more color mondays – pretty peacock, crumb cake and gorgeous grape

more color mondays – pretty peacock, crumb cake and gorgeous grape

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features some of the soft colors from the Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper – Pretty Peacock, Crumb Cake and Gorgeous Grape and a freestanding fun fold card!

Measurements:
Gorgeous Grape CS: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″,
4 1/4″ x 11 scored at 2″, 3 3/4″, 7 1/4″, and 9″
Crumb Cake CS: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″,
(2) 1 7/8″ x 4 1/8″, (2) 1 5/8″ x 5 3/8″
DSP: (2) 1 1/2″ x 4 “, (2) 1 3/4″ x 4″,
(2) 1 14/” x 4″
Basic White CS: 3 3/4″ x 4″

Adhere the DSP pieces to the Crumb Cake mattes – the 1 3/4″ DSP to the 1 7/8″ matte, and the 1 1/2″ DSP to the 1 5/8″ matte.

Score the 4 1/4″ x 11″ Gorgeous Grape CS at 2″, 3 3/4″, 7 1/4″ and 9″
Adhere the 4 1/8″ Crumb Cake CS layer to the Gorgeous Grape 4 1/4″ layer.
Adhere the two small pieces of DSP on the edges of the Crumb Cake layer leaving an even border.
Adhere the 4 1/4″ x 11″ scored layer onto the center of the card base.
Die cut a Gorgeous Grape scrap with the Spotlight on Nature die set.
Die cut a Basic White scrap with the Stylish Shape and stamp the butterfly and the thanks of Gorgeous Grape ink.
Die cut the large banner from the Stylish Shapes die set and cut it in half.
Stamp the 3 1/4″ Basic White layer and stamp images in the three More Color Mondays color challenge colors.
Adhere the banner die on either side of the circle dies and adhere to the front flap of the card!
This free standing fun fold card is so fun and perfect for displaying beautiful Designer Series Paper!

Try this fun fold with your own supplies and go 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

more color mondays – cloud cover, fresh freesia and highland heather

more color mondays – cloud cover, fresh freesia and highland heather

For today’s More Color Mondays Color Challenge I pulled from last week’s Sketch Challenge #110 and did a simple card using the Florals in Bloom Designer Series Paper which features pretty floral designs in Bubble Bath, Cloud Cover, Darling Duckling, Garden Green, Granny Apple Green, Peach Pie, Petunia Pop, Pretty In Pink, Secret Sea, Shy Shamrock, Strawberry Slush, Summer Splash, Timid Tiger

I picked the Cloud Cover striped B side of one of the choices of Designer Series paper and a complementary floral pattern for the two DSP pieces!

Measurements:
BASE: Cloud Cover CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″ and 2″ x 3 3/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Fresh Freesia CS: scrap for the sentiment die
Highland Heather CS: 2″ x 3 3/4″
DSP: (2) 1 3/4″ x 3 1/2″

PLace the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer in the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder. Place the folder in the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the #1 base platform and the #4 embossing plate. Emboss the layer.
Adhere the Cloud Cover striped DSP piece to the Cloud Cover matte.

Adhere the floral piece to the Highland Heather matte.

Pick a sentiment from The Right Words stamp set and pick a suitably sized Spotlight on Nature circle die.

Stamp the sentiment onto a Fresh Freesia scrap
and die cut with the Spotlight on Nature die using the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the #1 base, #2 thin die adaptor plate and 2 cutting plates #3’s.

Using the Highland Heather ink and a blending brush color the edges with the ink.

Adhere the Basic White layer to the card base leaving even borders.

Adhere the Cloud Cover DSP piece vertically to the left side of the White embossed layer leaving an even border on the left-hand side.

I adhered the floral DSP layer perpendicular to the Cloud Cover piece positioning it higher on the card so that I could adhere the sentiment piece below and at their junction of the the pieces forming a triangular shape which is appealing to the eye!
Pop up the sentiment piece onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and place in the junction of the two DSP pieces.
I added three Purple Fine Shimmer Gems to finish off the card.

Sketches are a simple way to find your card or project inspiration – try picking out a card sketch today and design a card or scrapbook page from the sketch design! Go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

extraordinary flora elements of text card

extraordinary flora elements of text card

The Extraordinary Floral Washi tape makes a such a pretty card! The background for this card features the Elements of Text stamp set. This stamp set is one of my favorites that has just been listed on the Last Chance List! It’s on sale until it is sold out! It makes great backgrounds!

BASE: Berry Burst CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, scrap for the Spotlight on
Nature die
Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for the Spotlight on Nature die.

Stamp the Basic White layer with the Elements of Text stamp set with the Berry Burst ink all over the layer. Add the splatter image around the edges in Berry Burst ink. Then add some blending around the edges of the layer with the blending brush and the Berry Burst ink.
Emboss the Basic White layer in the Eyelet 3D embossing folder.

Adhere the layer to the Berry Burst card front.

Stamp the sentiment from The Right Words in Berry Burst ink in the center of the Basic White die from the Spotlight on Nature die set.
Stamp the splatter image around the edges.
Adhere the die to the Berry Burst Spotlight on Nature die.
Adhere the sentiment dies on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the center of the card front.
I took the Extraordinary Flora Washi Tape and unrolled it from the roll and adhered it to a half sheet of Unscored Basic White cardstock (5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″). Ensure that the washi tape is smooth without wrinkles or air pockets I secure the tape starting at one edge and lying the tape down slowly rubbing as I go with my hands or a bone folder to ensure a smooth surface.
Die cut with the Extraordinary Flora die – designed to cut in one pass loads of flowers from the washi tape or the coordinating stamp.
Mounting the tape on cardstock allows the die cuts to have a more rigid background allowing for easier attachment to the card.
Arrange the die cut floral and greenery around the sentiment dies to your liking and then secure with glue, tape and Stampin’ Dimensionals for some depth and dimension.
I added Purple Fine Shimmer Gems to the card in the Berry Burst hue to coordinate with the card and finish it off with a lot of sparkle!

I love creating backgrounds and this Last Chance stamp set called Elements of Text is a great way to achieve a cohesive background look that is both eye-catching and elegant.

Text stamps can create a subtle yet intricate background that can accent the base of your card without overpowering your main focal image!

If you like this look shop before this set is all gone! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

card sketch #110 – black and white with a pop of color

card sketch #110 – black and white with a pop of color

Today’s blog post is another card sketch! So fun to create from a starting point! Card Sketch #110 is so full of possibilities!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
4″ x 5 1/4″, scrap for the sentiment
Basic Black CS: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″
1 1/8″ x 3 3/8″, 1 1/8″ x 4 3/4″
scrap for the sentiment matte
Mixed Media DSP: 1″ x 3 1/4″, 1″ x 4 1/2″

Adhere the Basic Black 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ layer to the Basic White card base.
Run the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the Pressed Flowers embossing folder. This is a standard embossing folder which requires a sandwich of the base plate and two cutting plates (2 – #3 plates)
Adhere the embossed layer onto the card base.
Adhere the pieces of Designer Series paper to the Basic Black Mattes.
Stamp the sentiment “You’re So Kind” from The Right Words stamp set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink. Die cut the sentiment with the Stylish Shapes circle die. Adhere the white die cut to a Basic Black CS Spotlight on Nature die.
Adhere the longer matted black and white DSP piece on the bottom of the card front.
Adhere the smaller DSP piece across the other DSP piece.
Adhere the sentiment piece on Stampin’ Dimensionals and place in the right upper quadrant.
I adhered five Neutral Matte Dots around the card.

I love black and white cards with a pop of color! This card is a fun interpretation of the Card Sketch #110.

Try your hand at this sketch and see what you can design – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie