Easter Lily Cross Cards

I recently came across a tutorial on YouTube to create a pop-up cross card, and I knew right away when I saw it that I wanted to make some Easter cards with this design. If you'd like the instructions, here's the link to the video I watched: Faith Collection Easter Card Stampin’ Up!. A big thank you to Bethany Bernard for the tutorial.

I used the dimensions given in the video to create a cut file using my Silhouette Design Studio software so I can mass produce these cards, but after cutting out the prototype on my Silhouette Cameo 4, I decided to change the dimensions a little so the card will stand up better. The original design (the card on the left in the first photo) has the cross smaller than the card base panel. I found that by making the piece with the pop out the same height as the card base, the card is no longer wobbly when standing for display. 

Both cards feature the Altenew's Craft-A-Flower: Stargazer Lily die set for the lilies. I die cut and assembled quite a few of them and then ink blended them with colors to match the Monthly Challenge on the Altenew blog. Hope you can play along with your Altenew products this month! There are several gift cards up for grabs each month for the winners. I made the leaves out of vellum for the first card and added Altenew's Fresh Leaf Fresh Dye Ink to them. For the second card, I die cut the leaves out of white cardstock and ink blended them with the same Fresh Leaf Dye Ink. 

For the cross pieces, I used Altenew's Essential Textures: Wood Press Plate and some Ground Espresso Distress ink. I trimmed them to fit the cross and adhered them in place, doubling up on the ones in the middle since the wood pattern goes horizontally rather than vertically. It works fine though since my flowers cover the seam. 

To decorate the sides of the cards, I smooshed some of Altenew's Passion Poppy and Pastel Sunrise Fresh Dye Inks onto an A2 card panel, let it dry, and then used the Creative Edges: Lace Die to die cut 2 lace edges. Then I used what was left of the panel after I die cut it for the back of the card. For the second card, I used stamps from the Build-A-Flower: Stargazer stamp set to create a random pattern using the colors I had used for my die cut lilies. I like experimenting and using stamps in unconventional ways like this. 

For the sentiment on the back, I die cut the word "Blessed" from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Garden Whispers project kit. The "Easter" die is one I've had for years from Top Dog dies which sadly is no longer in business. 

 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: 

March 2025 Inspiration Challenge | Fun Birthday Card Idea!: 

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

fourseasons: ATG with spring (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

The Crafting Challenge: Waiting for spring (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 6/10 for the challenge; ends 3/12/25)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with option of any occasion (4/8; ends at the end of the month)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (4/4; ends 3/27/25)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors (4/5; ends at the end of the month)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of layers (4/5; ends 4/15/25)

Love To Craft Challenge Blog: ATG (4/5; ends 4/15/25)

A Place To Start: ATG (4/8; ends at the end of the month)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with option of spots or stripes (unlimited entries; ends 3/12/25)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of thinking of you (unlimited entries; ends 3/12/25)

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

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Use your favorite technique (I love to use mixed media to create unique backgrounds like the ink-smooshed lace die cuts on the first card and the stamps I used from the Stargazer set to create a pattern for the second card) (4/5; ends 3/10/25)

Swallowtail Butterfly Sympathy Card

A friend from church recently passed away very unexpectedly just a few days after her 60th birthday. I wanted to make a special sympathy card for her husband, so I embossed a panel of watercolor cardstock I had added Lindy's Magicals to and spritzed it with water to create a shimmery panel. Once that was dry, I embossed it with the 3D embossing folder from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Garden Whispers project kit. I trimmed it and layered it on a piece of purple cardstock and then layered that onto an A2 card base I had made using shimmer purple cardstock. 

I die cut the pieces for the butterflies using Altenew's Swallowtail Butterflies layering die set and more of the cardstock covered in Lindy's Magicals for the butterfly bases and the shimmer purple cardstock for the detailed layers. I adhered them to the card and then stamped "Heartfelt sympathy" from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Bewitching Rose project kit. I had to stamp it a few times since I was stamping onto an embossed panel, so I would recommend doing the stamping BEFORE the embossing! 

For the inside of the card, I stamped the words of Jesus from John 11:25: "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me...shall live." I think the stamp was from Verve Stamps. I use it a lot for sympathy cards because Jesus’ words are such a comfort for believers. 

 

Inside 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: 

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

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (4/5; ends 3/5/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (5/5 for the week; 5/10 for the challenge; ends 3/12/25)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with option of any occasion (3/8; ends at the end of the month)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: ATG (3/3; ends 3/15/25)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (3/4; ends 3/27/25)

The Crafting Challenge: Waiting for Spring (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors (3/5; ends at the end of the month)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of layers (3/5; ends 4/15/25)

Love To Craft Challenge Blog: ATG (3/5; ends 4/15/25)

A Place To Start: ATG (3/8; ends at the end of the month)

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

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with option of spots or stripes (unlimited entries; ends 3/12/25)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of thinking of you (unlimited entries; ends 3/12/25)

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)

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Use your favorite technique (I love to use mixed media to create unique backgrounds) (3/5; ends 3/10/25)

Love You Garden Whispers Card

This week my husband and I will celebrate the 35th anniversary of our first date. We don't always celebrate that anniversary, but this year on Valentine's Day, we decided to skip doing anything for Valentine's Day and celebrate the 35th anniversary of our first date instead. It's more meaningful to us, and we won't have to fight the crowds when we go out for dinner 😂. Of course I also wanted to make him a special card to celebrate the occasion, so I took out Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Garden Whispers set and designed a card for him.

I started by choosing the colors I wanted to ink blend for the flowers and leaves. I went with Altenew's new Bubblegum Dreams and Whispering Woodland Fresh Dye Ink collections with a little Fresh Lemon Crisp Dye ink for the flower centers.  I stamped and die cut the floral stamp and then went to work ink blending through the coordinating stencils. After I had finished, I ran the die cut through my machine using the 3D embossing folder that comes in the set. 

I chose a background I had created with sprays and watercolors and trimmed it down to 6 by 6. Then I die cut several of Altenew's Sparkled Frame die cuts so I could stack them together to add some dimension to the frame. I adhered 4 of them together and then added some Bubblegum Dreams and Whispering Woodland enamel dots to the frame. I played around with the placement of the frame and flowers until I liked how they looked and then adhered the frame down. I positioned my stamps (from the same Garden Whispers set) inside the frame and stamped them before adhering the floral focal point in place with Altenew's new 1/8-inch-thick foam tape. I added a few enamel hearts from the Bubblegum Dreams Enamel Dot set inside the frame. 

To finish the card, I mounted the blue panel onto a 6 1/4 by 6 inch pink card base. I wanted just a touch of pink on the sides of the blue panel. I'm so grateful the Lord brought my husband and I together on that first date so many years ago! We've been so blessed through the years! 

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: 

Altenew Fresh Dye Inks Contest 2025: Use fresh dye inks (ends 3/10/25)

Can You Handle The Pressure?: ATG with an embossing folder with optional twist of masculine (3/3; ends 3/5/25)

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

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

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (4/5 for the week; 4/10 for the challenge; ends 3/12/25)

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

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: ATG (2/3; ends 3/15/25)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (2/4; ends 3/27/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: Embellishments: I used enamel dots (2/3; ends 3/5/25) 

The Crafting Challenge: Waiting for Spring (2/3; 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 layers (2/5; ends 4/15/25)

Love To Craft Challenge Blog: ATG (2/5; ends 4/15/25)

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

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

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with option of spots or stripes (unlimited entries; ends 3/12/25)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of thinking of you (unlimited entries; ends 3/12/25)

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)

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Use your favorite technique (I love to use mixed media to create unique backgrounds) (2/5; ends 3/10/25)

Doves in Flight Hello Card

Last month I had the amazing opportunity to be a guest designer for Altenew's February release! It was a dream come true to receive so many great products to play with! Most of the products arrived in December and then a few more came in January, but the new 1/8 inch thickness foam tapes didn't arrive until last week. It's been great having so many pretty packages delivered! My card today features the 1/4 inch wide and 1/8 inch thick foam tape. This is perfect for narrow die cuts like the wings of my dove in the card I made.

To create this card, I made an A2 card base out of white cardstock. Then I did some die cutting. I die cut the pieces for the dove using Altenew's Creative Cuts: Doves in Flight set and assembled the layers using Art Glitter liquid glue. Then I die cut Altenew's Berry Branch Layering set using white cardstock for the bottom two layers and brown cardstock for the top layer. I smooshed Altenew's Fresh Leaf Fresh Dye Ink (from the new Whispering Woodland Fresh Dye Ink collection) onto a piece of acetate, spritzed it with a little water, and then watercolored the bottom layer of the Berry Branch set (the one with the leaves). Then I used Altenew's Lagoon Brush Watercolor Marker (from the Winter Wonderland Watercolor Brush Markers set) to watercolor the berry layer. I added a little of the Lagoon watercolor to my acetate with the watered down Fresh Leaf ink and then ink smooshed a panel I had trimmed to fit the front of the card. 

I arranged the branch so that my dove would fit on the panel where I wanted it on the branch and glued that down with Art Glitter liquid glue. Then I added Altenew's new 1/4 inch wide and 1/8 inch thick foam tape to the back of the dove and adhered him where I wanted him on the branch. 

To finish the card, I die cut several layers of the word "hello" (also from the Doves in Flight set) and watercolored one of them using the Lagoon watercolor brush marker again. I adhered the die cut words together and added the watercolored one at the top of the stack and then adhered the sentiment to the card. I then added 3 enamel dots from the Whispering Woodland Enamel Dots collection. 

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 

Here's a look at the new foam tape:

 Challenges I'm entering:

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

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

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Use your favorite technique (ink smooshing is one of my favorite techniques for creating a unique background) (1/5; ends 3/10/25)

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

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: St. Patrick's Day/Green (I chose green) + a sentiment (1/5; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 3/10 for the challenge; ends 3/12/25)

Crafty Catz: ATG with option of For the Girls (5/5; ends 3/6/25)

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

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: ATG (1/3; ends 3/15/25)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (1/4; ends 3/27/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: Embellishments: I used enamel dots (1/3; ends 3/5/25) 

The Crafting Challenge: Waiting for Spring (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors (1/5; ends at the end of the month)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of layers (1/5; ends 4/15/25)

Love To Craft Challenge Blog: ATG (1/5; ends 4/15/25)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: Die cuts and critters (I hope my dove counts😁) (1/4; ends at the end of the  month)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of Fairy Tales (1/8; ends at the end of the month)

Critter Crazy CHALLENGE BLOG: ATG with critters (1/5; ends at the end of the month)

Crafty Animals: ATG with animals/birds/insects/etc. (ends at the end of the month)

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

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with option of spots or stripes (unlimited entries; ends 3/12/25)

Colorful Options: Green (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of thinking of you (unlimited entries; ends 3/12/25)

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

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie...: Inspiration Image: My card features a lot of green like the inspiration photo (1/5; ends at the end of the month)

{PIN}spirational Challenges: Spring greens (1/5; ends at the end of the month) My card features a lot of green in the background

AECP Homework for Scene Building: Lesson 3: Use any combination of inks, dies, papers, etc. to build a background for your scene

Serene Garden Layered Card

I recently attended a free class taught by Altenew Educator Evette Jacobson, aka Evie, where she gave us the idea of embossing and stenciling an image before fussy cutting it and then adding a layer of vellum behind it. Following her instructions, I took a white A2 card base and cut off most of the front panel, leaving about 3/4 of an inch to adhere the embossed panel and the vellum to. 

I used Altenew's Serene Garden 3D embossing folder and coordinating stencil for the front panel. I fussy cut the side of the panel and adhered the remainder of the panel to the 3/4 inch strip left on front of the A2 card base. 

Next, I trimmed a piece of vellum to an A2 card panel size and embossed it with Altenew's Cloudy Day 3D embossing folder. I adhered the vellum on the other side the front flap (the embossed and stenciled image was adhered to the top part of the flap and the vellum to the other side of the same flap). Then I adhered a 3/4 inch strip of gold glitter cardstock over the section where the adhesive showed through the vellum. 

To finish the card, I ink blended some of Altenew's Lagoon Crisp Dye Ink onto an A2 panel to match the Lagoon ink I used on the butterfly and then used the same ink through Altenew's Squiggly Lines Background Stencil to add a little texture to the panel. I went over it with more pressure through the stencil to create the tone-on-tone look I wanted. Then I stamped "sending smiles across miles" from Altenew's Mini Delight: Breezy Quest set in a spot where the butterfly covers the front so the sentiment can't be seen through the vellum. Then I adhered the panel to the inside 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:

February Challenge | Textured backgrounds & sweet greetings: Ends the end of the month

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

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 2/10 for the challenge; ends 3/12/25)

Can You Handle The Pressure?L ATG with an embossing folder + optional twist of masculine (2/3; ends 3/5/25)

Crafty Catz: ATG with option of For the Girls (4/5; ends 3/6/25)

Alphabet Challenge Blog: W is for Wings (1/1; ends 3/6/25)

Inspiration Station: My card features flowers and a butterfly like the inspiration photo (3/8; ends at the end of the month)

AECP homework for Ink Blending Techniques class: Lesson 2: create a matching cardstock by ink blending

Doves in Flight Sending Love Card

A friend of mine recently lost her mom after a long battle with Alzheimer's. I wanted to send her a special card, so I pulled out my new Altenew Creative Cuts: Doves in Flight layering die set and die cut and assembled one of the doves from the set using a cream-colored shimmer cardstock. 

The same Doves in Flight set comes with a few words dies and shadows, and I die cut the "sending" and "love" words and their shadows using the dies from the set. The words were die cut from cardstock I had applied Altenew's Enchanted Gold Shimmer Relief Paste to. 

For the background of the card, I watercolored a blue panel and embossed it using Altenew's Cloudy Day 3D embossing folder. I then added some Pearl Shimmer Relief Paste to the edges of the clouds and adhered the panel to a brown A2 card base. The brown seemed a bit too stark, so I added more of the Pearl Shimmer Paste to the edges. I just used my finger to apply the paste, and it's a bit messy, which isn't my usual style, but I'm hoping the wisps of Pearl Shimmer Relief Paste fit with the cloud theme on the blue panel.  

To finish the card, I adhered the dove and the sentiment using foam tape. 

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:

 February Challenge | Textured backgrounds & sweet greetings: Ends the end of the month

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

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Look to the Night Sky (1/5; ends 3/3/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 3/12/25)

The Paper Shelter: ATG with option of buttons or bows (1/2; ends 3/5/25)

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Shimmer + a sentiment (I used Shimmer Relief Paste and shimmer cardstock for the dove) (4/5; ends at the end of the month)

Can You Handle The Pressure?L ATG with an embossing folder + optional twist of masculine (1/3; ends 3/5/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: ATG or Shades of Blue (3/3; ends 2/28/25)

Crafty Catz: ATG with option of For the Girls (3/5; ends 3/6/25)

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

No more challenges. 

Blessed Daisy Card

I recently took out my Altenew Craft-A-Flower: Daisy die set to make a card for my youngest daughter, (see that card here: Carrie's Custom Cards: Twisted Easel Congratulations Card), and I decided to die cut a bunch of the flowers while I had everything out. Do you ever do that? I sometimes make cards with the extras right away, and I sometimes put the extras away for future use. 

The flowers on this card were die cut from watercolor cardstock that I had used the following on: Altenew's Dark Cyan watercolor from the Palette Perfection Artists' Watercolor Tube Bundle, 

Lindy's Tibetan Poppy Teal Shimmer spray, and Tim Holtz's Wonderland Distress Mica Stain. I watercolored and sprayed 3 separate panels using those products and then die cut and mixed and matched the pieces for these flowers. I die cut the leaves out of vellum because I didn't want to cover up any more of the Turquoise Glitter Cardstock (from Altenew's Ocean Reflection Glitter Cardstock Set) panel than necessary. It adds such great sparkle to this card!

I created a cream-colored slimline card base and then trimmed a panel of brown cardstock for the center of the card front. I adhered that down to the card front and then adhered a sheet of the Turquoise Glitter Cardstock in the center of the brown panel. Now I was ready to arrange my flowers and leaves. I used liquid glue and foam tape for the flowers so that some of them have more dimension than others. 

To finish the card, I die cut the "Blessed" word and shadow using more glitter cardstock for the shadow and cardstock I had watercolored using the Dark Cyan watercolor tube for the sentiment. I adhered the layers together and then added the sentiment 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 

 February Challenge | Textured backgrounds & sweet greetings: Ends the end of the month

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

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (5/6; ends 3/15/25)

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite: Masculine or Feminine and why: I prefer making feminine cards because I tend to send more cards to women than men and I like using flowers on my cards (3/3; ends 3/5/26)

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

Crafty Catz: ATG with optional twist: For the girls (3/5; ends 3/6/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (5/5 for the week; 9/10 for the challenge; ends 2/26/25)

Gem of A Craft Challenge: ATG (2/4; ends 3/20/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: Shades of blue (2/3; ends 2/27/25)

little red wagon: Winter blues (ends 2/25/25)

No more challenges.