one was featured in a demonstrator exclusive craft day a few weeks back!

This is a card I designed for the Christmas in July Demonstrator Swap! It features the Peace on Earth bundle along with the Peaceful Greenery 3D embossing folder and a fun technique.

Measurements:
BASE: Secret Sea CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Misty Moonlight CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Peaceful Garden Glimmer Paper: 2″ x 3″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″

Place the Misty Moonlight layer in the Peaceful Greenery 3D embossing folder and run through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the Base plate #1 and the grey embossing plate #4 with the embossing folder sandwiched in between #1 and #4.
Using a direct to paper technique rub Versamark ink onto the edges of the embossed layer.
Using the brush that comes in the Embossing Additions Tool Kit (#159971) $27.00 dip the brush into the Silver embossing powder and then tap the powder from the brush onto the versamark ink covered paper. Heat with the Heat Tool until the embossing powder melts.

(Product Details for the Embossing Additions Tool Kit: Make embossing easier with the Embossing Additions Tool Kit. This kit includes an Embossing Buddy, Powder Pal, Crafting Tweezers, and Crafting Brush. The Embossing Buddy is a small bag of powder. Rub it over your paper before inking and embossing. This ensures the embossing powder stays only where you want it. The Powder Pal is an easy way to catch and funnel excess embossing powder back into its container. Use the Crafting Tweezers to hold items while embossing them. And the Crafting Brush is handy for brushing powder for keeping your paper and work area clean. Keep this kit on hand, and you’ll what you need to keep your embossing neat and tidy.

* Embossing Buddy
* Powder Pal
* Crafting Tweezers
* Crafting Brush)

Stamp the Peace on Earth sentiment in Secret Sea ink in the middle of the embossing folder outlined middle area.
Adhere the embossed layer to the Secret Sea cardstock card base.
Die cut the smaller dove image out of the silver hue Peaceful Garden glimmer paper and two of the stars.

Place it on the card front to see where you would like to adhere the dove.

Adhere the two stars to the right and slightly below the sentiment.
Place Stampin’ Seal + below where the dove will be adhered and fold a 5″ piece of Misty Moonlight and Silver edged ribbon that is part of the Peaceful Garden Suite of products, adhere the ribbon down and then remove the release paper from some Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the dove and adhere over the ribbon.
Adhere some Basic Rhinestone Jewels to the card front.
Stamp wishing you and Peace, Love and Joy in Secret Sea ink to the Basic White layer and adhere to the inside of the card.
The embossing powder dusting gives the edges of the card an antiqued look and enhances the Glimmer paper dove and stars for a gorgeous Christmas card!

This is a lovely set that can be used for so much more than just Christmas! Let me know if you would like a catalog and will not be at my Open House or upcoming Library Card classes and I will get one to you!

Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!
As a reminder since this is a sneak peak and the products are not available until September 3rd for customers the photo links will not be available below.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – secret sea, boho blue and cloud cover

more color mondays – secret sea, boho blue and cloud cover

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge is all about something old and something new – all in hues of blue! The 2023-2025 In Colors are making their last appearance and taking their final bows and going quickly as of writing this yesterday the Boho Blue ink, cardstock and refills, Pebbled Path cardstock and refill and Wild Wheat cardstock and refill are all SOLD OUT the rest are availabel while supplies last!

I am combining them with two debuting colors from the 2025-2027 In Colors collection: Secret Sea and Cloud Cover!

Also debuting on May 6 is a gorgeous new suite called Beautiful Gallery. The 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper steals the show with art gallery inspired painted and sketched designs.

Measurements:
BASE: Secret Sea CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 2 1/8″ and 4 1/2″
Boho Blue CS: (2) 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″
scrap for sentiment banner matte
Cloud Cover CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 2″ x 5 1/5″ and
scrap for the sentiment piece
DSP: 6″ x 6″

I embossed the Cloud Cover layer in the beautiful new Damask Designs embossing folder and adhered it to one of the Boho Blue layers.
Base your cuts of the 6″ x 6″ DSP on the composition of the painting. You want to cut 3/4″ off of one end to make it 6″ x 5 1/4″ and then cut it into 2 pieces 2″ and 4″ basing the 4″ piece as the front of your finished card.

I cut the 2″ piece down to 1 1/4″ x 5″ as I wanted a little embossed layer border the entire way around the DSP layer.

Adhere the 2″ x 5″ DSP piece on the right-hand side of the embossed layer.

I used a 2″ x 4″ scrap piece of Basic White CS for the left-hand side of the embossed layer and stamped a sentiment from the Beautiful Motifs stamp set in Secret Sea ink – this is a beautiful deep misty navy quite different from our Night of Navy. I adhered it to the side of the DSP.
Adhere this embossed layer to the inside of the z-fold card.
Take the top portion of the 6″ x 6″ DSP piece that you initially cut off and cut it down to 3/4″ x 5 1/4″ and adhere to the 2″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Basic White CS to the middle. Adhere this piece to the middle layer of the z-fold card.
Take the 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of DSP and adhere it to the second layer of Boho Blue CS then place adhesive on the front panel of the z-fold and attach this layer so that the top, left-hand side and bottom are equally aligned to the front z-fold panel.
Using the back side of this DSP scrap stamp a “just a note” sentiment onto the scrap in Secret Sea ink and cut a banner edge on the right-hand edge. Adhere to a scrap piece of Boho Blue CS and cut a banner edge on the right-hand side to match the DSP banner edge.
Pop up the sentiment piece onto Stampin’ DImensionals and place in the upper left-hand corner of the card front or elsewhere depending on the DSP composition you choose.
I added five new In Color embellishments in Cloud Cover and Secret sea to the card front there are also embellishments which are part of this Beautiful Gallery suite called Pressed Flower motifs and they would have gone nicely with this project as well. All of this will be available to customers in early May! Love it and want to have it now? Join my team and you are able to order it in the pre-order period!

I love the way that extended Z-fold fun fold cards look like a normal card but surprise you when they are opened!

Try this easy fun fold and go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Reminder this post is going live prior to the new In Colors being available so the sneak peak items will not be in the order icons below – these are only available currently to current demonstrators to order in a pre-order but will be available once the 2025-2026 Annual Catalog goes live May 6th,2025!