gallery blooms card sketch #101 layout

gallery blooms card sketch #101 layout

Today’s blog post is the first in a series of cards using a card sketch. Card Sketches are a great starting point for creativity.

Sketch #101 starts with a base card with several layers including a natural element.

Measurements:
BASE: Secret Sea CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Cloud Cover CS: 2″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 3″ x 4 1/2″ and 4″ x 5 1/4″

The trio of flowers image from the Gallery Blooms bundle has a long stem and I have a tip for proper placement for the coordinating die.

Gallery Blooms stamp set is a photopolymer stamp set and they can be repositioned so the stem might not be in the current position to be die cut. I die cut a scrap piece of Basic White cardstock with the trio floral stamp image. I put this die cut paper over the photopolymer stamp and adjusted the stem inside the die paper.

Take this positioned stamp image and ink it up in the Secret Sea ink and stamp on a scrap piece of Basic White CS.
Using a Blender Pen – which is a brush tip pen that contains clear ink – this clear ink can “re-wet” the Secret Sea ink of the trio flower image.
Draw the Blender Pen over the outlines of the flowers and spread the ink from the edges into the center.
Stamp the background stamp from Beautiful Motifs stamp set all across the front of the card base. Stamp in Secret Sea ink.
Color the edges of the card front in Secret Sea ink.
Emboss a 4″ x 5 1/4″ Cloud Cover CS piece with the Mini 3D embossing folder.
Cut the layer in half to 2″ x 5 1/4″.

Die cut the trio flower image with the coordinating die from the Gallery Blooms Bundle.

Adhere the embossed layer to the left hand side of the card base, mimicking the layer on the card sketch.
In card sketches, use your creative eye and know that you do not need to copy the sketch literally! For the circle in the sketch I added a rectangular layer instead of a circular image!

I die cut from the Textured Noted set of dies and stamped a sentiment from the Beautiful Motifs stamp set in the bottom right-hand corner.

I die cut the trio flower image from the Gallery Blooms stamp set and popped it up on the Textured Notes rectangular die cut.
This stamped image is the Natural element in the sketch – this element could be anything so use your imagination!
Adhere the rectangular die layer to the center and right of the embossed layer.
Stamp the flower tops on the bottom of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer Basic White CS and adhere it to the inside of the card.
I added three Secret Sea 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls to the card around the floral image and this is my take on Card Sketch #101.

Let me know what you come up with! Now grab some items from your personal stash and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

june swap cards

june swap cards

another fun set of swap cards have arrived and I am highlighting all of the cute work that some of my team and sideline demonstrators have been up to!

My first swap card share is from Andrea U and features a lovely In Color card using the Unbounded love bundle and the Perennial Postage dies in Pretty In Pink and Peach Pie cardstock, picking up the colors in the DSP used from the Unbounded Love 12″ x 12″ DSP!

Even the inside is decorated!
Robin C’s swap card used the Under the Moon stamp set for a lovely sunset sailing cruise card in hues of Daffodil Delight, Flirty Flamingo and Azure Afternoon!
The next swap card is from Jennie T and used the Countryside Corners stamps and dies to create the focal point the dies are still available in the current catalog, and the Crafting with You stamp set for the flowers. The Countryside Inn DSP lends itself well to the cottage feel of this card!
Both Robyns decided to use the Under the Moon stamp set – so my downline Robyn made a clever fun fold to show the versatility of the Under the Moon stamp set. Showing day and night panels with alternating Country Woods DSP!
Carol S’s swap card used the Seaside Wishes in Pool Party and Calypso Coral tones! LOVE this set and this card!
Kathi D featured the Thoughtful Journey Suite on her swap card and I love the clean lines on this swap card. Using a die cut in Misty Moonlight to pull out the blue tones in the Thoughtful Journey DSP!
Veronica’s Spotlight on Nature swap card is mounted on a Smoky Slate base card with a layer of Petunia Pop and flowers and butterfly colored with coordinating Stampin’ Blends!
Lori V’s Sea Turtle card features the Deckled Circle die and the large and small turtle fussy cut on a Soft Sea Foam card base.
And our last swap card is our swap coordinator Denise W, who also picked out the Sea Turtle stamp set for her swap card! In hues of Pretty Peacock she used the bone folder to break the fibers of the Pretty Peacock extra layer to make a faux suede piece to go underneath the Sea Turtles stamps image!
Hope these swap cards gave you some ideas for your own creations – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
for the guys swap cards

for the guys swap cards

Usually once a year in our demonstrator swap we do a guys swap and last month was our time to think of masculine ideas for cards. This is always one of the most challenging swaps for me to design for and it is a challenge for many of you as well! You are not alone so be comforted that we are all challenged on these designs and that I have several fun ideas for you to use for your future guy card needs!

My first card is from Veronica S and is for your male dog lover and is a simple stamped card using the single Doggone Friendly background stamp and a sentiment, stamped on Basic White with Tuxedo Black Memento ink. Mounted on a Basic Black card stock base and a few Iridescent pearls and Gingham ribbon for some embellishments!

My next guy swap card is for your outdoorsman! This card from Kathi D features a Mossy Meadow base and layer die cut from the In The Grove die set over the gorgeous new Thoughtful Journey 6″ x 6″ scenic DSP to create a lovely and easy card!
Using Copper Clay DSP lends a masculine feel for this guy swap card from Andrea U. She used the retired Circle Sayings stamp set for this Book Bind fun fold swap card!
This fun guy swap card was designed by swap organizer, Denise W and features the Online exclusive Heartfelt Hexagon punch bundle with the carryover DSP Countryside Inn for a great masculine birthday card!
Do you have a motorcycle guy that you know and love? This great guy card from Lori V features the Legendary Ride dies with the Grassy Grove stamp set and dies in the background using Basic Beige ink and mounted on Basic Beige cardstock base.
Marcy W’s guy swap card features the Quiet Reflections and Notes of Nature stamp sets, the retired Foursquare Masks, Petic Expressions and Meadering Meadows DSPs and Thoughtful Expressions dies.
Trusty Tools stamp set and dies make this detailed Love you card such a creative and masculine way to say the four letter word, designed by Marie W for our guy swap.
Do you have a guy in your life that loves to fish?
I do my brother-in-law and this will be the perfect Father’s Day card fro him! Lyn L’s guy swap card used a 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Gone Fishing DSP sliced down the middle about 1 1/2″ and bent on a diagonal to form a collar – so easy and cute! Just pay attention to the direction of the DSP if there is one – OOPS!
Hopefully Keith will not notice – LOL!
Judith P’s guy swap card is such a fun birthday card featuring the retired Hey Chuck bundle!
The Online Exclusives bundle Fluffiest Friends and the Grove Dies for the background creates a woodland scene for the out of doors guy in your life from Vickie G. Use the edge of your Stampin’ Snips to create that distressed edge on the Crumb Cake layer!
This last swap card reminds me of my childhood summers growing up near Presque Isle park in Erie, Pennsylvania! This will make a perfect birthday card for my father – whose birthday is today! Thanks to Susan W for this great swap card idea using the Beside Me stamp set which is awesome for all types of masculine cards and Under the Moon new in this current catalog!
My card for this swap I highlighted back on More Color Mondays April 22nd post featured the awesome new suite Take to the Sky Suite which is the best new masculine set in my opinion!
So when you sit down to create those precious works of art do not forget about those special guys in your life – they love to be appreciated and thought about! Now go create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Grove Dies
[157844]
$39.00
early bird swaps arrive

early bird swaps arrive

Every month I find a new inspiration to share with you from my upline and sideline swap group! Last week I shared my own versions of the Twisted Book Bind Easel card and making your own Designer Series paper as a background for a card – you will find the inspiration card below and so much more. All these cards came from a December Early Bird new catalog swap! Enjoy!

This first swap card was designed Jeanna T and uses the Perennial Lavender DSP from the new mini catalog and the Jungle Pals Sale-a-bration offers both the stamp set in Level One and the coordinating dies set in Level Two!

Carol S’s swap card features the Sale-a-bration Level Two Softly Sophisticated Bundle in shades of Boho Blue, Calypso Coral and White with Flight and Airy Sale-a-bration Level One DSP.
This next swap card is full of whimsy combining the Cutest Cows Bundle and the Sunny Days Sale-a-bration Level One DSP designed by Lyn L.
Veronica’s adorable Let’s Chat card is from a new set in the 2024 January to April Mini Catalog and is a sweet card you could send to any friends or family!
Another stamp set full of whimsy is the Submarine Life and our swap leader Denise W sent this cute card in hues of Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Daffodil Delight and Lemon Lime Twist! I love how the Iridescent Adhesive Dots look like bubbles in the water!
Jennie T’s swap card uses the new Enduring Beauty bundle with stamps, dies and coordinating mask for easy coloring!
The swap card below features the Heartfelt Hexagon bundle from the mini catalog and the Flight and Airy DSP from the Sale-a-bration catalog for a sleek and sophisticated sympathy card.
Kathi D’s swap card features the Flight and Airy DSP as well with the Layered Florals 3D as her background on a Boho Blue card base.
Maria W shared a paper saving tip with this Bee Mine Suite Collection swap card! She die cut the Sweet Sorbet die from her layer and covered it with DSP – saves paper and makes the card lighter when you are adding many layers, she also cut another die from the Scalloped Contours die set from the black to use for a future card! So smart and thanks for sharing that tip – I do that too!
The last swap card for this swap session comes from Beth R. and she used the Watercolor Melon Sale-a-bration Level One stamp set for a Twisted Easel Bookfold card – I recreated this one for the January 12th, 2024 blog post with the Ice Cream Swirl bundle! I love all the extra details she put into the card to step it up! Just Kiddin’ DSP, Basics 3D Embossing Folder trio and she used a Stampin’ Spritzer on the whole watermelon after she first stamped off to give it an even more watercolor look!
Now it’s time for you to pull out your supplies and create some art of your own – one stamp at a time!

LOVE IT ALL – NOW DURING SALE-A-BRATION IS THE PERFECT TIME TO JOIN MY TEAM
$99 AND FREE SHIPPING GETS YOU THE NEW GLASS MAT STUDIO AND $125 OF PRODUCT OF YOUR CHOICE IN YOUR STARTERS KIT OR ADD $30 EXTRA IN PRODUCT INSTEAD OF THE GLASS MAT STUDIO AND GET $155 IN PRODUCT FOR $99!!! CONTACT ME FOR ALL THE DETAILS!

The Current Hostess code to order this month is SQAAWK23 receive a little something from me in the mail with any $50 order or more plus during Sale-a-bration get any Level One item of your choice for FREE with that order amount! Let me know if you have any questions or need catalogs!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips
[103579]
$11.00
dynamic swap cards

dynamic swap cards

I love getting the mail! More times than not being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator that participates in card swaps – I find happy mail in my mail box! It is always a thrill to open up a card and discover the design that the demonstrator on the other end dreamed up! I love the surprise of it all! What stamp set was used, what techniques, the embellishments and the fun extras are all such a creative inspiration! Hopefully they are for you also and that is why I share my monthly swaps – you get to see different demonstrator’s styles and stamp sets that I do not own and creative ways to do your cards!

the first swap card is from Carol S. and she used the Earthen Textures bundle of products (#161514) is the 10% saving bundle with the stamp set and coordinating dies. The suite (#161518) contains the bundle, the Earthen Elegance DSP and the Natural Wavy Trim (#161517) used on the card.

Jennie T’s card features the Festive and Fun stamp set (#162078) colored with Stampin’ Blends this fun fold I have detailed in a past blog post and it is easy to show off some fun DSP pieces!
The FREE sale-a-bration DSP Flight and Airy is featured in this swap card from Kathi D. It is paired with the Timeless Arrangements bundle of products (#161526) and Misty Moonlight Inner Braid ribbon (#161638).
Susan W’s bright and cheery swap card features the Spiral Dye background stamp (#156927) stamped in multiple colors. The sentiment is from Kindest Expressions (#161415).
This swap card from Judi M uses the Wintry Owls bundle (#162157) which is on the Last Chance list! It also features the Fragrant Forest background stamp (#162108) which is being carried over.
Vickie G’s swap card is a fun pop up design using the Beary Christmas Suite of products which are retiring soon but still available Beary Cute stamp set (#162016) and the Beary Christmas DSP (#162015) the Beary Christmas Memories and more pack is still available also (#162027)
Lori V created this swap card in Calypso Coral and Lost Lagoon using the Heartfelt Hexagon Bundle (#162889) available online currently!
Masterfully Made DSP is the highlight of this next swap card (#161192) made by Denise W. along with color coordination in the Masterfully Made Suite Collection (#161207)
This is a Swing and Sway fun fold swap card from Marie W. using the Zoo Crew Suite collection (#161319) The Zany Zoo stamp set (#161305) and the coordinating DSP (#161304) are so versatile in sweet animal print on one side and black and white geometrics on the other! She also used the Merry melody 3D embossing folder on the front panel (#156392).
Mimi H. used the book binding fun fold and the Little Monkeys Bundle with the retiring soon (still available) Garden Walk paper (#162227). She also used the Elegant Eucalyptus 3D embossing folder (#159170) this is a 2 pack of folders that fits in the mini Stampin’ Cut and Emboss!
This pretty swap card uses the Sparkling Snowflakes set from the current mini and will be a carry over product (#162158). Gale R. made the sentiment piece from the new Deckled Circles dies (#162286) another carry over product and the creative matte out of the coordinating tag for that bundle (#162164) the Sparkling Snowflakes Tag Topper!
This card is from one of my sister demonstrator side lines named Lyn L. and she used the Supremely Awesome (#161560) stamp set and the Deckled Rectangles die set (#159173) from the 2023-2024 Annual Catalog!
This swap card used retired DSP called Dainty Flowers and the Natural Wavy trim which has been very popular (#161517) and the sentiment and inside stampings are from Dainty Delight (#161078)
This card is from Veronica S. and it uses one of my favorite papers out of the current mini catalog Merry and Bright DSP it sold out quickly but there are still items available on the Last Chance list if you are interested! She also used the Year to Celebrate stamp set (#162279) which is retiring soon and is on sale for $11.40 while supplies last. Current hostess code is SQAAWK23. In the new year I will be starting a program and sending a little something to everyone that orders using the current hostess code! Look for all the details soon!
And to finish off the November swap cards is an out of this world LOL swap card by Susan K. using the Stargazing DSP (#161175) and the coordinating Stargazing Suite (#161189) It’s such a bright and fun card! The inside sentiment reads “You’re stellar” Love that!
Hope these swaps inspired you to go out and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips
[103579]
$11.00