HELLLLLLLO Friends! 

I am so excited to share this beauty- the photos don't do it justice, AT ALL.  It's so gloomy  in Minnesota so no natural lighting.  I really tried to capture the essence and feel of this card.  My daughter- walked by and said WOAH! I love that I get to end Level 2, with a bang!

Technique: Clean and Simple, no- lining coloring with watercolors! Bam!  

Stamps: Altenew Vintage Flowers | Altenew Beautiful Quotes
Ink: Ink on 3, Fadeout | Catherine Pooler Midnight and Rockin' Red | Prima Odyssey Watercolor Pan
Cardstock/Paper:  Arches Watercolor Hot Press Paper -140 pound (I buy it on Amazon)
Other: Clear Rhinestones

Steps: ​

• Stamp branch with Fadeout Ink. Stamp outline bloom image randomly on the branch. TIP: Want to have the best results? Arches, Watercolor Hot Press Paper is a MUST HAVE! 
• Watercolor flowers and branch.  I used #73 Tokyo and #78 Cusco. The trick to achieving a variety of shades is to dry between layer-- start light-- using a lot of water. Adding less water to your palette for each shade.  Another trick is to use a very small, fine brush. Invest in some quality brushes that will last you years and years. Using Rockin' Red Ink, I stamped the centers of the blooms with coordinating center image.  
• Stamp the small flowers using Rockin' Red Ink. 
• Stamp sentiment with Midnight Ink. 
• Mount on a card base ( I used Neenah Solar White 110 pound)  and splatter some leftover watercolor ink to give it some interest- I did both the Tokyo and Cusco mixtures. 

Well, there you have it, this completes my course work for Level 2- Altenew Educator Certification Program- next up is my exam to pass level 2.  I wonder what Erum has up her sleeve for me to do. Ha. 

Thank you to all the intructors, I loved each and every class! 

Until next time! 

♥ Christine 

Hey Friends!  

I am so excited to share I finished another course for my Altenew Journey to Certification, one more to complete my classes for Level 2. 

Today, is all about backgrounds.  Lydia made some amazing cards- I am loving all the fun techniques she showed and can't wait to show you more of them.  Today, I decided to create my own patterned paper.  I will be honest, I don't buy a lot of patterned papers, mostly because I like making white space cards that are clean and simple.  Lydia did introduce me to a new product out there that I ordered - I can't wait to get it to show you all.  It's pretty awesome! 

Stamps: Altenew Inked Rose
Ink: Altenew Permanent Black, Prismacolor Markers Canary Yellow, Light Aqua and Light Olive Green 
Cardstock/Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Yellow and Blue (my scrap stash)
Other: Enamel Candy Drops (my stash), Altenew Silver Metallic Spray, White Signo Pen

Steps: 

• Stamp leaves randomly on Neenah Solar White with Altenew Permanent Black Ink
• Color leaves with your choice of color mediums, I used Prismacolor Alcohol Markers
• Splatter Silver Metallic Spray, I removed the nozzle and flicked
• Add some white does on the leaves using a White Signo Pen
• Assemble and finish with come Candy Drops

Thank you for visiting my blog, I hope I inspired you to make your own background patterned paper. 

​♥ Christine 

Hi everyone! 

Today's project is all about moods of colors.  I absolutely loved this course by Stephanie . I never thought about how color combos can represent mood, our mood or the mood intended for the receiver of our handmade cards.  I found this chart online describing the mood each color represents. Today, my colors are Purple, Black and White. For years my favorite color was purple but as I aged my new favorite color is teals and aqua. Makes sense, ambitious in my younger years, at peace is my older years.  So do you create color combos that represent your mood or the mood you are intending to give to your loved ones? I do both. 

Stamps: Altenew Painted Flowers  | Altenew Inked Rose (Hello Sentiment)
Ink: Altenew Jet Black, Altenew Green Valley Mini Cube Set | Enchanted Garden Mini Cube Set 
Cardstock/Paper:  Neenah Solar White | Altenew Jet Black and Mirror Gold
Other:  Nuvo Ebony Black Crystal Drops | Altenew Antique Silver Metallic Spray​

• Stamp layering flowers on Neenah Solar White Cardstock using purples and greens .
• Handcut flowers leaving a small white edge.
• Stamp flowers on panel with Jet Black Ink. 
• Diecut or punch a 2 1/4 inch Mirror Gold Circle. 
• Assemble as shown, I popped some of the flowers. Spray Silver Ink, Add Nuvo Drops & stamp Hello Sentiment.

Well this was a fun class, this completes my coursework for Altenew In the Mood for Color for my Altenew Journey to Certification. Smiles. 

Thanks for visiting, I look forward to my next class soon. 

♥ Christine 

Hey friends! 

Let's play with color!  Poly, 2 or more!  I was inspired to do a pop of color and what better stamp to do with than Pattern Play Circles from Altenew.  This card is FUN and FABULOUS! So quick and easy to make too.  This completes my course work called, Polychromatic cards. 

Stamps: Altenew Pattern Play - Circle
Ink: Altenew Jet Black | Catherine Pooler Aquatini, Garden Party, It's A Girl and Mint to Be
Cardstock/Paper:  Neenah Solar White |  Altenew Black 
Other: Black Ribbon | Candy Dots (from my stash)

• Step One:  Stamp background image using Altenew Jet Black ink and sentiment on a scrap piece of white cardstock
• Step Two: Stamp circles with a variety of colored inks
• Step Three: Adhere a pretty Black Satin Ribbon
• Step Four: adhere panels and finish with Candy Dots

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope this inspires you to make a colorful creation too. 

​♥ Christine 

Hey friends!  How are you?  

Stopping by to show off a fun, classy card I did- this course was called With a Twist.  I was inspired to stamp on colored cardstock coloring with a white colored pencil. This is one of those quick and easy cards for those times you're in a hurry and need to make something last minute. Ha. I am 6 courses in for my level 2 Altenew Journey to Certification.  Whoooo hoo! Next up, Polychromatic cards. I am practicing getting my color on!  Be back soon! 

Stamps: Altenew Inked Rose
Ink: Altenew Embossing Ink | Altenew Jet Black
Cardstock/Paper:  Neenah Solar White 120 pound (card base) | Altenew Real Grey  & Black 
Other: Prisma Colored Pencil White | Nuvo Drop Ebony Black | Altenew Pure White Ink Spray | Black Twine |  2 inch Circle Punch | Adhesives

• Step One: Stamp leaves using Clear Embossing Ink on Gray panel. This is creating a Watermark of images. 
• Step Two: Color leaves with White Colored Pencil
• Step Three: Punch out circle- add foam squares and replace in the 'hole". 
• Step Four: Spray Altenew Pure While Ink randomly. 
• Step Five: Stamp sentiment on a scrap piece of white cardstock. Adhere as shown
• Step Six: Finish with a twine bow and Nuvo drops. 

Thanks for visiting.... have a wonderful day! 

​♥ Christine 

Hey Friends! 

I am so excited that it's April 1st!  As a Minnesota girl its uphill from here.  I absolutely love Spring.  Birdies chirping, bunnies hopping, fresh green grass. 

Today's card is a touch of coloring with Markers.  I decided to add some fun patterned paper as well. Notice the doodles on the butterflies?  It's an easy way to personalize your project, making it your own. 

Stamps: Altenew Botanical Garden
Ink: Altenew Permanent Black | Altenew Artist Markers Red Cosmos
Cardstock/Paper: Neenah Solar White | Altenew Reflections Paper Pad| Black, Gray and Pink (from my stash) | White Signo Pen
Other: Altenew Wooden Accent | Pearls | Black Twine | Silver Silk 

• Step One: stamp butterflies on Neenah Solar White using Altenew Permanent Black ink. 
• Step Two: color using Altenew Artist Markers.
• Step Three: hand cut out butterflies. 
• Step Four: (optional)- flick Silver Silk on White Panel to give some interest. 
• Step Five: assemble as shown. Finish with twine, pearls and wooden accent.  TIP: I colored my pearls using marker Coral Berry and hand doodles on the butterflies with a white Signo pen. 

Well I am have way done with Level 2 Journey to Certification.  I am excited to see what's next.  Have a wonderful day. 

Blessings, 

♥ Christine

Hey Friends! I'm back!  

Here is another card I made over the weekend for my Altenew Journey to Certification.  This course is all about masking, It's an oldie but goodie technique.  Over the years I have used post it notes, making paper, masking glues.  I honestly don't have a favorite product, they all work fine.  For today's card I used masking paper from Simon Says Stamps.  

Stamps: Altenew Inked Rose and Leaf Canopy
Ink: Altenew dew Drops, Teal Cave and Galactic Stream, Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black, Altenew Embossing
Cardstock/Paper: Hot Press Watercolor Paper by Arches, Altenew Jet Black Cardstock, Masking Paper
Other: Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder, Ranger Aqua Pens, 

• Step One: Stamp large flower from Inked Rose on Masking Paper- detail cut the image out leaving no white space. I used Hot Press Watercolor Paper. 
• Step Two: Stamp flower - mask the flower and stamp leaves, this will allow you to connect the leaves making one image without stamp over the flower.  I am including a great video done by Altenew showing 3 ways to mask. I am a think smarter not harder girl, no reason to make another video when Lydia's already took the time to do one... thanks girl! 
• Step Three: Stamp additional leaves and flowers to fill the card panel. 
• Step Four: Color images using Altenew colored inks (see the list above), I used a craft mat and aqua pens so I could add water to create a variety of shades.  
• Step Five: Stamp sentiment using Embossing Ink, added White Embossing Powder and heat set. 
• Step Six: Assemble as shown, finish with some candy dots. * I used foam squares to pop up the sentiment panel to give it some dimension. 

There you have it, fast, easy---clean and simple, my jam!  Thanks for visiting, be sure to click on ALL the product links to check out the amazing product I use.  I only use the best! 

♥ Christine 

Hey friends, did you miss me? Smiles.  

I took an overdue and MUCH needed vacation. I traveled to North Carolina to meet my first EVER grandchild, Ronan.  He is everything I imagined and MORE.  My hubby was able to go for several days as well.  We are so in love. Here is a photo of the three of us. His mommy and daddy are already amazing parents.  It's so fun to step in to GRANDparenthood!  

Today's card is all about color.  This course was about color wheels, coloring mediums and how to add a pop of color!  I decided to emboss and watercolor.  When you emboss you create a wall, if you will, to hold your colors 'inside'. It also helps you stay in the lines, if that is the look you are going for. I am excited to dive back into the course work for my Altenew Journey to Certification.

Stamps: Altenew Forever & Always and Floral Garden
Ink: Altenew Embossing Ink, Altenew Jet Black, Altenew Watercolor Brush Markers: Limeade, Midnight Violet, Moss, Rubellite, and Warm Sunshine
Cardstock/Paper: Hot Press Watercolor Paper by Arches
Other: Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Silk (for splatters), Nuvo Drops Ivory Seashell and Green Satin Ribbon

• Stamp Flower image from Forever & Always with Embossing Ink, add Gold Embossing Powder and heat set using a heat gun. (remember, heat from the backside as you will get a perfect, smooth even melt every time).
• Watercolor flowers and leaves with Altenew Watercolor Brush Markers. I use a paint palette with water to water down the pigment as a little will go a long ways. 
• Stamp sentiment, Happy  Birthday from Floral Garden with Altenew Jet Black ink. 
• Finish with splatters, Nuvo Drops and Ribbon.

Thank you for stopping by!  Please leave me a comment, so I know you were here. 

♥ Christine 

Hey Crafty friends! 

Back with another pretty card. I absolutely love this color palette.  It gets me in the mood for Spring, and boy do I need Spring to come... we are expecting another snow storm this weekend.  Grrrrr. 

I absolutely love to watercolor. I was excited to take the course work for this technique.  I am certainly enjoying my Journey to Certification with Altenew. 

Stamps: Altenew, Floral Garden (thank you sentiment). Focus on You and Wispy Begonia
Ink: Altenew Permanent Black
Cardstock/Paper: Altenew Reflections Paper Pad, Neenah Solar White, Fun Stampers Journey Haystack and Fresh Sage, Altenew Matte Gold
Other: Prima Odyssey Watercolors, Nuvo Crystal Drops Ivory Seashell, Natural Twine

• Stamp flowers and leaves on Neenah Solar White with permanent black ink. 
• Color/paint images with watercolors, I used Prima Odyssey- you could use other watercolor mediums that you have. 
• Handcut images, TIP: I like to leave a thin white edge. 
• Stamp sentiment with black ink. 
• Assemble as shown.  I LOVE the watercolor background that is actually patterned paper from the Altenew 6 x 6 Paper pad called Reflections. It worked perfectly for this challenge. Smiles. TIP: layer using foam square to give the card some interest and fun dimensions. 

Thank you for stopping by, please make sure you leave a comment to let me know you were here. 

♥ Christine 

Hey Friends! 

I am back from a few days off. I spent sometime in the Studio.  Today, I am showcasing my final project for my Altenew, Journey to Certification​, class Irresistible Heat Embossing.  I LOVE to heat embossing.  It's that one simple technique that will always take your project to the next level.  Embossed images are so much fun and intriguing.  I often get asked by non card-makers how did you do that, do you have a machine?  I tell them it's magic!! 

Today's card it clean and simple (no surprises there). Smiles.   

• Step One: I stamped the solid Leaf Springs onto Solar White Neenah cardstock using Catherine Pooler Mint to Be ink.  
• Step Two: Using a stamp platform, I stamped the outline images with Jet Black Ink, then Clear embossing Ink followed with Clear Embossing powder. TIP: heat set from behind, you will always get a perfect, smooth raised emboss. 
• Step Three: I stamped the sentiment using Jet Black Ink as well. 
• Step Four: Assemble as shown. TIP: raise the sentiment panel using foam squares or foam sheets to give your project dimension. Finish with sequins and a tiny twine bow.  I also added some black and white dots using Signo pens. 

So there you have it, easy peasy and quick!  Below are the main products I used, click on the photos to check them out. 

Crafty hugs. 

​♥ Christine