Thinking of You Always

I've been loving this new Build-A-Garden: Peruvian Lily set from Altenew's February 2025 release! I stamped a big batch using a jig and my Stampwheel to create a dozen or so of the sentiments and floral focal points (see my photos below), and then I had fun ink blending different colors through the coordinating stencils. For this card, I used the 3 darkest colors in the Bubblegum Dreams Fresh Dye Ink collection that will also be released in February. For the leaves and stems, I used Fresh Leaf Fresh Dye Ink from the Whispering Woodland Fresh Dye Ink collection coming in February. For the yellow parts of the petals, I used Fresh Lemon Crisp Dye Ink. 

To create the background for my lilies, I trimmed 3 panels from Altenew's Pink Brilliance Glitter Cardstock pack for an ombré effect. Then I trimmed my florals so that I would have some flowers for the top of the card, too. I adhered the stamped images with foam tape except for the leaves at the top of the card. Those I adhered with liquid glue so I could layer my flowers above them a bit. I love the "thinking of you always" sentiment, and since I created this card for one of my cousins who is constantly in my prayers, I thought it would be perfect for this card. 

 

Here's a look at the jig I created so I could batch stamp the images and some of the sentiments. I simply die cut the pieces out of white cardstock and placed the negative into the Stampwheel 2.0. Then I die cut a bunch more pieces (not stamping anything yet). Then I placed the coordinating stamps into the empty spaces to fit inside the negative spaces and added them to the top of the Stampwheel 2.0. Now that the stamps were aligned properly, I could just add the die cut pieces where they fit, stamp them, remove them, and then add another set of die cuts to stamp. It went very quickly! The Stampwheel 2.0 is perfect for this technique because I can use a full 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of cardstock, and the sticky mat holds everything down nicely while I'm stamping. The process is so much faster than stamping, lining up the coordinating dies, taping them down, and then running them through the die cutter and hoping nothing slips out of place! 

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 

 

Challenges I'm entering: 

2 Cute Houseplant-Themed Cards | Inspiration Challenge: 

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 2/11/25)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges********** (2/3; ends 2/3/25) C10

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of monochromatic (8/8; ends 2/14/25)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with optional twist of birthdays (unlimited entries; ends 2/12/25)

Creations in Pink Challenge: ATG with mostly pink (ends 2/12/25) Winner 2/15/25

The Creative Crafters: ATG (1/3; ends 2/8/25)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: ATG (2/3; ends 2/1/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (1/5; ends 2/5/25)

AAA Colourful: (1/3; ends 2/14/25)

No more challenges. 

AECP: Homework for Easy Die Cutting Techniques

Tulips & Friends Birthday Card

I recently attended a Zoom craft session coordinated by Bridget Casey and taught by Pam Boedecker, and I had so much fun creating this card! Pam gave me the idea to use this Build-A-Garden: Tulips & Friends set from my stash (I have had it for months but hadn't ever used it before yesterday!) along with Altenew's Sparkled Frame die, another item from my stash that I hadn't ever used before. So many great Altenew products, so little time, am I right?! 

During class, Pam showed us how to color the flowers using alcohol ink markers, but my marker coloring skills are not great, so I opted to use the coordinating stencils in the set with some lovely new Altenew inks to color in my stamped image (Bubblegum Dreams Fresh Dye Ink collection, Fresh Leaf from the Whispering Woodland Fresh Dye Ink collection, Maple Yellow and Honey Drizzle Crisp Dye inks). I chose colors that would pair well with the design on the Altenew bubble mailer I wanted to recycle on this card. The mailers are just too pretty to throw away, but I have a stack of them piling up right now! So I trimmed a portion of one to fit a 5X7 card base and then glued it to the card base for a pretty background. 

Next, I die cut three Sparkled Frames using 2 layers of white cardstock and one layer of chipboard from Altenew's foam tape roll packaging. I adhered the three layers together and then added a few enamel dots from Altenew's Bubblegum Dreams enamel dot collection to decorate the frame. 

I wanted to break up the busy pattern from the bubble mailer a bit behind the frame, so I watercolored some cardstock using Altenew's Quinacridone Magenta watercolor from the Palette Perfection Artists' Watercolor Tube Set. I trimmed the watercolored panel to fit behind the white frame and adhered it to the back of the frame. Then I adhered the frame to the card base using foam tape. I added more foam tape to the Tulips & Friends stamped image (doubling up in places where it overhangs the frame) and adhered it down to the card. 

To finish the card, I stamped and die cut the "happy birthday" sentiment from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Splendid Bouquets set and adhered that to the card. This is going to be my mother-in-law's birthday card for her 81st birthday in a few days, so I wanted to make something extra special for her. She is such a wonderful person, and I'm so grateful she raised an amazing son! My husband and I just celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary last month, and we both feel so grateful to our parents for the loving example they have set for their families in their own marriages (62 years for my in-laws and 57 years for my parents). 

The Altenew Bubblegum Dreams and Whispering Woodland Fresh Dye Ink collections and enamel dot collections in those same colors will be available for purchase Feb. 7, 2025. I have the fantastic opportunity to be a guest designer for Altenew's February's new release, and let me tell you it's been an amazing experience! I've had so much fun playing with all the great new products they sent me! Thanks, Altenew! 

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 

Challenges I'm entering:

2 Cute Houseplant-Themed Cards | Inspiration Challenge (ends at the end of the month)

Snippets Playground: ATG with snippets with an optional twist of Love is in the Air (my snippets were white cardstock snippets for the Sparkled Frame die cuts and the "happy birthday" sentiment die cut as well as pieces of packaging I used for the floral background and for the third die cut Sparkled Frame behind the two white cardstock die cut frames--I'm not sure if recycling packaging on a card counts as using snippets but thought I'd mention it just in case 😊) (1/1; ends 2/1/25) C10

Allsorts challenge blog: Close to Nature or ATG (3/5; ends 1/31/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 7/10 for the challenge; ends 1/28/25)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges********** (1/3; ends 2/3/25) C10

A Place To Start: ATG with option of adding a balloon (ends at the end of the month) Rising Star January 2025 Week 4

613 Avenue Create: ATG with optional twist of monotone magic (ends at the end of the month)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (6/6; ends 2/12/25)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG, twist of birthday (ends 2/7/25)

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with stencils; optional twist of hello/winter (I used the coordinating stencils in this set to color in the stamped image) (3/3; ends 2/1/25)

No more challenges. 

Watercolor Bearded Iris card for Altenew

The Bearded Iris Craft-A-Flower set from Altenew is absolutely stunning! I am in love with this Bearded Iris set that makes 2 Bearded Iris flowers and multiple leaves. When my box of new release products arrived in mid-December, I was excited about everything, but this particular set I knew would be a favorite!

To create this card, I first die cut all the pieces from the Bearded Iris set out of watercolor cardstock and then water colored them using  Altenew's 36 Watercolor Pan set. I chose some pretty shades of blue (Ocean Waves, Dusk, and Desert Night) as well as a couple greens (Bamboo and Forest Glades) and an orange (Sunkissed) to watercolor my die cut pieces. I let them dry and then assembled them using the guide that comes with the set. 

I made an alcohol ink background using all the shades of blue I own in alcohol inks. I love how alcohol ink backgrounds are unique every time. I like to make several at once when I've got the mess out anyway. Then I have them in multiple colors. Sometimes I use them for backgrounds, and sometimes I die cut them. Either way, they are fun to play with! I arranged my flowers and leaves how I wanted them and glued the pieces together before adhering the whole design to the alcohol ink background with foam tape. I added my sentiment using Art Glitter liquid glue. The "One friend can change your whole life" sentiment is from Altenew's Build-A-Garden: Peruvian Lily set which is also part of the February new release. I plan to give this card to my best friend and walking buddy who has been such a tremendous blessing in my life. 

I decided the alcohol ink background was a little busy on its own, so I created a larger card base out of blue cardstock and ink blended a bit of Altenew's Desert Night ink onto the panel, adding more on the edges and less as I moved to the center. I mounted the alcohol ink panel to the larger blue card base to finish the card. I recently purchased a photo light box so I could take decent pictures of my cards, and I thought the palette (Altenew's large watercolor palette) I was working on would look nice in the photo. I'm new to taking photos where I pay attention to the background, so any of you with great photo tips, please feel free to drop a comment below. There's definitely a learning curve! 

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 

Challenges I'm entering: 

Gem of A Craft Challenge: ATG (1/4; ends 2/20/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: Close to Nature or ATG (2/5; ends 1/31/25)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of monochrome (6/6; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 6/10 for the challenge; ends 1/28/25)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of monochrome (7/8; ends mid-February)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of adding a balloon (ends at the end of the month) Rising Star January Week 3

613 Avenue Create: ATG with optional twist of monotone magic (ends at the end of the month) Front Porch Winner 2/2/25

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (5/6; ends 2/12/25)

Craft Rocket Challenges: Something new (Bearded Iris set is new) (ends at the end of the month)

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

Crafty Calendar Challenge: Add a die cut (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG, twist of birthday (ends 2/7/25)

Art Impressions Blog: Monochromatic Challenge #395 Week #1: Monochromatic (2/2; ends 1/29/25)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: ATG (2/3; ends 2/1/25)

Peruvian Lily Friendship Card

I have the joy of being a guest designer for Altenew's February 2025 release, and I LOVE this new Build-A-Garden set named Peruvian Lily so much! You will be seeing a lot of cards featuring these stunning flowers because I spent nearly a whole day just stamping the flowers and ink blending them in various colors, and I had quite a stack of them by the end of the day! Even though I already uploaded several projects with them for my guest designer spot, I can't stop creating with them! They look gorgeous in every color!

For this card, I created an easy fun fold card base that allows the flowers to pop out and get the attention they deserve! I used white cardstock for the card base and then painted another piece of white cardstock using Permanent Yellow Deep from Altenew's Palette Perfection Artists' Watercolor Tube Bundle. I let that dry and then added some Brushed Pyrite Shimmer Relief Paste through Altenew's Grid stencil in random places to add some shine to the background without overpowering the lilies. After that dried, I trimmed it to fit the side panels and then trimmed more of that orange watercolored panel to fit the center area of the card. 

I stamped the sentiment and flowers from the BAG: Peruvian Lily set with embossing ink and then added Altenew's Rose Gold embossing powder and heat embossed them. Then I die cut them using the coordinating dies for the set. I ink blended Altenew's Orange Cream, Firebrick, and Fresh Lemon inks over the stencils and used ink from the soon-to-be-released Whispering Woodland collection for the leaves. I added the sentiment and floral focal point using foam tape for dimension. 

If you are interested in trying the new Shimmer Relief Pastes, Altenew is running a special right now on them. You can purchase the entire collection (there are 7 beautiful colors) at a discount and receive a set of palette knives for free. I've recently become an affiliate for Altenew, so if you are interested in ordering the pastes or other lovely products from Altenew and would like to use my link, I would be so grateful! Here's the link: Carrie's Altenew affiliate page 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases Challenge: ATG with a fun fold (ends 2/6/25) 

Allsorts challenge blog: Close to Nature or ATG (1/5; ends 1/31/25)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of monochrome (5/6; ends at the end of the month) Top Pick 2/5/25

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 5/10 for the challenge; ends 1/28/25)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of monochrome (6/8; ends mid-February)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of adding a balloon (ends at the end of the month) Rising Star January Week 3

613 Avenue Create: ATG with optional twist of monotone magic (ends at the end of the month) Top Rocker Jan. 19-25, 2025

We Love Stamping: Anything but Square (or ATG) (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Stamping Sensations: ATG or option of hand-colored image (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (4/6; ends 2/12/25)

Craft Rocket Challenges: Something new (Peruvian Lily set and Brushed Pyrite Shimmer Relief Paste are new) (ends at the end of the month)

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

Crafty Calendar Challenge: Add a die cut (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG, twist of birthday (ends 2/7/25)

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie...: ATG (5/5; ends at the end of the month)

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with stencils; optional twist of hello/winter (I used the coordinating stencils in this set to color in the stamped image as well as a grid stencil with the shimmer relief paste) (2/3; ends 2/1/25)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (3/4; ends 2/6/25)

Art Impressions Blog: Monochromatic Challenge #395 Week #1: Monochromatic (1/2; ends 1/29/25)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (1/3; ends 1/24/25)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: ATG (1/3; ends 2/1/25)

Inspiration Station The orange leaves inspired my choice of orange for the card I made. (1/8; ends at the end of the mont)

AECP: Celebration Stencil Techniques class (instead of embossing paste through a stencil, I used shimmer relief paste for my homework.)

Breezy Quest Fun Fold for Altenew

This month I'm a Guest Designer over at Altenew, and their Mini Delight set this month is adorable! It's called Breezy Quest, and it features a hot air balloon die set and a stamp set with a floral design and a variety of sentiments, some made for the hot air balloon theme like "Sending smiles across the miles" and "Onward and upward." 

To make this fun fold card, I used a cut file in Silhouette Design Studio and cut out the inside of the card in black cardstock using my Silhouette Cameo 4. Then I stamped the flowers from the Breezy Quest set using embossing ink and white embossing powder and heat embossed them. I adhered the black panel inside a white A2 card base. 

I created 2 hot air balloons with the die set and cardstock I had ink blended with Altenew's new Bubblegum Dreams fresh dye inks. I used metallic and glitter cardstocks for the bottom of the balloons. Once I had assembled everything, I stamped the floral stamp from the set onto the balloons. 

The white panels behind the balloons were die cut using Altenew's Ornate Nesting dies. I die cut them and then embossed them using Altenew's Cloudy Day 3D embossing folder. I stamped "sending hugs" onto one of the panels and added a few hearts from Altenew's Bubblegum Dreams enamel dots set. 

To finish the card, I used some of Altenew's Pure White ink spray and a paintbrush to add a bit of splatter to the card. 

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 

Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases Challenge: ATG with a fun fold (ends 2/6/25) 

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (4/4; ends 2/15/25)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of monochrome (ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (4/5 for the week; 2/10 for the challenge; ends 1/28/25)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of monochrome (ends mid-February)

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

A Place To Start: ATG with option of adding a balloon (ends at the end of the month)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with optional twist of monotone magic (ends at the end of the month)

We Love Stamping: Anything but Square (or ATG) (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

Stamping Sensations: ATG or option of hand-colored image (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (ends 2/12/25)

My Time To Craft!: Use a sentiment (ends 1/23/25)

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: ATG (ends 1/22/25)

Craft Rocket Challenges: Something new (Breezy Quest set is new) (ends at the end of the month)

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

Crafter's Cafe: ATG, twist of birthday (ends 2/7/25)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: Use something new (the Breezy Quest set is new) (4/4; ends at the end of the month)

Can You Handle The Pressure?: ATG with twist of a 3D embossing folder (I used Altenew's 3D Cloudy Day EF) (1/3; ends 1/22/25)

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie...: ATG (4/5; ends at the end of the month)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (4/4; ends 1/24/25)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (ends 2/6/25)

Dogs and Pumpkins Card

I wanted to make a special card for my youngest daughter for a recent accomplishment in her job. When I saw this adorable pattern paper, I knew I had to use it for her card! We have a Harlequin Great Dane who looks very similar to the black and white dog on the pattern paper, so I knew she would enjoy this paper! 

The card base for this card design comes from a Connie Stewart video I've linked here: How To Make A Beautiful Wedding Card That Stands Out. She includes a free pdf you can download with all the measurements. Thanks, Connie! I use a lot of her designs because she makes fun fold cards frequently, and she always explains how to create them in a way I find easy to follow.

For my card, I chose some cardstock that matched the colors in the pattern paper and set about creating the card base. Then I trimmed all the layers to fit the base and began adding my embellishments. I die cut two pumpkins from Altenew's Pretty Pumpkins Layering Die set and only used the bottom layers. I adhered them to the front panels of the card. 

Then I die cut a bunch of leaves from Altenew's Zero Waste: Autumn Leaves die and adhered them to the inside panels and added a couple to the outside of the card, too. I also die cut the word "congrats" and its shadow layer using Altenew's Versatile Greetings 2 die set and adhered that to the center panel inside the card. I didn't want to cover up the dogs on the pattern paper, so I didn't add a lot of additional die cuts. 

For the back of the card, I added a stamped sentiment ("Just a reminder...We love you & we are so proud of you!") from Altenew's Proud of You stamp set. 

Here's a look when the card is closed: 

Partly open:

Opened a little more:

All the way open:

Back of the card:

Close up of the sentiment:

 Challenges I'm entering:

Creative Creases Challenge: ATG with a fun fold (ends 2/6/25) 

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (3/4; ends 2/15/25)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of monochrome (ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 2/10 for the challenge; ends 1/28/25)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of monochrome (ends mid-February)

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

A Place To Start: ATG with option of adding a balloon (ends at the end of the month)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with optional twist of monotone magic (ends at the end of the month) Top Rocker Jan. 19-25, 2025

Double Trouble Paper Crafting: Thing 1: 3 images, 2 pattern papers, 1 sentiment that makes you smile (1/4; ends 2/2/25)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (1/3; ends 1/27/25) C10

No more challenges. 

Have Faith Peruvian Lily Easel Card

Today I have a sneak peek at Altenew's new Build-A-Garden: Peruvian Lily set which will be released in February. I'm thrilled to be a guest designer for Altenew next month and am excited to be able to share some new products on my blog before they are released.

The Build-A-Garden sets come with a stamp set, a coordinating stencil, and a mini blending brush. There are also coordinating dies which can be purchased separately. I had so much fun playing with this set! I made these lilies in many different colors and used black ink to stamp some of them and embossing ink with gold embossing powder for others. 

The base for this card is a cut file I purchased at the Silhouette Design Store. I used my Silhouette Cameo 4 to cut it out of white cardstock. Then I stamped and die cut the Peruvian Lily stamp and used Altenew's Desert Night Crisp Dye Ink, Fresh Lemon Crisp Dye Ink, and Fresh Leaf Fresh Dye Ink to ink blend the stamped image over the coordinating stencils. The stencils work perfectly and make me look like I know how to color! Once I finished coloring in the flowers and leaves, I adhered the die cut flowers to the front of the easel card. 

To create the stopper for the easel card, I die cut Altenew's new Have Faith word die set using cardstock I had ink blended with Desert Night to match the flowers. I die cut the shadow die out of black cardstock and also out of black fun foam and adhered them together before adhering the "Have Faith" words on top. The foam layer gave the die cut some dimension so it could hold the easel part of the card. 

 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 

Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases Challenge: ATG with a fun fold (ends 2/6/25) 

We Love Stamping: Anything but Square (or ATG) (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Stamping Sensations: ATG or option of hand-colored image (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Word Power: ATG with words as the focus (ends at the end of the month) Top 3 Pick 2/625

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with stencils; optional twist of hello/winter (I used the coordinating stencils in this set to color in the stamped image) (1/3; ends 2/1/25)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (ends 2/12/25)

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog: ATG (ends at the end of the month)

My Time To Craft!: Use a sentiment (ends 1/23/25) Top 7 Pick 1/23/25

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: ATG (ends 1/22/25) Top 3 Pick 1/23/25

Craft Rocket Challenges: Something new (the Peruvian Lily set is new) (ends at the end of the month)

Creative Inspiration Challenges: ATG (ends at the end of the month)

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (2/4; ends 2/15/25)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: ATG (ends at the end of the month

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of monochrome (ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 2/10 for the challenge; ends 1/28/25)

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

Crafter's Cafe: ATG, twist of birthday (ends 2/7/25)

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

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: Use something new (the Peruvian Lily set is new) (3/4; ends at the end of the month)

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie...: ATG (ends at the end of the month)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of monochrome (ends mid-February)

Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog: Something old, something new (Peruvian Lily set and Fresh Leaf Fresh Dye Ink are new and the Desert Night and Fresh Lemon Crisp Dye Inks are old) (ends at the end of the month)

Triple B: ATG with birds, blooms, and/or butterflies (ends at the end of the month) Top 3 Pick 2/2/25

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

A Place To Start: ATG with option of adding a balloon (ends at the end of the month) Rising Star Jan. Week 2  & Top Sprout Pick for the month of January

613 Avenue Create: ATG with optional twist of monotone magic (ends at the end of the month) Top Rocker for Jan. 12-18

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (ends 1/24/25)

Gem of A Craft Challenge: ATB (1/17/25)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (ends 2/6/25)

Craft-A-Flower: Bearded Iris Pop Up Card for Altenew

Yesterday was my oldest daughter's 26th birthday, and I wanted to make her a special card using the Craft-A-Flower: Bearded Iris set I was blessed to play with as a Guest Designer for Altenew's February release.  Here I decided to feature the smaller of the two flowers in the set (mostly because the larger one was too long to fit on the pop outs!), so I die cut and assembled them using white cardstock I had sprayed with distress spray (the purple flower) and shimmer spray (the orange flower). I added some leaves that I trimmed a bit (the leaves in this set are very long and look great when there's a larger area to arrange the flowers) and set them aside to create the other parts of the card. 

For the card design, I followed Connie Stewart's instructions to create a Double Floating Pop Out card found here: Double Floating Pop Out Card Tutorial: Birthday and Christmas Designs. Connie has a lot of great fun fold designs, and she makes them easy to create with her videos and downloads. I adjusted her measurements a bit to make the card larger. 

I had some yellow alcohol ink backgrounds I had created recently, so I thought I would use them for the inside of this card. I cut them to size and then adhered them in place. Then I added my Bearded Iris flowers to the pop outs with foam tape and stamped and die cut "happy birthday" from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Splendid Bouquet project kit. I used the coordinating die to die cut a piece of black foam to adhere behind the sentiment for some dimension. 

My daughter loved the card when I gave it to her yesterday on our way to lunch at one of her favorite restaurants. It was too big for a regular envelope, so I tucked it inside the box with all her birthday gifts. Normally this card design will fit into an A2 envelope, but I adjusted the measurements to create a bigger card, and my leaves stand out too far at the top to fit even a 5X7 envelope. This card needs to stay out on display rather than being tucked away in an envelope! 😂

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 

Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases Challenge: ATG with a fun fold (ends 2/6/25) 

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (ends 2/12/25)

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog: ATG (ends at the end of the month)

My Time To Craft!: Use a sentiment (ends 1/23/25)

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: ATG  (ends 1/22/25)

Craft Rocket Challenges: Something new (the Bearded Iris dies are new) (ends at the end of the month)

Creative Inspiration Challenges: ATG (ends at the end of the month)

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (1/4; ends 2/15/25)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: ATG (ends at the end of the month

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of monochrome (ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 1/28/25)

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

Crafter's Cafe: ATG, twist of birthday (ends 2/7/25)

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog: ATG (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: Use something new (the Bearded Iris dies are new) (2/4; ends at the end of the month)

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie...: ATG (ends at the end of the month)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of monochrome (ends mid-February)

Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog: Something old, something new (the die set is new and the alcohol inks I used are old) (ends at the end of the month)

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

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

A Place To Start: ATG with option of adding a balloon (ends at the end of the month)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with optional twist of monotone magic (ends at the end of the month)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (ends 1/24/25)

Gem of A Craft Challenge: ATB (1/17/25)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (ends 2/6/25)

Have Faith Card for Altenew

I have some fun news: I've been blessed with the tremendous privilege of being a guest designer for Altenew! What a fantastic experience! I'll share more over the next month as the products I've been playing with get released on the Altenew website. Today I'm starting with the first one to be released: Have Faith word die set. The set is free with a purchase of $59 or more from Jan. 3-5, 2025. 

For this card, I used a soon-to-be-released 3D embossing folder and stencil set called Serene Garden. I chose colors in Altenew's Warm & Cozy collection to color in the butterfly after embossing the panel. Then I die cut the shadow from the Have Faith word die set out of black ink cardstock and die cut the "Have Faith" words out of white cardstock. I ink blended the Have Faith words on the white cardstock using the same Warm & Cozy inks I used on the butterfly. To finish the card, I added a bit of black splatter using a fine paintbrush and dipping it in Altenew's Jet Black spray. 

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 

Challenges I'm entering:

My Time To Craft!: New (The word dies and embossing folder and stencil are all new products) (ends 1/9/25)

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: New/ATG (the word dies and embossing folder and stencil are all new products) (ends 1/8/25)

Craft Rocket Challenges: Something new (the word dies and embossing folder and stencil are all new products) (ends at the end of the month)

Creative Inspiration Challenges: ATG (ends at the end of the month)

"Just Us Girls" Challenge: Use a die (ends 1/8/25)

Word Power: ATG with words as the focus (ends at the end of the month)

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (1/4; ends 1/15/25)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: ATG (ends at the end of the month

little red wagon: Something new (the word dies and embossing folder and stencil are all new products) (ends 1/7/25)

The Paper Shelter: ATG (ends 1/14/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Something new (the word dies and embossing folder and stencil are all new products)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of monochrome (ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 1/14/25)

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

Crafter's Cafe: ATG, optional monochrome (ends 1/12/25)

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog: ATG (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: Use something new (the word dies and embossing folder and stencil are all new products) (1/4; ends at the end of the month)

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie...: ATG (ends at the end of the month)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of monochrome (ends mid-February)

Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog: Something old, something new (the die set and embossing folder/stencil set are new and the inks I used are old) (ends at the end of the month)

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

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with stencils (I used a stencil to color in the butterfly) (ends 1/4/25)

A Cut Above: ATG with die cuts (ends 1/6/25)

A Place To Start: ATG (ends 1/3/25)

613 Avenue Create: ATG (ends 1/3/25) Top Rocker for Dec. 29-Jan. 4

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (ends 1/24/25)

Gem of A Craft Challenge: ATB (1/17/25)

Can You Handle The Pressure?: ATG with an embossing folder (ends 1/8/25)

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