Altenew Celebrating Parents Card Drive 2023 Blog Hop + Giveaway ($200 in Total Prizes!)

March 14, 2023March 16, 2023 Karen Brown32 Comments

Altenew's Stunning Sakura + Trailblazing Fresh Dye Ink + Card

Hello, I am sharing two cards that I created using Altenew’s new Stunning Sakura stamp, die and coloring stencils for The Celebrating Parents Card Drive and Blog Hop!

For my birthday, I received received Altenew’s Trailblazing Fresh Dye Ink Mini Ink Cubes so of course I elected to use the periwinkle hues on this project. I also received Sarah Renae Clark’s Color Cubes (Volumes 1 and 2) and I wanted to use her cards for my color inspiration. I sorted through all the gorgeous color combinations and settled on #206, which you can see in the top left corner of the photographs.

Creating with Altenew’s Stunning Sakura Stamp Bundle

Altenew's Stunning Sakura Stamp, Coloring Stencil and Die on a handmade card.

Quick and Easy Coloring with Stencils:

I started by stamping my Stunning Sakura florals with black pigment ink and then set them aside to dry.
Next, using my Trailblazing Fresh Dye Inks, the coordinating stencils and my Mini Blending Tools, I colored my florals.
Die cutting was quick as the dies matched up perfectly with the stamped images.
I custom ink blended my background with Puffy Heart Crisp Dye Ink and my large Blending Tool. I went heavier in the corner and lighter as I blended down.
For Card 1, I used the new Vertical Greetings Sentiment Die and for Card 2 I stamped a sentiment that is included with the stamp set.
I trimmed down my background panels and adhered to an A2 card base with Instant Dimension Foam Tape. I then added my florals with more Foam Tape. I wanted to change the orientation up, so Card 1 has the stem at the bottom and Card 2 has the stem coming in from the side like a tree branch. I really like both orientations. 🙂
For Card 1, I added three Enamel Dots (Shades of Purple).

How to Use Coloring Stencils + Altenew's Stunning Sakura floral stamp

I love the violet/lilac color combo!

Stamped floral card in Violets and Lilac purples

These cards are perfect for Mother’s Day….or a birthday!

We hope to see YOUR cards as part of the Celebrating Parents Card Drive.

Altenew's Stunning Sakura coloring stencils.

Products Used:

I really appreciate that you stopped by and are participating in this Blog Hop. Your next stop is Ishani and her projects are always such a treat! You can see the all the hop stops by clicking the button below:

Giveaway Prizes

$200 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $20 gift certificate to 5 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 03/20/2023 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 7 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 03/21/2023.

Giving Back Info

We have handpicked a few Altenew products that are perfect for your Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards (and other year-round crafting projects! Check out the collection HERE. We’ll donate $1 with every order of the products included in this collection from 2/28/2023 until 5/14/2023 to the Food Bank of Central New York to support seniors in need.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Altenew: A Year In Review: Crafters’ Edition Blog Hop + Giveaway

December 21, 2022December 29, 2022 Karen Brown39 Comments

Hello friends! I am so excited to be participating again in Altenew’s A Year In Review! I really enjoyed looking back through my projects and selecting some favorite creations.

Rainbow paper weaving with Altenew's Garden Trellis Cover Die.

This first card was my most popular Altenew card on Instagram and I detailed how I created my rainbow paper weaving. You can see my original post HERE. I used Altenew’s Garden Trellis Cover Die as the base for my weaving.

Layered Stamping on a cute little bird: Bird of the Woods by Altenew.

This year, I was a bit obssessed with the Bird of the Woods Layering Stamp set and coordinating dies and I made a bunch of cards using this bundle! This POST was by far my most popular blog post of 2022.

Altenew's Precious Doodles Layered Stamping Floral Dies

I fell in love with the Precious Doodles Bundle…when “doodles” is in the title, I know it is going to be a favorite of mine! This is a darling stamp layering set and you can find my original post HERE.

Altenew Coloring Book watercolor page framed artwork.

I received so much positive feedback on this watercolor piece! I LOVE Altenew’s watercolor products and I used them on my framed project. I started with the Poppy from Altenew’s Coloring Book and I painted it with the 36 Pan Set and Artists Brushes. You can see my original post HERE.

I love mixed media, and this card was my 2nd most popular post on Instagram. You can see my original post HERE. I got really messy and used tons of fun products to create this masculine birthday card.

Clean and Simple + Gel Press Printing Rainbow Grid Card

If there is such a thing as CAS Mixed Media, then this is it. I love the clean white contrast with the rainbow colored gel press die cut squares and the giant black Altenew Mega Hello sentiment. You can see my original post HERE.

Altenew Craft Your Life Always Sunshine Kit card

I love all of the Craft Your Life releases but this Always Sunshine Kit was especially popular with my blog readers. You can read my original post HERE: I love coloring with stencils and that is the technique I used on this card.

I always love Altenew’s Craft-A-Flower kits and this Open Peony was my favorite Craft-A-Flower in 2022. You can read my original blog post HERE.

Altenew Timeless Tulips with coordinating ink blend background.

Who doessn’t love a floral bouquet? Altenew’s Timeless Tulips premiered in August and I think it is a gorgeous set with two big beautiful floral stamps. You can read my original post HERE.

Altenew Summer Wishes stamp, die and coloring stencil card.

I will finish with Altenew’s Summer Wishes Bundle which is oh, so fun! I created a cozy little beach scene comprised of an adirondack chair, umbrella, radio and flip flops. This is such a happy card and I know I will pull out this bundle year after year. You can find my original post HERE.

Prizes:

Over $500 in total prizes! Altenew is giving away a $100 gift card to 1 lucky winner, 3 $50 gift cards, and 27 $10 gift cards. Winners will be chosen from both blog hop #1 and blog hop #2. Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog HERE by 12/27/2022 for a chance to win.

Wait, there’s MORE!

We would also LOVE to see YOUR favorite handmade cards, layouts, home decor, etc. featuring Altenew products! Feel free to share them on social media or on your blog using the hashtag #AltenewBest2022. You may also add a link by clicking the blue button below.

FOUR lucky crafters will each win a $15 gift certificate to our store! Winners will be announced on the Altenew Winners Page on 12/29/2022. We are looking forward to seeing your beautiful creations!

Blog Hop Order:

Karen Brown You Are Here!

Claire Apostoloff Claire is Next!

I am so pleased that you took a moment to stop by! If you have time, I’d love to hear which project you liked best.

Wishing all my crafty friends a healthy and happy 2023!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Spellbinders | November 2022 Club Kits

November 1, 2022December 19, 2022 Karen Brown3 Comments

Spellbinders November 2022 Small Die of the Month Kit: Layered Floral Card Creator handmade card.

Spellbinders Small Die of the Month Kit: November 2022

The November Spellbinders kits are GORGEOUS and I am excited to show you the cards that I made! I used the Small Die of the Month Club Kit called Layered Floral Card Creator on my first two cards.

Spellbinders Small Die of the Month: November 2022 Club kit (Layered Floral Card Creator) handmade card.

For Card #1, I used the leafy background plus flowers to make a high contrast showy birthday card. I started by cutting the background twice from dark green cardstock. I found that if I started at the bottom stem and then worked my way up, the two panels glued together seemlessly.

The die cuts are quite bold so I wanted the sentiment to be large too. I stamped my sentiment on a Top Folding A2 cardbase and then glued my die cuts to the panel with liquid glue. This card has a definite “wow” factor but it came together very quickly.

Layered Floral Card Creator: Spellbinders November 2022 Small Die Club Kit handmade card.

Spellbinders Embossing Folder of the Month: November 2022

Spellbinders November 2022 Club Kit Cards.

For my second card I used the Small Die of the Month along with the Embossing Folder of the Month (Fan Motif). I die cut a circle from a panel of Waterfall cardstock and then ran it through my embossing machine along with the Fan Motif embossing folder. The embossing looks great…very crisp and textured.

I then die-cut and assembled my flowers (Small Die of the Month) and added some greenery from Stitched Ornament (S4-1231), which was released earlier this year. I used the same bold sentiment as in card 1. I wanted lots of dimension on this card, so I adhered the embossed panel to the A2 card base with foam tape.

Spellbinders November 2022 Embossing Folder of the Month: Fan Motif handmade card.

Spellbinders Large Die of the Month: November 2022

Spellbinders November 2022 Large Die of the Month Club Kit (Sylized Floral Kaleidoscope Slimline) handmade card.

Stylized Floral Kaleidoscope Slimline

The Large Die of the Month, Stylized Floral Kaleidoscope Slimline, is a real beauty! I started by die cutting the background trellis, sentiment, flowers (APG Petite Floral Potpourri) and greenery (leaf included in this kit + Stitched Ornament (S4-1231), from white cardstock. Then, using Spellbinders paper, I chose three shades for each medallion: saffron, terra cotta, poppy; peridot, fern and deep green; and waterfall, teal topaz and lagoon. I assembled my card and added some coordinating enamel dots.

Clean and Simple die cut masculine card using Spellbinders November 2022 Large Die of the Month club kit.

I also wanted to make some masculine cards, and I thought clean and simple window cards would be perfect. Using Stylized Floral Kaleidoscope Slimline, I made one card in blue (window only) and one in green (with a trellis backdrop). These were quick and easy to make but they are so eye-catching! I really like the sentiment that is included with this kit…I used it on all three cards.

Masculine die cut hexagon birthday card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Altenew August 2022 Endless Ambition Release Blog Hop + Giveaway ($300 in Total Prizes!)

August 22, 2022August 17, 2022 Karen Brown19 Comments

Altenew Timeless Tulips Card with coloring stencil.

Altenew Timeless Tulips Bundle

Wow, this Timeless Tulips stamp set is fabulous! Two BIG, Bold beautiful stamps with a Graphic Art Vibe and wonderful sentiments that will work for so many occasions. I could see it for Mother’s Day, a Get Well Card, Ballet Recital, Birthday, Valentine’s Day….lots of possibilites.

Card with red and pink bouquet of tulips.

Both cards came together quickly because I used the coordinating coloring stencils. I started by stamping with black pigment ink. Once the ink was dry, I lined up my stencils and started coloring. I used Altenew Crisp Dye Inks in Coral Berry, Ruby Red, Paper Bag, Firefly, Green Fields and Evergreen. The image was easy to die cut and the sentiment is included with this stamp set. I used a Kraft Card base and then ink blended some Paper Bag Crisp Dye Ink along the edges to tie the card panel and base together.

Graphic Arts floral card in pinks and reds.

Products Used on Card #1:

Altenew Timeless Tulips Stamp, Die and Stencil Bundle
Altenew Crisp Dye Inks (color are listed above)
Black Pigment Ink
Craft Foam (to adhere the panel to the card base)
Adhessive Tape (to adhere the bouquet to the panel)

Altenew Timeless Tulips card with a hand inked coordinating background.

I used the coloring stencils on card #2 also. For this card, I ink blended a coordinating background using Coral Berry into Ocean Waves.

Altenew Timeless Tulips flower vase card in pinks and blues.

Products Used on Card #2:

Timeless Tulips Stamp, Die and Stencil Bundle
Crisp Dye Inks: Blush, Coral Berry, Ruby Red, Firefly, Green Fields, Evergreen, Caribbean Sky, and Ocean Waves.
Black Pigment Ink
White Embossing Powder + Pigment Ink
Foam Tape

Altenew Timeless Tulips Big Bold stamped card.

Giveaway Prizes

$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $25 gift certificate to 8 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 08/28/2022 for a chance to win.

Altenew will draw 10 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 08/29/2022.

BLOG HOP ORDER

Reiko Tsuchida ***Note: Due to strict regulations in Japan, you might not be able to leave a comment on her blog post.

Bridget Casey

I can’t decide which card I like better.

I am so pleased you stopped by!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Spellbinders: Susan’s Garden Party Geranium Basket

September 20, 2021September 21, 2021 Karen BrownLeave a comment

Spellbinders Geranium and Antique Wooden Bucket from Susan's Garden Club

Hello friends…happy Monday! I spent part of my weekend creating with this lovely geranium and antique bucket die set designed by Susan Tierney-Cockburn. I’ve always loved geraniums so this was an especially fun project for me.

Card Details

I wanted a lot of color variation in my geraniums so I started by “ink smooshing” four panels of watercolor paper.

I liberally inked a 6×6″ acrylic block with Distress Inks. I wanted an ombre gradient look so went in rows across the block.
I very liberally sprayed the inked block with water then “smooshed” the block onto a piece of watercolor paper.
I weighted the ink/block with a book for 5 minutes.
Next, I uncovered the panel and If the ink pooled, I dabbed the excess ink with a paper towel.

For the geranium buds, I used two shades of red on the top half of the panel and two shades of pink on the bottom. The colors mixed and mingled and gave me the color variation I was looking for. Panel #2 for the basket was done with a light tan and brown. Panel #3 for the leaves mixed three shades of green. And the background panel was created with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.

Once my panels were dry, I started die-cutting with the dies from Spellbinders Geranium and Antique Wooden Bucket from Susan’s Garden Club. I used brown, pink and green watercolor markers to go around the edges of the bucket, blossoms and leaves. I then gently shaped the leaves and buds. To finish the blooms I added a dot of pink glimmer lacquer to the centers.

For the background, I used longtime favorite Spellbinders Essential Rectangles Etched Die on my blue background panel for a little subtle interest. I then mounted my bucket with foam tape and then glued on my leaves, blooms and sentiment,

Die Cut Geranium card with hand crafted papers.

This geranium die set is beautiful, artistic and very versatile. I can see using it for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Sympathy cards, Thank You Notes etc.

Thank you for visiting today!

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Spellbinders: Holiday Flora Collection

September 11, 2021September 7, 2021 Karen BrownLeave a comment

Flowers + Die-Cutting….one of my favorite combos! Susan Tierney-Cockburn created the most delicious collections of holiday dies and I had so much fun playing with them!

I used three of her new kits on my cards:

Die Cut Papercraft Amaryllis

Amaryllis are always a favorite of mine, so I was excited to create a project. For my card, I made all my own papers using a gel press. I made six monoprints for my die-cuts: dark blue, medium blue, light blue (background), green and yellow-green (stamins) and tan.

Once the panels were completed, my card came together very quickly! The buds were very easy to shape for a lovely 3D effect. Both of my cards are 5 x 7″.

Mixed Media card using Gel Press Die Cut Prints

Susan’s collection is for the holidays, but I think the flowers are so versatile! I made the Amaryllis into a lovely birthday card by heat embossing my sentiment on the basket.

Die Cut Christmas Cactus Holiday Card

I have a Chistmas Cactus that is 25 years old so I really wanted to create a paper twin using Susan’s kit.! I have no idea how old cacti can live my mine is still hanging in there.

I again made my own gel press prints for this Christmas card. I made a blue panel for the background + two green prints, a pink coral and used the other other half of the tan monoprint for my basket. I added some pink glimmer lacquer to some of the tips for my buds.

I love both of these cards and can’t decide which is my favorite! Thanks for popping in to take a look at my post.

Karen

cardmaking · papercrafting

Altenew 8”x11” Majestic Bouquet Stamp Set Release Blog Hop + Giveaway ($200 in Total Prizes)

May 11, 2021March 30, 2022 Karen Brown45 Comments

Hello friends! Today we’re celebrating Altenew’s Majestic Bouquet Layering Stamp release and I have three cards to share. This is a beautiful layering stamp set with 41 stamps (all made in the USA!) and lots of gorgeous detail.

If you arrived from Terri Koszler lovely blog, you’re right on track and you made it to the final post. If you want to start from the beginning, please visit the Altenew Card Blog. Be sure to scroll to the bottom for details about the hop and give away.

I love the vibrant blues in my first card! I used the darkest three colors in the Glacier Caves Mini Ink Cubes set and ink blended the accent panel with the darkest two colors. All of my sentiments are from the Birthday Greeting Stamp Set and the enamel dots are Glacier Caves Enamel Dots, which coordinate beautifully with the ink cubes. I kept this card simple because I wanted to empasize the bold colors and lovely floral stamp.

Altenew Glacier Caves Mini Ink Cubes + Enamel Dots

For the pink card, I combined the Majestic Bouquet Layering Stamp with the beautiful Majestic Blooms 3D Embossing Folder. I chose three pinks (Blush, Cotton Candy and Coral Berry) from Altenew’s 48 Crisp Die Ink Collection for my stamping and then used Coral Berry to ink blend the circle background. I think this is such a lovely feminine card.

Altenew Pink Die Inks: Blush, Cotton Candy and Coral Berry

For my final card, I used the three lightest colors in the Seashore Mini Ink Cube Set. I then die cut my panel using the largest die from the Rounded Rectangles Set. The background panel was ink blended with Lagoon ink. To add a bit more texture, I used the Modern Squares 3D Embossing Folder for my background panel.

Products Available:

Altenew Majestic Bouquet Layering Stamp Set

Majestic Bouquet Die Set

Altenew Majestic Bouquet Stamp and Die Bundle

Are You Ready For Some Prizes?

$200 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $20 gift certificate to 5 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 5/16/2021 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 7 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 5/19/2021.

Join Us As We Hop!

Altenew Card Blog
Jaycee Gaspar
LauraJane
Erum Tasneem
Michelle Short
Tenia Nelson
Jenny Colacicco
Norine Borys
Anna Mahtani
Agnieszka Małyszek
Victoria Calvin
Linda Westfall
Emily Midgett
Sandhya Iyer
Laurie Willison
Preeti Chandran
Seeka
Mindy Eggen
Verity Biddlecombe
Carol Hintermeier
Erin Thompson
Helen Kalb
Joylita Dsouza
Keren Baker
Teresa Litchfield
Bridget Casey
Kelly Griglione
Nandini Karmarkar
Terri Koszler
Karen Brown Yay, made it to the end!

I am honored that you stopped by my blog…thank you! If you have another moment, I would love to hear which card you like best.

Karen

Uncategorized

Dare 2B Artzy 3D Shaped Scene Card

July 3, 2019 Karen Brown4 Comments

I went to a card convention in Irving, Texas and bought this fun stamp and die set (Flowers for Mom) by Dare 2B Artzy. They had the cutest booth full of inspiration.

When I saw their current challenge I thought it would be fun to do a 3D shaped scene card. I stamped, colored with Zigs and then die cut three floral images. Next I made made my card base by cutting a 5 1/2\” x 5 3/4\” panel and scoring at 3/4\” and 1 1/2\” on each end. I then used brushes and Dare 2 B Artzy \”Blue Sky\” dye ink to create a sky background. I wanted to layer the flowers so I created two panels of \”grass\”. The back \”hill\” is 1/4\” above the sky panel so the card actually has three levels.

Recipe:

Dare 2B Arzy Flowers for Mom stamps

Dare 2B Artzy Joyful Flowers dies

Dare 2B Artzy Blue Sky die ink

Bristol card stock

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers

I am entering this card in:

Dare 2B Artzy Shaped Card Challenge – I created a 3D shaped card for my flowers.

Lil Red Wagon Repeat Challenge – I repeated the layers of flowers for a full dimensional look.

AAA Birthday \”For the Girls\” Challenge I just discovered the AAA Birthday Challenge. I love their sister challenge AAA Cards.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Uncategorized

WWC228 – Marsha\’s Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge

July 3, 2019 Karen Brown3 Comments

Welcome and hello! Today it\’s the popular Feminine Anything Goes Challenge at Watercooler Wednesday and Marsha is our hostess.

I love pattern stamping and wanted to make a bright summery feminine birthday card so I got all my favorite individual floral stamps out and black heat embossed a random background pattern. I love texture with heat embossing. Next, add bright colors, heat emboss a sentiment and use an A2 stitching die.

I am entering this card in:
SSS Make a Background Monday Challenge

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Image may contain: one or more people and text

Uncategorized

Watercolor Anemones

November 2, 2018 Karen Brown7 Comments

I\’ve been off for a bit because we hosted my daughter\’s wedding in our backyard and then we went on a lovely extended vacation to The Outer Banks. We are back home now and I\’ve been working on several projects. I especially like this card.

I was in a watercolor mood and wanted to play with a three color palette. I love how pink, yellow and orange combine. I started by gold embossing Jane\’s Doodles Anemone on watercolor paper. I wanted each flower to be slightly different and selected Daniel Smith\’s Quinacridone Pink, Cad. Yellow Deep Hue and Cad Red Scarlet Hue. I love how vibrant the colors are!

$Jane\'s Doodles Anemones$

I finished the card with pink, orange and yellow paint spatters. I always love that look on other people\’s cards but don\’t often use it on my own.

I included this second picture because I love the gold shimmery glow the heat embossing creates.

I\’ve entered this card in:
The Watercooler Wednesday \”Anything Goes\” Challenge. I love their prompts and frequently submit a card.

Addicted to Stamps Anything Goes Challenge I love their broad prompts which make it easy to play along.

Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge I go through a lot of Get Well cards so this Challenge is great for me.

Update: I was so pleased to see that I was selected as a Watercolour Challenge Favourite at Happy Little Stampers!

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen