watercolor backgrounds - nataliegramleystamps

more color mondays – barely blush, hydrangea hue and blackberry bliss

by nataliegramleystamps | Oct 19, 2026 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, color challenge, die cutting, embossing folders, fun fold, In Colors, more color mondays, my favorites, new catalog, techniques, watercolor

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features Barely Blush, Hydrangea Hue, and Blackberry Bliss. These are three of the five colors of the October Stampin’ Up! Creativity Challenge.

This fun and easy missing middle fun fold uses the Dreamy Snowflakes Bundle and watercolored snowflake die embellsihments in the challenge colors!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″, (2) 1 1/4″ x 4″
Hydrangea Hue CS: (2) 1 3/8″ x 4 1/8″,
2 5/8″ x 4 3/8″

Score the 4 1/4″ x 11″ card base in half at 5 1/2″.

Cut at 1 1/2″ and 4″, save the two cut panels for the finished card.

Take the (2) 1 1/4″ Basic White panels and emboss with the Dreamy Snowflakes embossing folder, mount them on the Hydrangea Hue mattes.

Take the middle layer that you cut off the card front and stamp the smaller snowflakes from the Dreamy Snowflakes stamp set in the three challenge colors.

Adhere the middle layer to the Hydrangea Hue matte.

Take Fluid 100 paper and wet the surface with a water painter.

Drop the three colors on the wet surface of the Fluid 100 and allow to bleed together – continue to drop ink color until the surface is covered to desired hue and coverage.

Dry and die cut the Dreamy Snowflakes dies.

Adhere the snowflakes to the stamped middle panel.

Add the embossed matted panel to the top flap.

Adhere the other matted embossed layer to the first cut panel. Position that panel so it is aligned to the bottom and sides.

Place tape on the bottom and top of the middle layer and adhere to the center of the top panel and the bottom panel.

Wrap the Hydrangea Hue Bordered ribbon around the middle layer and tie a knot.

Add some Hydrangea Hue 2026-2028 In Color Dots for some coordinated colored embellishments to finish off this sweet Christmas card!

Try this missing middle fun fold card with your supplies and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’,
Natalie

Product List

Dreamy Snowflakes Bundle (English)

[168385]

$58.50

Dreamy Snowflakes Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[168378]

$25.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Hydrangea Hue 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[167687]

$14.00

Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper

[149612]

$9.00

Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad

[147092]

$9.00

Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

[133648]

$5.50

Hydrangea Hue Classic Stampin' Pad

[167677]

$14.00

Hydrangea Hue Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

[167672]

$6.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$9.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$13.00

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

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$17.00

Blender Pens

[102845]

$14.00

Water Painters

[168253]

$13.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[154031]

$7.00

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Dreamy Snowflakes Hybrid Embossing Folder

[168384]

$40.00

Hydrangea Hue 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Bordered Ribbon

[168578]

$9.00

2026–2028 In Color™ Dots

[167546]

$9.00

← elegant leaves easy m fold card shining stars card - october product of the month →

elegant leaves easy m fold card

by nataliegramleystamps | Oct 16, 2026 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, fun fold, my favorites, new catalog, techniques

This fun fold card has a lot of parts and pieces but is very easy to achieve!

The M fold coins it’s name from the M shape that the base card forms when folded!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 11″
scored at 4″, 5 1/2″, and 7″, (2) 1″ x 5,
(2) 2 1/2″ x 5″, (2) 1 1/4″ x 2 1/4″, scraps for
dies, scrap for watercolor splattered die
Lemon Lolly CS: (3) 3 3/4″ x 5 1/4″ (2) 1 1/4″ x
5 1/4″, (2) 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″, scrap for die
DSP: (2) 1″ x 5″, 3 1/2″ x 5″
Pastel Shimmer Specialty paper: scraps for dies

Score the 5 1/2″ x 11″ base at 4″, 5 1/2″ and 7″.

Emboss both 1″ x 5″ Basic White layers and 1 of the 2 1/2″ x 5″ Basic White layers with the Rustic Check 3D embossing folder.

Adhere one of the 1″ embossed layer to the 1 1/4″ Lemon Lolly matte layer.

Adhere the other 1″ to the left side of the 3 3/4″ x 5 1/4″ Lemon Lolly matte and the plain 2 1/2″ x 5″ to the right side of the embossed layer.

On another 3 3/4″ Lemon lolly matte layer adhere the 1″ DSP piece on the left hand side and the 2 1/2″ embossed layer to the left hand side,

Adhere the 3 1/2″ x 5″ DSP to the last 3 3/4″ Lemon Lolly matte.

Adhere the 1″ DSP to the 1 1/4″ Lemon Lolly matte.

Emboss the (2) 1 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ Basic White CS layers with the Rustic Check 3D embossing folder. Adhere them to the 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ Lemon Lolly mattes.

Die cut the Pastel Shimmer paper – which is currently on the Last Chance List for $5 – get it before it is gone! – with the whole leaf dies.

Die cut the detailed leaf dies in Basic White CS and adhere the detailed dies over the Shimmer Paper leaves.

Adhere one of the leaves to the right side and one of the leaves to the left side of the other panel.

Stamp a sentiment to a Lemon Lolly die cut.

I attached a left over leaf from a past card that was watercolored and splattered.

Adhere the DSP/embossed layer to the card front.

Adhere the sentiment die with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Adhere two Pastel Shimmer paper leaves above and below the sentiment focal point.

Look at the Shimmer on that lower leaf – it is stunning! Remember this is ON SALE and on the LAST CHANCE LIST!

Adhere two Pastel Shimmer paper leaves above and below the sentiment focal point.

Add embellishments to the card front.

Adhere the DSP matted layer to the left-hand panel on the inside of the M fold card.

Adhere the embossed matted layer to the second panel.

Adhere the smaller DSP matted panel to the third panel of the onside of the card.

Adhere the embossed and plain Basic White matted layers to the last panel.

Take the small embossed layers and place the one that has the leaf on the left hand side to the top – place adhesive on the right hand side only.
Adhere this to the third panel.

Place the other leaf small embossed layer with the leaf on the right-hand side near the bottom and adhere to the second panel – placing glue or tape only on the left hand edge.

This easy M fun fold is so full of possibilities you could add anything to the little “wings” – how fun!

Try this fun fold with your stash and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Elegant Leaves Bundle (English)

[168303]

$52.00

Elegant Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[168300]

$25.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Lemon Lolly 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[161720]

$14.00

Beautiful Ordinary Life 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[167553]

$13.00

Pastels Shimmer 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper

[167198]

$10.00

Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin Pad

[167680]

$14.00

Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad

[147101]

$9.00

Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad

[147050]

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[147086]

$9.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$9.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$13.00

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

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$17.00

Blender Pens

[102845]

$14.00

Water Painters

[168253]

$13.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[154031]

$7.00

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Elegant Leaves Dies

[168302]

$33.00

Rustic Check 3 D Embossing Folder

[168442]

$10.00

Spotlight On Nature Dies

[163580]

$35.00

Sunset Sparkle Sequins

[167785]

$8.50

← a christmas wish hot foil card more color mondays - barely blush, hydrangea hue and blackberry bliss →

winter birthday card

by nataliegramleystamps | Oct 2, 2026 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors, masculine cards, specialty papers, techniques

Today’s card is a great Dreamy Snowflakes Winter Birthday card with the NEW Winter Dreams Specialty flocked paper in Secret Sea!
So elegant and fun – soft to the touch and great patterns!

Measurements:
BASE: Secret Sea CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″, 3″ square for die
DSP: 2 1/4″ square

Stamp the birthday sentiment I chose the “have a beautiful birthday” from the Poetic Petals stamp set on one of the Basic White CS layers.

Emboss the first Basic white layer with the sentiment with the Dreamy Snowflakes embossing folder.

Take the second Basic white layer and stamp the trio of snowflakes in Secret Sea ink and blend the edges with a blending brush and Secret Sea ink.

Adhere the trio snowflake stamped layer to the inside of the Secret Sea card base.

Adhere the sentiment layer on the front of the card base.

Using the middle square die from the Tile Garden die set, die ciut the 3″ Basic White CS square.

Cut the Specialty paper Winter Dreams to 2 1/4″ square.

Blend the die edges with a blending brush and Misty Moonlight ink.

Adhere the DSP to the Blended die cut square.

Pop up the DSP square on Stampin’ Dimensionals to the top center of the embossed layer.

Adhere the Adhesive-Backed Snowflakes to finish off this lovely winter birthday card!

I made to alternative cards with the extra watercolored paper from the card this past week. I first made the card embossing the Basic White layer before stamping the sentiment so I added the sentiment to a leftover watercolored Fluid 100 paper.

Instead of an embossed layer I used the rest of the watercolored paper for the background layer!

I love all the different versions and these Adhesive-Backed Snowflakes are such a sweet embellishment!

Try making a winter birthday card for your stash – now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Dreamy Snowflakes Bundle (English)

[168385]

$58.50

Dreamy Snowflakes Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[168378]

$25.00

Poetic Petals Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[168266]

$20.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper

[149612]

$9.00

Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165624]

$14.00

Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad

[153118]

$11.00

Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad

[165285]

$11.00

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad

[147113]

$9.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Stampin' Seal

[152813]

$9.00

Stampin' Seal+

[149699]

$13.00

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

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$17.00

Blender Pens

[102845]

$14.00

Water Painters

[168253]

$13.00

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[154031]

$7.00

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Dreamy Snowflakes Hybrid Embossing Folder

[168384]

$40.00

Tile Garden Dies

[168573]

$37.00

Adhesive Backed Snowflakes

[168316]

$9.00

← tile garden die card More Color Mondays - golden glow, hydrangea hue and crisp cantaloupe →

more color mondays – pretty peacock, blackberry bliss and crumb cake

by nataliegramleystamps | Jan 12, 2026 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, embossing folders, new catalog, online exclusives, stamps ink paper, techniques

I wanted to create some fun background papers for this card so I took each of the challenge colors and did the same technique with each (I only have pictures of the Pretty Peacock version)

The first thing I did was blend color onto a 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer of Basic White CS with a Blending Brush.

Next I placed a drop of Ink refill in the lid of the ink pad and dipped the wide Water Painter into the ink and liquified it with extra water.

I splattered the ink onto the layer that was set on my glass mat.

Do not disturb the over splatter it will be used in the next step of the technique!

I then moved the layer and sprayed the over splatter with a Stampin’ Spritzer filled with water.

I turned the layer blended color side down on the glass matte surface over the water and patted the layer down to absorb the water – I moved the layer around to wet different portions of the layer in the over splattered water.

Allow the layer to dry.

I repeated this step with the other two colors of ink – Blackberry Bliss and Crumb Cake.

I cut the Crumb Cake layer into 1 1/2″ x 4″ strips and added it to the Crumb Cake card front.

I forgot to take pictures of the next steps – so sorry! I stamped the large leaf image from the Nature’s Symphony stamp set in Pretty Peacock ink and then cut them out with the corresponding die.

I cut the large leaf die from the Blackberry Bliss colored layer.

I cut a circle die from the Spotlight on Nature dies in Crumb Cake CS and stamped the “you make me smile” sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink.

I arranged the Blackberry bliss dies and the stamped Pretty Peacock leaves under the sentiment circle. I popped the circle up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and finished arranging the leaves in a loose cluster around the card!

I added 5 Faceted Snowflakes in the pretty Peacock hue to finish the card with a sweet color coordination – I think the snowflakes look like stars and loved the faceted look it gave this card!