Stampin' Up! - nataliegramleystamps

library card class – a success

by nataliegramleystamps | Dec 9, 2022 | card samples, sketch challenge, techniques

One of the things I like best about being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is not the discount or being first to see and play with new product but the joy of watching people find their creative spirit in the art of creating something beautiful. That is what happened on Wednesday for my first card class in Western PA. The last year has been consumed with packing, moving, demolition and remodeling and I missed stamping with others. I was still stamping and creating (which I love) posting cards and tutorials on line, doing videos and hostessing classes on line but I missed the interaction between myself and other stampers. I missed teaching – and although I was rusty it was a success.
How could I tell it was a success – I left with VERY inky fingers and a lot of smiling faces of strangers that became friends and started to believe in their creative abilities!

Here are some pictures from the event and we have already scheduled the next two card classes!

January 25th 1-3 pm – we will begin the year with a Valentine’s card and 3 birthday cards for your friends and family’s upcoming special occasions. 2 cards for $5 all 4 cards for $10

February 22nd 1-3pm we will continue to learn new techniques and make some thank you and birthday cards 2 cards for $5 all 4 cards for $10

Here are the four card samples that we made together – all participants left with current catalogs, a four page tutorial for the cards we made, cards with envelopes and very big smiles!

Hope to see you all at the card classes in the new year!

It’s amazing the art you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

← product review lights aglow specialty designer series paper - on retiring list if you like this order now! FREE shipping today/last chance list →

product review lights aglow specialty designer series paper – on retiring list if you like this order now!

by nataliegramleystamps | Dec 7, 2022 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, Designer Series Paper, specialty papers, stamps ink paper

Every season as we get ready to release a new catalog there is some sadness and heartbreak as we say goodbye to some beautiful stamp sets and bundles, gorgeous DSP and accessories. Of course it is so we can make room for even more gorgeous things to want but none the less it is hard to say goodbye to some. This Specialty Designer Series paper is one of those – if you love the samples below then do not miss out on this 6″ x 6″ Lights Aglow Specialty DSP (#159535) in Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent and Very Vanilla!
Current Hostess Code is FA3VX7JQ.

The card above is made with a 3″ x 5 1/2″ piece of the DSP that is decorated with a gold foiled tree starred branches. Added a 1/4″ gold foil strips and Gold ribbon on a Soft Succulent base card. These papers are so elegant on their own that you need to do very little to make a lovely card!

One side of the paper is foiled that is why it is designated as Specialty paper. This side of the paper has a pretty Soft Succulent Bokeh background with Evening Evergreen snowflakes and a gold foiled polka dotted background for a gorgeous background to any card. A small embossed gold square makes a stunning focal point for this card.

Snowflakes stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on thick white cardstock set the bold background for the Basic Black and gold paper adhered to one side of the card. A gold die cut snowflake from the Twinkling Lights dies makes a focal point that pops in Distressed Gold Specialty paper. A pop of Cherry Cobbler DSP draws the eye to the bottom of this card.

All the directions for this embossed DSP card can be found on November 21st blog post! Love the Bokeh design in the DSP!

The three images above are three different colors of embossing powder and the directions for these cards are on my November 18th blog post for all the information!

These two photos above are a fun fold card that is detailed on my September 30th blog post as a bi-fold window flap fun fold card!

These card are just the tip of the iceberg that you can create with these beautiful specialty designer series papers! Try your hand at creating with these papers and some of the matching stamps, you will amaze yourself how easy it is to create with these lovely papers. Go out and create some art of your own – one stamp and one specialty DSP piece at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Lights Aglow Suite Collection (English)

[159556]

$147.75

Christmas Lights Bundle (English)

[159961]

$45.75

Christmas Lights Cling Stamp Set

[159538]

$23.00

Brightest Glow Bundle (English)

[159552]

$52.00

Brightest Glow Cling Stamp Set (English)

[159542]

$25.00

Lights Aglow 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[159535]

$15.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.25

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$25.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$125.00

Labels Aglow Dies

[159551]

$33.00

Twinkling Lights Dies

[159541]

$28.00

← 2021-2023 in color shimmer vellum embossed vellum card library card class - a success →

2021-2023 in color shimmer vellum embossed vellum card

by nataliegramleystamps | Dec 5, 2022 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, specialty papers, techniques

I love vellum translucent paper you can barely see through – for me it conjures up a feeling of romance – I don’t know why exactly but it does! I especially love dry embossing on it! On plain vellum the embossing pushes an impression into the sheer paper and create a whiter image that truely pops! We have a product which I have had for a while but haven’t played with much yet and got a chance this past weekend! The 2021-2023 In Color Shimmer Vellum has a lovely subtle shimmer to it in Sweet Sorbet, Fresh Freesia, Pale Papaya, Soft Succulent and Evening Evergreen hues. I wondered how it would take to being dry embossed and today’s blog post is the card that resulted from that wondering!

Measurements:
BASE: Orchid Oasis 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Shimmer Vellum 5 1/2″ x 4″
Silver Foil 5 1/2″ x 1/4″ x2
Scrap Basic White for the sentiment circle die

TIP:
When scoring and cutting your cardstock if you take a full sheet of cardstock and score across the entire piece at 4 1/4″ and then rotate and cut at 5 1/2″ you will save time and both pieces will be scored!

Take the Shimmer Vellum piece and insert into the snowflakes embossing folder from the Wintry 3D embossing folders pack. Run through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss.

This is the finished embossed product – so pretty!

Cut a 1/4″ strip from the Silver Foil 12 x 12 pack and cut the strip into two 5 1/2″ segments.

Vellum because of it’s translucency is notoriously difficult to adhere without seeing the adhesive below the strips are a sneaky way to cover the adhesive strips! I attached the 1/4″ strips on the left and right sides of the Shimmer Vellum leaving a small border. Adhere Stampin’ Seal on the back of the Shimmer Vellum directly behind the strips and attach it to the cardfront.

Die cut the largest circle from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamp in Orchid Oasis ink a sentiment from the Framed and Festive stamp set, this is a limited time set and I love it! Want it? order it soon before it goes away and use the current hostess code FA3VX7JQ.
Pop the sentiment die up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the card front.

Adhere Rhinestone basic jewels to the card front to finish off the card with a little sparkle! Try your hand at embossing vellum today and make some art of your own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Framed & Festive Cling Stamp Set (English)

[160888]

$23.00

Orchid Oasis 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159267]

$9.25

2021–2023 In Color Shimmer Vellum

[155616]

$12.00

Silver Foil 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Pack

[156457]

$10.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.25

Orchid Oasis Classic Stampin' Pad

[159214]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$25.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$125.00

Wintry 3 D Embossing Folders

[155433]

$10.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

$6.00

← using a sketch challenge for card inspiration product review lights aglow specialty designer series paper - on retiring list if you like this order now! →

using a sketch challenge for card inspiration

by nataliegramleystamps | Dec 1, 2022 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, sketch challenge, techniques

Card Sketches can be a great source of inspiration! Ever been stuck for ideas – there are loads of places to get ideas – our annual catalogs are one place but card sketches are everywhere and can be a great way to start a card design!
Here is one I found and made a card to the sketch image!

I started with the circle image in the sketch and decided to use the largest circle die from the Stylish Shapes die set and use a watercolor wash in Pear Pizzazz.
I used the same color scheme and stamp sets as Wednesday’s blog post just because I had left them on my stamping desk and they were perfect for the Christmas card I had in mind! (and it was just easy because they were already out lol!)

I stamped a sentiment directly on the card from the limited addition Framed and Festive stamp set (if you love this set make sure to order it soon because when it is gone that’s it!) and then stamped and die cut the holly leaves from the Christmas Season Bundle. I two step stamped the larger pine cone onto the dried watercolor wash circle die cut and popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I added Rhinestone basic Jewels and then realized I had not followed the sketch (which is fine – and allowed if you feel inspired by all means deviate!) but for the purpose of this blog post I wanted to use the sketch challenge as is!

So I stamped the Falala from the Framed and Festive stamp set and die cut with one of the banner dies from the Stylish Shapes and adhered it to the top left hand side of the circle like shown on the sketch.
I then moved the holly embellishments to the spot above the sentiment as in the sketch as well.
I actually like the card better than my original design and I am glad that I followed the sketch!

Stumped forideas – try a card sketch challenge today and go create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Christmas Season Photopolymer Stamp Set

[156293]

$22.00

Framed & Festive Cling Stamp Set (English)

[160888]

$23.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.25

Pear Pizzazz 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[131201]

$9.25

Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad

[147116]

$8.00

Merry Merlot Classic Stampin' Pad

[147112]

$8.00

Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad

[147111]

$8.00

Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad

[147104]

$8.00

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

[147115]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$8.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$12.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$25.00

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$125.00

Seasonal Labels Dies

[156299]

$38.00

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

$6.00

← six card one-sheet wonder 2021-2023 in color shimmer vellum embossed vellum card →

six card one-sheet wonder

by nataliegramleystamps | Nov 30, 2022 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, Designer Series Paper, stamps ink paper, techniques

One sheet wonders are always so much fun and this one is no exception – make your own background paper and make 6 total cards from one 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of cardstock plus cardstock for the bases and the layering!

Base: (5) 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ pieces of Pear Pizzazz
scored at 4 1/4″
(1) 4 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Pear Pizzazz
scored at 5 1/2″
Layers: (1) full sheet of 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of
Basic White CS
(6) sheets of Merry Merlot 4″ x 5 1/4″

Score the Basic White full sheet of cardstock at 4 3/4″ on the 8 1/2″ side then score at 1/4″ from the opposite side of the 8 1/2″ side. Turn the paper to the 11″ side with the 4 3/4 band as the lower bottom section and score from the middle line through the 4 3/4″ side at 3 1/2″, 7″ and 10 1/2″. Then score the 3 1/2″ section at 4 3/4″ you will have three small sections with 5 3 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ sections. see template below!

Using Pear Pizzazz, Mossy Meadow, Merry Merlot, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede ink with the various foliage from the Christmas Season stamp set – Stamp around the edges of the score lines.

Start with the base of the holly leaves in Pear Pizzazz.

Using Mossy Meadow ink shade the holly leaves with the inside piece stamped at the base of the holly leaves.

Using the Mossy Meadow again stamp the pine boughs in between the holly leaves around the scored lines.

Stamp in Merry Merlot the holly berrys at the base of the holly leaves stamps around the scored lines.

Using the Merry Merlot again fill in the white space around the score lines with the small dotted stamp.

In the corners of the sections stamp the base of the smaller pine cone in Crumb Cake.

Using Soft Suede, stamp the accent stamp for the smaller pinecone on the Crumb Cake pine cone images.

Stamp sentiments in Merry Merlot using the limited time only Framed and Festive from the pre-release Fitted Florets Collection. I LOVE the sentiments in this stamp set – Get it while it is still around 0 current hostess code to order from my is FA3VX7JQ.

Cut off the 1/4″ scored section (this will be the only waste!)

Cut at the 3 1/2″ score line.

Cut this section at the 4 3/4″ score

Cut off the small section at the bottom to create 2 sections of 4 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ dimension.

Cut the small section off the bottom of the ther 4 3/4″ section.

Cut these three sections at the 3 1/2″, 7″ and 10 1/2″ score lines creating three 4 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ sections

Fold all your Pear Pizzazz card bases in half and adhere the 4 3/4″ sections to Merry Merlot layers (for one I used the Scalloped Contours die for the matte. The rest I cut the Merry Merlot to a 1/8″ border and saved the scraps for the Falala card.