Friday, June 13, 2025

Floral Radiance Encouragement Card

I recently purchased Altenew's Floral Radiance stencil set and thought I would combine it with the color palette for this month's challenge over on the Altenew blog. I love how it turned out! 

I started by ink blending the following Altenew inks through the stencil set: Sunkissed, Orange Cream, Autumn Blaze, Firebrick, Fresh Leaf, Reindeer Moss. Then I trimmed the panel to fit an A2 card base I trimmed and scored using a light tan cardstock.

For the flower, I die cut Altenew's Craft-A-Flower: Cistus out of colored cardstock and added a bit of ink blending to the petals and leaves with the inks I had used for the background.

For the sentiment, I used a press plate from Altenew's Beautiful Butterfly Press Plates set and ink blended a bit of Sunkissed ink over it after die cutting the sentiment with the coordinating die. 

I used foam tape and Art Glitter glue to adhere my flower, leaves, and sentiment to the front of the card. To finish the card, I added 3 enamel dots from Altenew's Whispering Woodland Enamel Dot 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 







Challenges I'm entering: 


 fourseasons: ATG summer (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with stencils; optional theme of summertime fun (1/3; ends 6/30/35)

Allsorts challenge blog: What makes you happy or ATG (Flowers definitely make me happy! And so does ink blending and die cutting!😁) (2/5; ends 6/20/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Fur, feathers, flowers (2/5; ends 6/18/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 5/10 for the challenge; ends 6/18/25)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of recycle it (5/8; ends at the end of the month)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with option of for the guys (5/8; ends at the end of the month)

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

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

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: ATG (4/6; ends at the end of July)

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

Craft Rocket Challenges: No design paper (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Crafty Catz: ATG with option: Use hot colors (1/5; ends 6/27/25)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (1/3; ends 6/27/25)



Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Inspiring creativity 8-ways each week: diagonal from bottom left: ink blending, free, die cuts (1/3; ends 6/19/25)


As You Like It Challenge: To add a sentiment or not and why: I love to add sentiments to my cards because they add another level of personalization and often have an encouraging/uplifting message (1/3; ends 6/26/25)

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Diamond Pop-Out Z-Fold Card

I recently made a set of cards for my Altenew Educator Certification Program Level 1 final project, and this masculine congratulations card was one of the 10 cards I created. I'm slowly working on blogging all ten cards individually, and this one was next up on my list to blog.

This card design was inspired by Tami White. Here's a link to her video if you'd like to watch the instructions: Pop Out Z Fold Card Tutorial | 10+ Fun Card Ideas! 🎉

I started by creating the panels I would use for the background by ink smooshing Distress Chipped Sapphire and Stormy Sky inks onto watercolor paper and then spraying the paper with Cobalt Blue Chroma Mist and Prize Ribbon Distress Spray Stain. When that was dry, I stamped the panel with Altenew's Pinstripe stamp using Altenew's Ruby Red ink. 

To create the card, I trimmed all the pieces to the sizes mentioned in Tami's video. I then embossed the small white squares and the large ink-smooshed panels using Altenew's Cloudy Day 3D embossing folder. Then I adhered all the layers to the card base. I used silver cardstock behind the ink smooshed layers for a bit of shine. 

I stamped and die cut the hummingbird from Altenew's Mini Hummingbird stamp set and die cut it. Then I water colored it by smooshing inks onto a sheet of acetate and then using a paintbrush to watercolor the hummingbird to match my color palette. 

While that dried, I stamped and die cut the "congrats" sentiment three times using red cardstock and then used the die to die cut fun foam an additional three times. I adhered the layers together and then added the sentiments to the diamonds on the card. 

I added the hummingbird using foam tape and then stamped and trimmed the "So happy for you sentiment" and adhered it to the bottom right corner of the card. I finished the card by adding 3 blue enamel dots from the Colorful World Enamel Dots set. 

To create the coordinating envelope, I stenciled the Cloud Scene stencil onto the envelope flap using Stormy Skies Distress ink. 

Altenew products used:
Mini Hummingbird Stamp Set and coordinating die, Craft-Your-Life: Splendid Bouquet for the "congrats" sentiment, Pinstripes Stamp Set, Build-A-Flower: Canterbury Bells for the "so happy for you" sentiment, Instant Dimension Foam Tape, Ruby Red and Canyon Clay inks

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 #104: ATG with a fun fold project. I'm on the DT, so this is just for inspiration

Allsorts challenge blog: What makes you happy or ATG (Hummingbirds definitely make me happy! And so does playing with ink smooshing and using sprays!😁) (1/5; ends 6/20/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Fur, feathers, flowers  (1/5; ends 6/18/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 4/10 for the challenge; ends 6/18/25)

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

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


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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (unlimited entries; ends 6/12/25)

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

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (4/4; ends 7/2/25

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: ATG (3/6; ends at the end of July)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of embossing  (3/6; ends at the end of the month)

Craft Rocket Challenges: No design paper (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

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

Creative Crafting Uncles: More than One Fold (2/3; ends 6/14/25)

Crafty Gals Corner: Fill in the blank: Dad's ___ retirement___ (1/3; ends at the end of the month)




 

Friday, June 6, 2025

You're Strong Father's Day Card for Creative Creases #104

Challenge #104 starts on the Creative Creases Challenge blog today, and I made a fun fold Father's Day card this time. I hope you'll join the fun over at CCC this month! It's always anything goes with a fun fold project. You can link up your fun fold creations here: https://wp.me/p4bS0N-cmQ

My card is a CASE of the card I helped my oldest daughter make a couple months ago. She and I had such fun working together in my craft room! She had never used layering stencils before and just loved ink blending with them! I've included pictures of her card at the end of this post if you'd like to see her version. It's lovely, and she gave it to me for Mother's Day with a sweet note. 

This card is 5 1/2 by 11 inches. It's scored at 2 3/4, 5, 6, and 8 1/4. I used orange cardstock for my base because I'm following the color palette for Altenew's June Inspiration Challenge. 

For the layers I added to the card base, I used dark brown cardstock trimmed in the following measurements: (3) 2 1/2 by 5 1/4 inches (including one panel for the back of the card), (2) 2 by 5 1/4 inches, and (1) 3/4. 

The top layer is on sand-colored cardstock in the following measurements: (2) 2 1/4 by 5 inches, 
(2) 1 3/4 by 5 inches, and (1) 2 by 4 3/4 inches (for the back of the card). I used Altenew's Festive Greenery Stencil for 2 of the 2 1/4 by 5 1/4-inch panels and Altenew's Festive Greenery 3D embossing folder for the (2) 1 3/4 by 5-inch panels. 

For the focal point, I used Altenew's Strong Oak stencil and coordinating die set. The die set includes the "you are strong" sentiment and shadow dies that I die cut out several times to stack up for dimension. I also die cut a couple birds using Altenew's Bird Bath layering die set and added the largest of the 2 bird I die cut to the front of the card. I did reverse die cutting for that bird since I wanted him to face the opposite direction (I die cut the pieces and then flipped them over). 

For the back of the card, I stamped "Happy Dad's Day" using an old stamp from my stash (sorry, I don't know who made it or if it's still available) and then added the second bird I had die cut and a few enamel dots from Altenew's Whispering Woodland Enamel Dot set. 

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 card my daughter made:





Challenges I'm entering: 

https://blog.altenew.com/category/inspiration-challenge/: (ends at the end of the month)



simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Masculine (1/5; ends 6/11/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: Masculine (1/5; ends 6/9/25)

https://heartsquestshapedcardsandtags.blogspot.com/2025/06/hqfscat-6-anything-goes-theme-on-shaped.html?m=1: ATG with shaped cards or tags (1/3: ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 3/10 for the challenge; ends 6/18/25)

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

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

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



The Creative Crafters: ATG (3/3; ends 6/8/25)

The Crafting Challenge: ATG (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Sparkles Monthly Challenges: ATG (3/3; ends 6/14/25)

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

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (unlimited entries; ends 6/12/25)

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


Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (3/4; ends 7/2/25)


Crafty Catz: ATG (5/5; ends at the end of the month)

Cut It Up: ATG (3/3; ends 6/9/25)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: ATG (2/6; ends at the end of July)

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: Use your die cuts (2/2 ; ends 6/17/25)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of embossing  (2/6; ends at the end of the month)

Craft Rocket Challenges: No design paper (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Creative Inspiration Challenges: ATG (2/2; ends at the end of the month)

Triple B: ATG with birds, blooms, and/or butterflies (I have a bird on the front and on the back of the card) (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

Creative Crafting Uncles: More than One Fold (1/3; ends 6/14/25)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG (unlimited entries; ends 6/12/25)
 

Crafty Gals Corner: Fill in the blank: Fancy ___Fold___ (3/3; ends 6/10/25)

Thursday, June 5, 2025

You Are The Sweetest Card

I created this card for a crafty friend in the Netherlands who is always leaving sweet comments on people's projects in the Altenew Fan Group on Facebook and who has been an encouragement to me in my cardmaking, too. Thanks so much for the kindness you spread in the crafting community, Angelique! 

I started my card by embossing a panel of watercolor paper I had painted with Altenew's Coral Red gouache and embossed the panel using Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Garden Rose 3D embossing folder. Then I trimmed a panel of white cardstock a quarter inch larger than my embossed panel and ink blended Altenew's Lagoon ink onto the edges of it. I adhered the embossed panel to the ink blended one and then set about die cutting the pieces for the bouquet. I used Altenew's Parchment Bouquet set for all the die cuts and ink blended the foliage and magnolias using Altenew's Lagoon and Coral Bliss inks. I popped up the bouquet using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape.

For the sentiment, I stamped "you are the sweetest" from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Garden Whispers project kit and heat embossed it using Altenew's Rose Gold embossing powder. I die cut it using the coordinating dies in the set and then ink blended a bit of Lagoon ink over it. I used the same sentiment die to die cut several more layers using some thin cardboard packaging and then stacked all the layers and glued them together using Art Glitter liquid glue. I added the sentiment to the panel and then placed 3 white enamel dots from Altenew's Colorful Wonder enamel dots set to finish off 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 




Close up:


Challenges I'm entering: 

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

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 2/10 for the challenge; ends 6/18/25)

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

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

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



fourseasons: ATG summer (ends at the end of the month)

The Creative Crafters: ATG (2/3; ends 6/8/25)

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

Sparkles Monthly Challenges: ATG (2/3; ends 6/14/25)

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

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (unlimited entries; ends 6/12/25)

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

Christmas BINGO Challenges: Letter I:  green, stamped text, ink blending (through a stencil) (2/8; ends 6/15/25)


Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (2/4; ends 7/2/25)


Crafty Catz: ATG (4/5; ends at the end of the month)

Cut It Up: ATG (2/3; ends 6/9/25)

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite type of embossing and why: I love the way a 3D embossing folder adds so much texture and dimension! I also love the shine from heat embossing, so I used both on my card!  (2/3; ends 6/11/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: Floral Frenzy (2/3; ends 6/11/25)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday: ATG (1/6; ends at the end of July)

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: Use your die cuts (1/2 ; ends 6/17/25)

The Sisterhood of Crafters: Flowers (3/3; ends 6/8/25)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of embossing (I embossed the background panel with a 3D embossing folder and heat embossing the sentiment) (1/6; ends at the end of the month)

Art Impressions Blog: Blossoms and Blooms (1/2; ends 6/19/25)

Craft Rocket Challenges: No design paper (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Creative Inspiration Challenges: ATG (1/2; ends at the end of the month)

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





Monday, June 2, 2025

Blooming Delight Shaped Guest Designer Card for HQFSCAT

I was recently a winner on the Hearts Quest For Shaped Cards and Tags blog, and Becca Sadler kindly invited me to be a Guest Designer on the blog for the June challenge. I love to make shaped cards, so this challenge is perfect for me! If you also enjoy making shaped cards and tags, please join the fun here: Heart's Quest for Shaped Cards and Tags

For my card, I made a shaped card base using Altenew's Build-A-Garden: Blooming Delight set. I scored and folded a piece of white cardstock to die cut for the card base and then die cut another piece of white cardstock to fit on top of the card base. 

I stamped the Blooming Delight floral onto the white cardstock using embossing ink and then used Altenew's Crystal Clear Embossing Powder to heat emboss the image. I then used the coordinating stencil to ink blend the image using Altenew's Bubblegum Dreams and Whispering Woodlands Fresh Dye Inks and Citrus Burst, Fresh Lemon, Sunkissed, and Orange Cream Crisp Dye Inks. I added trios of Altenew's Zesty Lemon-Lime, Bubblegum Dreams, and Whispering Woodlands Enamel Dots to finish the front of the card. 

For the inside of the card, I stamped "Sending you God's blessings" from Altenew's Blessings stamp set onto a small rectangle of pink cardstock using pink ink and popped it up on Altenew's Instant Dimension 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 






Inside of the card:


Close up of the sentiment:


The card can be landscape orientation, too. I would just have to change the orientation of the sentiment inside the card:


One final look:


AECP Homework for Impressive Heat Embossing: Lesson 3: heat embossing an image using clear embossing powder and then ink blending over for a resist effect


Challenges I'm entering: 

A Cut Above: ATG with a die cut (I used the coordinating die for this floral stamp) (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

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

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


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

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


fourseasons: ATG summer (ends at the end of the month)

The Creative Crafters: ATG (1/3; ends 6/8/25)

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

Sparkles Monthly Challenges: ATG (1/3; ends 6/14/25)

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

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (unlimited entries; ends 6/12/25)

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

Christmas BINGO Challenges: Letter I: 1 layer card, green, stamped image, ink blending (through a stencil) (1/8; ends 6/15/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: ATG (5/5; ends 6/4/25) Happy birthday, Allsorts!

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (1/4; ends 7/2/25)

Crafty Catz: ATG (3/5; ends at the end of the month)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (3/3; ends 6/14/25)

Cut It Up: ATG (1/3; ends 6/9/25)

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite type of embossing and why: I love how heat embossing looks with ink blending! It adds a lovely shine, and I love how it resists the ink when ink blending over it. (1/3; ends 6/11/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: Floral Frenzy (1/3; ends 6/11/25)

Krafty Chicks Challenge: ATG (1/3; ends 6/4/25)

little red wagon: Friendship (ends 6/3/25) Featured 6/4/25








 

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Lunar New Year Shaker Card

I decided to make one final last-minute card to participate in the Lunar New Year Challenge, and I found the cutest little Lunar New Year Snake in the Silhouette Design Store! I downloaded him and did a print and cut of him for this card. 

For the inside of the shaker, I stenciled Altenew's Rose Gold Shimmer Relief paste through Altenew's Warp Speed stencil and let that dry. Then I created a shaker pouch using a page protector sheet that I fit around the panel and then taped down on the back. I added beads in blue, red, and gold and then sealed the last side of the shaker pouch and adhered the pouch to a white A2 card base. I added my little snake to the front to finish 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 





Here's a look at the stencil after I added the paste through it:


And the fun reveal when I removed the stecil!




Challenges I'm entering: 

Lunar New Year Challenge: unlimited entries; ends 5/31/25

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (4/5 for the week; 9/10 for the challenge; ends 6/4/25)

Crafty Catz: ATG with option of Make Us Smile (I hope my little party snake gives you a smile😄) (2/3; ends at the end of June)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (2/3; end 6/13/25)

Friday, May 30, 2025

Celebrate Fireworks Card

I recently discovered a new card challenge called Lunar New Year, and I thought it would be fun to play along with the challenge. I'm coming in at the last minute but hope to be more prompt next month now that I know about the challenge 😃

For my card, I chose a cute snake image over at the Silhouette Design Store, and I downloaded him and did a print and cut using my Silhouette Cameo 4. Then I colored him up using my alcohol markers before creating a red and gold background for him.

For the red background panel, I heat embossed the fireworks using Altenew's Fireworks stamp set and 2 colors of Altenew embossing powder: Rose Gold and Platinum. Then I adhered the red panel with the fireworks on it to a panel of gold cardstock. I added that to a white card base and popped up my little party snake using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. I just love his sunglasses and party hat! 










Challenges I'm entering:

Lunar New Year Challenge: unlimited entries; ends 5/31/25

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Emboss it (3/5; ends 6/2/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 8/10 for the challenge; ends 6/4/25)

Crafty Catz: ATG with option of Make Us Smile (I hope my little party snake gives you a smile😄) (1/3; ends at the end of June)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (1/3; end 6/13/25)


 


Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Billowing Peonies Tri-Fold Sympathy Card

A crafting buddy recently lost her cat who had been battling cancer, and I wanted to make a sympathy card for her. I pulled out an old favorite: Altenew's Billowing Peonies stamp, stencil and die set. This 8 1/2 by 11-inch stamp set has two floral stamps, and I chose the largest of the two to create my tri-fold card. 

For the card base, I followed the instructions in Lynn Dunn's video here: Z Fold Card with a Surprise Inside | Two Ways. I made the landscape version of her card. After cutting and scoring the white cardstock base, I trimmed pieces of watercolor cardstock I had watercolored using Altenew's Moss Watercolor Brush Marker to cover the three panels of the card. Then I trimmed the Billowing Peonies to fit the panels. Finally, I stamped the "Heartfelt sympathy" sentiment on the middle panel from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Bewitching Roses set. 

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 #103: ATG with a fun fold project (I'm on the DT and am entering just to share a fun fold idea)

little red wagon: For a friend (1/3; ends 6/3/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 6/10 for the challenge; ends 6/4/25)

The Sisterhood of Crafters: Flowers (1/3; ends 6/8/25)


The Paper Shelter: ATG or Enjoy the Outdoors (1/2; ends 6/4/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: ATG Happy, happy, happy 16th birthday to you! (3/5; ends 6/6/25)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of masculine (unlimited entries; ends 6/12/25)

Colorful Options: I chose the green, yellow, and pink from the palette (ends at the end of the month)


The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with Optional Twist of Celebrate Something New (6/6; ends at the end of the month) 

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