wink of stella - nataliegramleystamps

valley in bloom dsp sketch card

by nataliegramleystamps | Aug 7, 2026 | card samples, card sketches, Designer Series Paper, die cutting, techniques

Card Sketch #129 is an easy card idea and designer series paper makes this sketch even easier!

Measurements:
BASE: Granny Apple Green CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
BlackBerry Bliss CS: (2) 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ strips
DSP: 1 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: scrap for the circle die

Die cut a circle in Basic White CS from the Spotlight on Nature die set, I love this VERY versatile die collection!

Using our new Stampin’ Hybrid Black ink pad stamp the small lily of the valley stem on the left hand side of the Basic White circle die.

Using a medium brush water painter watercolor the lily of the valley leaves in Granny Apple Green ink and watercolor the edges of the lily belles in Blackberry Bliss ink.

Using a Wink of Stella glitter brush, coloring the lily of the valley petals.

Brush the edges with Blackberry Bliss ink with a blending brush.

Adhere the Blackberry Bliss strips on either side of the DSP layer.

Adhere the DSP-strip layer to the left hand side of the card base.

Pop up the sentiment piece over the right hand side of the DSP layer.

Add three Dewdrop embellishments to finish off the card.

Card sketches are always a great way to spur inspiration and using our beautiful papers helps to create lovely easy cards. Try your hand at this card sketch and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Valley In Bloom Suite Collection (English)

[167951]

$93.00

Lily Of The Valley Bundle (English)

[167943]

$49.50

Lily Of The Valley Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[167937]

$21.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[133675]

$14.00

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146990]

$14.00

Valley In Bloom 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[167935]

$13.00

Basic Black Hybrid Stampin' Pad

[166648]

$12.00

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

Lily Of The Valley Dies

[167942]

$34.00

Dewdrops Embellishments

[167748]

$9.00

← let the dsp do all the work card sketch #130 - moonlit flora →

more color mondays – petal pink, balmy blue and soft sea foam

by nataliegramleystamps | Apr 13, 2026 | card samples, color challenge, die cutting, more color mondays, retiring products, sneak peak, techniques

Today’s More Color Mondays color challenge features Petal Pink, Balmy Blue and Soft Sea Foam.

Today’s card features a very fun and sparkly technique – dyed Wink of Stella.

Measurements:
BASE: Balmy Blue CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Soft Sea Foam CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Petal Pink CS: scraps for dies
Basic White CS: scraps for dies

Always keep your Wink of Stella pens even when they dry out. If you unscrew the brush top and pry the black stopper out of the pen shaft you can fill the shaft with alcohol to re-wet the glitter left in the barrel. Put the black stopper back in and screw the pen top back in. Squeeze the tube to release the glitter inside onto a silicon mat. Squeeze one drop of ink refill onto the silicon mat. Mix the drop of ink refill with the glitter.

Cut the largest Spotlight of Nature dies in the Soft Sea Foam CS layer. Paint the edges of the die with the Soft Sea Foam tinted Wink of Stella glitter.

After painting the edges of the die place it back inside the layer.

Mix another squeeze of glitter with Petal Pink ink refill.

Splatter the Soft Sea Foam layer with the Petal Pink tinted glitter.

Adhere the Soft Sea Foam layer to the balmy Blue card base.

Stamp two flowers on Petal Pink CS in Petal Pink ink and paint the petals with the tinted Petal Pink glitter.

Die cut a smaller Spotlight on Nature die in Basic White CS. Stamp the “Sending HAPPY thoughts” from the upcoming Sending Salutations stamp set from the new catalog debuting on May 5th. Paint the word HAPPY in the Petal Pink tinted Wink of Stella.

Adhere the pink flowers to the Soft Sea Foam layer.

Mix more glitter from the Wink of Stella paint brush and a drop of Balmy Blue ink refill.

Paint the petals of the flower from the Gallery Bloom stamp bundle.

Paint the leaves with the Soft Sea Foam tinted Glitter.

Adhere the Pink flowers under the Balmy Blue flowers – pop up the blue flowers onto Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Adhere the sentiment under the blue flowers.

Adhere the Pearls of Beauty around the card.

Adding tint to the Wink of Stella adds beautiful sparkly glitter! Try this technique and create some sparkling artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

building a reflection with light and wonder set

by nataliegramleystamps | Oct 24, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, my favorites, new catalog, techniques

Have you ever wondered how to create a water reflection scene on a card? Well today I will describe my process that I used to create these cards for this reflection post!

Measurements:
BASE: Gorgeous Grape CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Basic Black CS: 2: x 5 1/2″

Die cut the Basic Black layer with the smaller tree die from the Light & Wonder bundle.

Take the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer and create a mirror image of the colors you choose for the sunset. I used Gorgeous Grape, Poppy Parade and Pumpkin Pie.

I started with the deepest color (Gorgeous Grape) on top and less on the bottom I used a circular motion for the color on the top but a back and forth motion on the bottom.

I continued with the second deepest color (Poppy Parade) below the Gorgeous Grape and less on the bottom just above the grape – I used a circular motion for the color on the top but a back and forth motion on the bottom.

I colored the middle of the layer with the Pumpkin Pie color and blending brush.

I positioned the die cut and the negative die cut above and below one another to get an idea of the placement.

Using a blending brush and Gray Granite ink I brushed in an upward stroke over the negative die space. Darker on the bottom and lighter as I stroked upward.

I colored over the bottom of the Basic White layer below the tree shadow reflections with a blending brush and Azure Afternoon ink for the water – because there is already color there the blue will color over but not completely mask the color so it looks like the water is reflecting the color in the sky! I placed more blue color closer to the tree line and less at the bottom of the layer.

Using a water painter and a drop of Craft White ink refill I lightly brushed side to side with the brush to streak the water with white lines and then went over the center area with a Wink of Stella glitter pen for a little sparkle!

I stamped the sentiments in Gorgeous Grape ink at the top of the layer.

Adhere the tree die just above the reflection shadow and cut off the overhang.

Adhere the colored layer onto the Gorgeous Grape card base.

I added three of the purple hued Frosted Iridescent Dots from the Lights of Aurora Suite Collection around the sentiment to finish off this stunning card with coordinating sparkle!

The first card that I did with this technique I tried Crushed Curry at the bottom inside of mirroring the colors and it took on a brighter tone like it captured the moments before the sun goes down! Two different looks just by experimenting with the colors used on the background! Try this technique and let me know what you create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Lights Of Aurora Suite Collection (English)

[165768]

$81.25

Light & Wonder Bundle (English)

[165763]

$51.25

Light & Wonder Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[165756]

$19.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$14.00

Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146987]

$14.00

Azure Afternoon Classic Stampin' Pad

[161663]

$9.00

Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad

[147087]

$9.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

[147099]

$9.00

Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad

[147118]

$9.00

Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad

[147050]

$9.00

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[147086]

$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

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$15.00

Water Painters

[168253]

$13.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Light & Wonder Dies

[165762]

$38.00

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$9.00

Frosted Iridescent Dots

[165766]

$9.00

← new packaging tips and tricks more color mondays - real red, old olive and pool party - swing door fun fold →

beautiful gallery watercolor gate fold card

by nataliegramleystamps | May 30, 2025 | card samples, die cutting, fun fold, In Colors, new catalog, techniques

Happy Friday! I am back in PA after settling my youngest in New England for a summer internship and after spending the day cleaning up dry wall dust that is EVERYWHERE! I took a much needed crafting break and created this gate fold watercolor card! Hope you like it!

Measurements:
BASE: Timid Tiger CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 2 1/8″ in from each end
Fluid 100 paper: (2) 1 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
Basic White CS: scraps for die cuts and
sentiment strip and 4″ x 5 1/4″ inside layer

I used a retired block (sorry I forgot that we had retired the I acrylic block) but you can use any size you have on hand!
I added color to the top third of the block by pressing the ink pad directly onto the acrylic block.

I applied Timid Tiger ink directly onto the middle of the acrylic block (it is ok to overlap a darker ink color but you will contaminate the ink pad if you stamp a lighter ink color over an existing darker color!)

I applied Poppy Parade to the bottom of the acrylic block.

I sprayed the acrylic block with water from a Stampin’ Spritzer and placed the two pieces of Fluid 100 paper together and stamped the block of ink directly onto the middle of the papers. I held the block in place for a few seconds to allow the water and ink color to penetrate the fluid 100 Watercolor paper.

Score the base card 2 1/8″ in from each side of the 8 1/2″ side of the card. Fold inward until the two sides meet in the middle – this is called a gate-fold card.
I added the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White layer to the inside of the card.

I stamped an image from the Gallery Blooms stamp set to the bottom of the Basic White layer for a little added interest!

I adhered the Fluid 100 papers right up to the inside edges of the gate fold.

I die cut two images from the Beautiful Motifs die set in scrap Basic White cardstock and adhered one to each side of the gate fold.

I stamped a thank you sentiment from the Beautiful Motifs stamp set in Timid Tiger to the left hand side of the 1″ x 5 1/2″ Basic White strip and added some flower images from the Gallery Blooms stamp set in Crushed Curry to the right hand side.
I adhered only the left hand side of the sentiment piece so that the card will still open.

I adhered three 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls in Timid Tiger to finish off the first version of this card.

I decided to add a little sparkle and depth to the card by adding a splatter technique by tapping the brush tip side of the Poppy Parade Stampin’ Blends over the card front.

I brushed the leaves and petals of the two die cuts with Wink of Stella and the wet brush moves a little of the ink color over the dies as well as added a fine sparkle that is gorgeous but subtle and it does not show well in these photos but trust me it is amazing!

Such a fun card and I am glad to be home and crafting again!

Try this fun fold and some of the techniques I shared and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List

Beautiful Gallery Suite Collection (English)

[165217]

$139.25

Beautiful Motifs Bundle (English)

[165206]

$45.75

Beautiful Motifs Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[165198]

$18.00

Gallery Blooms Bundle

[165213]

$53.00

Gallery Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set

[165211]

$19.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper

[149612]

$9.00

Timid Tiger 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165626]

$14.00

Timid Tiger Classic Stampin' Pad

[165278]

$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

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$15.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$130.00

Beautiful Motifs Dies

[165205]

$33.00

Clear Block F

[118483]

$19.00

Clear Block I

[118488]

$13.00

Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154958]

$11.00

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$9.00

2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls

[165192]

$8.50

Stampin' Spritzer

[126185]

$6.00

← tent-fold stepper card more color mondays - petunia pop, azure afternoon and gorgeous grape →

beautiful butterflies spotlight technique

by nataliegramleystamps | Apr 4, 2025 | card samples, my favorites, stamps ink paper, techniques

I have always loved this technique it was one of the first techniques I learned over 23 years ago when I was brand new to stamping and it is just as simple and impressive today!

TO SPOTLIGHT:a projected spot of light used to illuminate brilliantly a person, object, or group on a stage. b. : public notice or attention.
While the dictionary definition helps the crafting term uses color instead of light to illuminate a small piece of the entire stamped image to create notice or draw attention!

What better stamp set to use this technique with than the Beautiful Butterflies!

Measurements:
BASE: Crushed Curry CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Basic Black CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″ and 2 3/4″ x 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 3 3/4″ x 5″ and 2 1/2″ x 4″

Place the two Basic White layers of cardstock smaller one on top and evenly spaced in the center of the larger layer.

Place the uninked large butterfly image over the layers and decide where you would like to place two partial images of the butterfly.

Ink up the entire butterfly image with Memento ink and stamp over both layers of cardstock press VERY firmly as you are stamping on two separate pieces of cardstock and need to get the image on the bottom layer as well as the smaller top layer.
(Do not worry if the image does not stamp just to the outside of the smaller layer this will be covered by the smaller Basic Black layer)

Color the butterfly images on the smaller layer ONLY! This is your SPOTLIGHT area.

I used Daffodil Delight light first then dark then light Stampin’ Blends markers to blend.
Then I colored the rest of the butterfly images on the smaller layer with the Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends in the same order as with the Daffodil Blends. I went over the entire image with the Dark Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends to finish the blending of the butterfly spotlighted image.
Adhere the smaller Basic White layer to the smaller Basic Black image.
Adhere the large Basic Black image to the Crushed Curry cardstock base and then adhere the larger Basic White layer to the card base over the Basic Black layer.

Adhere the smaller spotlighted layers to the larger Basic White layer matching up the images as best you can.
Stamp the sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink in the center of the two spotlighted butterfly images.

Stamp two smaller butterflies in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on the top and bottom diagonally on the other large Basic White CS layer.
Adhere to the second 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic Black layer and after stamping the sentiment adhere to the inside of the card base.

Apply Wink of Stella to the colored wings.

Adhere embellishments to finish off this spotlighting technique card!

I just LOVE the way this turned out – this is just one way to spotlight – try stamping and spotlighting one of your stamped images and see what artwork of your own you can create – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie