onstage 2026 gift card holder swap

onstage 2026 gift card holder swap

by | Apr 24, 2026 | 3D projects, card samples, card swap, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, fun fold, gift card holder, masculine cards, techniques

Swapping with other card makers is always fun and this year swapping at OnStage 2026 was the best! I participated in 4 special swaps and then made over 100 cards to swap in the general sessions so I have SOOOOOO many ideas to share with you!

This swap was one of the special swaps hosted by my friend Michael D. from New jersey and this one was specifically a gift card holder swap.

This first card was designed by Carrie S and uses the LAST CHANCE boho Vibes suite of products including the awesome DSP! This card scores the paper at 1 1/4″ and 5 1/2″ on the 11″ side and then folds the 1 1/4″ score line in toward the center score line to create a gift card pocket! Sweet and simple!

Anne O. used a different approach and cut an Early Espresso 1/4 sheet of cardstock as the base and the added a Pecan Pie matte of
4″ x 5 1/4″ and then a Basic White card of 3 3/4″ x 10″ scored at 5″.

She added a diagonal pocket on the inside and decorated it with the Sunflower 3D embossing folder! Love this design!

The Perennial Lavender DSP can make any project special and this tri-fold gift card holder by Patti Jean W is no exception.
She uses a 1/4 sheet of Highland Heather CS as the base with a DSP sheet of 4″ x 5 1/4″. She added a 4 1/4″ x 9″ sheet of Highland Heather scored at 3″ and 6″ and added a DSP to decorate the panels! Great thank you gift card holder!
Sandy C’s gift card holder is also a tri-fold design but instead of folding the score lines inward this one folds as a Z fold using the same dimensionals with a subtle difference in the way it opens creating a totally different look!
This wedding gift card holder by Joanne J. uses the Lifetime of Love stamp set and the Perennial Lavender DSP both of which are on the LAST CHANCE LIST!! This slider gift card holder will be detailed in a future blog post so be on the lookout for the directions with my own take on this design in the near future!
Garden Poetry DSP shines on this gift card holder by Kellie M. the design and measurements are similar to the first card shown!
This slider gift card holder version by Karen H. features the Lovely Stripes embossing folder which is now SOLD OUT and the Splash of Sparkles DSP.
This was my submission for the gift card holder which I posted originally on February 11th, 2026 with all the directions!

This gift card pop up slider uses the Swirled Designs bundle and the Words of Beauty (the Words of Beauty is on the LAST CHANCE LIST) with the Splash of Sparkles DSP.

Randy B. created this graduation gift card holder by simply adding a 1″ x 5 1/4″ piece of DSP to the inside bottom of the card and just adhering it with a thin line of glue on the two sides and the bottom creating a pocket for the gift card!

The stamp set used was the Seasonal Celebrations which is on the LAST CHANCE LIST!

The last gift card holder in this swap uses the Beach Boardwalk suite of fun products including the DSP and the puffy stickers.

Yolanda N. Cut the base card to 5 1/2″ x 7 1/4″
scored at 4 1/4″ from the right-hand side.
Then added a pocket to the right-hand side of the card.

Hope these inspired you for your next gift card holder project – they are simple to create and you do not need to buy them at the store!

Now it’s your turn to create some gift card holders one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beach Boardwalk Suite Collection (English) [ 166844 ]
[166844]
$63.50
Boardwalk Fun Bundle (English) [ 166829 ]
[166829]
$43.00
Boardwalk Fun Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 166822 ]
[166822]
$20.00
Garden Poetry Suite Collection (English) [ 167127 ]
[167127]
$100.00
Seasonal Celebrations Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 167225 ]
[167225]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Beach Boardwalk 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 166820 ]
[166820]
$12.50
Garden Poetry 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167113 ]
[167113]
$12.50
Lifetime Of Love Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 162574 ]
[162574]
$25.00
Perennial Lavender 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 162593 ]
[162593]
$12.50
Splash Of Sparkles 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [ 167200 ]
[167200]
$16.50
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 121045 ]
[121045]
$14.00
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
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Boardwalk Fun Dies [ 166828 ]
[166828]
$28.00
Sunflower 3 D Embossing Folder [ 166145 ]
[166145]
$12.00
Beach Boardwalk Puffy Stickers [ 166838 ]
[166838]
$8.00
vellum is back!

vellum is back!

by | Dec 10, 2025 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, my favorites, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

I cannot tell you all how excited I am that Vellum cardstock is BACK!!!

Gone for only a little while but certainly long enough to be missed! This translucent cardstock elevates any project so easily! Today’s card is a super simple one but looks like you put in all the effort!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Brushed with Beauty DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Vellum Cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Calypso Coral CS: scrap for the die cut

Run a 4″ wide layer of Vellum Cardstock through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine using the BASE plate #1 and embossing plate #4 with the Sunflower 3D embossing folder.
Cut the calypso Coral piece of Brushed with Beauty DSP to 4″ x 5 1/4″.

Apply the All Purpose Liquid glue with the larger flat tip to the entire 4″ x 5 1/4″ DSP surface.

Cut the vellum to 4″ x 5 1/4″ size and adhere to the DSP piece.

Adhere the Vellum/DSP layer to the card front of the card base.
I used the banner from the Stylish Shapes dies set and die cut a scrap of Calypso Coral.

Stamp the “Get Well Soon” from the Friendly Foliage stamp set in Calypso Coral ink to the banner.

Pop up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere to the card front.

Adhere five Pearls of Beauty embellishments to the card front. Easy Peasy this impressive card is complete!

Try embossing vellum today and go make some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Brushed With Beauty Suite Collection (English) [ 167100 ]
[167100]
$136.25
Friendly Foliage Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 167021 ]
[167021]
$19.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[163987]
$60.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122925 ]
[122925]
$14.00
Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [ 167099 ]
[167099]
$10.00
Brushed With Beauty 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 167082 ]
[167082]
$12.50
Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147101 ]
[147101]
$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
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 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Sunflower 3 D Embossing Folder [ 166145 ]
[166145]
$12.00
Pearls Of Beauty [ 167098 ]
[167098]
$8.00
more color mondays – real red, pumpkin pie and crushed curry

more color mondays – real red, pumpkin pie and crushed curry

by | Dec 1, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, embossing folders, masks, more color mondays, my favorites, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge card contains a technique I have shown before with a little twist!

I love white on white cards with a slash of color – and up north we are receiving a lot of the white stuff so I was in need of a SLASH of color!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″ layers,
1/2″ strip scrap

Yep that is it supplies are minimal but the results are a WOW!

Take the two Basic White CS layers and die cut one with the Textured Notes rectangular dies – I used the fourth largest rectangle.

Save the die cut for another use as we will be using the negative die as a mask.

Take the other layer and emboss using the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with Base Plate #1 and Embossing Plate #4 and the Sunflower 3D embossing folder.

I used my glass mat and taped the mask over the embossed layer – securing them down so they don’t move.
I burnished Crushed Curry ink with a blending brush in a strip down the right side of the inside of the masked portion of the layers.
I burnished Pumpkin Pie ink with a blending brush in a strip down the middle of the inside of the masked portion of the layers.
I burnished Real Red ink with a blending brush in a strip down the left side of the inside of the masked portion of the layers.
Normally when I do a White Wash technique I drag the Craft White ink pad over cardstock to create the Whitewashed look but I did not want to drag my white pad over bright ink colors and corrupt the white pad. The craft ink would have re-wet the colored ink and destroyed the ink pad so I took my palette knife and made an ink slurry with Craft White re-inker and water (you can use a Stampin’ Spritzer to wet the ink) then mixed and spread it on an acrylic block with the flat bottom of the palette knife.
I then dragged the palette knife over the Sunflower embossed surface to give the tips of the petals a white washed effect!
Remove the mask and reveal your lovely layer!
I used a Basic White 1/2″ strip scrap and stamped the “just because” sentiment from the Blooming Phrases stamp set and colored it with the residual ink left on the blending brushes in the same order as done on the card!
Adhere the layer to the card base and adhere the sentiment piece on Stampin’ Dimensionals for some added depth and dimension!

Add some Basic Rhinestone Jewels to the card to finish it off with a little sparkle and this simple but stunning card is complete!

Imagine the possibilities – use any shape and make a mask and color inside the negative space!

Now go and try this technique and make some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Textured Notes Bundle (English) [ 165556 ]
[165556]
$48.50
Blooming Phrases Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165523 ]
[165523]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147087 ]
[147087]
$9.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147084 ]
[147084]
$9.00
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147086 ]
[147086]
$9.00
Whisper White Craft Stampin' Ink Refill [ 101780 ]
[101780]
$7.00
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
Palette Knives [ 142808 ]
[142808]
$5.00
Clear Block D [ 118485 ]
[118485]
$9.50
Stampin' Spritzer [ 126185 ]
[126185]
$6.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Sunflower 3 D Embossing Folder [ 166145 ]
[166145]
$12.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [ 144220 ]
[144220]
$6.00
direct to paper technique

direct to paper technique

by | Oct 3, 2025 | card samples, embossing folders, techniques

Today’s card is all about direct to paper technique.

Measurements:
BASE: Crumb Cake CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″, 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: scrap for die

Emboss the Crumb Cake layer with the Sunflower 3D embossing folder.

Drag the White Craft ink pad lightly over the embossed layer. Continue to drag over the layer until the color covers to your satisfaction.
Stamp the sentiment right justified in Tuxedo Black memento ink on the large banner die cut from the Stylish Shapes die set.
Color the banner die with Crumb Cake ink and a blending brush. I colored the left-hand side darker with the ink.
Adhere the embossed layer to the card base.

Cut the banner die and use the left-hand side for a banner edge.

Adhere the banner edge to the bottom of the sentiment die and adhere the sentiment pieces to the left-hand edge of the layer.
Embellish the card with some sparkly gems to finish this sympathy card.

This white wash direct to paper technique brings the tone on tone embossing to life – try this technique and go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 120953 ]
[120953]
$14.00
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147116 ]
[147116]
$9.00
Whisper White Craft Stampin' Ink Refill [ 101780 ]
[101780]
$7.00
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 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Sunflower 3 D Embossing Folder [ 166145 ]
[166145]
$12.00
Drusy Adhesive Backed Embellishments [ 164223 ]
[164223]
$9.00
more color mondays – night of navy, misty moonlight and calypso coral

more color mondays – night of navy, misty moonlight and calypso coral

by | Aug 11, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, embossing folders, more color mondays, my favorites, online exclusives, techniques

This year Stampin’ Up! added a new line of cardstock called Two-toned cardstock.

This cardstock is printed color, because the color is printed on the surface of the paper it leaves the core of the paper white! This opens up a world of possibilities for tearing and sanding!

Today’s More Color Monday color challenge card uses this new cardstock with embossing and sanding and features a rich color combination of Night of Navy, Misty Moonlight and Calypso Coral.

Measurements:
BASE: Night of Navy CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Misty Moonlight CS: (2) 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ and a scrap
strip for the sentiment piece
Calypso Coral Two Toned cardstock:
3″ x 5 1/4″

I started with a different sentiment for this card but liked it so much that I decided to make this a birthday card for my best friend and soul mate, his birthday is today so if you see Kevin wish him a great one!

Take the two-toned cardstock and emboss with the Sunflower 3D embossing folder.
Take a sanding block or a nail file and gently rub over the embossed surface rubbing away a layer of cardstock to reveal the white core in elevated areas of the embossed design.

Emboss the 2 Misty Moonlight strips with the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder so that the corrugated lines are perpendicular to the long side of the strip. This will make the strips appear more like a ruffled effect when added to the card front.

Adhere the Misty Moonlight embossed strips to the top and bottom edges of the Sunflower embossed Two-toned cardstock.

Distress the edges of the Misty Moonlight Corrugated embossed edges.

Adhere the embossed images to the center of the card front.

Stamp the sentiment onto the strip scrap and fussy cut a banner edge to the right hand side
and adhere on top of the sunflower embossed area.

I added Navy Charming Shimmer Faceted Dots for a finished coordinated sparkle!

This new paper delivers a punch with the white core! It is now available in all the Stampin’ Up! Core and In Color Collections! Try some soon and see what all the excitement is about!

Now go and create some fun artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Spring Corners Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 164738 ]
[164738]
$20.00
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 153081 ]
[153081]
$14.00
Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 100867 ]
[100867]
$14.00
Calypso Coral 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Two Tone Cardstock [ 166674 ]
[166674]
$10.00
Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147110 ]
[147110]
$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 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder [ 165559 ]
[165559]
$11.00
Sunflower 3 D Embossing Folder [ 166145 ]
[166145]
$12.00
Charming Shimmer Faceted Dots [ 166139 ]
[166139]
$8.50