watercolor watermelon card

watercolor watermelon card

by | Jun 24, 2026 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, techniques

Today’s card uses Blending brushes to color the Basic White cardstock and then apply splatters of water with Water Painters to achieve a wonderful watercolor background to create a watermelon for my summer card!

Measurements:
BASE: Granny Apple Green CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″, (2) 3″ x 4″
Basic Black CS: 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″

Take the first 3″ x 4″ Basic White layer and blend the Granny Apple Green ink onto the CS.

Take the Water Painter and squeeze excess water into the brush, tap the water painter over a bone folder to splatter the surface of the blended cardstock.
Do the same process of blending and water splattering to the second piece of 3″ x 4″ with Strawberry Slush ink.
Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic white CS layer with the Paradise Garden Hybrid embossing folder.

Adhere the embossed layer onto the Granny Apple Green base.

Cut the water splattered layers with consecutive Everyday Arches dies.

Adhere the Strawberry Slush layer onto the Granny Apple Green layer.

Die the Basic Black CS with the six petal die from the Scalloped Blooms. Adhere them to the Strawberry Slush layer as watermelon seeds.

Adhere the watermelon piece to the left-hand side of the embossed layer.

Stamp the sentiment in Strawberry Slush ink onto a sentiment piece from the Scalloped Blooms die set. Add a “seed” to the sentiment piece.

Add three embellishments from the Strawberries and Dots to finish the cards.

What a fun summer card – now it’s your turn to create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Scalloped Blooms Bundle (English) [ 167647 ]
[167647]
$53.00
Words Of Beauty Bundle (English) [ 167090 ]
[167090]
$45.75
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146990 ]
[146990]
$14.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [ 147095 ]
[147095]
$9.00
Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [ 165286 ]
[165286]
$11.00
Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [ 163987 ]
[163987]
$60.00
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 ]
[153611]
$17.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Paper Snips [ 103579 ]
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Everyday Arches Dies [ 164629 ]
[164629]
$29.00
Paradise Garden Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 167120 ]
[167120]
$44.00
Scalloped Blooms Dies [ 167646 ]
[167646]
$39.00
Strawberries & Dots [ 167479 ]
[167479]
$9.00
more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

more color mondays – berry burst, lemon lime twist and gorgeous grape

by | Jul 28, 2025 | card samples, color challenge, color theory, die cutting, embossing folders, my favorites, online exclusives, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays continues a study in color theory using a complimentary, opposing colors of Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist and Gorgeous Grape.

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored 4 1/4″
4″ x 5 1/4″, scraps for dies, (3) strips

Paint the 1/4″ strips with a blender pen and Berry Burst ink in a striped pattern.
Paint the remaining strips with the individual colors.
Emboss the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer with the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder.

Splatter the embossed layer with Berry Burst ink.

Die cut a Basic White scrap with two consecutive Stylish Shapes dies to make an open circle.
Cut Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals in half around the back of the circle die.
Die cut the large banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamp the Happy Birthday from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set in Berry Burst ink.
Cut the three strips down to about 4″ to 4 1/4″ length and adhere them to the embossed layer in alternating pattern.
Pop up the open circle die over the three strips.
Pop up the Happy Birthday sentiment over the circle die.
Brush Berry Burst ink with a Blending Brush over the small butterfly die from the Beautiful Butterflies bundle.
Adhere to the circle die over the sentiment piece.
Adhere the embossed layer over the card front.
Place three Fine Shimmer Purple Gems around the card to finish off with a sparkle.

This is a great use of Strip scraps and using opposite colors works so well! Opposites attract right!

Try this color combination or another complementary one – now go create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English) [ 164615 ]
[164615]
$59.25
Beautiful Butterflies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 164608 ]
[164608]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147143 ]
[147143]
$9.00
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147099 ]
[147099]
$9.00
Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147145 ]
[147145]
$9.00
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
Blender Pens [ 102845 ]
[102845]
$14.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder [ 164614 ]
[164614]
$42.00
Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder [ 165559 ]
[165559]
$11.00
Stylish Shapes Dies [ 159183 ]
[159183]
$30.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems [ 162611 ]
[162611]
$8.00
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
onstage 2025 beautiful butterflies swap card

onstage 2025 beautiful butterflies swap card

by | Mar 5, 2025 | card samples, card swap, online exclusives, techniques

I signed up for three special swaps for the upcoming 2025 OnStage event in Raleigh, North Carolina and then it sold out before I had the chance to sign up – I am so sad – I went last year with my sweet friend Barb and we had so much fun and I learned so much. Oh well my friend Michael that I met last year at OnStage is hosting the special swaps and this sweet man allowed me to send him my swap cards and he did not take my name off his lists! So this is one of the special cards I designed for the Demonstrator’s Choice Swap that I am in.
I chose components from some of my favorite new sets: Everyday Arches dies, Beautiful Butterflies bundle and the Elements of Text which is slowly becoming one of my new favorite background sets!

Although this card has a bunch of layers it is not difficult but I have some paper saving tips to make this – so follow along!

Measurements:
BASE: Coastal Cabana CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece for die cut
Lemon Lime Twist Layer: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic White Layer: 3 3/4″ x 5″
scrap for sentiment piece
Fluid 100 paper: 5″ x 7″ sheet

I choose three consecutive arches dies and cut the middle arch out of the center of the Lemon Lime Twist layer and then adhered that layer to the Coastal Cabana card base.
I cut the smallest consecutive die chosen from the center of the Basic White layer and adhered it to the Lemon Lime Twist layer on the card front.
I die cut from the Coastal Cabana layer the largest consecutive die chosen and adhered it over the die openings on the card layers on the card front.
I stamped the circle text image from the Elements of Text stamp set in the center of the Basic White Everyday Arches die in Coastal Cabana ink.
I adhered the Basic White Arch die to the Lemon Lime Twist die and adhered both of them to the Coastal Cabana Arches die on the card front.
I used some of the left over watercolor Fluid 100 paper that I created for the Beautiful Butterflies More Color Mondays card from my February 3rd blog post.
I colored the Fluid 100 paper with Blending brushes in Azure Afternoon, Coastal Cabana and Lemon Lime Twist and then splattered the paper with water from a Stampin’ Sprintzer and a water painter.
I then die cut smaller butterfly dies from the Beautiful Butterflies die set.
At the time I created that early February post I had a lot of scrap watercolor paper left over so I cut smaller butterflies from the scraps and this is what I designed to use up all those spare die pieces!

I used three smaller butterfly detail dies and one medium background butterfly die for each swap card.
I adhered one of the small detail butterflies to the background butterfly and adhered all three dies to the top portion of the Elements of Text stamped die piece.

I stamped the sentiment in Coastal Cabana ink and then colored the background of the paper in Lemon Lime Twist with a Blending Brush.

I fussy cut the words out to adhere to the card
at the base of the Basic White Everyday Arches die.
I added Iridescent Adhesive-Backed Discs to the card in the green hue to coordinate with the card.
After evaluating the card I decided I wanted a little more color on the sentiment piece to balance out the color used in the top of the card. So I removed the sentiment piece and brushed the edges with a Blending Brush and Coastal Cabana ink leaving some of the Lemon Lime Twist background peeking through.

This finished out the card and created a nice balance of color and textures on the card.
Hope they like my swap card!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English)
[164615]
$59.25
Everyday Arches Bundle (English)
[164630]
$45.00
Elements Of Text Cling Stamp Set
[164774]
$26.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[131297]
$11.50
Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[144245]
$11.50
Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper
[149612]
$9.00
Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad
[161663]
$9.00
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad
[147097]
$9.00
Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad
[147145]
$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 Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$15.00
Small Blending Brushes
[160518]
$14.00
Stampin' Spritzer
[126185]
$6.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder
[164614]
$42.00
Everyday Arches Dies
[164629]
$29.00
Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs
[161954]
$7.00
watercolored splatter 3D folder technique

watercolored splatter 3D folder technique

by | Nov 1, 2024 | card samples, Christmas card ideas, die cutting, embossing folders, In Colors, specialty papers, techniques

This card uses a special technique with an ink pad and water spritzer bottle and a 3D embossing folder.

Measurements:
BASE: Petunia Pop CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
1″ strip for the die
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
2024-2026 In Color Glimmer Specialty Paper
2.5″ strip for the die

Press the Petunia Pop ink pad directly onto the Forever Plaid 3D embossing folder. Spray with water from the Stampin’ Spritzer directly onto the folder. Place the Basic White layer into the middle of the Forever Plaid 3D embossing folder.
Roll the layer through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss and dry the layer with the Heat Tool.
Adhere the Basic White layer to the Petunia Pop card base.
Die cut the Petunia Pop Glimmer Specialty Paper and pop up the tree onto Stampin’ Dimensionals and place in the middle of the embossed layer.
Stamp Merry Christmas onto the 1″ strip on the Petunia Pop cardstock with matching ink.
Die cut the strip with the banner die from the Greetings of the Season die set.
Add a Petunia Pop ribbon and pop up the die onto the strip onto the bottom of the card.
Add the pink Petunia Pop like color Iridescent Adhesive-Backed Discs onto the tree and the sentiment strip.
Product List
Decorative Trees Bundle (English)
[164085]
$52.00
Decorative Trees Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[164275]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
2024–2026 In Color™ Glimmer 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper
[163771]
$11.00
Petunia Pop Classic Stampin Pad
[163811]
$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 Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.25
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.25
Paper Snips
[103579]
$12.00
Stampin' Spritzer
[126185]
$6.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Decorative Trees Dies
[164084]
$38.00
Forever Plaid 3 D Embossing Folder
[164049]
$12.00
Greetings Of The Season Dies
[164112]
$32.00
Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs
[161954]
$7.00