Lilac Feel Better Soon Card

I recently attended a subscribers live Zoom session led by Tasnim Ahmed, one of the co-founders of Altenew. She created a card with the January Craft-A-Flower set, and since I only subscribe to the Craft-Your-Life project kits, I decided to play along with her card design using the older Craft-A-Flower: Lilac set. 

All papers used on this card came from Your Paper Insider's Box 2 except the brown glitter cardstock which is from the YPI Non-Shed Glitter Assortment 24-Pack. Both Box 2 and the glitter assortment pack are available for purchase on the YPI website here (this is my affiliate link): Your Paper Insider. I started by die cutting all the pieces from the CAF: Lilac set using the following papers: Glitter Lilac cardstock, Steam Purple, and Lime Satin Shine. For the branch, I used the brown glitter cardstock mentioned previously. I love how well YPI's glitter cardstocks die cut! After I had die cut all the pieces, I assembled the branch of lilacs using the guide Altenew includes in all their layering die sets. I used Altenew's Perfect Picker tool to help place all the tiny flower centers.

Next, I created an A2 card base using YPI's Wrought Iron Raw heavyweight cardstock. Then I trimmed a piece of Stellar White Groove cardstock to 4 by 5 1/4 inches. I masked off a section using some mint tape from Scrapbook.com and ink blended a few shades of gray ink from dark to light. When I removed the blue tape, I got a smudge on the side of the card, so I decided to add some black splatter using Altenew's Carbon Black gouache spritzed with a little water. I set that aside to dry and decided on how to arrange the leaves behind the lilac branch. I stamped the "feel better soon" sentiment from Altenew's Pumpkin Patch set onto a strip of the Steam Purple specialty paper and trimmed a piece of the Glitter Lilac cardstock to go under it. I then added the lilacs and leaves to the front of the card and placed my sentiment with Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape in the lower right corner of the card. I rarely complete a card in 90 minutes, but this one came together by the end of Tasnim's live. 

If you're interested in shopping at Altenew, I'd love it if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link. Again, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Altenew carries many beautiful floral layering die sets like the ones I used here. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (unlimited; ends 1/13/26)

Cut It Up: ATG with die cuts (1/3; ends 1/5/26)

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge: ATG with flowers (1/8; ends 1/12/25)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with option to use yellow (8/8; ends 1/11/26)

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

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

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited; ends at the end of the month) Honorable Mention 2/1/26

Ally's Angels: ATG (2/3; ends 1/13/26)

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

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

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Sparkle and Shine (1/5; ends 12/29/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Add a sentiment (1/5; ends 12/31/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 2/15 for the challenge; ends 1/7/26--3 weeks long)

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog: ATG (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)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (3/4; ends 12/31/25)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: ATG (1/3; ends 1/3/26)

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

O Holy Night Pop-Up Card

I recently won a gift card to Concord & 9th over on the Lunar New Year Challenge blog, and I used the gift card to purchase the beautiful O Night Divine stamp and die bundle over the Black Friday weekend. It was on sale for $25, and that was the amount of my gift card, so I just had to pay the shipping price for this lovely set. It's so fun because it has dies to cut out all the hills to make a background scene. I think I'll be able to use those dies year round for other themes just by adding a few die cut trees, houses, etc. 

This card came together so quickly! I used scraps from Your Paper Insider's Box 13 in the following colors for the hills, the pop-up mechanism, and the sentiments:

Holiday Red Lessebo, Holiday Green Lessebo, Red Brushed Metal Double Sided, Key Lime Cardstock, Kelly Green Cadillac, and Light Gray Savoy Cotton for the card base. I also used Your Paper Insider's Black and Gold Glitter Cardstocks from the Non-Shed Glitter Cardstock Assortment 24 Pack. If you'd like to subscribe to Your Paper Insider's quarterly box of mystery papers or shop for any of their specialty paper collections, I'd be so grateful if you shopped with my affiliate link. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you: Your Paper Insider.

I started by creating a top-folding A2 card base using the Light Gray After die cutting each of the hill dies (the dies have numbers on the sides of them so you know what order to layer them up in--so clever!), I layered them up using double-sided tape on the card base and then placing the die cut layers over the tape to adhere them. Then I die cut the houses, the star, Mary and Joseph, and the manger scene out of YPI's black and gold non-shed glitter cardstocks. If you are looking for a good quality glitter cardstock that die cuts easily, I highly recommend Your Paper Insider's Non-Shed Glitter Assortment Pack. 

After doing my die cutting, I adhered the star, houses, and Mary and Joseph to the front panel using Art Glitter liquid glue. Then I stamped and die cut the "o holy night" sentiment and added a die cut layer of fun foam under the sentiment for dimension. I placed the sentiment on the top and added a few gems to finish off the card front.

For the inside of the card, I added a pop-up mechanism that is 3/4 inches by 3 1/2 inches (scored at 3/4, 1 1/2, 2 1/4, and 3 inches). I folded all the score lines and adhered the final 1/2" section to create a small pop-up box. I adhered the box on 2 sides so it attached to the both sides of the inside panel and then added the little manger scene to the pop up. To complete the card, I stamped "peace on earth" and die cut it using one of the sentiment strip dies in the same O Night Divine bundle. I'm adding a photo of the bundle in case anyone is looking for a Christian-themed Christmas set. The price has gone up a bit since the Black Friday specials, but it's still a good value considering how many stamps and dies are included. I'm not an affiliate of Concord & 9th and had never ordered from them before receiving the gift card I mentioned earlier, but I'm a fan now! 

Wishing all my beautiful blog visitors a wonderful Christmas and a Christ-centered new year! Thank you so much for visiting! 

Challenges I'm entering:

jingle belles: Last-minute Christmas cards (2/3; ends 12/24/25)

Conjurer of Dreams: December 2025: Conjurer of Dreams Challenge #15: Anything Goes or Winter Wonder: Winter Wonderland (2/5; ends at the end of the month)

{PIN}spirational Challenges: (2/5; ends at the end of the month)

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (unlimited; ends 1/13/26)

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

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

Ally's Angels: ATG (1/3; ends 1/13/26)

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

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

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

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Anything Christmas/holiday (1/5; ends 12/22/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/15 for the challenge; ends 1/7/26--3 weeks long)

The Paper Shelter: Christmas (1/2; ends at the end of the month)

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog: ATG (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)

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: Christmas (1/2; ends 1/7/26)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (2/4; ends 12/31/25)

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

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

Double D Challenges: Christmas Wrappings (1/3; ends 12/14/25)

As You Like It Challenge: Anything Festive (1/3; ends 12/24/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: Christmas Sparkle (1/3; ends 12/22/25)

Critter Crazy CHALLENGE BLOG: ATG with critters (my card has a donkey) (2/3; ends 12/25/25)

FarmQuest Country Christmas Challenge Blog: ATG Christmas outdoors (1/3; ends 1/6/26) Grand Champion 1/7/26

We Love Stamping: Red and Green (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

 

Joy Tunnel Card for Creative Creases Challenge

It's time for a new challenge on the Creative Creases Challenge blog, and this month, my DT card is doing double duty as it's also my DT card for the December Your Paper Insider Instagram Hop today. I hope you'll add your fun fold projects to the new challenge at Creative Creases here: Creative Creases Challenge, and I hope you will hop along over on Instagram to see all the fabulous projects the DT made with YPI Box 13! My Instagram handle is CarrieSheridan.70.

All the papers used for my tunnel card are from Your Paper Insider. Most are from Box 13: Amazon Blue Lessebo, Light Blue Non-Shed Glitter, Blue Raspberry Poptone French, Light Blue Living Wave Gmund Vibe, White Holographic Confetti, and Eucalyptus Curious Metals. I also used a strip of Dura-Lar Clear from Box 12 to attach my sentiment to.  

My tunnel card design was inspired by a fun fold card class by Altenew Educator Liz Ortiz. I took the idea of an aperture card with an accordion fold on the sides and decided to create depth by making this into a tunnel card using Altenew's Ornate Nesting Dies in decreasing sizes. I changed Liz's design from a 5 by 7 to an A2 size and chose to create a different scene on my card than she did, but I wanted to give her a shout out for the basic card design. If you've never taken any of the free classes the Altenew Educators offer, I encourage you to try one! I always learn something new and have a great time crafting with friends! Here's a link to upcoming classes: AECP Cardmaking Workshops – Altenew.

After die cutting all the panels for the tunnel effect, I then die cut the letters "j" and "y" using Altenew's Linear Pathways Alpha die set. Then I die cut a present for the "o" in "joy" out of Altenew's Mini Delight: Time to Celebrate set. I added the letters and present to a strip of Dura-Lar and adhered the strip inside the tunnel panels. I also wanted some snowy hills on my card, so I trimmed the Light Blue Living Wave Gmund Vibe cardstock into hill-shaped pieces and adhered them to bottom of the inner panels of the card. I used that same paper for the back of the card. It has a holographic look to it in real life that is very shimmery.

For the sled, pillow, and presents, I used Altenew's Timeless Sled die set. I added those elements to the card front to finish the card. 

If you'd like to learn how to subscribe to Your Paper Insider's quarterly box of specialty papers, I'd be so grateful if you shopped with my affiliate link. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you: Your Paper Insider.  And if you're interested in shopping at Altenew, I'd love it if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link. Again, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Altenew carries many beautiful holiday die sets like the ones I used here. 

Challenges I'm entering: 

2025 Ultimate Inspiration Challenge (A Year In Review 2025!) – Altenew: I chose my inspiration from the lovely blues in Erica's color palette for the February challenge (ends at the end of the month)

Cut It Up: Fun folds (1/3; ends 12/8/25)

jingle belles: Last-minute Christmas cards (1/3; ends 12/24/25)

Conjurer of Dreams: December 2025: Conjurer of Dreams Challenge #15: Anything Goes or Winter Wonder: Winter Wonderland (1/5; ends at the end of the month) Top 3 Winner and DT Favorite twice over 

fourseasons: ATG winter (2/3; ends 12/25/25)

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

Classic Design Challenge Blog: ATG (unlimited; ends 12/13/25)

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

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

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

Ally's Angels: ATG (1/3; ends 12/11/25)

Girlz Creative Christmas (Xmas) 🎄: ATG Christmas (2/3; ends 12/6/25)

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

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog: Christmas and/or winter + a sentiment (2/5; ends at the end of the month) Included in the Favorites for December 1/5/26

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Use dies (3/5; ends 12/8/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge: Use dies (2/5; ends 12/10/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 2/10 for the challenge; ends 12/17/25)

The Paper Shelter: Celebrations (2/2; ends 12/16/25)

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

Pearly Sparkles Challenge Blog: Silver Bells (include something silver): I used silver papers for my sled and the bow on the gift in the sentiment) (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: Christmas (ends 12/16/25)

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

Ellibelle's Corner: I spy with my little eye: Something Festive (4/5; ends 12/15/25)

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: Christmas (2/2; ends 12/10/25)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (2/4; ends 12/31/25)

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

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

Double D Challenges: Christmas Wrappings (1/3; ends 12/14/25)

As You Like It Challenge: Gold, Silver, or Glitter and why: this was a tough one! I love them all! But I'm choosing glitter because I feel like glitter and glitter cardstock really add a special touch of sparkle that makes any card look extra special! (1/3; ends 12/10/25)

Cardz 4 Galz: A Cute Christmas (1/3; ends 12/9/25)

Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Inspiring creativity 8-ways each week Top row: Texture (from the glitter papers), blue, bow (bows on my packages) (1/3; ends 12/18/25)

 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

Christmas Poinsettia on Kraft Background

I recently watched an Altenew Live on YouTube with Amy Hill, and she used Altenew's Woodgrain Press Plate in her project. I don't have the same press plate she used, but I do have Altenew's Essential Textures: Wood Press Plate, and I thought I'd use it in a different way for this card. Instead of inking it up and running it through my BetterPress, I just used the sandwich for embossing with a die in my Spellbinders Platinum die cutting machine, and I love the way it turned out on the kraft cardstock! 

After creating the woodgrain panel for the front of this A2 card, I die cut the poinsettia and leaves using Altenew's Poinsettia 3D die set. I then assembled the poinsettia and added it to the card using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. I stamped the "Silent Night, Holy Night" sentiment onto some white cardstock and added it to the bottom of the card. Then I splattered the card front with Altenew's Titanium White Gouache spritzed with a little water. 

If you're interested in shopping at Altenew, I'd love it if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Altenew carries many gorgeous layering floral die sets like I the one I used for this card as well as a wide variety of press plates that create stunning backgrounds. 

Challenges I'm entering:

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

fourseasons: ATG winter (1/3; ends 12/25/25)

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

Sparkles Christmas Challenge: Poinsettia (ends at the end of the month)

{PIN}spirational Challenges: My card features traditional Christmas colors and themes like the inspiration photo (ends at the end of the month)

Colorful Options: (ends at the end of the month)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: Christmas/Winter with die cuts (1/4; ends at the end of the month)

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

Girlz Creative Christmas (Xmas) 🎄: ATG Christmas (1/3; ends 12/6/25)

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

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

Peace On Earth Christmas: ATG Christmas (3/3; ends 12/4/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Use dies (2/5; ends 12/8/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge: Use dies (1/5; ends 12/10/25)

Crafty Gals Corner: Tis the Season (3/3; ends 1/13/26)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 1/10 for the challenge; ends 12/17/25)

The Paper Shelter: Celebrations (1/2; ends 12/16/25)

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: Christmas (ends 12/16/25)

Ellibelle's Corner: I spy with my little eye: Something Festive (3/5; ends 12/15/25)

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: Christmas (1/2; ends 12/10/25)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (1/4; ends 12/31/25)

Color My Heart Color Dare (ends 12/11/25)

Inspiration Station: The colors and Christmas theme inspired my card (1/8; 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

 

Bubbly Bumble Bee Card

I recently attended a 2-day marathon of crafting challenges led by Altenew Educators over Zoom this past Friday and Saturday, and while I was mostly working on a project of 250 Christmas cards, I took a break to complete this challenge so I could make a birthday card for my best friend. Here are the challenge parameters: include 3 of something, use a transparent element, and use something tiny. We agree that splatter would work for something tiny as it creates tiny droplets. I have 3 bees, vellum wings for my bees, and Altenew's Iridescent Shimmer Spray for my something tiny. It's hard to see in the photos, but in real life, the background has a nice shimmer to it from the spray. 

I created the cloudy sky background using Altenew's Cloud Scene Stencil and Altenew's Sea Glass ink on Your Paper Insider's watercolor paper. The bees on the card front were die cut using Altenew's Bubbly Bumble Bee die set and papers from Your Paper Insider: from Box 12: Cherry Red Cardstock, Deep Black Cadillac, and Amber Stardream; from Box 13: Amazon Blue Lessebo, White Fine Lines Vellum, and Pumpkin Colormates Cardstock. The bee inside the card features the following papers from Box 13: Marigold Thai Unryu, Aurora Origami gift pack, Red Wagon Mirri Sparkle, and Baby Pink Cardstock. 

Once I had my panel stenciled and the bees die cut, I added the bees to the background using Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. Then I added the background to a panel of Deep Black Cadillac cardstock cut a quarter inch larger than the cloudy scene panel. I then adhered the panel to a white A2 card base. For the sentiment, I used my Nelko label maker and some yellow label tape to create the custom "Happy Bee-day!" sentiment. I added the sentiment to the bottom of the card to finish the front of the card.

For the inside of the card, I stamped and die cut the sentiment "have an awesome day" from Altenew's Craft-Your-Life: Honeycomb Haven project kit onto cardstock I covered with Marigold Thai Unryu paper. I die cut 2 more die cuts using the sentiment die so I could stack them together for a bit of dimension. Then I adhered the last little bee above the sentiment to finish the card. 

If you'd like to subscribe to Your Paper Insider's quarterly box of mystery papers or shop for any of their specialty paper collections, I'd be so grateful if you shopped with my affiliate link. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you: Your Paper Insider.  And if you're interested in shopping at Altenew, I'd love it if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link. Altenew carries many versatile Craft-Your-Life project kits like the one I used for this card. 

Inside the card:

Challenges I'm entering: 

simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: Use dies in DIEcember (1/5; ends 12/8/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; 5/10 for the challenge; ends 12/03/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: Focal sentiment or ATG (5/5; ends 12/5/25)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (2/5; ends 12/3/25)

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (3/4; ends 12/30/25)

A Cut Above: ATG with a die cut (1/3; ends at the end of the month)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with the option to use the color yellow (7/8; ends 12/12/25)

Critter Crazy CHALLENGE BLOG: ATG with critters as the focus (1/5; ends 12/25/25)

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

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges**********: ATG (1/3; ends 12/8/25) 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

Poinsettia Hinge Card

I recently watched a Jennifer McGuire video featuring a Hinge Card design and decided I wanted to give this fun fold card design a try.  You can watch the video for measurements and instructions here: Easy Hinge Cards!

All the papers I used to create this card are from Your Paper Insider's Box 13: Bright Gold Glitter Gloss, Red Brushed Metal Double-Sided, and Holiday Green Lessebo. 

I started by creating the hinge card base out of the Holiday Green Lessebo cardstock. Then I trimmed 2 panels of the Bright Gold Glitter Gloss cardstock to fit the two front panels of the card. I embossed them using Altenew's Perfect Poinsettias 3D embossing folder. Then I die cut Altenew's Poinsettia Layering Die Set using the Red Brushed Metal Double-Sided cardstock for the red leaves, the Holiday Green Lessebo for the green leaves, and the Bright Gold Glitter Gloss for the flower center. I assembled the poinsettia with a combination of Art Glitter Glue and Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. I adhered the embossed gold panels to the card front and then carefully adhered the poinsettia to only the right panel of the card so that I didn't glue my card shut. I die cut the word "peace" using Altenew's Fancy Peace Die and adhered it to the left panel. 

For the inside of the card, I trimmed 2 pieces of the Red Brushed Metal cardstock and adhered them to the inner panels of the card. Then I stamped the "wishing you a blessed season with family and friends" stamp from Altenew's Blessings stamp set using VersaMark ink and Altenew's Rose Gold embossing powder. I heat set the sentiment and trimmed the Holiday Green Lessebo cardstock to fit on the inside panel. I added 3 flat-backed gold embellishments to finish off the inside of the card. 

If you'd like to subscribe to Your Paper Insider's quarterly box of mystery papers or shop for any of their specialty paper collections, I'd be so grateful if you shopped with my affiliate link. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you: Your Paper Insider.  And if you're interested in shopping at Altenew, I'd love it if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link. Altenew carries many gorgeous layering floral die sets like I the one I used for this card. 

Close ups: 

Challenges I'm entering:

Creative Creases #109 - November 7 till December 4th: I'm on the DT and sharing my card just for fun

Double Trouble Paper Crafting: Thing 1: 3 colors  (green, red, gold), 2 layers (I hope the poinsettia die cut on the red layer counts), 1 image (poinsettia) (4/4; ends 12/7/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; 4/10 for the challenge; ends 12/03/25)

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

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

DL.ART: ATG with option of anniversary/love (3 entries per week; ends at the end of the month)

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with the option to use the color yellow (6/8; ends 12/12/25)

Ellibelle's Corner: I spy with my little eye: Something festive (2/5; ends 12/15/25)

Craft Rocket Challenges: Christmas (ends 11/30/25)

Crafty Gals Corner: Tis the Season (2/3; ends 1/13/26)

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges: All that Glitters (ends 12/2/25)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of CAS (7/8; ends 12/15/25)

Peace On Earth Christmas: ATG with Christmas theme (2/3; end 12/4/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: Focal sentiment or ATG (4/5; ends 12/5/25) Top 7 Pick 12/5/25

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (1/5; ends 12/3/25)

Unicorn Challenge Blog: Christmas/Winter (2/3; ends 11/30/25)

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (2/4; ends 12/30/25)

jingle belles: Banner Holiday: I chose the glitter used for the word "Jingle" as my inspiration and used gold glitter gloss cardstock on my card (ends 12/3/25)

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

Sweet Harvest Watercolor

I have been having so much fun with Altenew's November Craft-Your-Life: Sweet Harvest project kit! I used it to create this New Year's card. I started by stamping and die cutting the apple branch using Your Paper Insider's watercolor paper. Then I used Altenew's watercolor brush markers in the following colors: Moss, Tree Bark, Ruby Red, and Crimson to watercolor the image. After watercoloring the image, I thought I would add some red Stickles to the apples to give them some sparkle, but the Stickles didn't react well with the watercolor and bleached it out a bit. I went back with the stencils and ink blended some of Altenew's Burnt Red and Mahogony inks from the Martian Terrain ink collection to fix the problem.

For the background, I decided to upcycle a piece of chipboard that was included in some specialty Origami papers from Your Paper Insider's Box 13. I used Simon Hurley's Bee Sting Lunar Paste through one of the stencils in the Sweet Harvest set and set it aside to dry. Once it was dry, I ink blended Altenew's Ruby Red and Burnt Red inks over the panel. Then I splattered it with Tart Cranberry Distress Mica Stain. I didn't love the color, so I then ink blended Mahogony over the panel before adhering the apple branch to the panel with Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape. 

I stamped the "wishing you a happy new year" sentiment using Hero Arts' Merry Stamp & Cut set. I added it to the apple branch to finish the card. 

If you'd like to subscribe to Your Paper Insider's quarterly box of mystery papers or shop for any of their specialty paper collections, I'd be so grateful if you shopped with my affiliate link. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you: Your Paper Insider.  And if you're interested in shopping at Altenew, I'd love it if you used my affiliate link here: Carrie's Altenew Link. Altenew carries many versatile Craft-Your-Life project kits like the one I used for this card. 

Challenges I'm entering:

Lunar New Year Challenge: ATG with birthday or New Year cards following the guidelines for Chinese new year cards or birthday cards featuring the animals of the Chinese zodiac or pandas (ends at the end of the month)

Double Trouble Paper Crafting: Thing 1: 3 colors (red, green, and brown), 2 layers (the upcycled chipboard layer and the apple branch layer), 1 image (apple branch) (3/4; ends 12/7/25)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; 3/10 for the challenge; ends 12/03/25)

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

Crafter's Cafe: ATG with the option to use the color yellow (5/8; ends 12/12/25)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog: ATG with option of CAS (6/8; ends 12/15/25)

Allsorts challenge blog: Focal sentiment or ATG (3/5; ends 12/5/25)

"Just Us Girls" Challenge: Stencil Week (I used stencils for the apples and for the background pattern) (1/3; ends 12/3/27) 

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG (1/4; ends 12/30/25)

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game!: ATG with stencils with an optional twist of gold (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG (1/5; ends 12/3/25)

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

Double D Challenges: Fall Colors (1/3; ends 11/30/25)

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