more color mondays – secret sea, strawberry slush and timid tiger

more color mondays – secret sea, strawberry slush and timid tiger

by | May 19, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors, masculine cards, more color mondays, new catalog, stamps ink paper, techniques

I love creating my own background paper and this is one of the easiest ways to do it!
I created a mask using the Stylish Shapes die set, I die cut three concentric circle dies into a
4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Basic White card stock to create a blending brushed background perfect to showcase the new Simple Birthday stamp!
This is a great way to showcase color combinations of your choice and for this week’s More Color Mondays color challenge we are featuring the some of the new 2025-2027 In Colors: Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger and Secret Sea!

Measurements:
BASE: Strawberry Slush CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Timid Tiger CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Secret Sea CS: 3 1/2″ x 5″
Basic White CS: scrap for large rectangular die
from the Textured Notes die set
(3) 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ for masking

Cut three concentric circle dies from the Stylish Shapes die set on 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ sheets of cardstock for masking with Blending Brushes in each of the More Color Mondays color selection for this week.
Using one of the masks color the three circles on the Basic White 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ Basic White layer in Strawberry Slush with a Blending Brush. I drag the Blending Brush through the ink pad and then starting off the paper I begin in a circular motion to color the inside of the die cut circles onto the Basic White layer.
Continue with the next clean mask so you don’t muddy the colors and the Blending Brushes.
Move the masks so that the circles are overlapping and in differing positions.
Do all three colors covering the the Basic White layer to your liking!
Take the Timid Tiger layer and emboss in the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.
Die cut the blending brush colored Basic White layer in the Textured Notes rectangular die – I used the second largest die for this card!
I used my Stamparatus for this card which is no longer available but there are other similar stamp positioners on the market – they are great for larger format stamps like the Simple Birthday stamp.
I inked up the stamp in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and stamped it onto the Blending Brush colored die.
Adhere the Timid Tiger embossed layer to the Strawberry Slush card base and then adhere the Secret Sea layer on a tilt.
Adhere the Happy Birthday stamped layer onto the Secret Sea matte layer.
Add three 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls to finish off the card with easy coordinated style!

Try this masking technique when you get a chance with dies you own and see what you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Simple Birthday Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 164896 ]
[164896]
$18.00
Secret Sea 8 1/2
[165624]
$14.00
Strawberry Slush 8 1/2
[165625]
$14.00
Timid Tiger 8 1/2
[165626]
$14.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[166780]
$14.00
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [ 132708 ]
[132708]
$8.00
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]
$130.00
Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder [ 165559 ]
[165559]
$11.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls [ 165192 ]
[165192]
$8.50
gallery blooms card sketch #101 layout

gallery blooms card sketch #101 layout

by | May 14, 2025 | card samples, card sketches, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors, my favorites, new catalog, techniques

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

Product List
Gallery Blooms Bundle [ 165213 ]
[165213]
$53.00
Gallery Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 165211 ]
[165211]
$19.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[166780]
$14.00
Cloud Cover 8 1/2
[165621]
$14.00
Secret Sea 8 1/2
[165624]
$14.00
Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165285 ]
[165285]
$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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Gallery Blooms Dies [ 165212 ]
[165212]
$40.00
Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder [ 165559 ]
[165559]
$11.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls [ 165192 ]
[165192]
$8.50
masculine textured notes card

masculine textured notes card

by | May 7, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masculine cards, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

I recently participated in a guy card swap and this is the card that I designed for the group that I swap with!

I absolutely love black and white paper I am drawn to it and this Botanical Textures paper from the Botanical Textures Suite is a great one!

This Suite features two Designer Series packages – one that is the black and white paper and one that is neutral colored woven textured paper. According to sales the Woven Textures is the more popular of the two!

The Botanical Textures Suite Collection #165563 includes:

TEXTURED NOTES BUNDLE #165556

TEXTURED NOTES CLING STAMP SET (10% off)
#165548
* 7 cling stamps
* Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): b, c, d, h

TEXTURED NOTES DIES (10% off) #165555
* 8 dies
* Largest die: 5-3/16″ x 3-3/16″ (13.2 x 8 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

MINI CORRUGATED 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER
#165559
* 1 folder
* Size: 6″ x 6-1/4″ (15.2 x 15.9 cm)
* Use with a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine

BOTANICAL TEXTURES 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER #165545
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs
* 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
* Acid free
* Lignin free

WOVEN TEXTURES 12″ X 12″ (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER #165560
* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 3 each of 4 double-sided designs
* 12″ x 12″ (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
* Acid free
* Lignin free

WHITE 1/4″ (6.4 MM) RIBBON #165562
* Width: 1/4″ (6.4 mm)
* Length: 10 yards (9.1 m)

NEUTRAL MATTE DOTS #165561
* 160 adhesive-backed pieces
* 4 mm, 5 mm
* Basic Beige, black, Pecan Pie, white

Product colors: Basic Beige, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Gray Granite, Pecan Pie, white

I stamped the leaf image in Smoky Slate on Basic White cardstock.

I used Post-it Labeling & Cover-up Tape to three consecutive Textured Notes dies – positioning them evenly.
Position it over the leaf image.
Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
scrap for sentiment die
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the 3 dies
Smoky Slate CS: 2″ x 5 1/2″
4″ x 5 1/4″ for the die (1 above the largest
three dies)
DSP: 2″ x 5 1/2″
Adhere the concentric three dies to the Smoky Slate Textured Notes dies.
Adhere the DSP layer to the left side of the card base.
Run the 2″ x 5 1/2″ Smoky Slate layer through the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.
Adhere the 2″ Smoky Slate embossed layer to the right side of the base card.
Rub the corrugated side with a Blending Brush in Smoky Slate ink.
Place Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the Smoky Slate layer.
Place the die cut layers over the DSP and corrugated layer.
Stamp the sentiment in Smoky Slate ink and die cut with the smallest die in the Textured Notes die set.
Adhere the sentiment piece over the die cut layers.
Tap the Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker on a bone folder over the card to make splatter patterns on the card.

Adhere 5 Basic Gray and Smoky Slate pearls to finish the card!

This is a great masculine card! Try making a guy card with your supplies – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Botanical Textures Suite Collection (English) [ 165563 ]
[165563]
$100.50
Textured Notes Bundle (English) [ 165556 ]
[165556]
$48.50
Textured Notes Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 165548 ]
[165548]
$23.00
Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147113 ]
[147113]
$9.00
Botanical Textures 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 165545 ]
[165545]
$12.50
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 131202 ]
[131202]
$11.50
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
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
Basic Black Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154843 ]
[154843]
$11.00
Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker [ 162481 ]
[162481]
$3.50
Basic Gray & Smoky Slate Pearls [ 163416 ]
[163416]
$7.50
experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

by | Apr 18, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, masculine cards, stamps ink paper, techniques

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

Product List
Painted Stripes Cling Stamp Set [ 165437 ]
[165437]
$20.00
Textured Notes Bundle (English) [ 165556 ]
[165556]
$48.50
Textured Notes Cling Stamp Set (English) [ 165548 ]
[165548]
$23.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 122924 ]
[122924]
$11.50
Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 150880 ]
[150880]
$11.50
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147107 ]
[147107]
$9.00
Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [ 150083 ]
[150083]
$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
Water Painters [ 151298 ]
[151298]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 161676 ]
[161676]
$11.00
Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels [ 158987 ]
[158987]
$7.50