Friday, February 26, 2021

Altenew Certified Educators Instagram Blog Hop

Layered Floral Die-Cutting with Altenew’s Cosmos Kit

I am so excited to be participating in my first Altenew Educator Hop! I LOVE this month's Cosmos Craft-A-Flower Kit and wanted to create another bright springy card. Here is a LINK to my first card.

Mixed Media Background

I made a background using the recently released Narrow Brick Stencil. I mixed Texture Embossing Paste and Shimmer Spray which I then tinted with diluted purple Watercolor from the 36 pan set. I repeated this and added diluted pink watercolor to a second pile of embossing paste. I then ran this over the stencil in random locations. The two colors of brick are the same colors I used on the flowers.

Water Coloring Panels for Die-Cutting

On two panels of watercolor paper, I brushed on bold watercolors from the 36 pan set. I dried the panels and added a second layer so I had really saturated color. Here is a photo of the three panels I used to make this card.

Before I begin die-cutting I like to take a permanent pen and mark the layering dies with a #1 and #2 for each flower. It just takes just a minute but then it is so much easier to keep up with the little pieces. After I die cut, I also write the corresponding number on the back of the die-cut in pencil in case they get mixed up on my workspace.

Pink die-cut flowers with mixed media background

These flowers are so easy to assemble and make such a gorgeous showy flower. I used liquid glue and foam tape to assemble my card. To finish, I added Tea Party Enamel Dots.

We would love for you to hop with us! My Instagram Handle is: @karens_mini

There are beautiful cards and prizes too....check it out!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Karen

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

WWC310 - Marsha's Challenge: All About Occasions

Yappy Birthday Card using Mama Elephant’s Playful Pups stamp set

Hello and welcome! We are making "Occasions" cards at Watercooler Wednesday and I made a fun puppy themed birthday card. Marsha is our hostess.

Big changes at Watercooler Wednesday! We are going to a bi-weekly format so this challenge will conclude on Monday, March 8th and winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 9th.

I used one of my longtime favorite stamp sets: Mama Elephant's Playful Pups. I lightly penciled in two lines and then stamped my images within this band. I then erased the pencil and Copic colored my pups. I like the clean happy look of this card.

We hope to see your card in our gallery. You can access the challenge website HERE.

This is my last challenge on the design team for Watercooler Wednesday. I’ve loved seeing all your beautiful creations over the last few years and I will be looking for your future projects on Instagram.

Take care,

Karen

Altenew Mini Crepe Cake Stamp and Die Set

Altenew Mini Crepe Cake Stamp and Die

Hello friends! I popped on today with a yummy quick CAS card using Altenew's Mini Crepe Cake set. The stamp is free with every purchase at Altenew.com February 24-25th. I colored the image with alcohol markers and added a few coordinating Tea Party Enamel Dots.

Thanks for stoppy by!

Karen

Monday, February 22, 2021

Altenew Paint-A-Flower: Clematis & Artist Alcohol Markers Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Altenew Clematis Paint-A-Flower

Hello and welcome to the blog hop for the February release of the Altenew Paint-A-Flower series and Artists Marker Sets F & G. This month's Clematis stamp is GORGEOUS and so fun to create with. Altenew releases a new Paint-A-Flower each month and you can subscribe HERE so you don't miss a single set.

I spent an enjoyable and relaxing Sunday afternoon painting this beauty. When my kit arrived, I saw soft blues as I started planning my card. For the flowers, I used pale blue with soft lavendar shadows and pink highlights. I kept with the muted look by adding pale green leaves and the fencing was painted with watery yellow and tan. I added a hint of grey to the background and called it done. I used watercolor markers for a fresh bright watercolor look.

This is an interesting floral stamp as you can use it both vertically and horizontally. I added my favorite Painted Grid Washi Tape along two sides and the included sentiment "Life Is Beautiful". I finished the card off with a couple of pearl grey New Day Enamel Dots. A fresh and lovely spring card.

Altenew F and G Artist Alcohol Markers

Pink, Yellow, Green, Aqua and Violet Altenew markers

Water Garden Artist Alcohol Markers Set G

Altenew is also releasing two new sets of Artists Markers and I thought it would be fun to try them out by coloring the same image with both sets. Weekend Doodles is one of my all time favorites sets so I decided to use it for both cards. Water Garden Artist Alcohol Markers Set G is full of lovely aquas, lavenders and browns. I wanted the flowers to be the star of this card so I used the Cross Stitch Canvas Cover Die to create a clean and simple background that adds a bit of texture and interest but keeps the focus on the floral elements.

Such lovely colors in this marker set!

Sunshine Valley Garden Artist Alcohol Markers Set F

Sunshine Valley Garden Artist Markers SET "F" is full of beautiful pinks, yellows and greens. For this card I wanted a coordinating background, so using my 36 pan watercolors, I painted pink (which I toned down with some green) on a watercolor panel and let dry. I then embossed the panel with the Modern Squares 3D folder , which gives beautiful dimension to your backdrop. This folder is one of my new “go to” backgrounds. I added some pink, purple and black spatters because I thought the panel looked too sweet.

Altenew Weekend Doodles + Altenew Sunshine Valley Garden Set F markers + Modern Squares 3D embossing folder

The Tea Party Enamel Dots coordinate beautifully with this set of markers.

Altenew pink, yellow and green Artist Markers.

This graphic shows the colors that come in each set.

BLOG HOP LINK

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 02/28/2021 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 03/02/2021.

BLOG HOP PARTICIPANTS:

Your next stop is: Svitlana Shayevich

Thanks for hopping by!

Karen

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Altenew Wondrous World Dies/Stencils/Embossing Folders Collection Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Altenew 3D Embossing Folders

Hello and thanks for hopping! I am so excited to be participing in Altenew's new release of 3D Embossing Folders, Dies, Stencils and Enamel Dots. I am showcasing several new products below so be sure to scroll down to see them all....I went a little crazy making cards! All of these products are now available in the Altenew Shop.

I really like this first card. I took a piece of aqua cardstock and embossed using this fun new 3D embossing folder called Modern Squares. I am also planning to use this embossing folder on backgrounds for some upcoming floral cards. I love the texture and interest it adds to a background.

Altenew Fancy Celebrate die with copper mirror cardstock

I very gently used my Large Blending Tool to blend white pigment ink on the top of the raised diamonds. I die cut a white band using the new Nesting Slim Rectangle Die set. This new sentiment, Fancy Celebrate Die is gorgeous, big and showy. I die-cut it from copper mirror cardstock.

I went for ultra feminine on this card I made for my mom. Lots of pink and neutral gray. I embossed a panel with the beautiful new Simple Frame 3D embossing folder. I then very gently used my Large Blending Tool to add a subtle layer of pink pigment ink over the entire card. I went back with my Small Ink Blending Tool and added more pink along the raised frame to add definition to the embossing. The flower is from this month's Build-A-Flower called Bellaroma Hybrid Tea Rose. I finished by adding Tea Party Enamel Dots. This frame really sets a beautiful stage for die-cut focal elements.

The Flowery Field 3D embossing folder is gorgeous! I embossed a piece of green cardstock and then very gently used my Large Blending Tool to add white pigment ink to the blooms. I then went over the highest points with white pigment ink and a Small Ink Blending Tool. The Thanks sentiment was die-cut from navy cardstock. I finished by adding navy enamel dots from the new Glacier Caves Collection.

White pigment ink + 3D embossing folder = colored cardstock

The last few cards using the Daisies 3D Embossing Folder are my favorites, but my photography skills did not capture their true beauty. I added white pigment ink to the sticker side of the embossing folder and then smoothed with a brayer. I then embossed on navy cardstock. The sentiment is from this month's Build A Flower: Bellaroma Hybrid Tea Rose. I finished by adding tiny Antique Gold Sequins.

Navy cardstock + white pigment ink + Altenew Daisies 3D embossing folder

I took some periwinkle cardstock and embossed with the Daisies 3D Folder. Using a circular motion I very gently used my Large Blending Tool to blend white pigment ink onto the flowers. I finished by adding a few more white pigment highlights with a small ink blending tool. I added a Simply Hello Die-cut Sentiment and Glacier Caves enamel dots. This card is so pretty in person but was the hardest to photograph.

White pigment ink blended over 3D embossing folder

3D embossing folders are great for mass producing lovely cards. Fairly quick to make with a beautiful end result. On this card I again used a brayer to add pink pigment ink to the embossing folder. I love how happy and cheerful these embossed daisies are! I finished off with some more Tea Party Enamel Dots.

On this last card I added two colors, yellow and orange, with a brayer. Subtle but oh so happy, pretty and cheerful. I think these would also make lovely get well cards.

Yellow and Orange handmade 3D embossed daisies card.

LINK to Blog Hop

Giveaway Prizes

$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $20 gift certificate to 10 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 02/22/2021 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 12 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 02/25/2021.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

WWC309 - Dawn's Challenge: Anything Masculine Goes

Ranger Letter It Masculine Get Well card.

Masculine Get Well Card
Hello and welcome! This is my design team card for this week's Watercooler Wednesday "Masculine" Challenge and Dawn is our hostess.

I made a cheeky get well card using Simon Says Stamp Stacking Animals and this big bold sentiment from the Ranger Letter It Greetings stamp set. I also added a bit of Nuvo Crystal Glaze to the two beaks.

We would love to see your card in our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Monday, February 15, 2021

Altenew Mini Delight Bee Kind Instagram Hop

Altenew Bee Kind Mini Delight Release

Hello and welcome. I have a quick blog post about the adorable new Altenew Mini Delight: Bee Kind stamp and die set. The Bee is beautiful in person! It is 1 1/4" tall by 2" wide and is packed with so much fun in such a small size. The Bee is a simple layering stamp and I used Jet Black with Warm Sunshine from the Rainbow Mini Cube Ink Set for the stripes. Sign up for the monthly Mini Delight Subscription Plan and get 20% off each month.

To set the scene, I used a The GardenTrellis Cover Die cut over a watercolor panel that I painted using The 36 Pan Watercolor Set. I gently blended Warm Sunshine with a bit of Paper Bag for depth and variation. I added one yellow and two black enamel dots from the New Day set to complete the card.

Altenew bee themed card with Garden Trellis cover die.

I had so much fun making the first card that I made a quick companion birthday card. I ink blended my circle die-cut with Warm Sunshine using my Large Ink Blending Tool. I added two additional layers of ink around the outer edge to darken the perimeter. The background is the Many Dots Washi Tape attached at an angle.

Altenew Many Dots Washi tape and Bee Kind themed card.

Thank you for stopping by!

Karen

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Altenew Mini Tiramisu Birthday Card

Altenew Mini Tiramisu Stamp and Die

Hello and welcome. I crafted a yummy birthday card featuring Altnew's Mini Tiramisu stamp and die bundle. This little stamp was so fun to shade and color and you can see the stamp at Altenew. I paired it with the Cozy Flannel Cover Die over a Kraft A2 notecard.

Masculine Birthday card featuring Altenew’s Cozy Flannel Cover die.

Altenew Cozy Flannel cover die with Kraft card stock.

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Altenew Ultimate Watercolor Lovers Blog Hop + Giveaway

Altenew Watercolor Coloring Book and Watercolor Brushes

Hello and welcome! I've had a delightful weekend playing with Altenew's new Watercolor Coloring Book and Watercolor Brushes (Bundle). The coloring book is such a great idea! There are 12 designs...24 printed pages on good quality watercolor paper. Each design has a black outline and a "no-line" outline. I am going to the beach soon and this coloring book will be making the trip as it will be so packable. Grab the book, brushes and watercolors and I am set for hours of creating. I also think this would make a great gift.

I used Altenew's 36 Pan Watercolor Set for all of my painting. For the Lilly, I wanted to work on mixing watercolors. I started with the salmon pinks but did a lot of custom paint mixing with my pinks and greens.

With both paintings, I went slow and added layer upon layer of color. For me, this is the secret to watercolor painting. Add color and blend with a damp brush with clean water, let dry and repeat. The quality of the paper in the coloring book allowed me to add lots of layers without any worry about the paper breaking down.

I liked the Lilly so much that I framed it and set it on the ledge around my bath tub.

This no-line Poppy was loads of fun to paint! I didn't mix the paints but used the color right out of the pans. Lovely and feminine. I did add a few accents to the flower's center with a black pen and white gel pen.

Altenew Round and Detail Watercolor Brushes

Altenew also just released Round and Detail watercolor brushes which pair so well with the Watercolor Coloring Book! You can also order the Brush bundle at a discount.

Altenew how to watercolor detail brushes

If you want to up your watercoloring, consider taking Emily Midgett's Watercolor 101 Class. I took it last fall and it improved my watercoloring skills more than any other class I've taken.

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Special Offer

To celebrate the release of the watercoloring book, Altenew is running a free gift promotion for a limited time. Receive a FREE brand new Poppy Arrangement Stamp Set (worth $23.99) with every order of the new Florals Coloring Book and Watercolor Bundle from 2/11/2021 at 12:01 AM EST until 2/14/2021 at 11:59 PM EST. Free gift will be added to cart automatically.

Giveaway Prizes

$300 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 10 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 02/16/2021 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 12 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 02/19/2021.

LINK TO BLOG HOP

Hello! You likely came from the beautiful post by Nathalie DeSousa and after me, you are on to Tenia whose cards are always an inspiring treat.