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 

Hey friends! 

I am so excited to show you what I have been up to.  Last week, I was snowed in so all day Saturday I was in the Studio- my first few ideas did not work well, so I stepped away for a bit and went back.  Has that ever happened to you?  Well after that brief timeout, this beautiful ensemble was born.  It is a gift bag of all occasion cards for that special someone. Included is 6 cards with envelopes. And how about that awesome gift bag that the receiver can pay it forward if they choose? Pretty fun indeed! 

This project is for my Level 1- Final Challenge for my Journey to Certification. Create a gift set using three techniques from the courses along with packaging. So I did just that. Now on to my step-by-step process. 

The techniques I am showcasing are: Clean and Simple Boutique Cards, Easy Ink Blending and Let it Shine

Clean and Simple Boutique Cards: If you've followed me for any length of time, you will know that I do mostly Clean and Simple, I like 'white" space, white space can be any color but it basically is open space. I am a firm believer in less is more. I also am a Focal Point Artist. I always ground my designs with a focal point, I feel they are pleasing to the eye and tell a story. I want to take your eyes to the beautiful images our designers create.  Altenew has some of the most beautiful floral images out there. Tip: always use GOOD quality cardstock, don't settle for flimsy cheap cardstock. Your cardstock is your canvas and to create good art- you need a great foundation. 

Easy Ink Blending: Did you know Altenew Inks are water-based? I love this because I love to color and splatter with inks. I use a craft mat to dab ink onto and then I spritz water to create the color hue I am going for. I also love the spatter look on cards so you will often see me flick watercolor onto my project. I also like to create my own cardstock colors for the perfect match to my project- to do this you can either direct apply the pad to cardstock dragging it across or you can use ink daubers to apply.  I like doing both. 

Let it Shine: is all about glitter and shine!  I will admit I don't use a lot of shine because I struggle with taking good photos.  its hard to deflect the glares. But, my family and friends always love my SHINE cards the most. They always looks so much more elegant in person. Some ideas to add shine are : embossing, use of embellishments, glitter pens, metallic paper, and my favorite, glitter washi tapes. 

​Now onto my project! Enjoy!! 

I decided to make a gift bag for my packaging,  I used a plain Kraft bag, added some cardstock cut to size and I stamped some flowers with Embossing Ink Next, I applied a strip of corrugated cardstock. You only glue the short ends so you can slip one of the cards through. How awesome is that?  What a fun way to decorate a dull, Kraft bag. :-) Because my cards are layered and not flat, I would include a few clear card boxes and/or clear card sleeves. These cards are not mail-able without a box or padded envelope- I would personally hand deliver these cards because they are so special. 

Well, friends, I hope you love these as much as  I do, but more importantly I hope you re-create a set of cards as a gift. When you do please tag me or email me a photo or two. There is nothing more exciting than knowing I have inspired you to get inky too. Thank you all the Altenew instructors, your courses were fun and educational. My wish list for more stamps is LONG. Smiles. 

For all your Altenew shopping needs: here is a direct link to my account, when you purchase I make a small commission that allows me to continue to create pretty things, there is absolutely NO cost to you to use my link.  Click HERE. 

May you have a wonderful day! 

Blessings, 

♥ Christine 

Hello friends.... 

Well today is my final project for my Journey to Certification course work.  This card is probably my favorite of the 10.  I love that Altenew is dye base ink, by adding water to it, you can watercolor like a pro! 

• Using a craft mat, apply some ink from the ink pads directly to the mat, add water until its the color of your desire. Paint images with a dry brush, its best not to you an aquabrush because you have less control of the amount of water. 
• Flick watercolor ink onto the card for the splatters, I also flicked Clear Glitter Silk and add a few small dots with my white Signo Unipen. 

Thank for stopping by, please leave me some love so I know you were here!  This completes my coursework for Level 1- up next is the final exam for approval. 

♥ Christine 

Hey Friends! 

Today's post is short and sweet.  This project was designed for my J​ourney to Certification with Altenew. It's all about Easy die-cutting techniques.  For my card, I made a simple inlay background using die-cuts. 

Altenew Products I used: 

• Stamps: Floral Garden (for the sentiment) & Painted Flowers 
• Dies: Leaf Canopy & Painted flowers
• Ink: Black Permanent, Green Valley Mini Cubes & Tea Party Mini Cubes

Other Products: cardstock, Clear Embossing Ink, Gold Embossing Powder, Silk, Twine and Sequins

To create the background: I first die-cut the sprigs using Leaf Canopy from Altenew using a 4 x 5 1/4 panel of Rose cardstock. I also die-cut a set using a Gold Finished Cardstock. Next I glued the Gold pieces in the empty spaces on the Rose panel. Last, I offset the Rose die-cut pieces over the Gold to create a shadow.  The results look amazing! Such an easy way to create a beautiful background. 

Thanks for visiting, ONE more course to complete for LEVEL 1--- practicing and designing! 

♥ Christine 

Hey friends!  Happy Sunday! 

​Check out this project for my next course, Seasonal Scene Building for my Altenew Journey to Certification.  I must admit this was out of my comfort zone technique.  I am very happy with the results.  Creating scene type cards are NOT quick, lots of pieces and parts. 

There you have it, easy peasyi

Thanks for stopping by, inky hugs! 

♥ Christine 

Hola Friends! 

Well, I pulled out the big guns and went all out on this baby!  This is for my current course Let it Shine for my Journey to Certification for Altenew. It's definitely a labor of love and took me several hours to pull it off- to recreate it would take a quarter of the time now that it's all designed. Wanna know how I made this step by step?  I don't usually go into full detail but this one deserves the VIP treatment so today, I am including a step by step photo tutorial.  All I ask is that you comment and share this post with all your crafty friends.  Blogging can be a lonely world and takes me a lot of time to do because I am not the best with writing.  I sometimes wish I had an assistant to do all my social media stuff. 

This may look intimidating, I promise it's not once I break it all down.  Lots of shine and shimmer going on- so fun and Gorgeous! 

So there you have it, I hope you recreate a card making your own 3D shaped flowers and a Sparkly/Shine card. 

Thanks for stopping by, comments are uber cool, it lets me know I am inspiring YOU to create pretty things. 

​♥ Christine 

Hey Friends! 

Back with another card. Today is all about For the Guys!  Confession: I throw out the rules when it comes to making guy cards, they don't have to be trucks, atv's, etc. Guys enjoy flowers and nature too. For me its the color combos and the embellishments you use.  Keep it simple, the guys don't need all the extras. Some would say NO BOWS, I say phooey, bows done nicely will work. Speaking of that, I did a black twine bow and it looks awesome! Ha. 

Altenew Supplies: Stamp Leaf Canopy |  Black Permanent Ink | Altenew Reflections 6 x 6 Paper Pack 

Other Supplies: Clear Embossing Ink, Clearing Embossing Powder (for the outline of the Leaf Stem, Catherine Pooler Ink Mint to Be for the inside of the leaves, black twine, Gold and Black silk for the splatters & a few Gold sequins

Edited to add: Black Cardstock 4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2, 1/2 x 5 1/4 (two strips) ; White Cardstock 4 1/8 x 5 7/8; 4 x 5 1/4; and a scrap for the leaf twig; Patterned Paper 2 1/4 x 5 1/4

Stamp the leaf twig with Black ink, stamp again with Clear Ink using a stamp platform, Stamp inside of leaves with Mint ink, stamp again with Clear ink, Apply Clear Embossing Powder and heat set. TIP: I always heat from the back, it make a smooth finish. When you heat from the front at times particles may fly off  (well that's my experience). You also want to always warm up your heat gun prior to using. To give the card some interest, I used foam tape behind the black strips, the leaf spring and the sentiment. 

This completes another course for my Level one Journey to Certification--- 6 down 4 to go!  

Ta ta for now, please leave me a comment so I know you were here. Have a great day! 

Blessings. 

♥ Christine 

Hey Friends! 

Oh Mylanta!  I know right?  This card is amazeballs!  

Today's card is all about Easy Ink Blending, this completes another course for my Journey to Certification.  To create your background, use your ink pads and a dauber to create the exact color match you are wanting.  I started with an 80 pound piece of cardstock, I use Neenah as I am able to blend beautifully on it. 


​Altenew Supplies: Stamp Set Last Canopy | Inks Honey Drizzle and Permanent Black.

Other Supplies: Clear Embossing Ink, Clear Embossing Powder, Nuvo Crystal Drops Bright White, Clear Enamel gems, Black and Sparkle Silk, Black Satin Ribbon, Tim Holtz Distress tool and water to flick on the inked background (Dye Ink will react to water). 

Tips:

• Stamp leaves with Black Ink using a stamp platform. Repeat with Clear Embossing Ink and Clear Embossing Powder, this will give you amazing results every time. So Bold and pretty.
• When creating the background, Ink your dauber a little at a time - you can always add more layers until its pure perfection. Also, I always dab off on a piece of scrap paper and I work in light circular motions starting off the cardstock. 

As always, thanks for stopping by, please let me a comment (no lurking)- ha! 

Blessings, 

​♥ Christine

Hey Friends! 

Back today with another fun technique, Celebrations Stencil Techniques for my Journey to Certification. 

​After practicing, I ended  up with one background I could work with, probably because it was not new to me. Smiles. Sometimes you have to go with what you know and then perfect it from there. 

​I sure enjoyed trying several of the tips- I stamped a background using a stencil.  It reminded me of the backgrounds I can get from a Gel Press- not as drastic or effective without the cushion of a Gel Press. I also tried water-coloring a background using a stencil and some ink and water- not my favorite outcome, I would need some different stencils to pull it off.   

To create this inked background, I made my own stencil using the Cozy Flannel Die from Altenew.  I die-cut a stencil from an adhesive stencil sheet that I bought at my local craft store.  Wanna use what you have? You can use a thick cardstock (like 110 pound) - or a sheet of acetate works too to make a stencils with a cover die. **Note: Depending on the material you use, you will need to adjust how much ink you use and how heavy your hand is when daubing the ink.  

For my card, I applied Altenew Honey Drizzle Ink to a piece of Neenah 80 pound cardstock (I find the 80 pound blends better than the 110 pound), just like they shared in one of my sessions. For the flowers/leaves, I used Altenew inks Heart Beat and Firefly. The stamp was a freebie I received from Altenew called Billowing Blossoms. The sentiment is also from Altenew, called Beautiful Quotes. The twine and enamel dots were from my stash.  It hard to see in the photo but I did an acetate window to reveal the sentiment (first time doing this layout, so fun)! 

I hope this card puts a smile on your face like it does mine. Be sure to leave a comment, so I know you were here... it just take a minute. ​I can't want to have my friends over to make this card. ​

Blessings, 

♥ Christine