Gatefold Congratulations Card

I recently attended an online cardmaking class led by Altenew Educator Liz Oritz, and she shared the instructions for creating a gatefold card with a card inside that opens up so there's another spot to write your message. I really love the design! I made my card into a congratulations card for my youngest daughter who was selected as Junior Sailor of the Quarter for Reactor Department (she's in the Navy and works in one of the nuclear power plants on the aircraft carrier she's assigned to). She works so hard, and I wanted to celebrate this special honor she earned. 

I used white cardstock for the base and fence post elements of the gatefold. I also used white cardstock to create a top-folding A2 card for the inside of the gatefold. I used Altenew's Strolling Through New York Artists' Gouache set to watercolor a panel in orange and then sprayed the panel with Altenew's Orange Cream Shimmer Spray and Dina Wakely's Tangelo Gloss Spray. I set that aside to dry before stamping a butterfly and the "congrats" sentiment on it using Altenew's Bouquet of Poppies stamp set. 

For the saffron flowers on the fence posts, I used Altenew's Craft-A-Flower: Saffron die set and papers I had watercolored and sprayed in purples, greens, oranges, and reds for the various parts of the flowers and leaves. I adhered leaves to each flower and then adhered the flowers and leaves to white cardstock and fussy cut around the edges so the back would look neat and tidy when the gatefold is open and the back of the flowers is visible. I adhered one flower to each of the gatefolds using Altenew's Instant  Dimension Foam Tape. 

For the inside of the inner card, I stamped "you're incredible" from Altenew's Build-A-Garden: Tulips and Friends set and a butterfly from the Bouquet of Poppies set and trimmed the sentiment and fussy cut the butterfly before adhering them to the inside of the inner card. 

To finish the card, I added a few of Altenew's Garden Whispers enamel dots. 

I'm an affiliate for Altenew, so if you are interested in ordering something lovely from Altenew and would like to use my link, thank you very much! Here's the link: Carrie's Altenew affiliate page 

Inside the card with the inner card closed:

Inside the card with the inner card open:

 Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases #107: I'm on the DT, so I'm entering just for fun and inspiration 

September 2025 Inspiration Challenge – Altenew: ends at the end of the month

The Creative Crafters: ATG (2/3; ends 10/12/25)

The Crafting Challenge: Wonderful Thought (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors; I used scissors to fussy cut white cardstock for the back of the flowers so they look good from the back of the gatefold and I also cut some of the leaves for the saffron flowers with scissors so they weren't as long (3/5; ends at the end of the month)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of Fancy Folds (4/5; ends at the end of October)

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/challenge-307.html?m=1: ATG (3/3; ends 9/19/25)

Let's Craft and Create: Lots of layers (3/3; ends at the end of the  month)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: ATG with die cuts (3/4; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the 10/12/25)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

A Cut Above: ATG with die cuts (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of leaves and circles (4/8; ends at the end of the month)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: #261-Star Stampz: ATG (2/3; ends 9/20/25)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with option of lots of leaves (2/8; ends at the end of the month)

Allsorts challenge blog: Trees, Leaves, or Plants or ATG (2/5; ends 9/26/25)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (4/4; ends 9/25/25)

Crafty Catz: ATG (2/3; ends 9/25/25)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (3/3; ends 9/19/25)

Creative Inspiration Challenges: ATG (2/2; ends 9/25/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 2/10 for the challenge; ends 9/24/25)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with option of changing seasons (2/6; ends at the end of the  month)

Triple B: ATG with birds, butterflies, and/or blooms (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (1/3; ends 10/12/25)

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite Die and Why: I love dies of all kinds, but my favorite type is Altenew's Craft-A-Flower sets. They are so easy to put together with the keyhole system that shows where to place each layer, and the flowers they create are so beautiful! (1/3; ends 10/1/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: Dies or Punches (1/3; ends 10/1/25)

New Baby Congrats Pocket Slider Card

My son and daughter-in-law recently shared the wonderful news that they are expecting again in March 2026, so I wanted to make a special congratulations card for them. I saw Susan Campfield's tutorial on this pocket slider card and thought it would work great with the "gift" theme I wanted to use for my card. You can find all the instructions and measurements here: Cute! Spooky Halloween Pocket Slider Card! I just love interactive cards like this one!

Before creating this card, I chose papers from Your Paper Insider's Box 12 that I thought would be fun for the theme I was using. I'm a guest designer again for Box 12 and am having so much fun with these papers! The ones I used for this card are: UltraWhite Smooth Cardstock, Gold Gmund Treasury, and Gold Diamond Glitter. If you'd like to learn more about Your Paper Insider's quarterly subscription boxes, I'd love for you to use my affiliate link at no additional cost to you: Your Paper Insider 

Children are a gift from the Lord, and I thought it would be fun to use a gift theme for my slider card, so I pulled out Altenew's Elegant Bows set to create a background of bows using the stencil set from the set and ink blended through the stencils with Spectrum Noir's Rose Gold metallic pigment ink. The Gold Gmund Treasury paper has specks of gold in it, so this card has a lot of shine in real life that was tough to show in the photos. 

Once I had my background stenciled, I adhered it to the card base (made from the UltraWhite Smooth Cardstock) and cut the slit in the side that allows the slider to move up and down. Then I die cut just a bit of the smallest circle die in Altenew's Fine Rings: Circles die set so it's obvious to pull up on the insert. 

To decorate the card, I die cut several presents using Altenew's Mini Delight: Time To Celebrate Die Set and the Gold Diamond Glitter paper as well as more of the Gold Gmund Treasury paper for the ribbons and bows. I adhered all the pieces together using glue dots and liquid glue. 

I die cut 2 circles using Altenew's Fine Rings: Circles die set and stamped "congrats" on the smaller of the 2 circles using the same Rose Gold ink I had used to stencil the bows on the background. The sentiment is from Altenew's Bouquet of Poppies set. That set has a lot of great sentiments for many occasions, so I use it frequently. For the larger circle, I adhered 2 of the presents to the circle using glue for the one in the back and Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape for the one in the front. I adhered the smaller circle to the larger one and then adhered the large circle to the slider mechanism using Instant Dimension Foam Tape. 

For the insert that slides up, I stamped "Sending blessings to your gift from heaven" from Altenew's Gift From Heaven stamp set and added another present to the top of the insert to be the pull tab.  

I'm an affiliate for Altenew, so if you are interested in ordering something lovely from Altenew and would like to use my link, thank you very much! Here's the link: Carrie's Altenew affiliate page 

Here's a look at the stenciled background I created:

View of the papers I used:

Close up of the sentiments and little presents:

Challenges I'm entering:

Creative Creases #107: I'm on the DT, so I'm entering just for fun and inspiration 

The Creative Crafters: ATG (1/3; ends 10/12/25)

The Crafting Challenge: Wonderful Thought (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors (2/5; ends at the end of the month)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of Fancy Folds (3/5; ends at the end of October)

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/challenge-307.html?m=1: ATG (2/3; ends 9/19/25)

Let's Craft and Create: Lots of layers (2/3; ends at the end of the  month)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: ATG with die cuts (2/4; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the 10/12/25)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

A Cut Above: ATG with die cuts (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of leaves and circles (3/8; ends at the end of the month)

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Add some metal (1/5; ends 9/22/25)

We Love Stamping: Make it cute (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Stamping Sensations: CAS or ATG goes (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: #261-Star Stampz: ATG (1/3; ends 9/20/25)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with option of lots of leaves (1/8; ends at the end of the month)

Allsorts challenge blog: Trees, Leaves, or Plants or ATG (1/5; ends 9/26/25)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (3/4; ends 9/25/25)

Crafty Catz: ATG (1/3; ends 9/25/25)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (2/3; ends 9/19/25)

As You Like It Challenge: Layered or flat and why: I definitely love to add layers because I'm a big fan of interactive and fun fold cards. I think they make a big impact on the recipient and are so much fun! (2/3; ends 9/17/25)

Creative Inspiration Challenges: ATG (1/2; ends 9/25/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 9/24/25)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with option of changing seasons (1/6; ends at the end of the  month)

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: Cute as a button (Cute and/or use a button) (ends 9/23/25)

Diamond Column Pop-Up Card for Creative Creases #107

It's time for a new challenge over on the Creative Creases Challenge blog where it's always anything goes with a fun fold project, and this month I'm sharing a Diamond Column Pop-Up Card I made for my husband's uncle's birthday. If you'd like the measurements and instructions, I'm including a link to Lisa Curcio's video here: Make This Diamond Column Pop Up Card | No Dies Needed. 

To start my card, I trimmed and scored heavy weight gray cardstock to create the base and pillars. Then I trimmed the blue pieces and embossed the ones that are adhered to the columns using Altenew's Organic Linen 3D embossing folder. 

For the mountain scene, I used Altenew's Mountain Stencil and Cloud Stencil to create a background for the card. I then trimmed the background into 2 pieces and adhered the pieces to the blue cardstock layers. 

In her video, Lisa shows how to create a tab to hold the card's sentiment, so I followed her instructions and add a "happy birthday" sentiment to the front of the card using Altenew's Essential Sentiment Strips Die Set. I added enamel dots from Altenew's Colorful Wonder Enamel Dot set to match the colors I used in the stenciled background. 

For the back of the card, I trimmed white cardstock to fit the blue layers and then used Altenew's Dotted Lines Debossing Cover Die to add a pattern to the paper. I stamped "love you" using Altenew's Mini Delight: Afternoon Delight set. To finish the card, I added a die cut from Altenew's Zero Waste: Berries & Branches Die. 

If you’d like to join the fun over on the Creative Creases Challenge blog with a fun fold project of your own, here’s the link to the new challenge post: https://wp.me/p4bS0N-cmW

I'm an affiliate for Altenew, so if you are interested in ordering something lovely from Altenew and would like to use my link, thank you very much! Here's the link: Carrie's Altenew affiliate page 

View of the back of the card:

Top view:

Close up of the stenciled scene:

Challenges I'm entering:

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: ATG (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with twist of changing seasons  (1/6; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 4/10 for the challenge; ends 8/27/25)

Allsorts challenge blog:  Happy Birthday or ATG (2/5; ends 9/13/25)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of Happy Birthday (2/8; ends at the end of the month)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors (I used scissors to trim the my "happy birthday" sentiment into two strips) (1/5; ends at the end of the month)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of Fancy Folds (2/5; ends at the end of October)

https://digichoosday.blogspot.com/2025/09/challenge-9-week-2-anything-goes-card.html?m=1: ATG (2/4; ends 9/24/25) 

https://asyoulikeitchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/09/favourite-layered-or-flat-why.html?m=1: Layered or flat and why? I love layered cards! I think they are so fun! (1/3; ends 9/18/25) 

https://kraftychickschallenge.blogspot.com/2025/09/krafty-chicks-challenge-784-birthday.html?m=1: Happy Birthday (1/3; ends 9/11/25) 

https://tictactoechallenge.com/: top row: stencil, birthday, die cut (1/3; ends 9/11/25)

https://heartsquestshapedcardsandtags.blogspot.com/2025/09/hqfscat-9-g-on-shaped-card-and-or.html?m=1: ATG with shaped cards or tags (1/5: ends at the end of the month) 

https://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2025/09/challenge-823-fancy-fold.html?m=1: Fun Fold (1/3; 9/9/25)

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/challenge-307.html?m=1: ATG (1/3; ends 9/19/25)

Let's Craft and Create: Lots of layers (1/3; ends at the end of the  month)

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog: ATG (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (2/4; ends 9/25/25)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (1/3; ends 9/19/25)

 

Pretty Pumpkins Easel Card For Colorful Options September 2025

This month I'm privileged to be a Guest Designer over on the Colorful Options blog, and I chose yellow and orange from the mood board for my fall-themed card. I hope you'll play along! I've included a photo of this month's mood board at the end of my post, and here's the link to the challenge: Colorful Options

I recently attended the Card Maker Success Summit, and one of the card designs was this easel card presented by one of my favorite creators: Nicki Baxley of NickiHeartsCards. She created a floral card, this card design will work for any theme or occasion. 

My first step in making this card was to create the yellow A2 card base. Then I trimmed 2 white cardstock panels just a quarter inch smaller than the front and inside of the card. The first one I ink smooshed using an alcohol marker technique. It was something I learned in one of my Altenew Educator Certification Program classes. For the second white panel, I scribbled a yellow and a light orange alcohol marker onto acetate, spritzed with isopropyl alcohol, and used a paintbrush to splatter the ink onto the panel. This was also a technique from the same Magical Marker Technique AECP class. 

I stamped Altenew's Pumpkin Patch stamp onto the first panel and embossed it with the coordinating 3D embossing folder. I then cut the panel in half so that it bends easily when I fold the card up against the stopper. I adhered the two pieces to the card front, paying attention to lining them up by the score line. 

Then I did a lot of die cutting, which I really love! I die cut the pieces for Altenew's Pretty Pumpkins Layering Die Set and assembled them with Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape in some places and Art Glitter liquid glue in others. I used cardstock that I had previously watercolor and/or sprayed with shades of orange. Then I die cut Altenew's Zero Waste: Autumn Leaves die using the same yellow cardstock I had used for the card base. I die cut an orange circle using the largest die in Altenew's Fine Rings: Circles Die Set. I added my pumpkins and some of the leaves I had die cut to the orange circle. I adhered the circle to the card front, being careful to only put glue on the bottom half of the circle so the easel will bend in the center. 

For the inside of the card, I die cut "sending" from Altenew's Timeless Sentiments 2 set and then die cut the shadow out of orange cardstock as well as orange fun foam. I adhered the layers together for a bit of dimension on the stopper for this easel. I stamped "big hugs" from Altenew's Build-A-Garden: Sulfur Cosmos set next. Then I added a leaf from the Zero Waste: Autumn Leaves set to finish the inside of the card. 

I decided to add "missing you" to the front of the card since this will be a card I send to my youngest daughter in a care package during her next deployment (I'm working ahead on some cards to include in the packages I send with homemade freeze dried meals she can rehydrate while at sea). The "missing you" stamp is also from the Sulfur Cosmos set. 

If you are interested in ordering something lovely from Altenew and would like to use my link, thank you very much! Here's the link: Carrie's Altenew affiliate page 

Card when closed:

Here's a look at the color board for Colorful Options Challenge this month. I chose the yellow and orange colors from the board: 

Challenges I'm entering: 

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 3/10 for the challenge; ends 9/17/25)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: ATG with die cuts (1/4; ends at the end of the month)

https://craftingacutabove.blogspot.com/?m=1: ATG with a die cut

Allsorts challenge blog:  ATG (1/5; ends 9/13/25)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

A Place To Start: ATG with optional twist of leaves and circles (my pumpkins and leaves are on an orange circle)  (1/8; ends at the end of the month)

https://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.com/2025/09/september-2025-crafts-galore-encore.html?m=1ATG (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

https://thefourseasonschallenge.blogspot.com/?m=1: ATG: fall (ends at the end of the month)

https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/09/miucb-79-anything-goes-optional-fancy.html?m=1: ATG with optional twist of fun fold (1/5; ends at the end of the month) 

https://asyoulikeitchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/08/favourite-colouring-medium-and-why.html?m=1: Favorite coloring medium and why: I love using alcohol inks in unusual ways like for ink smooshing and splatters (ends 9/3/25) 

https://www.simplyellibelle.com/2025/08/i-spy-with-my-little-eyeswarm-and-sunny.html?m=1: Warm and sunny colors (3/5; ends 9/14/25)

https://cyhtp.blogspot.com/2025/08/anything-goes-with-twist-of-balloons-825.html?m=1: ATG with an embossing folder with twist of balloons (1/3; ends 9/10/25)

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: stamp it (1/5; ends 9/8/25)

https://digichoosday.blogspot.com/2025/09/challenge-9-week-2-anything-goes-card.html?m=1: ATG (1/4; ends 9/24/25) 

https://inspirationstationchallenge.blogspot.com/2025/09/inspiration-station-challenge-september.html?m=1: (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (1/4; ends 9/25/25)

 

Twist And Pop Crocus Card

I recently attended an online card class led by Altenew Educator Liz Ortiz. She guided us through how to create the mechanism for a twist and pop card. I followed her instructions and measurements using papers from 49 & Market's Peach Collection. These papers are so pretty, and I am making an effort to use rather than hoard my lovely papers! 

For the front of the card, I die cut the pieces for the crocus flowers and bud using the same paper collection as the background papers and Altenew's Craft-A-Flower: Crocus set. The bud doesn't show up that well in my photos since I used the lightest of the papers for that one, but it has foam tape under it and shows up better in person. I opted to die cut the leaves from the set using vellum. 

Next, I added a butterfly using Altenew's Swallowtail Butterfly Die set and placed it by the light-colored bud. Then I stamped "never lose hope" using Altenew's Bouquet of Poppies set and added the sentiment to the card using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. To finish the front panel, I added some coordinating gem stones by the sentiment and at the top right of the card. 

For the inside of the card, I trimmed more of the pretty papers and adhered them to the top and bottom of the card. Then I created the twist and pop mechanism and adhered it down according to Liz's instructions. I used Altenew's Linear Alphabet (a retired set) to die cut the letters for the word "love" and used a stitched heart die from Gina Marie for the "o." I added the letters and heart to banners I die cut using Altenew's Terrific Tags die set. 

To finish the card, I die cut the word "sending" and its shadow from Altenew's Timeless Sentiments 2 Die Set. 

If you are interested in ordering something lovely from Altenew and would like to use my link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you very much! Here's the link: Carrie's Altenew affiliate page 

Close up of the twist-and-pop:

Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases #106: I'm on the DT, so I'm entering just for fun and inspiration 

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (2/5; ends 9/3/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: Use vellum (2/3; ends 9/3/25)

Stamping Sensations: Birds, bees, or butterflies (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 2/10 for the challenge; ends 9/9/25)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with option of using pattern paper (unlimited entries; ends 9/12/25)

Double D Challenges: Butterflies (2/3; ends 9/1/25)

Creative Knockouts: Use your favorite embellie (I love gems!) (1/3; ends 9/3/25) C10

Ellibelle's Corner: I spy with my little eye: Warm and sunny colors (2/5; ends 9/14/25)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (1/5; ends 9/1/25) C10 DT Honorable Mention 9/1/25

No more challenges. 

Center Step Sympathy Card

I recently came across a sale on 49 & Market's Peach Collection Pack and fell in love with the deep oranges and beautiful patterns. I made a twist-and-pop card with it earlier this month and used it today to create a step card with a center panel. 

To create the card, I chose papers from the 49 & Market set and trimmed them to the following sizes (the card design is one from a recent in-person card class I attended):
Base: 4 1/4 by 11 inches scored at 1, 2, and 6 1/2 inches

Layers for the base: 

Layer 1 behind the center panel: 4 by 4 1/4 for behind the center panel 

Layer 2 behind the center panel: 3 3/4 by 4

Layer 1 for the bottom of the card front: 3/4 by 3 3/4

Layer 2 for the bottom of the card front: 1/2 by 3 1/2

Center panel: 3 by 8 1/2 scored at 5 1/2

Layers for center panel:

Layer 1: 2 3/4 by 5 1/4

Layer 2: 2 1/2 by 5

Inside the card: 

Layer 1: 3 3/4 by 4

Layer 2: 3 1/2 by 3 3/4

After adhering all the layers together, I then die cut the butterflies using the same paper set and Altenew's Swallowtail Butterfly die set. I used both Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape and Art Glitter liquid glue for the butterfly layers and then added them to the center panel using more Instant Dimension Foam Tape. 

To finish the card, I stamped "Heartfelt sympathy" using Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Bewitching Rose set and trimmed it to fit on the card front. I lined the right side up with the edge of the papers behind the center panel and glued the left side to the center panel. 

If you are interested in ordering something lovely from Altenew and would like to use my link, thank you very much! I receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. Here's the link: Carrie's Altenew affiliate page 

Inside the card:

Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases #106: I'm on the DT, so I'm entering just for fun and inspiration 

Double Trouble Paper Crafting: 3 layers, 2 pattern papers, 1 sentiment (1/5; ends 9/1/25)

 

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Garden Party: Anything in or From a Garden (5/5; ends 9/8/25)

Stamping Sensations: Birds, bees, or butterflies (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 9/9/25)

Cut It Up: ATG (3/3; ends 9/1/25)

DL.ART : DL.ART August 2025 linky challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with optional twist of Happy Birthday (unlimited entries; ends 9/12/25)

Ally's Angels: ATG (5/5; ends 9/12/25)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with option of using pattern paper (unlimited entries; ends 9/12/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: Something beginning with the letter "B" or ATG (I have butterflies on my card) (5/5; ends 8/28/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (1/5; ends 9/3/25)

Double D Challenges: Butterflies (1/3; ends 9/1/25) Top Winner 9/2/25

The Paper Shelter: ATG (1/2; ends 9/2/25)

Ellibelle's Corner: I spy with my little eye: Warm and sunny colors (1/5; ends 9/14/25)

Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge: ATG with pattern papers; optional twist of Summer (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Side Step Sympathy Card

My parents lost one of their best friends earlier this week, and I wanted to make them a special sympathy card. I chose a side step card and make the base out of heavyweight paper. Then I trimmed black cardstock for the layers on the panels of the card base.

For the flowers, I used Altenew's Craft-A-Flower: Hellebore set and die cut lots of flowers out of purple cardstocks. The lighter purple colors I had watercolored and sprayed to create, and the darker purple is a shimmer purple that's even prettier in person. After die cutting all the pieces, I assembled the flowers and then die cut the leaves out of vellum.

For the basket, I used Altenew's Woven Basket Die Set and die cut the pieces out of papers I had sprayed to create the yellows. I assembled the basket and didn't adhere the top part to the back because I wanted to tuck in the leaves and flowers. I arranged them how I wanted them and used Glad Press N Seal to hold the arrangement together while I added liquid glue and foam tape to the back. I then adhered the arrangement to the panel. 

For the sentiment, I stamped "heartfelt sympathy" from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Bewitching Rose set and trimmed it and adhered it to the card. 

To finish the card, I added several Hunkydory purple pearls. 

I'm an affiliate for Altenew, so if you are interested in ordering something lovely from Altenew and would like to use my link, thank you very much! Here's the link: Carrie's Altenew affiliate page 

Top view:

Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases #106: I'm on the DT, so I'm entering just for fun and inspiration 

Allsorts challenge blog: Something beginning with the letter "B" or ATG (I have blooms on my card) (5/5; ends 8/28/25)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

DL.ART : DL.ART August 2025 linky challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with optional twist of Happy Birthday (unlimited entries; ends 9/12/25)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with option of using pattern paper (unlimited entries; ends 9/12/25)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (4/6; ends 9/12/25)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (1/3; ends 9/1/25) C10

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite coloring medium and why: I love using watercolors and sprays to color sheets of cardstock or watercolor paper and then die cutting flowers and other shapes out of the papers because the watercolors and sprays create such pretty textures (1/3; ends 9/3/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: Use vellum (I used vellum for my leaves) (1/3; ends 9/3/25) Top 3 Pick 9/4/25

No more challenges. 

Warm Hugs Double Z-Fold Card

I'm working on creating cards to include in my youngest daughter's care packages when she deploys later this year, and I thought it would be fun to make some seasonal cards for her. She'll be gone fall, winter, and spring, so I plan to make cards for those seasons.

For this winter card, I started with creating a Z-fold A2 card base. I used Altenew's Sweater Knits stencil and Altenew's Ruby Red Fresh Dye Ink on some deep red cardstock for a tone-on-tone background. Then I created the inner Z-fold using one side of the winter pattern cardstock and then trimming pieces of the same paper and using the opposite side with the cute little hats to decorate the Z-fold panels. 

Next, I die cut the pieces from Altenew's Woven Basket Layering Die Set as well as the pieces to create several wool balls from Altenew's Wonderful Wool Layering Die Set. I assembled all the pieces and added the wool balls to the outer piece of the basket before adhering that to the inner part of the basket using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. 

For the sentiment, I stamped "warm hugs" from Altenew's Pumpkin Patch stamp set and die cut the sentiment with the coordinating die. Then I die cut fun foam using the same die and adhered the layers together for some dimension. I added the sentiment to a circle I die cut using Altenew's Fine Rings Circles die set. I stenciled the same pattern on the red circle as I used on the red card base and added the sentiment to the middle of the circle before adhering the circle to the inner card panel. 

I've recently become an affiliate for Altenew, so if you are interested in ordering something lovely from Altenew and would like to use my link, thank you very much! Here's the link: Carrie's Altenew affiliate page 

Top view:

Close up of the stenciling on the card base:

Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases #106: I'm on the DT, so I'm entering just for fun and inspiration

little red wagon: Circles (2/3; ends 8/27/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (4/5 for the week; 7/10 for the challenge; ends 8/27/25)

Cut It Up: ATG (2/3; ends 9/1/25)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

DL.ART : DL.ART August 2025 linky challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with optional twist of Happy Birthday (unlimited entries; ends 9/12/25)

Ally's Angels: ATG (4/5; ends 9/12/25)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with option of using pattern paper (unlimited entries; ends 9/12/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: Something beginning with the letter "B" or ATG (I have balls of yarn on my card) (3/5; ends 8/28/25)

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with stencils with a twist of leaves and/or trees (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge: ATG with pattern papers with an optional twist of summertime (2/3; ends at the end of the month)