christmas (fun fold) in july

christmas (fun fold) in july

by | Jul 29, 2026 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, die cutting, fun fold, new catalog, techniques

It’s Christmas in July – and here is a Double Flap fun fold card featuring the adorable Woodland Wishes stamp set.

I love coloring – as a child I had loads of coloring books and I continued to love it as an adult – our Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers and so fun to color with – whether just straight coloring between the lines or fancier blending and shading – they can do it all! I made this card for this month’s Christmas and Holiday Demonstrator’s swap and I colored in all the animals in this set and had so much fun doing all the coloring for these cards!

Measurements:
BASE: Poppy Parade CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″, 2 3/4″ x
5 1/2″, large scrap for circle die, 3/4″ x 5 1/4″
Crumb Cake CS: 2 3/4″ x 5 1/2″
DSP: 2″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″, 4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap
for circle die, 1/2″ x 4″, scraps for animal
stamps

Score the base card at 5 1/2″ and fold. Cut 2 3/4″ off the left side of the fold line.
Stamp the Woodland Wishes “animal” Christmas Tree in Hybrid Black ink and cut to 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ if not already that size.
Score the 2 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Crumb Cake CS at 1/4″.

Cut a piece of DSP to 2 1/2″ x 5″.

Adhere the DSP to the large panel.

Adhere the 1/4″ tab to the center back of the short side of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White piece.

Put Stampin’ Seal around the back of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer including the 1/4″ tab.

Adhere the DSP to the Crumb Cake cardstock if not done already.
Adhere the Basic White layer to the inside panel of the card base.
Stamp the inside sentiment in Poppy Parade ink and the little hedgehog image in Crumb Cake ink to the left side of the sentiment on the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer.
Stamp the outside sentiment in Hybrid Black ink on the Basic White strip.

Adhere to the Poppy Parade strip and cut into banner edges on either side.

Die cut a large circle from the Spotlight on Nature dies in Poppy Parade CS and then next one down in Basic White CS.

Splatter the Basic White circle with a Water Painter and the Poppy Parade ink.

Adhere the Basic White circle to the Poppy Parade circle and then adhere the strip sentiment to the circles.

Color the animals on the Christmas tree image with your choice of Stampin’ Blends.

I colored the cardinal and the Christmas bulbs in Real Red, Pecan Pie for the bear, Smoky Slate for the squirrel, Crumb Cake for the doves in light and reindeer in dark, fox in Cajun Craze, owl and stars in Golden Glow, greenery in Granny Apple Green and asterick in Balmy Blue.

Adhere the tree image to the outside panel of the card base.
Flip the Crumb Cake flap over the Poppy Parade flap.
Adhere the sentiment circle dies to the Crumb Cake flap.
I colored and fussy cut one bear, one fox and one deer for around the outside flap and sentiment circles.

Adhere these animals around the sentiment.

Adhere some Natural Matte Dots to the finished card and you have a great Christmas fun fold.

Now it’s your turn to make a Christmas card to celebrate Christmas in July or to start planning the cards and supplies you are going to need for this Fall to start making your Christmas cards to send to all those special people.

Now it’s your turn to create some Christmas artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Woodland Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 168243 ]
[168243]
$21.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 120953 ]
[120953]
$14.00
Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 119793 ]
[119793]
$14.00
Valley In Bloom 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167935 ]
[167935]
$13.00
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147116 ]
[147116]
$11.00
Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147050 ]
[147050]
$9.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$28.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$9.00
Stampin' Seal+
[149699]
$13.00
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154830 ]
[154830]
$12.00
Cajun Craze Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154879 ]
[154879]
$12.00
Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154882 ]
[154882]
$12.00
Golden Glow Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 167682 ]
[167682]
$12.00
Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 161682 ]
[161682]
$12.00
Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 161674 ]
[161674]
$12.00
Real Red Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154899 ]
[154899]
$12.00
Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154904 ]
[154904]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Spotlight On Nature Dies [ 163580 ]
[163580]
$35.00
Natural Matte Dots [ 167510 ]
[167510]
$8.00
april stampin’ up! creative challenge

april stampin’ up! creative challenge

by | Apr 8, 2026 | card samples, masculine cards, sneak peak, stamps ink paper, techniques

Do you know that Stampin’ Up! sponsors a creative challenge every month?

April features a challenge to use two different coloring tools! Will you rise to the challenge? If you create a card or project using this challenge post it on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #SUCREATIVECHALLENGE see Stampin’ Up’s video announcing the new challenge by going to this link

Here’s my card for the challenge using water painters and blending brushes two of my favorites!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ , scrap for
the die
Granny Apple Green CS: 1/4″ x 4″ strip scrap for
leaf die
Vellum CS: scrap for Spotlight on Nature circle
die

I combined some OLD AND NEW PRODUCTS – some LAST CHANCE items – Petals of Beauty dies and some sneak peak Phrases and Frames bundle…

I die cut the middle die from the Phrases and Frames bundle and used the frame and the inside piece. I blended the lower right-hand corner of the inside piece.

I added a drop of ink refill to my glass mat and added water to the drop from my Water Painter. I diluted the drop so it was very watery and tapped the edge of the water painter over the blending brush handle over the blended rectangular piece to add a splatter effect! Such an easy effect with HUGE impact!
I blended the Granny Apple Green onto the card front.
Adhere the rectangle to the card base off to the right-hand side of center.
Die cut the open leaf die from the Petals of Beauty die set in Granny Apple Green CS – cut into two sections and add glue to the frame and add the leaf sections under the frame on bottom and top corners. Adhere over the rectangle.
Die cut one of the circles from the Spotlight in Nature die set in Vellum CS and stamp the Thinking of You sentiment from the Phrases and Frames stamp set in Granny Apple Green ink and blend the edges.
Adhere the Granny Apple Green strip over the bottom of the vellum circle. Add glue under the vellum where the strip is to adhere to the card without the glue being visible.
Add the vellum circle onto the card.
Add a black accent from the Floral Flight Accents upcoming in the new catalog from the Beautiful Ordinary Life suite of products.
Add an extra Petals of Beauty leaf die.
Add embellishments to finish the card.

Coloring tools can add a lot to a card do not discount the little details can make a BIG difference!

Here is the same card design using a different Floral Flight accent!

Such fun! Try this #SUCREATIVECHALLENGE today and see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

REMINDER: All of the SNEAK PEAK products will not be in the photo links below until they are available!

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146990 ]
[146990]
$14.00
Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [ 167099 ]
[167099]
$10.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [ 147095 ]
[147095]
$9.00
Granny Apple Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [ 147163 ]
[147163]
$5.50
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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Blending Brushes Storage [ 160519 ]
[160519]
$16.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Petals Of Beauty Dies [ 167095 ]
[167095]
$35.00
more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

by | Jul 28, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, color theory, die cutting, embossing folders, my favorites, online exclusives, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays continues a study in color theory using a complimentary, opposing colors of Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist and Gorgeous Grape.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored 4 1/4″
4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for dies, (3) strips

Paint the 1/4″ strips with a blender pen and Berry Burst ink in a striped pattern.
Paint the remaining strips with the individual colors.
Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer with the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.

Splatter the embossed layer with Berry Burst ink.

Die cut a Basic White scrap with two consecutive Stylish Shapes dies to make an open circle.
Cut Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals in half around the back of the circle die.
Die cut the large banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamp the Happy Birthday from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set in Berry Burst ink.
Cut the three strips down to about 4″ to 4 1/4″ length and adhere them to the embossed layer in alternating pattern.
Pop up the open circle die over the three strips.
Pop up the Happy Birthday sentiment over the circle die.
Brush Berry Burst ink with a Blending Brush over the small butterfly die from the Beautiful Butterflies bundle.
Adhere to the circle die over the sentiment piece.
Adhere the embossed layer over the card front.
Place three Fine Shimmer Purple Gems around the card to finish off with a sparkle.

This is a great use of Strip scraps and using opposite colors works so well! Opposites attract right!

Try this color combination or another complementary one – now go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English) [ 164615 ]
[164615]
$59.25
Beautiful Butterflies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 164608 ]
[164608]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147143 ]
[147143]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147099 ]
[147099]
$9.00
Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147145 ]
[147145]
$9.00
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [ 132708 ]
[132708]
$8.00
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
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 164614 ]
[164614]
$42.00
Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder [ 165559 ]
[165559]
$11.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems [ 162611 ]
[162611]
$8.00
beautiful gallery watercolor gate fold card

beautiful gallery watercolor gate fold card

by | May 30, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, fun fold, In Colors, new catalog, techniques

Happy Friday! I am back in PA after settling my youngest in New England for a summer internship and after spending the day cleaning up dry wall dust that is EVERYWHERE! I took a much needed crafting break and created this gate fold watercolor card! Hope you like it!

Measurements:
BASE: Timid Tiger CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 2 1/8″ in from each end
Fluid 100 paper: (2) 1 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: scraps for die cuts and
sentiment strip and 4″ x 5 1/4″ inside layer

I used a retired block (sorry I forgot that we had retired the I acrylic block) but you can use any size you have on hand!
I added color to the top third of the block by pressing the ink pad directly onto the acrylic block.

I applied Timid Tiger ink directly onto the middle of the acrylic block (it is ok to overlap a darker ink color but you will contaminate the ink pad if you stamp a lighter ink color over an existing darker color!)
I applied Poppy Parade to the bottom of the acrylic block.
I sprayed the acrylic block with water from a Stampin’ Spritzer and placed the two pieces of Fluid 100 paper together and stamped the block of ink directly onto the middle of the papers. I held the block in place for a few seconds to allow the water and ink color to penetrate the fluid 100 Watercolor paper.
Score the base card 2 1/8″ in from each side of the 8 1/2″ side of the card. Fold inward until the two sides meet in the middle – this is called a gate-fold card.
I added the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer to the inside of the card.
I stamped an image from the Gallery Blooms stamp set to the bottom of the Basic White layer for a little added interest!
I adhered the Fluid 100 papers right up to the inside edges of the gate fold.

I die cut two images from the Beautiful Motifs die set in scrap Basic White cardstock and adhered one to each side of the gate fold.

I stamped a thank you sentiment from the Beautiful Motifs stamp set in Timid Tiger to the left hand side of the 1″ x 5 1/2″ Basic White strip and added some flower images from the Gallery Blooms stamp set in Crushed Curry to the right hand side.
I adhered only the left hand side of the sentiment piece so that the card will still open.
I adhered three 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls in Timid Tiger to finish off the first version of this card.

I decided to add a little sparkle and depth to the card by adding a splatter technique by tapping the brush tip side of the Poppy Parade Stampin’ Blends over the card front.

I brushed the leaves and petals of the two die cuts with Wink of Stella and the wet brush moves a little of the ink color over the dies as well as added a fine sparkle that is gorgeous but subtle and it does not show well in these photos but trust me it is amazing!
Such a fun card and I am glad to be home and crafting again!

Try this fun fold and some of the techniques I shared and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Gallery Suite Collection (English) [ 165217 ]
[165217]
$139.25
Beautiful Motifs Bundle (English) [ 165206 ]
[165206]
$45.75
Beautiful Motifs Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165198 ]
[165198]
$18.00
Gallery Blooms Bundle [ 165213 ]
[165213]
$53.00
Gallery Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 165211 ]
[165211]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper [ 149612 ]
[149612]
$9.00
Timid Tiger 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 165626 ]
[165626]
$14.00
Timid Tiger Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165278 ]
[165278]
$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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Beautiful Motifs Dies [ 165205 ]
[165205]
$33.00
Clear Block F [ 118483 ]
[118483]
$19.00
Clear Block I [ 118488 ]
[118488]
$13.00
Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154958 ]
[154958]
$11.00
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [ 141897 ]
[141897]
$9.00
2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls [ 165192 ]
[165192]
$8.50
Stampin' Spritzer [ 126185 ]
[126185]
$6.00
masculine textured notes card

masculine textured notes card

by | May 7, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masculine cards, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

I recently participated in a guy card swap and this is the card that I designed for the group that I swap with!

I absolutely love black and white paper I am drawn to it and this Botanical Textures paper from the Botanical Textures Suite is a great one!

This Suite features two Designer Series packages – one that is the black and white paper and one that is neutral colored woven textured paper. According to sales the Woven Textures is the more popular of the two!

The Botanical Textures Suite Collection #165563 includes:

TEXTURED NOTES BUNDLE #165556

TEXTURED NOTES CLING STAMP SET (10% off)
#165548
* 7 cling stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, c, d, h

TEXTURED NOTES DIES (10% off) #165555
* 8 dies
* Largest die: 5-3/16″ x 3-3/16″ (13.2 x 8 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

MINI CORRUGATED 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER
#165559
* 1 folder
* Size: 6″ x 6-1/4″ (15.2 x 15.9 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

BOTANICAL TEXTURES 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER #165545
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs
* 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
* Acid free
* Lignin free

WOVEN TEXTURES 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER #165560
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 3 each of 4 double-sided designs
* 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
* Acid free
* Lignin free

WHITE 1/4″ (6.4 MM) RIBBON #165562
* Width: 1/4″ (6.4 mm)
* Length: 10 yards (9.1 m)

NEUTRAL MATTE DOTS #165561
* 160 adhesive-backed pieces
* 4 mm, 5 mm
* Basic Beige, black, Pecan Pie, white

Product colors: Basic Beige, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Gray Granite, Pecan Pie, white

I stamped the leaf image in Smoky Slate on Basic White cardstock.

I used Post-it Labeling & Cover-up Tape to three consecutive Textured Notes dies – positioning them evenly.
Position it over the leaf image.
Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
scrap for sentiment die
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the 3 dies
Smoky Slate CS: 2″ x 5 1/2″
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the die (1 above the largest
three dies)
DSP: 2″ x 5 1/2″
Adhere the concentric three dies to the Smoky Slate Textured Notes dies.
Adhere the DSP layer to the left side of the card base.
Run the 2″ x 5 1/2″ Smoky Slate layer through the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.
Adhere the 2″ Smoky Slate embossed layer to the right side of the base card.
Rub the corrugated side with a Blending Brush in Smoky Slate ink.
Place Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the Smoky Slate layer.
Place the die cut layers over the DSP and corrugated layer.
Stamp the sentiment in Smoky Slate ink and die cut with the smallest die in the Textured Notes die set.
Adhere the sentiment piece over the die cut layers.
Tap the Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker on a bone folder over the card to make splatter patterns on the card.

Adhere 5 Basic Gray and Smoky Slate pearls to finish the card!

This is a great masculine card! Try making a guy card with your supplies – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Botanical Textures Suite Collection (English) [ 165563 ]
[165563]
$100.50
Textured Notes Bundle (English) [ 165556 ]
[165556]
$48.50
Textured Notes Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 165548 ]
[165548]
$23.00
Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147113 ]
[147113]
$9.00
Botanical Textures 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 165545 ]
[165545]
$12.50
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 131202 ]
[131202]
$11.50
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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
Basic Black Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154843 ]
[154843]
$11.00
Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker [ 162481 ]
[162481]
$3.50
Basic Gray & Smoky Slate Pearls [ 163416 ]
[163416]
$7.50