Whispers in the Canopy Birthday Card

July is a big month for birthdays in my extended family, so I have been working on birthday cards the last few days. This one features Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Whispers in the Canopy project kit. I used the stencils in the kit to create the background for this card. The inks I used were Altenew's Bubblegum Dreams and Whispering Woodland ink collections. I used Altenew's Antique Gold Shimmer Relief Paste for the flower centers. 

After creating the stenciled panel, I die cut the little bird out of white cardstock and then ink blended him using shades of blue and black for his eyes, beak, and feet. Then I die cut the "happy birthday" words and shadows out of the Citrine glitter cardstock from Altenew's Gilded Glitter Cardstock set and the same pink cardstock I used for the card base. 

I ink blended the edges of a white panel to match my blue bird and adhered the stenciled panel to it. Then I adhered the panel to the pink card base and added the sentiment and the little bird. I used several die cut layers stacked together to give the sentiment some dimension and then added Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape to my bird to pop him up and make him look like he's resting on the end of the word "happy." 

To finish the card, I added 6 flat back gold embellishments. 

Challenges I'm entering:

June 2026 Inspiration Challenge | Altenew: 

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite Color Combo and Why: I love pink, green, and teal together because I think they are so cheerful and fun! (3/3; ends 7/2/26)

Cut It Up: Critters (3/3; ends 7/6/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Bees, blooms, or birds or ATG (4/5; ends 7/3/26)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 3/10 for the challenge; ends 7/8/26)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of summer fun (unlimited; ends 7/12/26)

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

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (3/5; ends 7/1/26)

Crafty Catz: ATG (3/5; ends 7/3/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Bees, blooms, or birds or ATG (3/5; ends 7/3/26)

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: Something starting with "B": I have a bird and blooms (ends 7/7/26)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers as the focus (1/8; ends 7/12/26)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with the option of blooms (ends 7/12/26)

Crafting from the Art challenge: ATG (1/3; ends 7/8/26)

Heart's Quest for Shaped Cards and Tags: I followed the birthday theme (ends 7/21/26)

Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Inspiring creativity 8-ways each week: First Row Down: Floral, Pink, Birthday

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

Sending an Ocean Of Thanks Card

I'm having so much fun with Altenew's ocean-themed products in their June release! This card features the Mini Delight: Graceful Seahorse set, and I just love the stamps and dies in this darling set! 

I started by creating a blue background using watercolor paper and blue watercolors from Altenew's 24-Pan Watercolor set. I trimmed the panel to fit inside an A2 shaker pocket I created using vellum and a die from Miss Ink Stamps Postage, Seal, and Shaker Collection. I added adhesive to 3 sides of the pocket and adhered the pocket to the blue watercolor panel. Then I added gold glitter and gold and iridescent sequins to the pocket and closed the final flap to seal the shaker pocket. 

For the front of the shaker pocket, I die cut the seahorse and seaweed using the Mini Delight: Graceful Seahorse set and papers I had used Lindy's Magicals on. I assembled the seahorse and added the die cuts using liquid glue for the seaweed and Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape for the seahorse. 

To finish the card, I stamped "sending an ocean of thanks" from the same Graceful Seahorse set onto a scrap of watercolor paper I had used Lindy's Magicals on and adhered that to the card front. 

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 great weekly sales. 

Close up:

 Challenges I'm entering: 

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: At the beach (3/5; ends 6/29/26)

The Sisterhood of Crafters: Fish/Sea Creatures (3/3; ends 7/5/26)

Ellibelle's Corner: I spy with my little eye: By the Sea (3/5; ends 7/12/26)

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite Color Combo and Why: I love pinks, oranges, and teals together because I think they are so cheerful and fun! (2/3; ends 7/2/26)

Cut It Up: Critters (2/3; ends 7/6/26)

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of summer fun (unlimited; ends 7/12/26)

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

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (2/5; ends 7/1/26)

little red wagon: Feather, Fur, and Fin (3/3; ends 7/1/26)

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

Sea You Soon Card

My ocean-themed card started with watercoloring a background and then embossing it with Altenew's Mighty Waves 3D embossing folder. I would have been smarter to stamp the sentiment before embossing the panel, but thankfully with my MISTI stamp positioner, I could stamp the sentiment a few times to get a clear impression of the "sea you soon!" sentiment even though I used watercolor paper and had embossed the panel. 

I die cut Altenew's Creative Cuts: Zero Waste: Beneath the Blue die using silver cardstock and then arranged the die cuts to create an ocean scene. This set creates so many wonderful pieces! It's a very intricate die, so I recommend using a metal shim with it. That really helped me get clean die cuts. I used some liquid glue and some of Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape when creating the underwater scene to create layers of dimension on the card. 

This card was meant for my daughter who is currently deployed on an aircraft carrier in the Middle East. I had planned to send it in her care package next week because that was going to be my last care package of this deployment and the "sea you soon" was a fitting sentiment. Then I found out this morning that her deployment has been extended for a third time, so I'll send a different card and keep this one for the last package. She recently passed her Air Warfare qualification, so I will make her a congratulations card and go back to making and freeze drying her favorite meals so I can support her in that small way.

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 like the ones I've used here. They offer weekly specials, too! 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: At the beach (2/5; ends 6/29/26)

Cut It Up: Critters (1/3; ends 7/6/26)

Alphabet Challenge Blog: E is for Embossing (1/1; ends 7/9/26)

The Sisterhood of Crafters: Fish/Sea Creatures (2/3; ends 7/5/26)

Ellibelle's Corner: I spy with my little eye: By the Sea (2/5; ends 7/12/26)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 7/8/26)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of summer fun (unlimited; ends 7/12/26)

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

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (1/5; ends 7/1/26)

little red wagon: Feather, Fur, and Fin (2/3; ends 7/1/26)

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: Something beginning with B (I have bubbles on my card) (1/3; ends 7/8/26)

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

When You Go Through Deep Waters Card

Some friends of mine are going through a rough time right now, and I wanted to make a card that reminds them of God's faithful presence through all our trials. I started by creating a top-folding white A2 card base. Then I embossed the 3D embossing folder from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Coral Reef Wonders project kit and swiped black ink over the top of the embossed areas. I trimmed the panel to 4 by 5 1/4. 

Next, I die cut the seahorse from Altenew's Mini Delight: Graceful Seahorse set out of black and gold cardstocks and assembled it. I added one of Altenew's Antique Gold Sequins for his little eye. 

I had purchased some small notecards with a few different verses on at Hobby Lobby awhile back, and I chose the verse from Isaiah 43:2: When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. What a wonderful promise that is so comforting! I trimmed the notecard so that I could have the first part of the verse at the top left and the rest of it in the bottom right of the panel. Then I added it to the embossed panel with Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. I added the panel to a black panel I had trimmed to 4 1/8 by 5 3/8 and adhered that to a panel of gold cardstock I trimmed to 4 1/4 by 5 1/2. I adhered it all to the white card base and then added more of the Antique Gold sequins. Then I used Altenew's Gold Metallic Marker to add more dots of gold to the panel to look like splatter. 

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 like the ones I've used here. They offer weekly specials, too! 

Challenges I'm entering:

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: At the beach (1/5; ends 6/29/26)

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

Ellibelle's Corner: I spy with my little eye: By the Sea (1/5; ends 7/12/26)

Crafty Catz: ATG (3/5; ends 7/3/26)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 8/10 for the challenge; ends 6/24/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Bees, blooms, or birds or ATG (2/5; ends 7/3/26)

Can You Handle The Pressure?: ATG with embossing folders with a twist of boys to men (3/3; ends 6/24/26)

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Monochrome + sentiment (4/5; ends at the end of the month)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (3/3; ends 6/29/26) C10

Cardz 4 Galz: Seaside/Coast (2/3; ends 6/24/26)
 

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

Thankful For You Dragonfly Card

This thank you card was for my church's vacancy pastor who went above and beyond in his faithful service to our congregation in the interim between when our former pastor retired and when our new pastor was ordained and installed last Sunday. I wanted to make him a special card to thank him, so I pulled out some supplies and began working on this card.

I started with creating a top-folding white A2 card. Then I embossed a panel of white cardstock using Altenew's 3D embossing folder from the Craft-Your-Life: Always Sunshine project kit. The kit includes a stencil to color the foliage, so I ink blended shades of green from Altenew's Whispering Woodland Fresh Dye Ink collection to color the leaves. I added details with an Ohuhu alcohol ink marker for the stems. 

Next, I die cut the dragonfly out of black, copper, and white cardstocks and ink blended the white cardstock using the same green inks I had used on the foliage. I assembled the dragonfly and added him to the panel using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. 

I trimmed a panel of white cardstock to 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 and colored the edges of the panel with the same Ohuhu green marker I had used to color the stems of the foliage on the background. I added the embossed panel to the panel with the colored edges and then added that to the card base. It was then that I noticed a cut on my finger had bled a bit onto the background near the top right. I used 3 enamel dots from Altenew's Whispering Woodland Enamel Dot set to cover the spots. Thank goodness for embellishments! 😂

For the inside of the card, I trimmed a panel to 3 3/4 by 5 and ink blended it with the Whispering Woodland ink I had used for the front of the card. Then I stamped Papertrey Ink's beautiful stamp with the Aaronic blessing on it. I love that blessing and have been including it on all my blog posts for some time. 

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 like the ones I've used here. They offer weekly specials, too! 

Inside of the card:

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Things with Wings (2/5; ends 6/24/26)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with option of craft/hobby (7/8; ends at the end of the month)

Crafty Catz: ATG (2/5; ends 7/3/26)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of anything but a card (8/8; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 7/10 for the challenge; ends 6/24/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Bees, blooms, or birds or ATG (1/5; ends 7/3/26)

Can You Handle The Pressure?: ATG with embossing folders with a twist of boys to men (my card is for a man) (2/3; ends 6/24/26)

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with stencils (I used stencils to color in the foliage) with the option of butterflies (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Monochrome + sentiment (3/5; ends at the end of the month)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (2/3; ends 6/29/26) C10

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

 

Sending Peace and Comfort Fluttering Fantasies Card

Two of my friends recently lost their fathers, so I have been making more sympathy cards. This one is to a crafty friend who loves butterflies, purple, and splatter. I did my best to incorporate all of those favorite elements.

I started by creating a white A2 card base. Then I trimmed black cardstock to 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 and adhered it to the front of the card base.

Next, I embossed a piece of watercolor paper I had painted with Altenew's Lavender Gouache from Artists' Gouache Set: Strolling Through New York. I used the embossing folder from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Always Sunshine project kit to emboss the panel. 

For the sentiment, I used Altenew's Beautiful Butterfly Press Plate set in my BetterPress to press the sentiment and then I used the coordinating dies to die cut the sentiment. I added it to the top left of the lavender panel.

For the butterflies, I die cut Altenew's Creative Cuts: Zero Waste: Fluttering Fantasies die out of vellum and then out of watercolor papers I had painted (one with Ultraviolet gouache from the same set as the Lavender gouache) and one I had used deep purple sprays on. I mixed and matched my butterfly die cuts and added the black bodies to them. Then I placed 3 of them on my card and splattered the card with Altenew's Carbon Black gouache. 

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 like the ones I've used here. They offer weekly specials, too! 

Challenges I'm entering: 

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Things with Wings (1/5; ends 6/24/26)

613 Avenue Create: ATG with option of craft/hobby (6/8; ends at the end of the month)

Crafty Catz: ATG (1/5; ends 7/3/26)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of anything but a card (7/8; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 6/10 for the challenge; ends 6/24/26)

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

Crafty Animals: ATG with animals (3/3; ends at the end of the month) 

Critter Crazy CHALLENGE BLOG: ATG with a critter (3/3; 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)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (1/3; ends 6/29/26) C10

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

 

Hugs & Fishes Card

I recently attended a subscribers' workshop led by Maryam Perez for Altenew's upcoming June subscriptions and created this card during the workshop. Several of the subscriptions have an ocean theme in June (the Craft-Your-Life project kit, the Creative Cuts die set, and the Mini Delight stamp and die set), and I have been having a lot of fun creating cards with the new products. If you aren't a subscriber but would like to purchase the products, they will be available to everyone in early June. 

To create this card, I started with a few shades of blue inks and did some masking on an A2 panel so that there was an inch of white space on each side of the card. In the center, I ink blended the blue inks with the darkest at the bottom. I added a bit of stamping in that deep blue section using a school of fish stamp in navy ink. Most of it is covered, but the stamping adds a bit of texture. I added some water droplets and then some of Altenew's Iridescent Shimmer Spray and a few drops of Altenew's Pure White Ink Spray. Then I removed the masking tape from the sides and let the panel dry completely.

Next I die cut the clownfish from the Craft-Your-Life: Coral Reef Wonders kit. There are dies to create 5 fish and an adorable sea turtle in the kit. I also die cut the Creative Cuts: Zero Waste: Beneath the Blue die using white cardstock so I could ink blend some coral and seaweed. I followed Maryam's design for the grouping of fish, coral, and seaweed after ink blending the die cuts. 

I stamped "hugs and fishes" from Altenew's Calming Koi set, but the words weren't aligned correctly, so to fix the problem, I ink blended another smaller panel that was the same width as my blue column on the card and went through all the same steps in terms of adding water and sprays to the small panel. I let it dry and then restamped the sentiment. I added foam tape behind it and adhered it to the panel. There was no way I was going to scrap this panel! 😂

To finish the card, I added a few clear enamel dots from Altenew's Colorful World enamel dots.

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 project kits, die sets, inks, sprays and embellishments like the ones I've used here. 

Challenges I'm entering: 

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

Crafty Catz: ATG (5/5; ends 6/18/26)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Add a sentiment (5/5; ends 6/17/26)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of anything but a card (6/8; ends at the end of the month)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with option of polkadots and/or stripes (my Clownfish have stripes) (6/6; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (5/5 for the week; 5/10 for the challenge; ends 6/24/26)

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

Crafty Animals: ATG with animals (2/3; ends at the end of the month) 

Critter Crazy CHALLENGE BLOG: ATG with a critter (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (1/3; ends 6/22/26) C10

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

 

Alcohol Ink Oceans of Love Card

Have you seen Altenew's June release yet? It's fabulous! Many of the products have an ocean theme, including the Craft-Your-Life: Coral Wreath Wonders and Creative Cuts: Zero Waste: Beneath the Blue I used for this easel card.

To create my card, I started by making an alcohol ink panel using several blue inks and adding some drops of isopropyl alcohol for "bubbles" on the background. When it was dry, I trimmed it to an A2 size and used Altenew's Dotted Waves Coverplate Die to add some fun texture to it. 

To decorate the front of the card, I die cut the Zero Waste: Beneath the Blue several times with different papers (some were papers I had used alcohol inks on). I also die cut 2 fish from the CYL: Coral Reef Wonders set. I arranged all the little pieces where I wanted them and adhered them to the panel.

For the card base, I created a top-folding A2 card and then scored the top panel horizontally along the middle to create the fold I needed to make this an easel card. Then I adhered the blue panel to the section below the score line. 

For the inside of the card, I stamped "sending oceans of love" from the CYL: Coral Reef Wonders kit and matted it on a piece of the blue alcohol ink panel I had trimmed for the front of the card. I added the sentiment as a stopper for the easel using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. I then added a piece of coral and a starfish to complete the inside of the card. 

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. The June release just went live on the website today, and there are so many great products to choose from! 

Close up of the panel so you can see the Dotted Wave coverplate die:

 Challenges I'm entering:

The Sisterhood of Crafters: Fish/Sea Creatures (1/3; ends 7/5/26)

Cardz 4 Galz: Seaside or Coast (1/3; ends 6/24/26) Top 3 Pick 6/25/26

Creative Creases #116 - June 5th through July 2nd: ATG with a fun fold; I'm on the DT and entering just for fun

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

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (4/4; ends 6/26/26)

Crafty Catz: ATG (4/5; ends 6/18/26)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Add a sentiment (4/5; ends 6/17/26)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of anything but a card (5/8; ends at the end of the month)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with option of polkadots and/or stripes (5/6; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (4/5 for the week; 4/10 for the challenge; ends 6/24/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Anything from a garden or ATG (I chose ATG for this card) (5/5; ends 6/18/26)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors (I used scissors to cut the foam tape pieces) (5/5; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of birthday/anniversary (unlimited; ends 7/12/26)

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

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

Crafty Animals: ATG with animals (1/3; ends at the end of the month) 

Critter Crazy CHALLENGE BLOG: ATG with a critter (1/3; 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

You're So Sweet Thank You Card

A good friend of mine recently invited me over to pick strawberries in her strawberry patch with her, and she insisted I keep them all! We picked more than 12 quarts of strawberries, so it was very generous of her. I treated her to lunch and then dropped off 4 quarts of strawberries to my elderly in-laws. They share their raspberries with my family every year, so I was glad to be able to share some strawberries with them. Anyway, I wanted to make a thank you card for my sweet friend for her generosity, and I combined a couple of Altenew sets to create a strawberry-themed thank you card.

I started by created a top-folding white A2 card base. Then I trimmed a piece of green cardstock to 4 by 5 1/4 and adhered it to the card base. Next, I created the strawberry jam jar using Altenew's Honeycomb Haven Craft-Your-Life project kit. I stamped the jar twice and fussy cut the lid from the second jar so I could pop it up onto the first jar for some dimension. After stamping the jar and lid, I assembled the jar and second lid piece and then wrapped some white floss around the top of the lid. Next, I stamped "thank you" and "you are so sweet" from the same project kit and die cut them using the add-on coordinating dies. I die cut a few extra layers and stacked them all using liquid glue so they have some dimension.

I then die cut the strawberries using Altenew's Creative Cuts: Strawberry Patch set. I die cut the berries out of cardstock I had sprayed with Yuletide Distress Mica Stain. I added some ink blending with Berrylicious ink from Altenew's Dried Petals Fresh Dye Ink collection over the strawberries to even out the color. Then I ink blended some Lime ink from Altenew's Whispering Woodland Fresh Dye Ink collection on the strawberry caps and adhered them to the berries. I thought the card was missing a little something with just the jam jar and the berries, so I die cut one of Altenew's Nesting Frames dies (the second largest in the set) and ink blended it with Lime ink and then stenciled Fresh Leaf ink over it using Altenew's Paper Echoes stencil. I added that to the card front and then added my jam jar and strawberries using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape and some liquid glue. I arranged the sentiments where I wanted them and added them to the card front next. Then to finish the card, I added 3 red gems around the "thank you" sentiment and a set of 3 small pearls to the top right and bottom left of the card. 

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 has so many wonderful crafty goodies to choose from and weekly sales on a wide selection of products! 

Challenges I'm entering:

Inspiration Station: Inspiration Image: (1/8; ends at the end of the month)

{Cupcake Inspirations}: ATG (3/3; ends 7/10/26)

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: Cute or ATG (1/2; ends 6/24/26)

Make My Monday Challenge Blog: Use a Stencil (2/3; ends 6/28/26)

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with option of butterflies (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Food and/or drink (1/5; ends 6/22/26)

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

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (3/4; ends 6/26/26)

Crafty Catz: ATG (3/5; ends 6/18/26)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (3/3; ends 6/29/26)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Add a sentiment (3/5; ends 6/17/26)

A Place To Start: ATG with option of anything but a card (4/8; ends at the end of the month)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with option of polkadots and/or stripes (4/6; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 3/10 for the challenge; ends 6/24/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Anything from a garden (4/5; ends 6/18/26)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Garden Party: ATG in or from a garden (3/5; ends 7/6/26)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors (I used scissors to cut the foam tape pieces and to trim the floss around the jar lid) (4/5; ends at the end of the month)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: ATG with die cuts (4/4; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of birthday/anniversary (unlimited; ends 6/12/26)

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

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

Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Inspiring creativity 8-ways each week: Bottom row across: gems, stencil, word die (I hope it counts that my stamped sentiments have coordinating dies. Please remove if not) 

(2/3; ends 6/18/26) Team Pick 6/20/26

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 

Sympathy Card in Purples

This is the second sympathy card I created over the weekend, and this time I chose a monochromatic purple color palette. If you'd like to see the other sympathy card, check out the post here: Carrie's Custom Cards: Pitcher Vase Sympathy Card

I started with a white top-folding A2 card base. Then I embossed an A2 panel I had watercolored using Altenew's Ultraviolet Gouache (from the Artists' Strolling Through New York Gouache Set) using Altenew's Festive Greenery 3D embossing folder. I added a bit of white pigment ink to the raised parts of the embossed panel and set it aside to dry. Once I was dry, I trimmed it to 4 by 5 1/4 inches. 

Next, I die cut the pieces for the flowers using Altenew's Craft-A-Flower: Hellebore Layering Die Set. I assembled the flowers and then decided how I wanted to arrange them on the card. I decided I needed something to ground them, so I die cut one of Altenew's Nested Frames dies out of watercolor cardstock I had watercolored using Altenew's Lavender Gouache from the same set as the Ultraviolet. I decided where the flowers would be adhered but didn't adhere them quite yet. I stamped the "heartfelt sympathy" sentiment from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Bewitching Rose project kit onto the Nested Frames die cut and then added the flowers using a combination of liquid glue and Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape so that some of them are popped up on the panel. I used more foam tape on the back of the Nested Frame die cut for even more dimension when I adhered it to the embossed panel. To finish the card, I added the embossed panel to the card base using liquid glue and then added 3 sparkly purple enamel dots around the sentiment. 

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. 

 Challenges I'm entering:

{Cupcake Inspirations}: ATG (2/3; ends 7/10/26)

Can You Handle The Pressure?: ATG with an embossing folder with the option of Boys/Men (1/3; ends 6/24/26)

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

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (2/4; ends 6/26/26)

Crafty Catz: ATG (2/5; ends 6/18/26)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (2/3; ends 6/29/26)

Heart's Quest Celebrations of Love Challenges Blog: ATG with Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries and/or Sympathies (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Add a sentiment (2/5; ends 6/17/26)

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite sentiment and why? When I need sympathy cards, I find myself turning to this Heartfelt sympathy stamp most of the time because it's so elegant. I like that it's a bit more personal than just "with sympathy" (2/3; ends 6/17/26)

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

A Place To Start: ATG with option of anything but a card (3/8; ends at the end of the month)

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Monochrome and/or birthday + a sentiment (3/5; ends at the end of the month)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with option of polkadots and/or stripes (3/6; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 2/10 for the challenge; ends 6/24/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Anything from a garden (3/5; ends 6/18/26)

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Garden Party: ATG in or from a garden (2/5; ends 7/6/26)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors (I used scissors to cut the foam tape pieces) (3/5; ends at the end of the month)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: ATG with die cuts (3/4; ends at the end of the month)

Daisy Chain Challenges: Not square (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of birthday/anniversary (unlimited; ends 6/12/26)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (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

Pitcher Vase Sympathy Card

Sadly one of our longtime church members lost his battle with Parkinson's a few days ago, and I've been making sympathy cards for his family members. One of his sisters is married to one of my husband's uncles, so I wanted to create this special card for Aunt Judy. I went with a pink and black color palette and created a black top-folding A2 card base to start. Then I ink blended an ombre background using all 4 colors in Altenew's Bubblegum Dreams ink collection. I stenciled over the background with Altenew's Lattice Blossoms stencil and some of the Fuchsia ink from the Bubblegum Dreams collection. I trimmed the panel to 4 1/8 by 5 3/8 and set it aside.

For the focal point, I die cut and embossed a pitcher from Altenew's Pitcher Vases set out of some watercolor paper I had added Lindy's Magicals to. I then added some die cuts I had created with black cardstock I had spritzed with gold metallic watercolor and die cut with Altenew's Zero Waste: Berries & Branches die. I arranged them in the pitcher and thought the pitcher needed more than foam tape to help keep it from getting lost on the background. So I die cut one of Altenew's Nested Arches dies out of vellum and adhered the pitcher vase to the vellum with bits of Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. Then I decided where I wanted to put the vellum arch and chose where to place my sentiment stamp. I added the background panel to my MISTI and stamped the sentiment before adhering the vellum arch to the card. To finish the card, I adhered the background panel to the black card base. 

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. 

 Challenges I'm entering:

{Cupcake Inspirations}: ATG (1/3; ends 7/10/26)

Make My Monday Challenge Blog: Use a Stencil (1/3; ends 6/28/26)

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

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (1/4; ends 6/26/26)

Crafty Catz: ATG (1/5; ends 6/18/26)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (1/3; ends 6/29/26)

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with option of butterflies (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Heart's Quest Celebrations of Love Challenges Blog: ATG with Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries and/or Sympathies (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Add a sentiment (1/5; ends 6/17/26)

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (4/4; ends at the end of the month)

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite sentiment and why? When I need sympathy cards, I find myself turning to this Heartfelt sympathy stamp most of the time because it's so elegant. I like that it's a bit more personal than just "with sympathy" (1/3; ends 6/17/26)

Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Inspiring creativity 8-ways each week: Center row down: Gold/Black, free, stencil (1/3; ends 6/18/26)

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

A Place To Start: ATG with option of anything but a card (2/8; ends at the end of the month)

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Monochrome and/or birthday + a sentiment (2/5; ends at the end of the month)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with option of polkadots and/or stripes (2/6; ends at the end of the month)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 6/24/26)

Allsorts challenge blog: Anything from a garden (2/5; ends 6/18/26)

Creative Inspiration Challenges: ATG (2/2; ends at the end of the month) Top 3 Pick 6/28/26

Ellibelle's Corner: Ellibelle's Garden Party: ATG in or from a garden (1/5; ends 7/6/26)

Paper Rocks Scissors: ATG with paper and/or scissors (I used scissors to cut the foam tape pieces) (2/5; ends at the end of the month)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: ATG with die cuts (2/4; ends at the end of the month)

Daisy Chain Challenges: Not square (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG with option of birthday/anniversary (unlimited; ends 6/12/26)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (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