extraordinary flora with love card

extraordinary flora with love card

Today’s card features the new Extraordinary Flora Bundle from pages 84-85 in the new 2025-2026 Annual Catalog. One main stamped image stamps 16 different flora images in one go and then a large coordinating die cuts them all out at once with a single run through of the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine! BRILLIANT!

Measurements:
BASE: Strawberry Slush CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 3 1/2″ x 5″ for die cutting
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ , 3″ x 4″ for die cut,
4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ for stamping and die cutting

Stamp the large flora images in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on the 1/4 sheet of cardstock (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″)
Color the images with Stampin’ Blends: I used Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger, DArling Duckling, Lemon Lime Twist and Soft Sea Foam.
This die cuts all of the flora images at once!
Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer with the Dotted Circles 3D embossing folder.

Adhere to the Strawberry Slush card base.

Die cut the 3 1/2″ x 5″ piece of Strawberry Slush card stock and die cut with the second largest Textured Notes dies.

Wrap the Strawberry Slush ribbon around the die cut cardstock and tie a knot.

Pop up this layer on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the middle of the embossed layer.

Take the small Basic White layer and die cut with the Everyday Arches die set and stamp in Strawberry Slush ink the With Love sentiment and the lines on the arched die cut.
Pop up this die with Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere over the ribbon.
Arrange the floral dies around the arched die cut and when satisfied adhere down to the card. I tucked some under the arched die, adhered some directly on to it and then popped up one as well -this creates extra depth and dimension having the flowers at differing levels!
I added three Strawberry Slush 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls around the sentiment to finish off the card with a sparkly coordinated embellishment!

This is a fun bundle – try this soon! If you have a set with tiny images try arranging them around a die cut in various layers and levels to create some visual interest! No go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

beautiful gallery watercolor gate fold card

beautiful gallery watercolor gate fold card

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

bonus post – hoppy easter treat box

bonus post – hoppy easter treat box

I normally post three times a week but sometimes I just have something special I have to share right away! This morning I stumbled upon an adorable Easter 3D treat box and decided to make them up for my Easter table -so while I was creating them I took photos and wanted to share the instructions!

Happy Easter to all and a special thank you to United Kingdom demonstrator Stacey Marsh for the inspiration I converted her project to imperial measurements but I took the inspiration from her you tube video and loved it!

Measurements:
BASE BOX: Pool Party two-tone cardstock
(1) 6″ square
(2) 2″ x 12″ strips scored at 2″ and 8″
DSP: (2) 2″ squares

Today I decorated the treat boxes with the Playing in the Rain stamp set and dies which I LOVE especially this little bunny and it is currently on the LAST CHANCE LIST – which means WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

As of this afternoon they were ON SALE and still available!
# 160542 Last Chance List
PLAYING IN THE RAIN CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH)
Sale Price $15.60 Original Price $26.00
Earns up to 1.56 in Stampin’ Rewards!

# 160550 Last Chance List
PLAYING IN THE RAIN DIES
Sale Price $21.00 Original Price $35.00
Earn up to $2.10 in Stampin’ Rewards!

I stamped the sweet bunny from this set in Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

I colored the body of the bunny with the Ivory Stampin’ Blends marker.
Next I colored the body of the bunny with the retired SU 600 Stampin’ Blends marker, from the skin tone set but you could easily substitute another brown like Light Pecan Pie.
Next I blended the body of the bunny with the retired SU 700 Stampin’ Blends marker, from the skin tone set but you could easily substitute another brown like Light Crumb Cake.
Then I went over the entire body area and blended all of them with the Ivory marker again.
I colored the inside of the ears, the nose and the jacket with Light Flirty Flamingo.
I highlighted those areas with the Dark Flirty Flamingo.
And then I blended over the entire pink areas with the Light marker to blend.
I colored in the puddle water with Light Pool Party Stampin’ Blends.
Then highlighted the water with the Dark Pool Party Blends.
Then I went back over the puddle with the Light marker to blend it.
Score the 6″ square piece of Pool Party Two-tone cardstock at 2″, turn 90 degrees and score at 2″, turn 90 degrees and score again at 2″ and one more time turn 90 degrees and score at 2″.
Your square should have 9 equal squares scored into the surface.

Then move the square to the 4 1/2″ mark and score above the 2″ score line and below the 4″ score line. Turn the square 180 degrees and position the left-hand edge of the card stock at the 4 1/2″ line and repeat scoring from the 2″ score line to the top of the cardstock and from the 4″ score line to the bottom of the page.

You should be able to see the score lines in the second photo.

Position the cardstock so that the squares with the extra score lines are in the four corners and the extra score line is horizontal.
Cut along the dark lines in the photo and then snip the edges to form a tab as shown with the smaller dark diagonal lines.
Rotate the square 180 degrees and repeat the cuts and the opposite side.

Your finished square will resemble the second photo.

Crease all score lines with a bone folder – the secret to a great box is well creased score lines.
Place Tear-n-Tape on the tabs.
Remove the paper release tape from the Tear-n-Tape and form the box by matching up the tab and the side edges so they are even and rub the inside so that the tape adheres well.
Adhere your 2″ DSP squares to the side of the box that does not have the tabs adhered to it.
I stamped Oh, Happy Day from the Playing in the Rain stamp set in Tuxedo Black memento ink and die cut from the Stylish Shapes die set.
I die cut the bunny and fussy cut the puddle.
I adhered the puddle on the lower left hand side of the box that had the less busy DSP. I popped up the bunny on Stampin’ Dimensionals above the puddle and added the sentiment circle die to the right side – it is ok to hang these over the side of the box.
I stamped the sentiment a second time and fussy cut the O and adhered it over the A in Happy to change the word to Hoppy for Easter!
I scored the 2 strips of Two-tone Cardstock at 2″ and 8″.
I curled the paper with my bone folder.
Adhere the 2″ side with Tear-nTape or other strong adhesive to the bottom of the box.
Adhere the other piece on the 2″ side with Tear-n-Tape or other strong adhesive on top of the other 2″ adhered strip to the bottom of the box. The strips will look like wings extended in opposite directions.
Place tape at the top of the strip – the side that has the 4″ score line. Bend at the score line and instead of adhering flat push the edge with the adhesive upwards and adhere to the inside of the strip so that there is a bow in the top – see photo.
Do this on both strips, these will be the “ears” of the bunny basket.
Place the strips together and tie a coordinating ribbon around the strips and below the “ears”.
I added name tags to the ribbons with the new Hole Punch assortment punches so these will be my placeholders for Easter Dinner.

I filled them with candy since my children are too old for Easter Baskets but not too old for the candy!!

So, so cute! Save this to make for next year’s Easter table!

Have a Blessed Day and I hope you get time to create tomorrow!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

This is what my table will look like tomorrow!
experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

The other day I was playing around with the Painted Stripes background stamp. I wanted to experiment with water and ink and see what the difference would be between applying ink directly to the stamp and spritzing with water or applying the ink directly to the glass mat studio and spraying it down and then dipping the stamp into the inky water?

I got a bunch of 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White sheets and started to play with the ink and water!
First I applied Pool Party onto the Glass Matt and then applied Pretty Peacock ink directly above the Pool Party ink. I sprayed water from a Stampin’ Spritzer until the colors were fluid and started to blend in the middle.

I placed the Painted Stripes background stamp into the inky water and then placed it onto the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and held it in place while the ink and water soaked into the card stock.
Next I placed the Pool Party ink pad over the cleaned Painted Stripes stamp set and inked about half of the stripes.
Then I inked the top half of the Painted Stripes stamp set with the Pretty Peacock ink pad.
I sprayed water from a spray bottle or Stampin’ Spritzer over the entire surface of the Painted Stripes stamp.
I placed a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White Cardstock layer over the Painted Stripes stamp that is on the table facing upwards (this way the water does not run but stays in place) and rub the back side of the cardstock holding the paper in place so it does not shift.
I resprayed the stamp surface and placed a second piece of cardstock over the surface this will produce a lighter softer version of the first but still pretty as there is enough ink to do this at least twice!

Allow to dry before using.

I found that the first version turned out lighter than the full strength second version! But the second spraying of the second ink direct to stamp version looked a lot like the first ink on glass version without a lot less mess!
Answer achieved! I liked the second version better but the first one was messy fun!

I cut a few dies from the Textured Notes die set from the prepared watercolor sheets. This die set is a series of concentric rectangles with all different types of embossed edging – so very cool – perfect for cards as well as scrapbooking!
I cut a 4 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Basic White cardstock and scored it at 5 1/2″.
I stamped the smaller leaved foliage in Pool Party ink on opposite diagonal ends of the card base and flicked some inked water from a Water Painter over the card base surface.

I stamped the larger leaved foliage on the larger Basic White die in Pretty Peacock ink.

I cut a smaller die with the stripes in the opposite direction from one of the watercolored layers. I stamped the sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink and die cut one die up in Pool Party card stock. I popped the sentiment piece up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the Pool Party die and added it to the middle of the card above the other stamped die piece.
I colored some Iridescent Pearls with the Dark Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends marker.
I added the pearls to the card front.
I added some more splatters with a Water Painter and the left over inky water on the glass matte surface.
I thought the card needed a little more color and a die cut one up from the larger Basic White die on the card as it was blending into the card and you could not see the lovely Textured Notes die edging – so I cut the larger die in Pretty Peacock card stock and mounted it under the original rectangle.
This made the first die cut pop and looks so much better I think.

I keep the card in the order I designed it to show you all sometimes you go back at the end and add one thing to make the card even better! Do not hesitate to add and play if you feel the card is missing something – usually your gut is right!

Hope you get a chance to have a play with stamps, ink and paper this week! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

corner in bloom sale-a-bration wedding card

corner in bloom sale-a-bration wedding card

Today’s blog post features a wedding card made with the Corner in Bloom Level Two Sale-a-bration stamp set. Typically a “corner” stamp set is traditionally used in well the corners LOL of the card! But today I am pivoting and using those corners stamped twice in a diamond design to form a lovely floral backdrop for the sentiment!

Measurements:
BASE: Gorgeous Grape CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″ pieces
scrap strip for the sentiment

Emboss one of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layers of Basic White CS with the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder.
Stamp the smaller flower corner image in Tuxedo Black Momento ink and match up the open ends and stamp again creating a diamond shape with the two corner images.
Because Gorgeous Grape is such a deep hued purple we do not carry the Stampin’ Blends. The Highland Heather is the same hue but in a lighter shade so this is a wonderful compliment to this project. I colored all of the flower petals in Light Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends marker and then highlighted the centers and edges near the stem in Dark Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends marker.
I colored over the petal areas in Light marker and blended the petals for a more even look.
I colored the leaves in Dark Granny Apple Green and highlighted in Dark Old Olive Stampin’ Blends marker for a nice shaded look.
Adhere the embossed layer to the Gorgeous Grape base card.
Fussy cut the floral diamond out.
Using a Blending Brush and Gorgeous Grape ink pad highlight a diagonal area above to the right and below to the left where you will adhere the diamond image.
Adhere the floral image over the blended area.
I stamped the “lifetime of love” sentiment from the Linked Together stamp set from the 2025 January to April mini catalog release on a scrap 1/4″ strip of Basic White CS. Using a Paper Snip scissors I cut a banner edge on both sides of the sentiment and colored it with the Blending Brush and Gorgeous Grape ink. I popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it between the two corner images.
I added Purple Shine Shimmer Gems to finish off this easy and lovely card perfect for a Spring Wedding or an anniversary!
I also made one with Berry Burst Stampin’ Blends as an alternative coloring sample – Which do you like the Monochromatic (Highland Heather) or the Analogous (Berry Burst) Color design?

Try some out of the box stamping and use one of your stamps in an unexpected way! Now go and create some unexpected artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie