Pop of color

 Pop of Color

 This week for Jen Rzasa #altenewchallengelive theme is Pop of Color.  

I had a bit of fun with this challenge because besides the pop of Color I did a spotlight technique.  Haven't done this technique in years!  Used Altenew 3D embossing folder named Daisy bed for these two cards.  The inks are Catherine Pooler ink pads, they are still my favorite right now.  These inks are so bright and beautiful.

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Blackout technique

 Blackout technique

This is a technique that blocks out all the white on a card.  Jen Rzasa from Altenew Tuesday #Altenewchallengelive with the theme White Out.  White out theme just means there is NO white anywhere on your card/project, so I did the Blackout technique.

Basically all you do is emboss a white panel with an embossing folder.  On the debossed side sponge on some color in the image.

Next take a black dye ink pad and lightly rub it across the card panel till the background is all black. You can see more of this blackout technique here back in 2024.  

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Shine on

 Shine on

A couple of cards for #altenewchallengelive  Jennifer Rzasa's Tuesday shine on challenge .  

Used Altenew stencils, dies on these two cards.  I did a fun idea, that Nicki from Nicki hearts card blog did with embossing paste, and embossing folder.  You can see it here.  Easier to see then explain.

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Metallic Fun

 Metallic Fun

I am having fun with metallic cardstock, and embossing folders.  Here are a couple of bookmarks.

 Don't worry I haven't stopped making cards.  Cards are my go to projects.  Used Altenew stencils, dies, and paste to make all the bookmarks, cards, and tags.

Also made a couple of tags.

For all of these samples I used eighter gold, or silver cardstocks, and pastes.

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Metallic glow

 Metallic glow

I am obsessed right now with this technique using metallic colored cardstocks.  Don't know who orginated this technique so for now I am calling it Metallic Glow.  

            supplies used:  Altenew walnut branch embossing folder,                                     botanical 3D embossing folder

Basic instructions for this technique is to use metallic color cardstocks.  I found that TH metallic cardstocks that come in a pad worked the best for me.  I first tried this technique with inexpesive metallic cardstock from craft store, and they just didn't emboss well, or the cardstock cracked!  Sometimes it is just best to go for the brand name product, and this is one of those times.  

                        Altenew Magnalia dreams embossing folder

Run the metallic cardstock with embossing folder through your embossing/die cutting machine, I have Gina K machine, and I really like it. Use a sanding block to sand off the raised areas, then drag a pigment ink pad over the raised embossed image...this is what gives the image the glowing effect.  Much better in person.  For my cards I used Hero Arts unicorn white pigment ink, a couple of very old Encore copper, gold ink pads.  I tried Lisa Horton metallic ink pads but wasn't satified with the coverage of ink ... sometime new isn't better than old.  My Encore ink pads have to be at least 20 years old, and they are still juicy!  For this technique you need to keep in mind that pigment inks DO NOT want to dry on glossy metallic cardstock ... so I let them sit overnight then sprayed them with a fixative spray which work just fine for me.

This last card I am showing was done on regular white cardstock with copper ink.

Altenew Decorative florals embossing folder

In all my cards I used Altenew 3D embossing folders but I'm sure you could do this Metallic Glow technique with any company embossing folders.  Experiment with what you have in your stash.

Thank you for stopping by.  Come back soon.  Leave me a comment letting me know what you think of this technique.

Sentiment shuffle

Sentiment shuffle

I'm back to doing the Tuesday #altenewchallengelive with Jen Rzasa from Altenew .  This time the theme is sentiment shuffle, another words you take different style, and/or stamp sets, even dies.

all supplies: Altenew

For these two cards I used embossing folders, die words, and stamped words. 

supplies used:  Altenew and Waffle Flower stamp co.

This take care card is a preview of cards to come.  I will keep it a secret for just a little bit how I did the bottom section of the card.  Feel free to make guesses in the comment section, in fact I would welcome your comment guesses.

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Lots of texture

 Lots of texture

It's time for Jen Rzasa Tuesday Texture take over #altenewchallengelive .  For my card I used Altenew Woodland path bundle which is an embossing folder and stencil set.  Embossing folders add texture all on their own, but with set it has a stencil set to add color.  Besides color there is stickles glitter glue, and ribbon for more texture...along with foam tape on the back of the panel for more added texture.  Also on this card there is a strip of cardstock with enamel dots, and a saying that is also popped up with foam tape.

My tag uses Altenew Painted jellyfish stamp/die set.  First the tag has blended ink on it, next pattern papers that I cut waves, and glued onto the tag.  Mounted jellyfish with foam mounting tape.  Stamped sayings with black ink, next added enamel dots, and stickles glitter glue for more texture, and of course, sparkle.

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Hello Rolling Hills

 Hello Rolling Hills

This week with Jen Rzasa Tuesday #altenewchallengelive is all about saying Hello to 2026.

I used Altenew Rolling hills embossing folder/stencil set, and hello die.  The card on the left I used the embossing folder, and the hello die.  I used the stencil set to color in the embossed panel, then mounted the hello in white cardstock.  The card on the right I just embossed the folder with white cardstock then colored the hello with a few different green ink pads.  Next I mounted the green hello on to the white embossed panel.

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B & W tiny but mighty

 B & W tiny but mighty

I made several more tiny but mighty 3" cards.  These cards 

supplies used:  Altenew embossing folders: Natural wicker, Organic linen. dies: Sizzix vault fright night, vault gothic portraits.

can be used as tags, also.  I figured since I was making tiny... they might as well be some sort of tag.  I do like the addition of the embossing folders in the background for texture.  I forgot to say I'm entering these tiny but mighty card/tags in Jen Rzasa #altenewchallengelive  Tuesday challenge.  These are in the configuratations of the rules, being 3" or smaller BUT I did have to make them in the spirit of Halloween.

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Tiny but Mighty

 Tiny but Mighty

This week for Jen Rzasa #altenewchallengelive theme is Tiny but Mighty.  There is one rule, and that is, our cards/projects have to be 3" or smaller.  Needless to say I made a couple of 3" cards. 

supplies used:  Altenew Paint-A-Flower White Swan Echinacea, Botanical 3D embossing folder

What I did first was blend/sponge on some ink colors for a simple background of color.  On the first card I just stamped the images with black ink, and added a few enamel dots.  For my second card I used an embossing folder over the colors, then sanded a bit to reveal the white card.  Stamped the saying, and cut it out.  Again added a few of my favorite embellishments ... enamel dots.

Hope you like my tiny but might 3" cards.

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Bellflower Bliss

 Bellflower Bliss

supplies used:  Altenew Bellflower Bliss layering die set, embossing folders

This is a wonderful die set, and basically easy to put together, because of Altenew's key hole system.  I did regular colors for these first two cards, but I plan on doing more in different colors.  I got out an old supply ... Ranger stickles, and liquid pearls that I have had in my stash for years.  Even though they have been hanging out in my stash for years ... they are still GOOD!  

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Ice skates

 Ice skates

I know it is almost Spring, but I just had to use this skate die set from Altenew.  I did purchase this set back during the winter months, just didn't get to using it.

Just some fun colorful ice skates.  What color were your ice skates when you were young.  I had basic white ones.

The inside saying is from a set by Waffle Flower company.  There are some good winter sayings in this set.  Embossing folder in the background are also from Altenew.

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Stencil Art: charming delight

 Stencil Art:  charming delight

This is a stencil set from Altenew stamp co., that is a new monthly subscription. 

But after it is out for subscribers (who get it a lesser price) it is offered to all customers.  Here is a close up look at one of the cards I made with this set. 

stencils/dies used:  Altenew Stencil Art: charming delight & Masonry wall embossing folder.  Unity stamp co. rectangle & arches die sets, Catherine Pooler inks

I am not a subscriber to Altenew co. Stencil Art sets but I do like them, and buy the ones that appeal to me.  Charming delight has six stencils in the set to create this flower spray.  There is a little learning curve for this set but once you get it down ... it's easy to create this beautiful flower spray.

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Poinsettia

 Poinsettia

One of my holiday designs for this year is all about the flower Poinsettia.

stamps/dies used:  Spellbinders Christmas Bird Poinsettia, Altenew stamp co. all the sayings & embossing folder

This card came together pretty quickly because all the wonderful die set from Spellbinders co.  For these cards I die cut colored cardstocks, so there was no coloring.  Embossed white card panel with Altenew organic linen 3D embossing folder.  These embossing folders have been my favorite now for quite a while.  They emboss beautifully with no fussing of wetting cardstock, or anything.  I arranged the poinsettia with all the leaves on a white oval die cut, then layered onto a black oval die cut that is a little bigger.  I do like the way this card came together.

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Bird sympathy

 Bird sympathy

stamp/dies/embossing folder used:  Altenew stamp co. birds, embossing folder.  MFP saying

My local card swapping group decided to do sympathy for one of our monthly themes.  The above picture is the first card I did but for my group I simplified the card a little.

stamps/dies/stencils used: Altenew stamp co. bird dies, stencil.  MFP saying

In this picture you can see I switched out the embossing folder for a stencil.  Other than that I used the same ink which is from my favorite company, Catherine Pooler stamp co.  I do like their foam ink pad and all the fun colors...that is not to say other companies don't have very good ink pads, it's just for me it's CP inks lately.  Back to my cards ... I die cut the birds and adhered them to a circle die that I blended some ink on.  Stamped the saying with black ink, and puts a few self sticking gems to finish off the cards.

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***not affiliated with any of the above companies just a happy customer*** 

Calming Koi

Calming Koi 

I've moved on (for right now) from Jelly fish to Koi fish.

stamps/dies used:  Altenew Calming Koi stamp/die set

These koi fish are a die set with a small complimentary stamp set.  The small Koi stamp set has spots for the fish, and several little sayings.  Background pieces on both cards is done with waxed paper.  Basically what you do is scrunch up a piece of wax paper, dab it on an ink pad then tap, tap, tap on a white card.  I used 3 colors for my background ... a couple of orange, and one pink.

Card #1

For card #1 I cut the background into a rectangle, adhered it to the front of an A2 (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") card.  Added a couple strips of pink cardstock to the top, and bottom of the background piece.  Glued the koi fish onto the background piece.  Stamped the saying above the background piece.  Added some tea party enamel dots to finish off the card.

Card #2

For card #2 I embossed a white panel with one of my favorite Altenew embossing folders called Organic Linen.  This folder goes with everything. I die cut a circle from salmon color cardstock, and die cut a circle out of the wax paper scrunch background.  Both circles were adhered to the right side of the embossed linen card, and cut off just a small end.  The embossed card is adhered to a salmon color A2 card.  Add the koi fish around the circle dies.  Next stamp, cut out the saying, and adhere to card. 

Altenew challenge.

I am entering this card into Altenew challenge here.

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***not affiliated with above company just happy customer***

3D embossed fun

 3D embossed fun

I do like embossing folders, and 3D embossing folders make deeper impressions.

stamps/embossing folders used:  Altenew stamp co. 3D Decorative Florals embossing folder, Penny Black friend edger die/stamp set

Instructions:

1.  Run 3D embossing folder through Big Kick (or machine of choice) to get impression.

2.  Gently drag ink pad (my choice Catherine Pooler ink pads) across card with embossed image.  

3.  Die cut friend edger and stamp saying.  Adhere to impressed card.

4.  Add layers to A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2" folded card) card.

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Blackout embossing

 Blackout embossing

This is a dramatic card!  Don't remember who started this technique, but if you do please let me know so I can give credit.  To me this is a take on Joseph's coat technique.

supplies used:  Altenew 3D embossing folders Decorative florals, Tulip Bouquet

Instructions:

1.  run 3D embossing folder through Big Kick (machine of choice) to get impression.  For this technique you will be coloring on the debossed side.

2.  On the debossed side add color to the depressed image.  Spot coloring is all you are going to be doing for this technique.  Coloring doesn't have to be perfect.

3.  When done with coloring ... take black ink pad (dye ink preferred) and gently drag it over the card with the spot colored image. Cover the whole card with the black ink.

supplies used:  Altenew 3D embossing folder Whimsical bouquet, Tulip bouquet

That's it!  The black ink will cover the background around the image, and just highlight the colored image.
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Chestnut tree with rolling hills

 Chestnut tree with rolling hills

stamps/dies/embossing folder used:  Altenew stamp co. Chestnut dies, 3D Rolling hills, Bold sayings

I am still enjoying making the Chestnut tree with the layering dies.  This set of dies is easy because of the keyholes for positioning.

The background is a (new to me) 3D rolling hills embossing folder, which makes a great subtle background scene.

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***not affiliated with company just a satisfied customer***

Decorative florals

 Decorative florals

Lately, I like to fool around with embossing folders. Here I used one of my favorites from Altenew stamp company, called Decorative Florals 3D embossing folder.

                    stamps/supplies used:  Altenew 3D Decorative florals embossing folder

I ran the 3D embossing folder thru my Big Kick (yes, I still have and use old Big Kick die cutting machine) on white cardstock.  These 3D embossing folders create wonderful pressed out images.  For this one I spot colored with my Catherine Pooler inks.  The little Hi was from an Altenew stamp set I have in my stash. I layered the embossed card onto a black layer, then onto a salmon colored A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") card.  Simple, but I think effective, and unique card.

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***not affiliated with any of above companies just satisfied customer***