creating unforgettable details in card making or scrapbooking

creating unforgettable details in card making or scrapbooking

by | Mar 11, 2026 | card samples, embossing folders, more than a card, my favorites, out of the box stamping, scrapbooking, stamps ink paper, techniques

Sometimes creating something special for a card or a scrapbooking page makes that piece memorable or a little extra special.

This week I am going to be at our national convention called OnStage 2026 and I created a bunch of swap cards for the event.

We are expected to use only current products and current colors, so I modified a card I did a few weeks ago and instead of using Designer Series Paper to create the beach blanket in my beach scene I wanted to create a beach blanket made out of background paper that I made.

I looked through my embossing folder as I knew that I wanted to add texture on top of whatever background design I created and decided that the Beautiful Patterns would be a great choice to mimic a blanket texture and design!

I wanted to do matching colors for the card I had designed so I started with Crumb Cake and Balmy Blue inks and did a watercolor wash striped design on our Basic White Cardstock alternating with two wide brushes from our Water Painters three brush sets.

I then dipped my very wet brush into the lid of the stampin’ pad filled with ink refill dots of ink and tapped the side of the brush with my bone folder over the watercolored paper to create a splatter effect.
I decided that the Beautiful Pattern 3D embossing folder would create a nice embossed design over the paper, so I ran it through our Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the BASE #1 and Embossing #4 Plates.
I cut the 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ embossed layers into
1 1/2″ strips.
Then I cut the 1 1/2″ strips into 2″ segments so I created a little rectangular blanket shape.
I took our knife edged scissors which unfortunately are no longer for sale – but use a sharp scissors to cut small fringe across the short edges on both sides.
I added the blanket to the sand of my beach scene card!
Then I proceeded to make 99 more! LOL – now I am ready to swap!

Cannot wait to show you all the great cards I will be trading for in the next coming days! I will have all of them on display at this month’s Stamp-a-Stack class on the 23rd!

Make sure that you RSVP!

Now I am off to visit and stamp with new and old friends – hope you are getting to do the same! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Rolling Waves Bundle (English) [ 167145 ]
[167145]
$51.25
Rolling Waves Photopolymer Stamp Set [ 167142 ]
[167142]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146982 ]
[146982]
$14.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 120953 ]
[120953]
$14.00
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147105 ]
[147105]
$9.00
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147116 ]
[147116]
$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
Blending Brushes [ 153611 ]
[153611]
$15.00
Blending Brushes Storage [ 160519 ]
[160519]
$16.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Water Painters [ 168253 ]
[168253]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [ 149653 ]
[149653]
$140.00
Rolling Waves Dies [ 167144 ]
[167144]
$37.00
Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels [ 158987 ]
[158987]
$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
beautiful butterflies shaker card

beautiful butterflies shaker card

by | Apr 11, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, embossing folders, my favorites, techniques

Today’s blog post is a shaker card with the Beautiful Butterflies bundle: for butterfly lovers like me this is an awesome bundle with a hybrid embossing folder and gorgeous coordinating stamp and die sets.

I had some watercolor paper left over from my March 22nd OnStage swap cards and I used the last of those papers for this special card that I mailed to a friend of mine for her birthday!

Measurements:
BASE: Lemon Lime Twist CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic Black CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ embossed and cut
Window Sheet 3 1/2″ x 5″
Fluid 100 paper

Emboss the Basic Black layer with the Beautiful Butterflies folder and cut a 1″ border frame with the Stampin’ Trimmer.
Save the inside rectangle for the inside of the card.
Place Tear-n-Tape around the backside perimeter of the frame cut out.
Adhere the window sheet to the inside of the Basic Black layer.
Place foam adhesive strips around the backside opening of the rectangular opening.
Place a pile of Itty Bitty Bokeh Mix in the center of the Lemon Lime card base.
Remove the release paper off the foam strips and adhere the Basic Black frame to the card front so there is an even border the whole way around the card.
Adhere the large butterfly that we die cut out of the watercolored Fluid 100 paper to the lower right hand side of the frame.
Stamp the sentiment onto remaining Fluid 100 paper and die cut with the sentiment strip die and adhere above the rectangular opening .
Place glue dots on the card front to adhere additional Itty Bitty Bokeh sequins to the card front to decorate!
Adhere a Basic White 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer to the inside of the card.
Stamp a smaller butterfly in Tuxedo Black Memento ink at the top and adhere the rectangular frame cut to the lower right hand side of that layer and the inside has some fun interest!
Shake to your hearts content what a fun interactive card!
Try making a shaker card as your next project – now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Beautiful Bokeh Suite Collection (English)
[164619]
$79.25
Beautiful Butterflies Bundle (English)
[164615]
$59.25
Beautiful Butterflies Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[164608]
$24.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[121045]
$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
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
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
Beautiful Butterflies Hybrid Embossing Folder
[164614]
$42.00
Foam Adhesive Strips
[141825]
$8.25
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$15.00
Stampin' Spritzer
[126185]
$6.00
Water Painters
[151298]
$13.00
Itty Bitty Bokeh Mix
[164618]
$7.50
sketched butterfly double z gate fold card

sketched butterfly double z gate fold card

by | Oct 18, 2024 | card samples, fun fold, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

This is a card that you can prop up on your desk and look at! I love fun folds and this is a fun one! It is called a double Z Gate fold card and was inspired by fellow demonstrator Connie S.’s video! Thanks for the inspiration. Thought I would share my version!

Measurements:
Basic White Base: 5 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 1 3/4″ and 3 1/2″ from each 5 1/4″
side
Gorgeous Grape CS: (2) 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
(1) piece of 1 3/4″ x 5 1/2″
scrap for sentiment
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
DSP: 1 1/2″ x 5 1/4″

Score the Basic White CS and fold mountain fold at the 1 3/4″ on each side and a valley fold at the 3 1/2″ score line.
Adhere the large panel to one of the Gorgeous Grape 1/4 sheets of card stock.
Adhere the DSP to the Gorgeous Grape matte.
Adhere the DSP matted piece to the left hand panel of the Basic White card stock base.
On the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White card stock piece, stamp in Tuxedo Black Memento ink the medium sketched butterflies in random order.
Color one of the butterflies with your choice of watercolor pencils.
Brush the colored butterfly with a Water Painter to blend the watercolor pencils.
Adhere the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White card stock to the other Gorgeous Grape 1/4 sheet of card stock.
Die cut in Gorgeous Grape card stock the Nested Essentials.
Stamp the “wishing you a beautiful birthday” sentiment on the die with Tuxedo Black Memento ink.
I added three Purple Fine Shimmer Gems to the sentiment piece.
Run adhesive along the left-hand panel.
Adhere the matted panel to the left hand panel on the Basic White card stock base.
This is the 3D card – what a great way to display an extra special birthday card!

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

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Sketched Butterflies Bundle (English)
[163492]
$49.50
Sketched Butterflies Cling Stamp Set (English)
[163490]
$26.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$13.00
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2
[146987]
$11.50
Regals 6
[163774]
$12.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$8.00
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
Watercolor Pencils Assortment 1
[161700]
$18.00
Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2
[149014]
$14.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Nested Essentials Dies
[161597]
$34.00
Purple Fine Shimmer Gems
[162611]
$8.00
changing leaves color blocking card

changing leaves color blocking card

by | Sep 11, 2024 | card samples, die cutting, stamps ink paper, techniques

Just a simple background technique can elevate a card and todays’ blog post is all about a few fun background techniques that will take your cards from simple to WOW!

A watercolor wash and a simple splatter technique make a HUGE difference on this card – follow along today to learn how to accomplish these techniques!

Measurements:
BASE: Cherry Cobbler: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic White layers: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
scraps for the die cuts

I chose three Fall Colors and stamped the maple leaf image in each: Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie and Crushed Curry.

I used a waterpainter to color in the leaves open spaces pulling the ink from stamping the leaves into the open spaces between the veins and die cut each leaf.

I then used the waterpainter in a zigzag motion to color a third of the Basic White layer.

I stamped the sentiment onto the center lower section of the layer in Cherry Cobbler.

I popped up each of the leaves and placed onto there corresponding color on the Basic White layer.

I brushed each leaf with the WInk of Stella for a little added sparkle.
I adhered the Basic White watercolor washed layer to the Cherry Cobbler base and added some Iridescent Adhesive-Backed Discs tot he card front.
For the final pop I took each of the three colors in the Dark Stampin’ Blends marker and opening up the brush tip side I used the edge of my bone folder and tapped on the plastic sleeve of the marker near the brush tip to splatter ink onto the same color section of watercolored wash.
Just a little extra effort makes this simple card POP and adds so much depth, dimension and interest! Try these little additions to your card making and elevate your game! Now go and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Changing Leaves Bundle (English)
[164139]
$54.00
Changing Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[164351]
$20.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$13.00
Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[119685]
$11.50
Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad
[147083]
$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
Water Painters
[151298]
$13.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$130.00
Changing Leaves Hybrid Embossing Folder
[164138]
$40.00
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154883]
$11.00
Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154880]
$11.00
Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154897]
$11.00
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush
[141897]
$9.00
Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs
[161954]
$7.00