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

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)

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)

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)

Circle Thank You Card as Guest Designer for Your Paper Insider

This week I received a beautiful, sweet card from Nicki Baxley of NickiHeartsCards. I'm a huge fan of hers and was so excited to receive a card she made with a personalized note for me inside! Of course, I had to make her a thank you card for her thoughtfulness! I decided to use papers from Your Paper Insider's Box 12 to create this circle-shaped card. Your Paper Insider graciously sent me Box 12 to create with, and many of the papers in the box are beautiful fall colors, so I went with a fall-themed card for Nicki's thank you. The papers I used from the box were: Mars Stardream, Rust Colorplan Cardstock, Amber Stardream, Gold Diamond Glitter, Gold Gmund Treasury, and Grocer Craft Environment Raw. You can see the beautiful papers in the photos below. 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 

To start creating this card, I used the outer circle die from Altenew's Zero Waste: Ornamental Winter Pattern Die to create a circle card base out of white cardstock. Then I used the die to die cut two more circles using the Grocer Craft Environment Raw cardstock. I trimmed a tiny bit off the top of the circle I adhered to the inside of the card and left the one for the front of the card whole. Next, I started die cutting leaves from Altenew's Mix Foliage Die Set (this was a limited edition set created for a previous Altenew retreat) using Mars Stardream, Rust Colorplan Cardstock, Amber Stardream, and Gold Gmund Treasury. I also die cut a circle out of Gold Diamond Glitter using one of the dies from Altenew's Fine Rings: Circles Die Set. I decided to use only one kind of foliage for the front of the card, but you can see the other leaves the Mix Foliage Die Set creates when you view the inside of the card. 

I adhered the Grocer Craft Environment Raw cardstock to the front of the card and then added the Gold Diamond Glitter circle to the card front with a circle of fun foam behind it to give it some dimension. Then I arranged the foliage die cuts around the circle and used Glad Press N Seal to hold them in place while I added micro glue dots to the leaves that rest on the inside of the glitter gold circle. I used the Press N Seal to put the foliage back on the circle and pressed everything into place. 

For the sentiment on the front of the card, I used the "thanks" die and shadow from Altenew's Stencil Art: Strong Oak coordinating die set and die cut them from the Grocer Craft Environment Raw cardstock for the shadow and the word from Amber Stardream. I added the sentiment using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. 

For the inside of the card, I added the other circle of Grocer Craft Environment Raw that I had trimmed slightly to fit inside the card base. Then I die cut the "so grateful" sentiment using Altenew's Essential Sentiment Strips Die Set and Mars Stardream paper. I backed the words with Amber Stardream. Then I added a few leaves I had die cut from the Mix Foliage set to finish the card. I sure hope Nicki will love it! 

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 inside:

Here's a look at the card Nicki created for me. Isn't it so bright and cheerful? 

Challenges I'm entering: 

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 6/10 for the challenge; ends 8/27/25)

Cut It Up: ATG (1/3; 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)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of Summer Things (8/8; ends at the end of the month)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Garden Party: Anything in or From a Garden (4/5; ends 9/8/25)

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (4/4; ends 8/26/25)

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

Ally's Angels: ATG (3/5; ends 9/12/25)

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

Creatalicious Challenges: ATG with option of lots of bling/glitter (3/3; ends 9/12/25)

Creative Crafting Uncles: ATG (3/3; ends 9/12/25)

The Creative Crafters: ATG (3/3; ends 9/8/25)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (3/3; ends 9/5/25)

Word Power: ATG with words as the focus (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

little red wagon: Circles (1/3; ends 8/26/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: Something beginning with the letter "B" or ATG (2/5; ends 8/28/25)

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Any shape but a rectangle + a sentiment (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

August 2025 Monthly Mood Board Challenge: Fall mood board (ends at the end of the month)

Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Inspiring creativity 8-ways each week: Diagonal: Red, free, yellow (1/3; ends 8/28/25)

Heart's Quest for Shaped Cards and Tags: ATG with non-traditional shaped cards (5/5; ends at the end of the month)

 

Diamond Staggered Pillar Card for Your Paper Insider

I wanted to make a special card for my niece who just earned her Master's Degree, so when I saw this Diamond Staggered Pillar Card on Iced Images's YouTube, I thought it would be perfect for her card. If you'd like the measurements and instructions, here's a link to her video: 🔴 6" x 6" Diamond Staggered Pillar Card | Livestream. It's not as complicated as it looks, and it actually folds down flat to mail. I'm going to hand deliver this to my niece, but it's nice that the card can be mailed.

Your Paper Insider graciously sent me Box #12 to play with recently, so I chose a couple beautiful papers from that box to decorate my card. The papers I used were: White and Red Flowers: Yuzenshi and Copper Curious Alchemy which I thought looked really stunning together. I've recently become an affiliate for Your Paper Insider, so if you are interested in subscribing to their quarterly paper boxes or if you'd simply like to purchase some previous boxes or other papers on their website, I would be so grateful if you used my link: Your Paper Insider

To finish the card, I added panels to the front and the back of the card. You can't see them, but there are tabs that allowed me to glue the oval and rectangle to the card front and back. For the oval on the front of the card, I used Altenew's Zero Waste: Oval Serenity Die Set and stamped "congrats" using Altenew's Bouquet of Poppies stamp set. 

For the back of the card, I added the die cut flowers from the Zero Waste: Oval Serenity Die Set I had used on the front of the card to a white rectangle I adhered to a piece of the Copper Curious Alchemy paper I had trimmed to layer behind the white rectangle. Then I stamped "you will do amazing things" from the same Bouquet of Poppies stamp set I used for the "congrats" on the front of the card. I added some gems to the front of the card and some pearls to the back of the card for embellishments. 

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 

Close up of the Oval Serenity die cut:

Side view:

Top view:

Back of the card: 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

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

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of 4-legged friends (6/6; ends at the end of the month)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (3/6; ends 9/12/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 5/10 for the challenge; ends 8/27/25)

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)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of Summer Things (7/8; ends at the end of the month)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with twist of Summer Fun (7/8; ends at the end of the month)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Garden Party: Anything in or From a Garden (3/5; ends 9/8/25)

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (3/4; ends 8/26/25)

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

Ally's Angels: ATG (2/5; ends 9/12/25)

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

Creatalicious Challenges: ATG with option of lots of bling/glitter (2/3; ends 9/12/25)

Creative Crafting Uncles: ATG (2/3; ends 9/12/25)

The Creative Crafters: ATG (2/3; ends 9/8/25)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (2/3; ends 9/5/25)

Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge: ATG with pattern papers with an optional twist of summertime (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Saffron Square Birthday Card

Today I'm sharing a card I made during Altenew Educator Traci Starkweather's recent class. She chose a deep, rich color palette for these saffron flowers and their leaves. 

To start the card, I trimmed watercolor paper to create a 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 inch card base following Traci's instructions. Then I trimmed a piece of watercolor paper to 5 1/4 by 5 1/4 inch and created a background using the following Altenew inks: Magenta, Razzleberry, Jazzberry, Deep Iris, Andromeda, Ultraviolet, Azurite, Sapphire, and Jet Black. I layered them onto the watercolor paper saving the black for the last layer. Then I splattered the panel with the following 3 colors from Altenew's Metallic Watercolor 14 Pan Set: Amethyst, Topaz, and Sterling Silver. I set the panel aside to dry.

While the background was drying, I ink blended the saffron flowers and leaves following Traci's instructions. We blended multiple colors on the petals, leaving the outside edges white so the petal would pop against the dark background. 

After I had all the pieces ink blended, I assembled the flowers and arranged the leaves behind them. Then I adhered everything down using liquid glue for the bottom layer and Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape for the flower on the left side. 

To finish the card, I stamped "happy birthday" using a stamp from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Bewitching Rose set and added that to the panel using foam tape as well. 

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: 

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of 4-legged friends (5/6; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 3/10 for the challenge; ends 8/27/25)

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)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of Summer Things (6/8; ends at the end of the month)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with twist of Summer Fun (6/8; ends at the end of the month)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Garden Party: Anything in or From a Garden (2/5; ends 9/8/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: Create a Scene (3/3; ends 8/20/25)

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (2/4; ends 8/26/25)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (2/6; ends 9/12/25)

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

Ally's Angels: ATG (1/5; ends 9/12/25)

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

Creatalicious Challenges: ATG with option of lots of bling/glitter (1/3; ends 9/12/25)

Creative Crafting Uncles: ATG (1/3; ends 9/12/25)

The Creative Crafters: ATG (1/3; ends 9/8/25)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (1/3; ends 9/5/25)