textured notes - nataliegramleystamps

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

by nataliegramleystamps | 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]

$18.00

Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165624]

$14.00

Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165625]

$14.00

Timid Tiger 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165626]

$14.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$8.00

Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial)

[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]

$15.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder

[165559]

$11.00

Textured Notes Dies

[165555]

$31.00

2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls

[165192]

$8.50

← florals in bloom sketch #102 card april guy swap →

experimenting in water, ink and stripes with textured notes bundle

by nataliegramleystamps | 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]

$20.00

Textured Notes Bundle (English)

[165556]

$48.50

Textured Notes Cling Stamp Set (English)

[165548]

$23.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

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

[122924]

$11.50

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

[150880]

$11.50

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

[147107]

$9.00

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

[150083]

$9.00

Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial)

[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]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Textured Notes Dies

[165555]

$31.00

Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161676]

$11.00

Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels

[158987]

$7.50

← 2025 OnStage fun fold swap cards bonus post - hoppy easter treat box →

more color mondays – wild wheat, berry burst and summer splash

by nataliegramleystamps | Apr 7, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, color theory, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, In Colors, more color mondays, my favorites, online exclusives

For today’s color challenge we are touching on a little bit of color theory.
Stampin’ Up! has a great color tool called the Color Coach and it is a color wheel based on color theory. It is a very easy and effective way to determine which of our colors look best paired together. Whether you are looking for a monochromatic, analogous, complimentary or triadic color palette this color wheel makes it simple to devise a color plan for your cards and projects!

Today’s color palette is a triadic combination which means that the three colors I picked are in a triangular position from one another. If you look at the Color Coach in the picture below you will see the black lines in the center that point to the three inner windows – when you slide the white circle around the windows reveal the triadic combinations you can choose!

I picked Wild Wheat which is one of the 2023-2025 In Colors that will be retiring with this current annual catalog in May. This is a color that I grew to LOVE! It compliments so many other colors and is a lovely gold-ish brown! If you like any of these In Colors you will want to purchase them RIGHT AWAY because when they are gone they are gone! And do not forget the re-inkers!

The other thing I love about this card is that you can color Black and White DSP any way you like to create the best effect and color coordinate to any palette! I also colored the White Ribbon to color coordinate too!

Measurements:
BASE: Summer Splash CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″ and scrap for die
Berry Burst CS: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ and scrap for die
Wild Wheat CS: scraps for dies
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″

I cut a piece of the black and white foliage design from the Botanical Textures Designer Series Paper to 4″ x 5 1/4″.
Taking a blending brush I colored the lower third of the DSP with Wild Wheat ink.

Taking a blending brush I colored the middle third of the DSP with Summer Splash ink.

Taking a blending brush I colored the upper third of the DSP with Berry Burst ink.

I cut a half sheet of Summer Splash to 4 1/4″ x 11″ and scored it at 5 1/2″.
I die cut the foliage stem from the Memorable Blooms die set in all three cardstock colors.
I cut a 1/4 sheet of card stock in Berry Burst to 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″.

I adhered the Berry Burst layer to the Summer Splash card front.

I adhered the DSP to the Berry Burst layer.

I stamped the “you are seriously the best” sentiment from the Textured Notes stamp set from the Botanical Textures Suite in Tuxedo Black memento ink on Wild Wheat scrap and die cut with the Botanical Textures dies.
I think this die set will be a new favorite of mine! It contains 8 rectangular frames that both cuts and embosses the edges in different patterns! SO FUN!

I adhered the foliage die cuts in each of the cardstock colors to the left side of the card front over the colored DSP.

I colored the white 1/4″ ribbon on both sides from the Botanical Textures Suite Collection with a Berry Burst Dark Stampin’ Blends marker and allowed it to dry.

I popped up the sentiment piece with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and placed the folded ribbon underneath one of the dimensionals to hold it in place. I adhered the sentiment piece about half way up the card front.

I placed 5 of the Pastel Adhesive-Backed Sequins on the card front to finish this color coordinated triadic card with a gold sparkle!

The color Coach is a great investment to step your color game up to the next level! Try it today on your next card – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie