Three Easy Background Techniques Using Prairie Grass by Stampin' Up!

 

Hello, crafty friends!

Can you believe we’re already sliding into July and the third quarter of 2025? Time is flying, but don’t worry—we’re using that momentum to fuel some creative playtime with a brand-new online exclusive: Prairie Grass.

This stamp set is beautifully simple, with classic silhouette-style grasses and heartfelt sentiments that make it perfect for thinking-of-you and sympathy cards. In this week’s Live, I showcased three easy card designs, each featuring a different background technique that you can totally recreate at home.

Let’s recap what we made:

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🌅 Card #1: Masking & Ink Blending

We used torn cardstock as a mask and blended Darling Duckling, Timid Tiger, and Old Olive to create a soft “prairie pasture” effect. The grasses were stamped in Secret C ink for a bold contrast. This one turned out to be a lovely sympathy card accented with the new In Color Flat Pearls.

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🎨 Card #2: Color Blocking with Acrylic Blocks

For this one, we stamped directly with our acrylic blocks! With Pretty in Pink, Petunia Pop, and Peach Pie, we created bold color blocks spritzed with water. Once dry, we stamped the large grass silhouette right over the top—simple, unique, and totally flat for easy mailing.

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🍷 Card #3: Alcohol Ink on Acetate

The final card was a little messy but so much fun! Using acetate recycled from a stamp set, we scribbled Stampin’ Blends in Melon Mambo, Calypso Coral, and Darling Duckling, then dripped 91% isopropyl alcohol to create dreamy blends and blooms. Once dry, we flipped it over and stamped a silhouette and sentiment. Every background turns out different—and that’s the magic of this technique!

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Don’t Miss:

• The July Paper Pumpkin Kit: Sweeter With You – featuring sun-kissed strawberries and gingham charm. Subscribe now!

• Buy One, Get One 50% Off Suites Sale – Don’t let your embellishments be the only thing getting the discount! Plan your cart wisely.

• New Online Exclusives dropping in July—including Prairie Grass! Check the website for updates.

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Grab Your Free Downloads

Full instructions and measurements for all three cards in downloadable PDF project sheets. Grab them right here: 

Ink Blended Sympathy

Ink Blocking

Alcohol Ink Background

Thanks for spending your Sunday with me. I appreciate you more than you know. Let’s keep crafting and connecting—see you next week!

Crafty hugs,
💛 Katrina

🖋️ Ink Types 101: Know Your Basics

Understanding the types of ink is the first step toward crafting success. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Dye Ink:

• Fast-drying and water-based, perfect for everyday stamping.

• Absorbs quickly into cardstock, so it won’t smear.

• Great for layering and creating crisp images.

2. Pigment Ink:

• Slower drying and richer in color.

• Sits on top of the paper, making it perfect for heat embossing.

• Ideal for darker or textured papers.

3. Hybrid Ink:

• A combo of dye and pigment, great all-purpose choice.

• Works for both stamping and watercolor techniques.

4. Solvent Ink (like StazOn):

• Permanent and quick-drying on non-porous surfaces (think acetate or vellum).

• Not recommended for use with alcohol markers.

5. Distress & Water-Reactive Inks:

• Designed for blending, watercoloring, and mixed media.

• React beautifully with water for textured effects.

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🎨 How to Pick the Right Ink for the Job

When you're planning your project, ask yourself these questions:

• Will I be coloring in my stamped image? If yes, use a waterproof ink like Memento Tuxedo Black with alcohol markers or StazOn with water-based mediums.

• Do I want to heat emboss? Then choose a slow-drying pigment ink like VersaMark or white craft ink.

• Am I creating a blended background? Distress Oxides or Stampin’ Up! classic inks on blending brushes are ideal.

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🧼 Don’t Forget Ink Care Tips

• Store ink pads upside down to keep them juicy (unless using Stampin' Up! ink, our pads are designed to be "upside down" when in the upright position!).

• Clean stamps immediately after use, especially when using pigment or solvent inks.

• Always label your ink pads by type so you don’t accidentally ruin your markers!

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💡 Crafter’s Pro Tip

If you're ever unsure which ink to use, do a tiny test on a scrap piece of your project paper first. It takes two seconds and can save your whole card!

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Inking is more than just stamping—it's an art form. With a solid understanding of ink types and a little practice, you'll add the perfect touch to every project. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned stamper, mastering ink choices will level up your cardmaking game!

Stay creative,
Katrina 💌
Katrina’s Kreative Heart

P.S. Got a favorite ink trick or technique? Share it with me on Facebook or Instagram—I’d love to see your ideas! 

Impressions Abloom: 3 Quick-Wow Cards, July Album Retreat & Paper Pumpkin Sneak Peek

 Hey crafty friends! 👋

Sunday’s LIVE was a whirlwind of pretty paper, fun folds, and juicy July news. In case you missed the stream (or want the written scoop), here’s everything we covered—from Stampin’ Up!’s upcoming Album Retreat to three Impressions Abloom cards you can whip up tonight.

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Housekeeping Highlights

What	Need-to-Know	Dates / Details
Album Retreat	12 double-page spreads (24 pages!)—all supplies included except adhesives & album	July 16–18
Online Exclusives	Holiday-themed goodies drop again	July 1– (watch the store!)
Paper Pumpkin – “Sweeter with You”	8 strawberry-sweet cards + circle-dies add-on (subscriber exclusive)	Subscribe by July 10

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Card #1 – Window Z Fun Fold

Inspired by Karen Titus’s clever fold

• Base: Pool Party — 8½" × 5½", score 4¼"

• Inside Z-Panel: Basic White — 8" × 5¼", score 2", 4"

• DSP: Floral Impressions 4¼" × 5½"

• Circle Stack: 2⅜" Pool Party, 2" Strawberry Slush, 1¾" Basic White

• Inks: Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger, Pool Party, Misty Moonlight, Darling Duckling

• Tip: Punch the window after adhering the DSP so everything lines up.

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Card #2 – Easy Joy Fold

Quick, joyful, and fits a standard envelope.

• Outer Panel: Strawberry Slush — 4¼" × 5½"

• Inner Card: Basic White — 8½" × 3", score 4¼"

• Layer: Early Espresso — 3¼" × 4½"

• Front DSP: 4" × 2¾"

• Accent Dies: Old Olive stems, Strawberry Slush blooms (adhesive sheets make it mess-free!)

• Sentiment: “Thanks” (Everyday Arches dies)

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Card #3 – Classic Layout (Looks Fancy, Builds Fast)

• Base: Strawberry Slush — 8½" × 5½", score 4¼"

• Front Layers: Pretty in Pink — 4¼" × 3¼"; DSP — 4" × 3"

• Inside Panel: Basic White — 3½" × 5"

• Focal Bloom: Pretty in Pink + Strawberry Slush; center in Darling Duckling

• Leafy Die-cut: Old Olive

• Finishing Touches: Strawberry Slush ribbon & sparkle gems

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Ready to Craft?

Grab the Impressions Abloom bundle while it’s still an online exclusive, stock up on those sparkly Strawberry Slush gems, and remember to secure your seat at the Album Retreat (spots go fast). Need the July Paper Pumpkin? Hit that subscribe button by July 10 so the gingham-wrapped goodness lands on your doorstep.

Want the free PDF printable tutorial for all of these cards, be sure to subscribe to my mailing list before Tuesday 6/24/25! Join here

Happy stamping, and thanks a bunch for hanging out with me each week!

Katrina

Katrina’s Kreative Heart 💖

Why You’ll Love Our Impressions Abloom Summer Class"

 

Need a creative escape this summer? Our newest card class is the perfect blend of florals, fun, and fresh color! I’m teaming up with my crafty friend Cyndy Wilde from Stamping the Wild Way to bring you a beautiful, easy-to-enjoy class featuring the Impressions Abloom bundle.

What’s Included:
For just $45, you’ll receive:

• 1/4 pack of 2025–2027 In-Color cardstock

• In-Color Flat Pearls

• Two adhesive sheets

• Pre-cut card kits for 4 unique designs

• Step-by-step video tutorials

• Shipping included!

What You'll Make:
We’re designing four cards that showcase the best of the Impressions Abloom bundle — floral layering, soft textures, and standout color combos. It’s beginner-friendly and perfect for a creative reset.

How to Register:
Sign up now through June 19 today. Kits ship on June 26 and should arrive just in time for early July crafting!

Let your creativity bloom this summer — [click here to register] and join the fun!

Set Sail with the Sunrise Sailing Bundle

 If you're dreaming of salt air, a gentle breeze, and smooth sailing into your next crafting session, the Sunrise Sailing bundle is the perfect pick. This week during our Sunday Live, we explored three creative card designs using this beautiful set, featuring stamps, dies, and a hybrid embossing folder—all in one convenient bundle!

Here's a peek at what we made:

🧭 Card 1: Pillar Pop-Out Fun Fold

This 3D card packs serious wow-factor but folds flat for mailing! With Misty Moonlight and Cherry Cobbler cardstock plus Regals DSP, it frames the sentiment "You're destined for great things" beside a cheery sailboat. You’ll love how the column creates that dynamic dimensional effect!

Grab the recipe card here

🖌 Card 2: Ink Blended Sunset Scene

We blended Misty Moonlight and Azure Afternoon for serene water, with Strawberry Slush and Timid Tiger adding that perfect sunset glow. A masked sun and a die-cut silhouette ship tie everything together for a peaceful "Congratulations" card.

Card Recipe HERE

⚓ Card 3: Clean & Classy Embossed Layers

Using the hybrid embossing folder, we created a crisp embossed sailboat and layered Misty Moonlight details for dimension. The simple "Best Wishes" sentiment finishes it off with elegance.

Card Recipe HERE

Extra Highlights You Might've Missed:

• The June Paper Pumpkin (“Full of Charm”) is only available through the 10th—9 gorgeous cards with gold foil accents and Pretty Peacock ink.

• Our BOGO Suite Sale is live: buy one suite, get another at 50% off (lesser item discounted).

• Registration is open for Stampin’ Up!’s Virtual Album Retreat, July 16–18. You'll make a full 12-month spread—24 pages total!

• And don’t forget! My upcoming Impressions  Abloom class with Cyndy launches this week. 

You’ll find all the card recipes on the blog within 24 hours—ready for you to recreate these sea-sational designs. Whether you’re new to cardmaking or a seasoned crafter, this bundle is an absolute breeze to design with.

Happy crafting—and may your creativity sail smoothly this week! ⛵💙
—Katrina

“Poppin’ By” for a Fun and Easy Card Class!

 Popcorn, Paper, and Poppin’ Fun: A New Monthly Card Class Is Here!

Hello crafty friends!

Summer might be taking its sweet time getting here (yes, we had a fire going in the fireplace on June 1st!), but we’re heating things up in the craft room with a brand new monthly offering and a super cute stamp set that’s just too stinkin’ fun.

This past Sunday’s live was all about the “Poppin’ By” bundle—a playful online exclusive from Stampin’ Up! that celebrates movie nights, buttery popcorn, and quirky sentiments like “No one’s butter than you.” I demonstrated three cards using this bundle:

1. Simple “Poppin’ In to Say Hello” Card – A clean, quick design with buttery popcorn pieces (yes, we used ink spatter to mimic real melted butter!). 

   
   
   

2. Popcorn & Film Strip Card – This one got a fun background of dancing popcorn kernels and film strip die cuts to pull together the movie-night theme.

   
   
   

3. Pop-Out Z-Fold Card – A wow-factor fun fold that stands beautifully but folds flat for easy mailing. It even features a popcorn character wearing sunglasses. Yes, he's styling! 

   
   
   

🆕 INTRODUCING: First-Sunday Free-with-Purchase Card Class!

I’m so excited to roll out something new starting this month. Each first Sunday of the month, I’ll be sharing a card class live—and you can get the kit free with a $40 order from my online Stampin’ Up! store.

Here’s how it works:

• Place your $40+ order by the 15th of the month

• I’ll send you the pre-cut card kits by the 20th

• You’ll also receive a PDF tutorial with photos, plus a QR code linking you to the class replay

Just bring your own stamps and ink—and of course, the “Poppin’ By” bundle if you want to recreate these exact designs.

🎁 Bonus Bits:

• June’s Paper Pumpkin is called Full of Charm, and it looks adorable. Think pre-cut pieces, foil details, and coordinating colors like Pretty Peacock and Mossy Meadow. Subscribe by June 10th!

• Starting June 3rd, Stampin’ Up! is running a Buy One, Get One 50% Off Sale on all sweets and sweet products—an amazing time to stock up!

• Don’t forget the Virtual Album Retreat happening July 16–18. Create a 24-page year-round album with exclusive stamps and everything prepped for you (except ink and the album itself). Can’t attend live? No worries—it’s all recorded.

💬 Lastly, mark your calendar for June 21st at 7 p.m.—our next Craft & Chat Night on the Butter platform. It’s free, it’s casual, and you can bring any crafty project (even sewing!). No download needed—just click the link when I share it closer to the date.

Thank you so much for popping by and crafting with me this week. Whether you're team “extra butter” (🙋‍♀️) or keep it plain, I hope you have a chance to make something joyful this week.

Until next time,
Katrina 💛