Winterberry Poinsettia Fun Fold Card

I just love Altenew's Winterberry Poinsettia 3D embossing folder! It has a coordinating stencil, and I used that for my card here: Carrie's Custom Cards: Winterberry Poinsettias Christmas Card if you'd like to see what it looks like when ink blended with the stencils. For this card, I went with embossing pattern paper and then going over the embossed areas with white pigment ink. I love the soft look that created on the pink woodgrain pattern paper.

This card base started as a normal side-folding A2 card base, but I trimmed off a portion of the card front so that the inside of the card peeks out on the right side. Then I trimmed my embossed panels and adhered them to the front and inside of the card. 

Next, I die cut Altenew's Poinsettia Layering Die Set out of white cardstock and gently folded the petals for some dimension. I assembled the layers and then die cut the center out of the same pink woodgrain patter paper I used for the embossed background. I added that to the flower and adhered the flower to the card front with Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape, taking care not to add any of the foam tape on the right side of the poinsettia where the card front is trimmed off (otherwise I would have glued the card shut). 

I die cut and embossed a bow from Altenew's Elegant Bows bundle and added it to the poinsettia. Then I stamped "Faith is at the heart of the holidays" from a retired Altenew set called "Blessings" onto the pink woodgrain pattern paper using VersaMark ink and white embossing powder. I heat set the sentiment and trimmed it before adhering it to the poinsettia. 

If you're interested in doing some crafty shopping at Altenew, I'd be so grateful if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link.  I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Altenew carries many wonderful embossing folders, stencils, project kits, inks, and die sets and has weekly sales. 

Challenges I'm entering: 

Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round: P and Q: I have Poinsettias on my card (ends at the end of the month)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: White on white with a splash of one color (2/4; ends at the end of the month)

Can You Handle The Pressure?: :ATG with embossing folders with option of Tie it Up (I added a bow to my card) (3/3; ends 8/19/26)

Peace On Earth Christmas: ATG Christmas (ends 9/3/26)

52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Christmas without snow (ends 8/21/26)

Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge: ATG with pattern papers (ends at the end of the month)

Double Trouble Paper Crafting: Thing 1: 3 of something from my stash (3 Altenew products: Winterberry Poinsettias EF, Elegant Bows EF and Die Set, and Blessings stamp set) 2 of something from my stash (2 inks: white pigment ink and VersaMark) 1 of something from my stash (1 pattern paper) Thing 3: I used foam tape and also layering of my die cuts for this card (3/4; ends 8/30/26)

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (ends 9/12/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Embossing or ATG (I used heat embossing and a couple 3D embossing folders for this project--the Winterberry Poinsettia EF and the Elegant Bows EF) (4/5; ends 8/28/26)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (4/4; ends 9/23/26)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (2/6; ends 9/12/26)

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

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Garden Party: Anything in or from a garden (2/5; ends 9/7/26)

 I'd like to leave a blessing for all the lovely visitors to my blog: 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:22-26

 

Diagonal Stepper Card

I have been seeing this Diagonal Stepper Card on a number of youtube channels, including Iced Images who I think may have come up with the original design, and I have been wanted to try it out for awhile now. Today was the day! I followed a tutorial here: Funky Diagonal Stepper Card (Live Replay), and Laura put the measurements in the video description. I decided against having as many layers as Laura did, but if you like matt layers under the pattern paper, she includes the measurements for those, too.

I chose some yellow cardstock for the card base, and diagonal strip, and the sentiment strip. Then I die cut Altenew's Bright Bloom layering die set to create several sunflowers. I used watercolor paper I had painted with a light yellow for the flower petal layers and then ink blended colors from Altenew's Golden Sunset ink collection over the light-colored die cuts. For the flower centers, I die cut the pieces out of a light brown cardstock I recycled from a thank you note I recently received, and then I ink blended Almond Butter over the centers and Milk Chocolate over the little rings that encircle the centers (from Altenew's Delectable Delights ink collection). I assembled the flowers and set them aside.

After following Laura's instructions to create the card base, I then chose some pattern paper I felt worked well with the browns in the flower centers. I trimmed it according to Laura's measurements and then stamped the "sending you sunshine and love" sentiment from Altenew's Build-A-Flower: Canterbury Bells set. I trimmed the same pattern paper but with the other side up for the diagonal strip (plain tan cardstock on that side). Then I arranged 3 of my flowers on the strip and added them using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape for dimension. Then I added the sentiment strip. To finish the front of the card, I added some bling from my stash. 

For the back of the card, I used more of the tan side of the double-sided cardstock and trimmed it to cover the back panel of the card. I stamped "thankful for you" on white cardstock using Altenew's Build-A-Garden: Morning Glory set and then ink blended a bit of Sunray ink (the lightest color from Altenew's Golden Sunset ink collection). I added the sentiment to the tan panel and then adhered another one of the sunflowers using more Instant Dimension Foam Tape. Then I forgot to take a photo of the back of the card until I had already written a note for my daughter, so I apologize for my terrible handwriting! 😂

This card was surprisingly easy to create, and those are the best fun folds!

If you're interested in doing some crafty shopping at Altenew, I'd be so grateful if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link.  I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Altenew carries many wonderful embossing folders, stencils, project kits, inks, and die sets and has weekly sales. 

Back of the card:

Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Creases #118 - August 7th through September 3rd: ATG with a fun fold (I'm on the DT and entering just for inspiration) 

Double Trouble Paper Crafting: Thing 1: 3 of something from my stash (ink colors) 2 of something from my stash (cardstocks: yellow and double-sided pattern paper) 1 of something from my stash (1 layering die set) Thing 3: I used foam tape and also layering of my die cuts for this card (2/4; ends 8/30/26)

The Neglected Stuff Challenge: I haven't used the Build-A-Flower: Canterbury Bells set in years! It's retired now, but I thought the sentiment in it was perfect for these sunflowers! (ends at the end of the month) 

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (ends 9/12/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Embossing or ATG (I chose ATG for this card) (3/5; ends 8/28/26)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (3/4; ends 9/23/26)

Crafty Gals Corner: ATG or Summer Vibes (3/3; ends 9/7/26)

Creative Crafting Uncles: ATG (3/3; ends 9/12/26)

fourseasons: Summer (ends 8/25/26)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (1/6; ends 9/12/26)

Heart's Quest for Shaped Cards and Tags: ATG with fun fold/shaped cards or tags (2/5; ends at the end of the month)

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Alcohol inks and/or SUMMER + a sentiment (1/5; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 9/2/26)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Garden Party: Anything in or from a garden (1/5; ends 9/7/26)

Hand Stamped Sentiments stamping challenge blog and paper craft challenge blog: (ends 8/31/26)

Inspiration Station: ends at the end of the month

 I'd like to leave a blessing for all the lovely visitors to my blog: 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:22-26

Life is a Beautiful Ride Card

I'm so thrilled to be a Guest Designer for Altenew's August 2026 release! The Let's Scoot Layering Die Set was so fun to play with and easy to assemble with Altenew's keyhole layering die system. 

I started by stenciling the background using Altenew's Stencil Art: Serene Landscapes Layering Stencil Set. I used the following Altenew inks: Whispering Woodland, Dessert Dreams, and Desert Night. Then I added the stars using Altenew's Antique Silver Shimmer Relief Paste. I decided I wanted more texture on the background, so I broke out my Ohuhu alcohol ink markers and did some pointillism in various shades to match the background colors. 

For the scooter, I die cut a few pieces using metallic cardstock and die cut the rest using white cardstock. I ink blended inks from Altenew's Red Sunset ink collection and their Jet Black dye ink onto the pieces and assembled the scooter using the keyholes in the die cuts for guides. 

I adhered the scooter to the path on the background using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape for dimension. 

To finish the card, I stamped "Life is a beautiful ride" using Altenew's Build-A-Garden: Tranquil Trails set and Altenew's Obsidian Pigment Ink on a scrap of white cardstock. I ink blended some Desert Night ink onto a scrap of white cardstock and trimmed it to fit around the sentiment. I added the sentiment to the card with more of Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. 

If you're interested in doing some crafty shopping at Altenew, I'd be so grateful if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link.  I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Altenew carries many wonderful embossing folders, stencils, project kits, inks, and die sets and has weekly sales. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

Double Trouble Paper Crafting: Thing 1: 3 of something from my stash (ink colors) 2 of something from my stash (cardstocks: metallic and white) 1 of something from my stash (1 color of Shimmer Relief Paste) Thing 3: I used foam tape and also layering of my die cuts for this card 

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (1/3; ends 8/24/26)

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (ends 9/12/26)

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite Coloring Medium and Why: I love ink blending! I can add more color to certain parts of a stenciled area or a die cut for color variation, and I can use my large collection of inks to match just about any color I could desire. My sticky mats from Altenew make it easy to ink blend, too. (3/3; ends 8/26/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Embossing or ATG (I chose ATG for this card) (2/5; ends 8/28/26)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (2/4; ends 9/23/26)

Crafty Gals Corner: ATG or Summer Vibes (2/3; ends 9/7/26)

Creative Crafting Uncles: ATG (2/3; ends 9/12/26)

fourseasons: Summer (ends 8/25/26)

No more challenges. 

 I'd like to leave a blessing for all the lovely visitors to my blog: 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6: 22-26

Ocean-Themed Faux Tunnel Card

I recently had the pleasure of attending Altenew Educator Ishani's workshop using a few of the products from Altenew's June release. We created what she termed a "faux tunnel card" using dies from Altenew's Ocean Windows Nesting Die Set to create the background. Then we die cut and ink blended elements from the following sets: Creative Cuts: Zero Waste Under the Blue, Craft-Your-Life: Coral Reef Wonders, and Mini Delight: Graceful Seahorse. I used Altenew's Golden Sunset inks to ink blend the seahorse, some of the starfish, the yellow coral, and the clown fish. I used Altenew's Whispering Woodland inks for the foliage elements. I used Lindy's Magicals to create the top layer of the card. 

After die cutting each layer with the different sizes of the Ocean Windows die set out of different shades of blue cardstocks, I decided where I wanted to place my little seahorse and Clown fish. Then I adhered the layers down, using a mix of liquid glue and Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape for the layers. I added seaweed, coral, and starfish around the seahorse and fish for interest. I finished up the card by adding a few clear enamel dots from Altenew's Colorful World Enamel Dot set. 

I think I will add the sentiment to the inside of the card when I decide who I will give the card to.

If you're interested in doing some crafty shopping at Altenew, I'd be so grateful if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link.  I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Altenew carries many wonderful embossing folders, stencils, project kits, inks, and die sets and has weekly sales. 

Close ups:

Challenges I'm entering:

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (5/5 for the week; 10/10 for the challenge; ends 8/19/26)

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (ends 9/12/26)

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite Coloring Medium and Why: I love ink blending! I can add more color to certain parts of a stenciled area or a die cut for color variation, and I can use my large collection of inks to match just about any color I could desire. My sticky mats from Altenew make it easy to ink blend, too. (2/3; ends 8/26/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Embossing or ATG (I chose ATG for this card) (1/5; ends 8/28/26)

Dragonfly Dreams: Beach or Seaside (1/3; ends 9/5/26)

We Love to Create mixed media Challenge Blog...sponsored by Polkadoodles: ATG (1/4; ends 9/23/26)

"Just Us Girls" Challenge: Water (1/3; ends 8/19/26)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Summertime Blues (2/5; end 8/17/26)

Crafty Gals Corner: ATG or Summer Vibes (1/3; ends 9/7/26)

Cardz 4 Guyz: Summer (ends 8/16/26)

Make My Monday Challenge Blog: Boardwalk/Coastal Path (1/3; ends 8/23/26)

Crafty Animals: ATG with animals (ends at the end of the month)

Creative Crafting Uncles: ATG (1/3; ends 9/12/26)

Creative Moments: Make it Cute (1/3; ends 9/12/26)

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

Daisy Chain Challenges: Animals (ends at the end of the month)

fourseasons: Summer (ends 8/25/26)

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie...: At the Beach (1/5; ends at the end of the month) 

I'd like to leave a blessing for all the lovely visitors to my blog: 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

--Numbers 6: 22-26

 

 

Feathered Beauty Interactive Card

I recently attended a workshop led by Altenew Educator Liz Ortiz, and I modified her card design from the class to create this interactive card with a surprise inside.

For the front of the card, I trimmed a panel of white cardstock to 3 3/4 by 5 and embossed it with the foliage die from Altenew's Creative Cuts: Feathered Beauty layering die set. I used the sandwich recommended for my Spellbinders Platinum die cutting machine to emboss with a die and ran the die through first placed at the top right and then moved to the bottom left. I adhered the panel to a white A2 size card panel and splattered the panel with Altenew's Rose Gold Shimmer Relief Paste that I spritzed with a little water and splattered with a paintbrush. 

Next, I die cut the same foliage die and the flower dies in the Feathered Beauty set out of white cardstock. I ink blended the flower petals using Altenew's Rose Gold metallic pigment ink. Then I assembled the flowers and added the white centers to them. I set them aside and added the white foliage die cuts to the panel on the top left and bottom right of the card panel. Then I die cut the word "you" using Altenew's Mega You Die out of watercolor cardstock I had covered with Altenew's Rose Gold Shimmer Relief Paste and allowed to dry for several hours. It took several passes through the die cutter with my metal shim to get the word to die cut completely out of that thick paper, but eventually it cut through. I adhered the word "you" to the card front and then stamped "I'm here for" using Altenew's Build-A-Garden: Peruvian Lily set. I adhered the stamped sentiment to the card using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. The paper I stamped the sentiment on had a bit of the leftover Rose Gold Shimmer Relief Paste I had thinned with water for the splatters,so it has some shine to it in real life that you can't really see in the photos. 

For the inside of the card, I stenciled Altenew's Cloud stencil over the background and then created a mechanism Liz showed us how to make in the class that is what makes the birds wings flap. For the bird itself, I die cut the pieces from the Feathered Beauty set with a few extra of some of the pieces to help fill out the part of the bird that sits on top of the mechanism. I ink blended the pieces using inks from a retired set of inks from Altenew called Icy Lake. Then I added the wings to the mechanism on both sides so they flap when the card opens and shuts. I've included a video to show how the bird's wings move when the card opens and shuts, so be sure to check that out.

To finish the card, I stamped Psalm 91:4 onto some white cardstock and ink blended the cloud stencil over it with the same blue ink I had used for the background. I adhered it to the bottom right side of the card where it won't interfere with the mechanism for the bird.  I think the stamp came from an old Gina Marie Designs stamp set. 

If you're interested in doing some crafty shopping at Altenew, I'd be so grateful if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link.  I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Altenew carries many wonderful craft products and has a great weekly sales section if you are looking for bargain prices to grow your Altenew collection. 

Inside the card:

A video showing how the wings flap:

Challenges I'm entering:

Creative Creases #118 - August 7th through September 3rd: ATG with a fun fold (I'm on the DT, so I'm entering just for fun)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (4/5 for the week; 9/10 for the challenge; ends 8/19/26)

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

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite Coloring Medium and Why: I love ink blending! I can add more color to certain parts of a stenciled area or a die cut for color variation, and I can use my large collection of inks to match just about any color I could desire. My sticky mats from Altenew make it easy to ink blend, too. (1/3; ends 8/26/26)

Creative Knockouts: Fun Fold Cards (1/3; ends 8/19/26) C10

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

Double D Challenges: Feathers (delete if it's not allowed to have the feathers be inside the card rather than on the front) (1/3; ends 8/16/26) Top 3 Pick 8/18/26

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

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: White on white with a splash of one color (please delete if metallics don't count) (1/5; ends at the end of the month)

I'd like to leave a blessing for all the lovely visitors to my blog: 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

--Numbers 6: 22-26

 

Mini Delight: Sweet Popsicles Thanks For Being So Sweet Card

I'm so excited to be a Guest Designer for Altenew's August 2026 release! I've been having so much fun playing with the new crafty goodies they sent me, including this fun Mini Delight: Sweet Popsicles set! 

For this card, I ink smooshed a background using watercolors from Altenew's Watercolor 36-Pan Set. Then I used the stamps from the Sweet Popsicles set to stamp more texture onto the background using Fuchsia and Orange Cream Fresh Dye Inks from Altenew. 

I die cut all the popsicles and used Altenew's Four Scoops Artist Marker set to color the popsicle sticks and the pink and yellow popsicles. The orange popsicle was die cut from paper I had watercolored with the same 36-pan watercolor set I used for the background. I die cut the sprinkles, toffee bits, chocolate topping and white chocolate drizzle and added them to the popsicles along with some stamping of toffee bits on the yellow popsicle. I love how many options this little set includes! 

I decided how I wanted to arrange the popsicles and then stamped the "thanks for being so sweet" sentiment (also from the Sweet Popsicles set) onto the watercolored panel. Then I popped up the popsicles using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. To complete the background, I die cut some candy bits from the dies in the Sweet Popsicles set out of Brown Diamond Glitter Cardstock from Altenew's Brilliant Red Glitter Cardstock Set and added them around the popsicles. 

I took a 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inch panel of brown cardstock and mounted it to a white A2 card base and then adhered the watercolored panel on top. 

If you're interested in doing some crafty shopping at Altenew, I'd be so grateful if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link.  I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Altenew carries many wonderful craft products and has a great weekly sales section if you are looking for bargain prices to grow your Altenew collection. 

Challenges I'm entering:

Allsorts challenge blog: Colors of Summer or ATG (5/5; ends 8/14/26)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 8/10 for the challenge; ends 8/19/26)

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (ends 8/12/26)

Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog: Summer Holidays (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

I'd like to leave a blessing for all the lovely visitors to my blog: 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

--Numbers 6: 22-26

Coneflower Love You Card

I've been creating more 6 by 6 cards recently, and I really enjoy the extra space to design with compared to A2 cards. I generally need non-machinable stamps on my cards anyway due to the foam tape I like to add to everything, so sending a square card doesn't add any extra cost to what I'm used to paying anyway. 

For this 6 by 6 card, I trimmed a piece of 12 by 12-inch white Spellbinders cardstock to 6 by 12 and scored it in half to create a top-folding 6 by 6-inch card. Then I trimmed a piece of silver metallic cardstock to 5 7/8 by 5 7/8 inches and die cut some of the silver pieces for the card out of the center of the panel so it wasn't wasted. Then I trimmed a piece of shimmery blue metallic paper to 5 3/4 by 5 3/4 and embossed it with the embossing folder from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Magnificent Magnolias project kit. I used a craft knife to cut a slit in the top of the 3 vases so I could add my silver flower stems through them. 

I die cut the petals from the August 2026 Craft-A-Flower: Coneflower set out of watercolor paper I had painted with Lindy's Magicals. I layered them up and then added the silver die cut flower centers using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. Then I decided where I wanted to put the flowers and leaves and adhered everything using a mixture of Instant Dimension Foam Tape and liquid glue. The Coneflower set will be available for purchase on Altenew's website starting August 6th. 

I struggled with where to add the die cut "love you" sentiment from Altenew's August 2026 Craft-Your-Life: Painterly Perfection kit before deciding on the vase on the far left. That kit will also be available on August 6th.

To finish off the card, I added silver splatters using Altenew's Antique Silver Shimmer Relief Paste mixed with a little water. 

If you're interested in doing some crafty shopping at Altenew, I'd be so grateful if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link.  I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Altenew carries many wonderful craft products and has a great weekly sales section if you are looking for bargain prices to grow your Altenew collection. 

Challenges I'm entering: 
Allsorts challenge blog: Colors of Summer or ATG (4/5; ends 8/14/26)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: summertime blues (1/5; ends 8/19/26)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 7/10 for the challenge; ends 8/19/26)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (2/3; ends 8/17/26) C10

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

A Place To Start: ATG with option of no rectangles (8/8; ends at the end of the month)

613 Avenue Create: ATG (8/8; ends at the end of the month)

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

Creative Moments: Shimmer and Shine (1/3; ends 8/13/26)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (ends 8/12/26)

No more challenges. 

 I'd like to leave a blessing for all the lovely visitors to my blog: 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

--Numbers 6: 22-26