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

seasons of elegance pleated card

seasons of elegance pleated card

This pleated card looks so impressive and is so easy it’s all about the folding and adhering – easy peasy! Let me show you how to make this show stopper Christmas card!

Measurements:
BASE: Cherry Cobbler CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ x 9 3/4″ scored at 1/4″, 1/2″, 1 1/4″,
1 1/2″, 2 1/4″, 2 1/2″, 3 1/4″, 3 1/2″, 4 1/4″,
4 1/2″, 5 1/4″, 5 1/2″, 6 1/4″, 6 1/2″, 7 1/4″,
7 1/2″, 8 1/4″, 8 1/2″, 9 1/4″ and 9 1/2″
DSP: in a complimentary color: 1″ x 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ for inside

Cut the DSP to 4″ x 9 3/4″
Then score at 1/4″, 1/2″, 1 1/4″,
1 1/2″, 2 1/4″, 2 1/2″, 3 1/4″, 3 1/2″, 4 1/4″,
4 1/2″, 5 1/4″, 5 1/2″, 6 1/4″, 6 1/2″, 7 1/4″,
7 1/2″, 8 1/4″, 8 1/2″, 9 1/4″ and 9 1/2″

Start with three mountain folds and then 2 valley, then continue with 2 mountain and 2 valleys until the end and you will have 3 mountain folds for the last three folds.

I modified the original design I found online and added a 1/4″ fold on both ends so you would have a fold back portion to secure the pleats to the card base.
This next step is the hardest and it’s really about dexterity LOL – you need to fold the pleats inward and hold them at their closest while adhering Tear-n-Tape to the back side.

This will curl – do not be alarmed that is natural because of the pleating.

Once you remove the release paper from the Tear-n-Tape and attach the pleated paper to the Card base this will eliminate the curling.

Remove the release paper from both Tear-n-Tape strips and adhere to the card base.

I heat embossed the sentiment from the Jolly Holly stamp set in Gold embossing powder with a Heat Tool and adhered the DSP embossed strip to the two end pleats.

Cut away any excess – I made that 5 1/2″ long because the pleated size will vary so you will have excess.

I added the gold colored sequins from the Traditional Sparkling Sequins -these are my new favorite holiday embellishment – you can use them as is or you can color the lighter ones with Stampin’ Blends markers – they are so sparkly and versatile!

This easy WOW card is a fabulous design – try it today with your stash of DSP and let me know how it turns out!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – balmy blue, old olive and basic beige

more color mondays – balmy blue, old olive and basic beige

Today’s another color challenge to inspire you to more creativity in your card design work!

The palette today is soft and neutral – perfect for a soft, subtle thank you card for someone special. The card features a gorgeous product that was introduced with the new annual catalog and I have totally ignored until now! I purchased it in the pre-order and then got busy with the new stamps and dies and forgot I had it! The Irresistible Designs contains 2 one-sided sheets of 3 different designs of white tone on tone embossed images in a leaf, floral and criss-cross pattern – used as is or colored to create stunning effects – this paper is amazing!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic Beige CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Balmy Blue CS: scrap for die

Using blending brushes in a soft circular motion – starting off the paper – I colored in a diagonal pattern Old Olive ink at the bottom right-hand corner, Basic Beige ink in the middle and Balmy Blue in the top left-hand corner.
Because the specialty paper in embossed the image does not take the ink and pops off the page in a spectacular fashion!
Adhere the specialty paper to the Basic Beige card base and add a small piece of the Basic Beige Classic ribbon folded in a loop to the card.
I stamped the thanks and the leaf image from the Spotlight on Nature stamp set in Old Olive ink on a Balmy Blue die cut from the Spotlight on Nature die set. I popped up the sentiment die on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it over the ribbon loop.
I added three gold flecked embellishments from the Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems – these actually have a section of clear gems as well as the two pink colors and are perfect for this wonderful card!

Have you played with this type of Specialty paper before? It is super fun and produces easy, amazing results – try your hand at it soon!
Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

card sketch #111 – spooky halloween

card sketch #111 – spooky halloween

Today’s card sketch is a fun one to use with strips of colored paper, Designer Series paper or strips colored by hand – the possibilities are endless!

I choose the new Online Exclusive bundle Spooky Halloween, and the coordinating Spooky Sweet DSP.

Card Sketch #111 Measurements:
BASE: Granny Apple Green CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ embossed
scrap for sentiment piece and critter stamp
Basic Black scrap for bat dies
DSP: (2) 3/4″ x 4″
(2) 1″ x 4″

I embossed the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer with the Dotted Circles 3D embossing folder with the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the BASE plate #1 and the Embossing Plate #4.

I cut the Basic Black scrap with the bat die using the BASE plate #1, the Thin Die Adaptor #2 and the 2 cutting plates #3.

Adhere the Basic White embossed layer to the Base card.
Arrange the DSP strips on the upper half of the card and adhere over the embossed layer in a pleasing pattern.
Stamp the critter in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and the sentiment on scrap pieces of Basic White CS. Die cut the critter and cut the sentiment piece to size.
Adhere the critter to the left-hand side of the DSP arrangement.
Adhere the two bat dies overhead.
Using a blending brush and Granny Apple Green ink blend color onto the edges of the sentiment piece and pop up onto Stampin’ Dimensionals – adhere to the lower right-hand side of the card front.
Adhere embellishments off to finish the card – the suite comes with the coordinating DSP and the sweetest star embellishments!

I just may be converted to a Halloween card girl – LOL still not the biggest fan of the holiday but these cards are just too cute!!

Try making something fun for Fall this week and go create some artwork of your very own- one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

card sketch #108 – beautiful butterflies

card sketch #108 – beautiful butterflies

Today is another card sketch to get your creative juices flowing! Card Sketch #108 – let’s see what you cane create with this sketch!

This card uses the Beautiful Bokeh Suite with the gorgeous Beautiful Butterflies bundle and the Pastel Ombre Glimmer paper which creates a beautiful sparkling butterfly!

Measurements:
BASE: Fresh Freesia CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
scrap for the large butterfly detailed die
Beautiful Bokeh DSP: 2″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 2″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for the Stylish Shapes banner die
Pastel Ombre Glimmer paper: scrap for the
solid butterfly die and the butterfly body

Emboss the Basic White 2″ layer with the Beautiful Butterflies hybrid embossing folder.
Adhere the 2″ DSP layer to the left-hand side of the card front.
Die cut the detailed large butterfly die in Fresh Freesia CS.
Die cut the butterfly body and the solid butterfly die from the Pastel Ombre Glimmer paper.
Adhere the butterfly pieces together – solid piece on the bottom, detailed butterfly piece over that and then the glimmer body over both.
Adhere the Basic White embossed layer to the right-hand side of the card front.
Pop up the butterfly on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the center of the card front.
Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set in Highland Heather ink and blend the background with a Blending Brush and Highland Heather ink.
Adhere the sentiment in the lower right-hand corner on Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Adhere the Holographic Resin Dots tot he card front to add a little sparkle to finish off this easy sketch card!
I hate to waste any of the pretty Glimmer Paper so I cut out some of the smaller butterfly die cuts and added one to the card at the end!

What do you think? Try this sketch and let me know what you came up with!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie