Year End

2026 is almost here.  I'm thinking about how to more consistently blog my cards.  I find posting on IG to be quicker, but I don't like not being able to search my cards like I can on my blog.  Maybe I'll finally just write very short descriptions. 

I'll start with the 2 cards I made for my Altenew Christmas Card Exchange Partners.  Unfortunately, I didn't get great pictures.  Once again they look better on IG.  I used the same Altenew Products for both: Poinsettia 3D Die Set, Perfect Poinsettia 3D Embossing Folder and fancy Peace Die.

I rubbed the raised edges of the green panel with Versamark and embossed with Sparkle Powder.  I brushed some darker red ink on the poinsettia petals and used the same ep on the tips and center.  The word was also ink blended to be darker across the top before embossing with the ep.  I'm entering SSS Wednesday.

For the other card, I used the folder with SSS Rich Red Metallic cardstock--so beautiful in person! 

I rubbed the edges with a black ink pad.  The poinsettia was cut from vellum and the word and flower center were cut from glossy black cardstock.  

I've wanted a cardinal die for a long time and finally have one just in time for hubby's Christmas card. 

SSS Cute Cardinal was actually colored with Copics R29, R59, YR04 and black.  I don't have confidence coloring, so was really pleased it turned out good.  Poppystamps Pine Needle Shoots die was cut from 3 MB green cardstocks.  I attached the shoots to MB Woodland Branch.  The blended background was done with Altenew Caribbean Sky.  Love my very old Savvy Stamps sentiment which I stamped in Versafine Clair Nocturne.  The snow is white gouache splatters.  I'm entering Christmas Kickstart.

My last card is for the Altenew Year in Review Challenge. 

I was inspired by the April challenge photo of beautiful pink flowers against a backdrop of green leaves.  

I used these Altenew products:  Fresh Flowers die set, Sweet Bouquet sentiment stamp, ink colors Rose Quartz, Puffy Heart, Purple Wine, Citrus Burst, Shadow Creek and Mountain Pine plus Versafine Clair Nocturne.  I couldn't resist adding sparkle with Lindy's Gang Fairy Fluff spray.  You can see it in my IG post.  I'm also entering SSS Monday and Word Art Wednesday.  

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Altenew and Poppystamps

So....who's a dictator?!  The nightmare of my country's leadership continues.  I try to concentrate on other things to push away my feelings of anger and hopelessness.  Things that would usually be a bother are now welcome distractions, like finally getting the printer to work and putting together documents to file taxes.  Always welcome is making cards!  

Here's what I came up with for the Altenew February Inspiration Challenge.  

I decided to use my neglected Dreamy Daylillies embossing folder and matching stencils.  I used PTI Vintage Cream cardstock with Altenew's Aqualicious and Sand Dunes inks.  The splatters were done with Teal Cave and Rocky Shore.  I added just a bit of Champagne Stickles on the flower stamens.  The gold embossed sentiment from Sweet Bouquet was added over a nest of gold thread.  Lately I've really liked the look of multiple mats.  Here I added a gold metallic one and one blended with Rocky Shore.  This will probably have an Easter sentiment inside.  I'm also entering WAW.

The February Poppystamps Challenge theme is Something Sweet.  Valentines were included in things that would meet the requirement, so that's what I made.  I sent quite a few this year and plan to do the same next year. 

Poppystamps Heart Pattern Plate was die cut from a panel of PTI Smoky Shadow.  I found a scrap of PTI Lovely Lady that I used for Poppystamps Capri Heart, the sentiment mat and a thin vertical strip.  Can't beat pink and gray/charcoal in my book!  Really love HA Translucent Enamel Dots.  Tiny pink ones were perfect for the centers of the hearts.  

The old MFT sentiment was stamped in Versafine Clair Morning Mist.  Again I used multiple mats--this time for the sentiment.  Took me quite awhile to figure out exactly how I wanted the elements, but love the final result.  I'm also entering the 500th challenge at The Snippets Playground.  Now that's an accomplishment!  

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Altenew

I really like Altenew's Climbing Flowers die set and wanted to use them to fill a card front.  So I decided to try and make another entry for the Altenew June Inspiration Challenge.  Found the right shades of cardstock in my stash, along with Altenew's Mystic Purple Glitter Tape.  Love how it turned out!

Deck Planks embossing folder makes a wonderful background and it's one of my favorites.  

The glitter tape is very sparkly and works great for layered floral die cuts and sentiments.  It's narrow, but I just put 2 strips side by side on a piece of cardstock to use for the sentiment from Floral Acanthus.  The lightest enamel dots in the Sugar Plums set were just right for embellishment.  I'm also entering SSS Wednesday.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Friendship and Christmas

Last minute entry for the Altenew November challenge using Dreamy Daylillies embossing folder & stencils, plus the word die in the bundle.  

Whoever came up with stencils to color embossing folders is a genius in my book--haha!  I picked out inks that were as close as I could get to the challenge colors:  PTI Autumn Rose, Altenew Fuschia & Hydrangea.  I covered the ends of the stamens in Nuvo Glaze & added silver splatters.

The embossing is so beautiful, I kept it simple with just a silver strip & word.  Can't wait to use this folder again with different colors.  I'm also entering SSS Wednesday.

I participate in a Christmas card exchange each year.  This time I used CN9 Tiny Trees Turnabout with a different color combo for each card.  This one has been received, so I'll post it here & enter Christmas Kickstart, Rudolph Days, SSS Monday & SSS Wednesday. 

Three turns were stamped in PTI Lilac Grace, Lavender Moon & Amethyst Allure, with the 4th turn silver embossed.  One of the separate trees in the set was also silver embossed with Amethyst for the trunk.  To make the tree stand out from the background, I die cut a vellum oval & brushed the back with the Amethyst ink. 

I added Silver Stickles & a sequin to the tree, stamped the sentiment from the set to match & used Amethyst Allure cardstock for the mat.  I knew the recipient loved purple & I'm happy to say she likes her card.

Sorry to do 2 posts so close together, but challenges are closing.  Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.

Coffee, Christmas, Thanks

I wasn't really planning to enter the Coffee Lovers Fall Winter Blog Hop, but I noticed the Stampendous stamp in my box of things I'm selling.  Decided to use it again before it hopefully goes to a new home.

I stamped in Versafine & added just a bit of coloring with Copics.  The popped up frame is made with a PTI die & a beautiful double sided Echo Park paper I got in Indiana from the clearance bin.  The splotches from PRS New Day stamp set are stamped in Memento Toffee Crunch.  I lightly brushed the panel with DI since I didn't want it to be so white.  Now if only you guys were here to share a cup with me!

As you know, I love making Christmas cards!  This one started at the retreat in Indiana when I borrowed Brenda's PB poinsettia stamp.

I silver embossed it & colored with Zigs I borrowed from Maria.  When I got home I added the PB sentiment stamped in Versafine Majestic Blue, splattered with Zigs & added Nuvo Silver Moondust to the center.  I'm entering The 30 Day Coloring Challenge, Stamplorations CAS Cards, PB & More, PBSC, Inkspirational & CAS on Friday.

The W&W Color Combo Challenge inspired my thank you card.  I smooshed a watercolor panel with DO fossilized amber & faded jeans & DI victorian velvet.

Then I die cut W&W The Leaf Effect & attached it to a beige, textured panel.  The die cut sentiment is W&W In a Word: Thanks.  I used a sponge dauber to color the shadow with fossilized amber & the word with victorian velvet.  Both layers were stacked 3 high & I added Nuvo Glaze for shine.

The little branch included in the set was stamped in faded jeans & attached behind the word.  Finished off with some gold sequins.  I'm also entering JUGS & SSS Monday.


Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.