Hello Friends. 

Back with another fun release, the new monthly Paint-A- Flower set, featuring a bloom called Camellia. As I have shared in the past, I subscribe monthly -- its my treat to myself that I look forward to getting in the mail.  My favorite thing to do is color so for me this is my favorite Altenew subscription.  

You're probably thinking, why did you cut the bloom.? Honestly, it was not what I intended to do.  Sometimes you have to go with the flow and keep going.  I smudged my image while water-coloring, I was way past starting all over.  I am firm believer in trying to salvage something instead of wasting products and tossing them. 

In the end, I was pleased with my results.  I hope I have encouraged you to keep going... sometimes some of my best work has been from fixing mistakes, smudges etc. Don't be afraid to keep going! 

The next stop on the hop is Norine's Blog, be ready to be inspired. ​
​If you get lost along the way you can always go to the beginning: Altenew

Hello friends! 

I was so happy to be asked to do some design work again for Altenew.  It is just what the doctor ordered.  I absolutely love this set.  So many possibilities!!

It sure has been way too long since I have created.  My youngest graduated from high school in June and headed off to college in September, shortly after we began house hunting. After looking at many houses, a few failed offers (tough market for buyers)- we found a small house to buy.  We closed December 18th, in time to celebrate Christmas in our new home. 

Todays card feature a beautiful bloom, a Peony.  I love how fluffy they are.  

Staying true to my style, I did a focal point, water-colored image. If you haven't picked up the new Altenew Woodless Watercolor Pencil Set, you're totally missing out. Like me they will be your favorite medium! I was so excited to use them for the first time, they are dreamy! 

Well, I hope you like my card, I am very happy with the results! ​As always, thanks for visiting my blog, be sure to leave a comment, so I know you were here.  Happy Stamping!!

If you get lost along the way you can always go to the beginning: Altenew

Hello Altenew fans!!  All of us at Altenew are hopping today to share the latest Craft-A-Flower: Daisy Layering Die Set.  This is set is so fun and an easy option when you want to do something a bit different with limited stamping like I did (only stamping the sentiment)   I have a super easy card to share so keep scrolling to check it out.  Don't miss out on the prize info at the bottom of this post, along with the your next stop on the hop!

This was such a fun card to make.  So cheery!  I used the die-cut panels as a stencil to make a pretty background behind my flower blooms. 

I used all white cardstock on my card.  To create the leaves and centers, I swiped my ink-pads across the cardstock. I used Chamomile for the background and centers of the petals (using a blender brush), I also, used Firefly and Shadow Crush on the leaves. 

To finish my card, I used foam square for the bloom.  I stamped a sentiment from a mini set called Grateful.- using Obsidian Black Ink. My final touch was some splatters using liquid ink I have on hand.

​An Altenew hop would not be the same without a giveaway and prizes. be sure to leave comments along the way to increase your chances of winning.  Good Luck!!

Hello fans! 

It's time for another release from my favorite stamp company, Altenew.  Here's the link to see the July 2020 Stamps Dies Stencils Inks Video Blog Hop Release!  I am delighted to share one project with you from this release. The format of the release is a video hop from now on, (since I am not very tech savvy in making videos), I am not part of the hop. I love that Altenew embraces all designers by including all of us in a chance to still be apart of the release. 

Today, I am showing off the lovely stamp set called Courageous You.  The day I made this card, was on my 20th wedding anniversary.  I did not put it all together until I was done but there is a unintentional thing I did.  Can you guess what it is?? 

For my card today, I stamped my images on Altenew Watercolor Paper using Obsidian Black Ink. To color my images, I applied ink to a craft mat and painted with a brush and some water. I used the Enchanted Garden Oval Ink Set and Green Valley Mini Cube Set for my color palette. So pretty!

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ORDER YOUR STAMP TODAY!! 

As always, thank you for stopping by.  Stay safe & healthy!  Before I go, here is a  photo from my Wedding Day.  The wreath was a wedding gift that became a prop for many of our photos. Smiles. 

Hello Altenew friends. Today, the Altenew Educator Team is honoring our Heroes with a blog hop.  We want to thank you for your service in making our World a better place.  During these unprecedented times. I have seen the love and humanity of many people, in all walks of life, young and old, every profession. I will never again take for granted even the simplest things, like standing in lines in grocery store when I can actually stand by someone, smile and talk.  I won't take for granted the quiet time sitting at a table drinking a cold glass of water, waiting to be served a meal.  The list goes on and on. Thank you to all our heroes big and small, black and white!  

Now, lets talk stamping (my creative therapy).  Recently, I have been practicing my water-coloring, someday I want to grow up to be Erum.  She inspires me everyday with her beautiful coloring.  I hope I make her proud. 

I absolutely love the NEWER monthly subscription club, Paint A Flower.  I subscribe to it and look forward to getting a new stamp every month that is perfect for coloring.  Today, I am using Paint A Flower: Iris.  I am working on the no line coloring technique... I still need a lot of practice. I LOVE how pretty these turned out.  

Thank you for stopping by, I hope I have inspired you to try water-coloring too!  Be sure to check out the Paint A Flower Monthly subscription, treat yourself monthly to a new stamp set. 

​Inky hugs. 

Hello Friends. I am SO excited and honored to be apart of this months Altenew April Release Blog Hop party. You should have arrived from Kymona's Blog.

Last month, when May contacted me to pick out the products I wanted to design with, it was not an easy task, I loved them all.  Thank you Altenew for letting me review your awesome products! 

One of the products I am most excited about is the NEW Crafter’s Essential Stamping Mat! It's great for stamping, watercolor, ink blending, heat embossing, and everyday crafting!  It is also a great backdrop for your photos!! Smiles. ​

I absolutely love Altenew's layering stencils!  When I am in the mood to create a quick card on the go, I almost always grab a layering stencil.  They are easy to use and they create a WOW factor for even the simplest looking cards. I paired some of my favorite Altenew ink colors: Sunray & Snapdragon and Mountain Mist & Teal Cave.  

Oh my goodness!  Next up, is the amazing Dog Rose Panel and Die Bundle Set.  I love the versatility of this die set. As you can see, in Card One I used one die-cut panel, in Card Two I used two die-cut panels to fill the entire card front.  Combine the layers together and you will have a third option!  Talk about getting a big bang for your buck!! This is a MUST buy item!!

Well. some may say-- I left the best for last.  For me, I could not pick a favorite set.  Each card has its own uniqueness.  I also love the stamp set, called Statement Flowers paired with its very own die (love that).  I am a sucker for big, bold flowers that I can color.... or not!  As you can see in the first sample it is beautiful colored, but in the second sample it is beautiful with only a splash of color.  

Well, there you have it... I hope you enjoyed my creations as much as I do.  I hope I inspired you to create your own cards after you load up your shopping cart w/all the new products you're gonna want.  Be sure to hop along, leaving comments so you can get in on some prizes and giveaways!

Thank you for stopping by,  Stay safe and healthy and find sometime to create. 

Prize info: Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 3 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog by 3/11/2020 for a chance to win. We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew Card Blog on 3/14/2020.

There’s MORE! We will pick 2 of our favorite handmade creations from those who joined the linky party and they will each receive a $15 gift certificate to our store!

Special offer: Save 15% off on ALL Stamp & Die Bundles from 3/5/2020 at 12:01 AM EST until 3/6/2020 at 11:59 PM EST. No code needed to enjoy this sale! Not valid on previous purchases. Excludes February 2020 release products. ​

​Now, let's check out my inspiration for this hop!  You should have arrived from Teri's Blog. 

• Step One: Apply ink using a dauber to the floral sprig.  Don't worry if you overlap colors. That is the beauty of doing a watercolor technique.  Let the OCD rest for the night. If you want you can spritz water before stamping.  I used a stamp platform and stamped a few times. 
• Step Two: Using stamp set Season's Greetings, add some extra leaves. 
• Step Three: Stamp the smaller floral and leaf sprig using Clear Embossing Ink, apply Gold Embossing Powder, heat set. 
• ​Step Four: Stamp sentiment with Clear Embossing Ink, apply Gold Embossing Powder, heat set.
• Step Five: Flick ink with Watercolor Markers. 
• Step Six: Finishing by assembling onto layers of cardstock to complete your card & be sure to add some clear sequins for texture. 

BONUS TIP: create a coordinating piece of cardstock by inking a piece of white cardstock with your favorite Altenew Ink color.

Your next stop is Maryam's blog!  

Thank you for stopping by, have a wonderful day! 

Welcome friends to our monthly Build-A-Flower Release Blog Hop.  I am so honored to be a guest designer today. It's an honor and a blessing to be asked. You should have arrived from Caly's Blog.

I absolutely love the monthly Build-A-Flower subscription plan.  This is a monthly subscription plan for their Build-A-Flower set (BAF). When you signed up, you are guaranteed a spot in their monthly BAF releases and will receive a set each month - at a specially discounted price! 

Today, I am showcasing how you can create clean and simple cards by using just a few of the images, if you are new to layering stamps this is a great way to get your feet wet and to try simple layering as a newbie--- as you practice, you can move onto the full images. Altenew new does an amazing job with providing layering guides and often has videos as well.  Don't forget to visit the store for the FREE layering classes that Altenew offers, (there are three).  

So lets take a look at my cards that I created for today'e release... ​

For my first card, I did some simple layer stamping and some water-coloring. I love the artsy feel you get when you combine both techniques together. As you can see I did not get a perfect impression when stamping with the layers, I purposely did that because I like white space on flowers and leaves. 

For my second card, I did no line stamping and water-coloring. This card is super simple but it certainly make a huge impression. Its clean, simple and masterful. 

For my last card, I created a fun focal point using a round acrylic block as my stamp.  I applied ink directly to the block and stamped it onto my card panel. I added some fun layer stamped leaves and sentiment.  I just love the clean look this gives and that its a 5-10 card to make, so if needed I can mass produce a few to always have some thank-you's on hand. 

Well, I hope this inspires you to look at your layering stamp sets a bit differently.  Sometimes less is more. Smiles. 

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog for a chance to win.

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 10/7/2019.

Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful day! 

Welcome to the September Altenew Release Hop.  I am so excited to share that I am guest designer this month's new releases. There are lots of new stamps, dies and stencils to see today along the hop.  You're totally going to love all the new goodies Altenew has added to their collection. You should have arrived from Caly's blog. 

Today, I am featuring three elegant, sophisticated and classy Holiday cards with a beautiful stamp set called Modern Poinsettia and a really fun covered die set called Layered Snowflake Stars.  Enjoy! 

• Stamp: Using my Modern Poinsettia Mask Stencil I stamped two Poinsettia's  overlapping with Altenew Obsidian Black Ink onto Neenah Solar White Cardstock.

• Color: I colored the leaves with Altenew Enchanted Gold Ink. (I applied ink onto my Altenew Craft Mat and painted the leaves with a brush and a very small amount of water). I also used colored pencils to add some shadows and depth to my leaves.  

​

• Assemble: I cut around the top of the flowers to cut away the white space, then applied the flower panel to a black card. I then finished the card with a white embossed sentiment, some gold ink splatters and some mini pearls. 

• ​Stamp: I stamped three Poinsettia's using Altenew Antique Gold Ink onto Neenah Solar White Cardstock. While the ink was wet I used an ink dauber to spread the ink around to distress/color the ink. I cut the second and third flower into smaller parts so I could attach them as layers to create a 3D flower. 

• Diecut: I die cut Layered Snowflake Stars Cover Die A with gold cardstock and also with black cardstock. 

 

• Assemble: I adhered the diecut elements to a white card base. Using the black diecut pieces I filed in random stars to create a fun background piece for my card.  Next, I added the 3D flower, along with some twine, a sentiment and some black ink splatters. 

• Stamp: I stamped a black Poinsettia using Altenew Obsidian Black ink on Neenah Solar White Cardstock.  I added some Nuvo Gilding Flakes to give it some fun interest.

• Diecut: I diecut a black piece of cardstock using Layered Snowflake Stars Die A

​

• Assemble: Using the diecut panel as a template only I adhered the small cutout pieces only to add some stars to my card base. I finished the card with a Gold embossed sentiment, some black twine, gold, silver and black ink splatters and a small strip of gold glitter tape. 

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by 9/10/2019 for a chance to win.

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $20 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 9/13/2019.

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful day! 

Hello Friends!  I am so excited to be apart of the 2nd Educator Blog Hop in History.  Today, is all about Love & Friendship. I pulled out a few of my favorite stamps.  My HERO set today is a newer set I bought, called Springtime Azalea.  There are so many possibilities with this set. Today, I am showcasing three different ways to 'color' the Azalea.

If you’ve been following along, you’ve just arrived from Amy Hill's Blog. If you find a broken link, you'll find a master list of the hop links at the Altenew Card Blog and at the end of my post. 

As you all know by now, I recently became the 17th certified educator in the country to teach Altenew- What an honor and blessing! I enjoyed the program and learned so much.  I loved how I could work the course at MY OWN PACE. For me, I worked quickly, because when I commit to something, I give 100% and I was eager to hold the title so I can share MY LOVE for Altenew.  If you want to know more about the program, check it out HERE. There is a great deal on the classes to help you get started. 

So now, lets dive into my projects! I hope you like my fast, simple, clean and simple designs. I was so excited to be able to capture some photos outside between rain storms. Enjoy!! ​

First up, I pulled out my scrap bucket, gotta love it when you can use some small cardstock pieces. This card can be created in less than 10 minutes.  Gotta love that. To give it some dimension, I popped up a couple of the flowers using foam squares.  I also added some texture by clear embossing the sentiment. 

Next, I did a one layer card. I pulled out my NEW favorite black ink, Obsidian.  I am obsessed with it. It's so rich and bold.  To color my flowers I used the layering pieces in the set. So easy and fun.  I purposely dabbled ink on the images to create a soft look, leaving white area.  Love that look!  I added some shadow & dot coloring using my Copic's. Finishing it with some sequins and a beautiful sentiment. 

Now for my final card for today.  Again I did a one layer card. This time I pulled out my colored pencils.  I added some distressing to the edges with a blending brush and some Altenew Ink. I finished it with some hand dots and a lovely sentiment. 

THREE beautiful cards to inspire you. Please don't stop here... you want to complete the entire hope BECAUSE you need to...

• ​Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 3 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Blog by 7/26/2019 for a chance to win. ​
• We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 7/30/2019.- to qualify on my blog you need to leave a comment stating which card you love the most, 1, 2 or 3 and why. Smiles. 

So there you have it, thanks for hopping along  ... next stop Erum Tasneem! 

Here is a full list of the hop if you happen to get lost along the way!  Thanks for hopping with us today, I hope you found lots of inspiration!!

​Altenew Card Blog
Terri Marie Koszler
Michelle Ochoa Murray
Maryam Sharara
Amber Rain Davis
Irina Fonina
Teri Wilson
Francine Dodwell
Patty Mello
Nenette S. Madero
Vicki Finger
Nandini Karmarkar
Amy Hill
Christine Pennington<<<<<YOU ARE HERE! 
Erum Tasneem