stampin' up! cut and emboss - nataliegramleystamps

another designer series paper tri-fold card

by nataliegramleystamps | Aug 2, 2024 | Designer Series Paper, die cutting, fun fold, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s blog post is another tri-fold using some of our beautiful Designer Series Paper! I had so much fun designing Wednesday’s tri-fold that I decided to go ahead and do another one!
Today we are using the Full of Life 6″ x 6″ DSP for this vertical tri-fold card.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ X 11″
scored at 4″ and 6 3/4″
(5) 4″ x 5 1/4″ for watercolor background die
cuts
scraps for the sentiments
DSP top layer: 3 3/4″ x 4″
DSP middle layer 2 1/2″ x 4″ mine is 2 1/4″ because this was a 6″ paper stack and I wanted to save paper.
DSP: bottom layer 4″ x 4″

Using an acrylic block ink up one color per watercolor wash. I used Azure Afternoon, Lemon Lime Twist, Crushed Curry, Poppy Parade and Gorgeous Grape. Add ink directly to the acrylic block and spritz with water in a Stampin’ Spritzer. Add the paper on top of the block and hold in place for a few seconds to allow the paper to absorb the water and the ink. Die cut one of the leave stems from each watercolor died paper.

Score the 4 1/4″ x 11″ Basic White cardstock at 4″ and 6 3/4″.
Cut the desired DSP – I wanted a color gradient so i chose the B sides of the Full of Life DSP.
I adhered the top layer of 3 3/4″ x 4″ to the top panel.

I adhered the middle DSP layer of 2 1/2″ x 4″ to the middle panel.

I adhered the Bottom DSP layer of 4″ square to the bottom panel.
Just think of the possibilities if you used a scenic 12″ x 12″ DSP you could create a continuous scene across the card and do this in either landscape of vertical!

I adhered the leaf dies to each panel close to the corresponding color gradient on the DSP.

I die cut the word friend from Basic White scraps and added it to the top of the bottom panel so that the word does not peek out when the card is closed and is a surprise!

I die cut 2 of the rectangular strip dies for the top 2 panels and stamped sentiments in Azure Afternoon ink for the top panel and Crushed Curry for the middle panel.

I added Iridescent Adhesive-backed Discs to the card in a gradient of colors and this is what the card looks like closed and open!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Full Of Life Suite Collection (English)

[163369]

$82.50

Friends For Life Bundle (English)

[163365]

$53.00

Friends For Life Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[163359]

$25.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Full Of Life 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[163357]

$12.50

Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161663]

$9.00

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

[147087]

$9.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

[147099]

$9.00

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

[147145]

$9.00

Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad

[147050]

$9.00

Clear Block E

[118484]

$13.00

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 Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Friends For Life Dies (English)

[163364]

$34.00

Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs

[161954]

$7.00

← designer series paper tri-fold card more color mondays - pecan pie, old olive and mossy meadow tri-fold tuck card →

bokeh background with golden greenery

by nataliegramleystamps | Jul 24, 2024 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, die cutting, stamps ink paper, techniques

Besides stamping, I love photography! The Bokeh effect has always reminded me of those pictures people take of Christmas lights where the lights are out of focus and there are loads of white circles covering the page – like the photo below!

For today’s blog post I am going to teach you an easy method for recreating this effect! All you need is a circle mask made from punches or dies and white ink!

Measurements:
BASE: Pretty Peacock: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ for masks
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the outside layer
scraps for die cut and sentiment piece.

I did a watercolor wash on an acrylic block. I used the Stampin’ Up! E acrylic block and applied ink direct to the block from the lemon Lime Twist ink pad directly onto the E block in the center.

I added Lost Lagoon to the left side of the block and Pretty Peacock to the right side.

I misted the surface of the acrylic block with water.
Spray enough water so that the ink starts to run together and dose not have a lot of beading on the surface.

Place the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer over the acrylic block and rub gently so that the water and ink absorb into the paper. Pick up and place another paper on the ink – you usually can get two impressions from one ink application – the second will be lighter but still pretty!
Allow to air dry or if in a hurry dry with the Heat Tool.

Every paper turns out with slight variations – I simply LOVE this technique for creating awesome watercolored backgrounds!

Here are some of the papers I created.

Create a mask with multiple different sized circle openings – I used the four smallest circles from the Stylish Shapes die set!
Place over the dried watercolor paper.

Using a Blending brush and the Craft White ink – I squeezed a few drops of re-inker in the ink lid and brushed the ink onto the blending brush.
Using a circular motion I applied the ink over the mask – in a variety of sizes and depths of color.

Remove the mask – reposition and repeat the blending brush ink application until the desired Bokeh effect is achieved.

Stamp a sentiment I chose a sentiment from the new Online Exclusives Greetings of the Season in Pretty Peacock. I fussy cut the sentiment and blended Pretty Peacock ink over the cut surface of the sentiment! I also cut a die from the Golden Greenery die set in Basic White scrap.

I adhered the watercolored layer to the Pretty Peacock base. I popped up the fussy cut sentiment piece onto the lower left hand corcer of the card front.

I popped up the die on mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it to the top right corner.

I added some white pearlescent sequins from the Adhesive-Backed Sequins Trio to finish off the card.

This effect has always reminded me of Christmas lights so I thought it perfect for this first Christmas card of the season!

Try this Bokeh effect soon and let me know what

Product List

Golden Greenery Bundle

[164117]

$56.50

Golden Greenery Photopolymer Stamp Set

[164331]

$24.00

Greetings Of The Season Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164325]

$25.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[150880]

$11.50

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

[147145]

$9.00

Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161678]

$9.00

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

[150083]

$9.00

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

[147277]

$10.50

Whisper White Craft Stampin' Ink Refill

[101780]

$7.00

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 Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$15.00

Clear Block E

[118484]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Golden Greenery Dies

[164116]

$39.00

Adhesive Backed Sequins Trio

[161206]

$8.00

← more color mondays - lost lagoon, berry burst, and soft sea foam stamp and spritz watercolor technique →

creating water splattered colored backgrounds

by nataliegramleystamps | Jul 19, 2024 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, stamps ink paper, techniques

I love creating fun backgrounds and papers to die cut from and today’s post is all about creating interest with color and water!

Measurements:
BASE: Pool Party: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White layer: 4′ x 5 1/4″

Using blending brushes and Coastal Cabana ink color the Basic White layer in various random spots.

Using a new blending brush color new spots with Lost Lagoon ink.

Fill in the remaining white space with Old Olive ink with a blending brush.

Take a medium water painter and squeeze the barrell until water is dropping from the paint brush. Drop and flick water droplets onto the colored Basic White layer until the desired amount is covered in water droplets.
The water will lift the color from the paper creating lighter and white spots of visual interest.

Place in the hybrid Changing Leaves folder with the die and cut and emboss at the same time!

Run a Pool Party card front through the embossing folder only.

Take the die cuts from the hybrid folder and start to adhere them onto the card base.

I fussy cut some of the embossed images from the water splattered paper and popped up some of the embossed images around the card base edges for some depth and dimension.

I cut the larger sentiment strip from the die set and making sure the paper was completely dry – stamped a sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I popped up the sentiment die piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals and placed in the lower quadrant of the card front.

I added a few more cut leaves to add balance to the card.

I finished the card with the Ombre Matte Decorative Dots and the card is complete.

The water splattered background adds visual interest and color variation to the card!

Try this technique and see what art work you can come up with! Now go and create some art of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Changing Leaves Bundle (English)

[164139]

$54.00

Changing Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[164351]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[122924]

$11.50

Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad

[147097]

$9.00

Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161678]

$9.00

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

[147090]

$9.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$8.00

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 Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$15.00

Small Blending Brushes

[160518]

$14.00

Water Painters

[151298]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder

[164138]

$40.00

Ombre Matte Decorative Dots

[161448]

$8.00

← creating a faux torn edge card more color mondays - lost lagoon, berry burst, and soft sea foam →

more color mondays – lost lagoon, summer splash and coastal cabana

by nataliegramleystamps | Jun 24, 2024 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, In Colors, more color mondays, stamps ink paper

Today’s More Color Monday is all about cardstock colors no need for fancy Designer Series Paper, our colors are awesome and steal the show all by themselves! Lost Lagoon, Summer Splash and Coastal Cabana are a beautiful study in blues reminding me of Coastal waters and swaying palm trees!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
scraps for wave die cuts
Lost Lagoon scraps for palms/shell die cuts
Summer Splash scraps for palms/shell die cuts
Coastal Cabana scraps for palms/shell die cuts
Pecan Pie scraps for palm trunk/grass die cuts

Score the Basic White cardstock base at 4 1/4″ and fold in half.
Die cut the Basic White scrap strips with the waves dies x 2.
Adhere the waves to the center of the card front.

Die cut both palm fronds and one shell in each of the “blues” – Lost Lagoon, Summer Splash and Coastal Cabana.
Die cut three palm trunks and 3 grass dies from Pecan Pie cardstock scraps – one for each palm tree.
Adhere the Palm fronds for each color together and add the trunk and grass. Adhere to the card over the waves dies and pop up the shell at the grassy base with a mini Stampin’ Dimensional.

Repeat the assembly of the palm trees with the other two colors and adhere to the card front.

Stamp the sentiment from Beach Day in Coastal Cabana ink at the top of the card base.

I added the Adhesive-Backed Iridescent Discs in the blue hues for the final step to add just the right touch of sparkle!
This is an easy card with a fun summer vibe. Now it’s your turn – go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Beach Day Bundle (English)

[162800]

$48.50

Beach Day Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[162797]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$13.00

Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[131297]

$11.50

Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[133679]

$11.50

Summer Splash 8 1/2" X 11 Cardstock

[163797]

$11.50

Pecan Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[161717]

$11.50

Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad

[147097]

$9.00

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

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Stampin' Spritzer

[126185]

$6.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Beach Day Dies

[162799]

$34.00

Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs

[161954]

$7.00

← beach day card for a hot summer week may swap cards provide a lot of ideas →

more color mondays – pretty peacock, wild wheat and pebbled path

by nataliegramleystamps | Jul 17, 2023 | card samples, color challenge, more color mondays, new catalog, sneak peak, stamps ink paper

Not only is this a More Color Monday color challenge but I am using the Translucent Florals that demonstrators were able to pre-order from the upcoming mini catalog for our demonstrator only virtual craft day Creativity Now – It was a fun day with Demonstrators from around the globe that could be accessed live or on demand!

I really liked Pretty Peacock and Wild Wheat when I saw them paired together in a Designer Paper series design from the Fresh As a Daisy DSP and I wanted to pair it with a neutral so I picked Pebbled Path and really like the way this card turned out.

Measurements:
BASE: Wild Wheat 4 1/4″ x 11″ scored at 5 1/2″
Layer: Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap: Basic White for die cuts

I started by brushing the edges of the Basic White layer with the Pebbled path ink and a Blending Brush. (you will see in the final finished photo that I decided to add a ring of Pretty Peacock to the inside of the Pebbled Path outside edge at the last minute because I wanted a little more Pretty Peacock on the base – you could add this now if desired!)
Then I added the twig sprig in Wild Wheat ink around the inside in a circular pattern.

On a scrap piece of Basic White I stamped one large flower in Pretty Peacock and then stamped a second image without re-inking the stamp – this will give you a lighter image in the same color in a lighter tone – this is called stamping off or second generation stamping.
Then I stamped the leaves in Wild Wheat and stamped two images both full strength. I added flower centers to both flowers in Wild Wheat.

Die cut the flowers and leaves.

Adhere the lighter flower directly to the card and slip the leaves under that flower above and below tipped at an angle.
Add Stampin’ Dimensionals to the darker flower and add to the upper left corner of the lighter flower image. Make sure that the stamped images cover the empty space in the center of the sprig circle on the base layer.

Die cut the smaller banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamp the Happy Birthday in Pebbled Path ink from the Something Fancy stamp set and brush the edges in Pebbled Path ink with a blending brush. Add Stampin’ Dimensionals and add to the lower left hand edge of the flower images.

Cut a section of Wild Whaet ribbon and pull the end threads to create a fringe on both sides and adhere to the lower side of the sentiment piece.

Add the 2023-2025 In Color Dots embellishments and two Wild Wheat cardstock die cuts around the sentiment piece and the card base for added interest.

At this point I thought the card needed a little more Pretty Peacock so I removed the images and brushed the background with Pretty Peacock ink and added them all back! LOL I too get to the end of the design process and change my mind!

Try this or any of my past color challenges and post your efforts on the Monday Facebook post in the comments section! I am looking forward to seeing your creations! Now go and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie