Altenew Heartfelt Moments Online Class

When I saw the pictures of the supplies for Altenew's Heartfelt Moments class I knew I had to grab them because of this layering tree and the embossing folder in the next card. Isn't this Majestic Maple gorgeous?! And with Altenew's ingenious Key Hole System it is so easy to layer each piece! I am a very experienced cardmaker but I did learn a lot and loved the cards the teachers made in the 3 days of classes. 

We received many supplies in the class package and this embossing folder (plus the tree above) is my favorite. I also loved the layered stamped squirrel and the leaves which are sold together as the Garden Friend die and stamp set. Much of the September release with these products is sold out, but you can of course sign up to be notified when they come back in stock.

I made these 3 cards after watching Day One of the Altenew class taught by Walter Zemrock. I added my own touches with dies and substituted products for coloring the trees, but I did learn much from his take on masculine cards. 

Stop back tomorrow to see the rest of the cards I made after taking this amazing class.

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Foiled and LetterPress Cards from Pinkfresh Studio's Online Class

I wanted to learn more about letterpress with my Spellbinder's BetterPress System and decided to take the online Create and Connect Hot Foil/Letterpress Virtual Event for that reason. We received a huge box full of press plates with matching stencils and dies and a full day of classes plus two extra make and take cards with instructions for each class. It was worth every penny and I highly recommend these online events from Pinkfresh Studios.

This is one of my favorite cards we created in one of the classes. I was unable to take the classes live on the scheduled day as I was out of town. I love that we can watch when it is convenient for us, stop as many times as we want and create at our own pace! I am not sure if you can tell in the picture, but in the floral frame at the top and the bottom, there is the sparkle of foil. I looked at all the sample cards made with the beauty of hot foil and with the help of a big sale at Spellbinders, I gave in and purchased a Glimmer Machine. I had resisted for years, but all of the press plates I have now in my collection can be foiled too! I can letter press OR foil them, so I treated myself. Most of the cards I share have larger foiled sentiments from Pinkfresh Studios and smaller foiled sentiments from Taylored Expressions.

My favorite class was taught by Emily Midgett and here are the two awesome cards she taught:

I loved the layouts and everything about these cards from her class. I changed the color to purple on the roses oval card just for fun. Here is another card I made with the oval rose and floral border from another class:

For each class we were taught two cards and then we received pictures and instructions for two more cards. I loved the arches set of press plates, stencils and dies and created these two beautiful card with their instructions. It is hard to see, but the lower card has gorgeous foiled leaves and flowers. Here is another card I made with instructions from the class:

I just love the layouts of these cards and would not have come up with them myself so I am so glad I took the classes! Here are the last two cards I made with a lovely floral press plate:

Fall Cards with New Dies...To Die For Dies

The September release at Dies...To Die For at Shopscrapbook101 is full of amazing dies and in this blogpost I am sharing cards made with some of my favorites. This is a slimline card created with the new Slimline Tree With Critter Homes die. The three critter holes open up to reveal these friends: 

The squirrels, acorns and "nuts about you" sentiment are part of the new Squirrel die set.

In the new September release there is a die set called Succulents and Terrarium and I made this z-fold card to show that hanging from the bridge piece. Here are some other looks that show different angles of this fun fold: 

The gorgeous background die is Echo Noble's Succulent Background. The scripty words are part of a new die set from called Lu's Fall Words. I die cut the terrarium out of copper foil cardstock and vellum and added plants from the same die set. I die cut the succulents background out of four different cardstock colors and inlaid three different colors of succulent leaves. Since I had the leftovers, I also created this card: 

I recently took a online class with Jennifer McGuire and she shared a tip on how to combine two dies to decorate plainer shaped dies like the orange round pumpkins here. I attached bright orange pieces of the succulents background die on top of the darker orange cardstock and then cut out the pumpkins. Makes them so much more interesting, doesn't it? 

Window Weaving Made Easy with Sue Wilson Weaving Dies

On Day 20 of Spring Card Camp 2 at Online Card Classes, Jennifer McGuire showed weaving in a die cut window and I created this card for their gallery. But can you see the stitched dots in the strips I wove for this pretty rainbow butterfly? I was just playing with weaving for a new video but I made my strips so easy by cutting them out with Sue Wilson's and Creative Expression's Intermediate Weaving Die. The open butterfly window was cut with a die from Stampendous and I simply added some black pearls to finish the card. 

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes Challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday. 

Day 20 Window Weaving Spring Card Camp 2

I have been playing with weaving for a new video recently but it never occurred to me to try weaving with vellum until I watched the videos from the last day of Spring Card Camp 2. I also added added a ribbon to the weaving. The vellum I used was all colored but of course it is see through so is very subtle. I started with a card front embossed with a new Memory Box 3D embossing folder. The stitched butterfly opening was die cut with a Simon Says Stamp die and the sentiment is a Sue Wilson die. 

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes Challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday. 

Another Fun Spring Card Camp 2 Idea

On Day 13 of Spring Card Camp 2 at Online Card Classes, Jennifer McGuire taught us a highlighting technique where she layered white die cut pieces 3-4 times and then attached them to a white card front. Because they are raised, when we brush on ink there is a little white shadow around them. Then she suggested choosing one to highlight with another die cut piece. Jennifer did her highlighted flower in white, but I chose a rainbow designer paper for my highlighted butterfly. I added clear gems from Gina Marie Designs and a layered "Thinking of You" sentiment from Sue Wilson. 

Letter Substitution Slimline Card with Pinkfresh Studio and Free Digital Stamps

It never occurred to me to substitute a letter of a large die cut word with an image of some kind and I learned how easy that is to do in Day 10 of Spring Card Camp 2 at Online Card Classes. The stamped and die cut butterfly from Pinkfresh Studio is replacing the O in Hope created with alphabet dies from Kat Scrappiness. Hope, Kindness and Love Cannot Be Cancelled is the wonderful message in a free digital stamp set from Queen & Company.  I used another free digital stamp on the inside of the card from Catherine Pooler: 

I love how our stamping crafty community is stepping up to share joy and helping others in these tough times and am happy to do my small part.

Vellum Framed Card with Idea from Day 7 of Spring Card Camp 2

One of the ideas from Spring Card Camp 2 that I am currently participating in from Online Card Classes was to use vellum overlays in unique ways. I loved the look of a vellum leafy frame with a green one so much I quick ordered the Leafy Frame die from Simon Says Stamp. I am so glad SSS and many other companies are back to their quick shipping times! I have been playing with Pinkfresh Studios "Forever in Our Hearts" butterfly stamp and die for a new video and am sharing this sneak peak of one of SIX cards I made with this beautiful set. Here is a look at the inside with one of the perfect sentiments from this stamp set:

Great Alphabet Die Ideas from Online Card Class Spring Card Camp

I am taking the Online Card Class Spring Card Camp and everyday we get a new video lesson in our email mailbox. One of my favorite days so far was Day 14 with Laura Bassen and these cards were inspired by her ideas with alphabet dies. I loved how she layered alphabet dies overlapping and stenciled on different colors and I did that with HUGS using dies from Kat Scrappiness. She also suggested stenciling around the edge of the card front with the same lighter colors used on the letters and I did that with an older Memory Box stencil. I love how this card turned out! "Sending" is a stamp from Stampendous and the "Random Act of Cardness" is a perfect stamp sentiment for these days from Technique Tuesday. 

Laura also suggested "gold tipping" on our alphabet dies and I tried it on this card. I die cut YOU from Kat Scrappiness out of a white card front and half of the letters out of a sparkly gold and glued them together. I put them back in their negative space and embossed it all with a new gorgeous 3D embossing folder from Memory Box. I added a little green to highlight the embossing and raised the letters up on foam before attaching them back for the eclipse look. "Thinking of" is from a die set from Spellbinders. 

Inking Stencils Homework from Spring Card Camp

I loved the ideas presented in Day 9 of the Spring Card Camp at Online Card Classes which combined stencils and inking, and I had a play with them today. I sponged on Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry and Lucky Clover Distress Oxides through a stencil from Catherine Pooler. As the lesson suggested, I then removed the stencil and spritzed with water before laying on a piece of watercolor paper. Here is the card made with that piece:

I did not have as much success with the 2nd part of this technique- it was always so very light. But on this one, I simply moved the stencil over and sponged some more ink and I liked the result. I loved Channin's idea of layering white sentiments on a vellum piece and used sentiment dies from Karen Burniston on vellum for both of these cards. I added some Gina Marie Designs gems to finish each card. 

Sending You a Big Hug Spring Card Camp Card Day 3

I jumped on the chance to participate in a new card class from Online Card Classes hosted by Jennifer McGuire and friends called Spring Card Camp. Every day we get a new lesson to watch and learn from with card samples, and Day Three's idea was perfect for me! I love to paper piece and fussy cut and we were taught how to "color with paper" using a background stamp with an abstract pattern. I looked at my background stamps and decided Technique Junkie's Zen Waves would be perfect for this idea. I stamped on 3 shades of blue cardstock as well as a yellow and green and created this card. Then I simply added a perfect sentiment strip from Taylored Expressions to complete the card. I am so missing real hugs from my dear friends and grandkids, but until we can have the real thing, I will keep sending cards like this one. 

Another Rainbow "Part of the Dance" Card

I love rainbows and gorgeous stamps and playing with them when I have time. I am taking a class called Rainbow Maker at Online Card Classes and played with one of the ideas they shared creating a round rainbow of colors with Distress Oxide inks and a sponging tool. It is easier to blend the Distress Oxide inks than the traditional distress inks I think, but I am still not an expert. Even so, I do like the background especially with the water spots and I love the stamp from Technique Junkies that is the focal point. I stamped it several times using my Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Stamp Platform and black Versafine ink. I attached the finished card front to a white 5 1/2" square card base and added some Sparkling Clear Droplets from Kat Scrappiness to finish the card.

I will be entering this in the "Add a Sentiment" challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday and the Day One gallery at the Rainbow Maker Online Card Class. Thanks for helping me #spread the joy of creativity!

Rainbows and Gorgeous Stamps Make Me Happy

I have been taking the Rainbow Maker class at Online Card Classes but hadn't had the time to try any of the colorful rainbow ideas they shared until this weekend. The beautiful stamp from Technique Junkies featured in this card called "Part of the Dance" has been calling my name since I received it and I finally had time to play with that too. I started this card front with Bristol Smooth Surface cardstock and a stencil from Ranger and Dina Wakely called Mighty Waves. I taped the stencil down and used my Clarity Stencil Brushes to brush on a rainbow of colors using my Distress Oxide inks. Then I placed the stenciled card front in my Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Stamp Platform and stamped the gorgeous stamp from Technique Junkies several times with black Versafine ink. I love how this card came out and will be entering it in the Day One gallery at the Rainbow Maker Online Class.

Thanks for helping me #spread the joy of creativity!

More Nuvo Glimmer Paste Sparkle for Online Card Class Homework

I really liked the look achieved when I mixed Nuvo's Moonstone Glimmer Paste with shades of dye inks for a sparkly ombre' background on my cards and today I am sharing one more card with that technique I learned on Day 5 of the Sparkle and Shine Online Card Class I am taking. The live class is done this week, but you can take the class anytime and I highly recommend it. For my first card, I combined three shades of Distress Ink with my Nuvo Moonstone Glimmer Paste and applied them directly on an A2 piece of heavy white cardstock. When it was dry, I decided it looked like water, so I die cut and attached some fish from Penny Black. I wanted to say "keep on swimming" as an encouragement for someone going through a rough time. I had a strip of cardstock that was sponged with blue Distress Oxide inks and spattered with some water, so I pulled out my Sophisticated Script letters from Concord and 9th and started stamping each letter. I love these stamps because I can personalize any card with a calligraphy script- way better than my writing! But I ran out of room, so I had to say swimmin'. Let's pretend that is exactly what I wanted to do:) Here is a close up of the sparkle on this card:

For my last homework card, I spread on Nuvo's Blue Topaz, Tanzanite Lavender and Amethyst Glimmer Paste full strength combining the colors a little as I changed colors on the background piece. I created the heart with another technique I learned. I covered a heart cut with Tonic Studio's Traditional Hearts Layering Die Set with Versamark and Nuvo Ballerina Pink Embossing Powder and melted it with my heat gun. That process is repeated several times to get a thick layer of embossing powder. I found to get enough layers it is best to start with a super thick embossing powder like the Ultra Thick EP from Ranger. Once the embossing powder is thick enough, I swiped on some red, pink and purple dye inks and then melted it again with my heat gun. The inks will move around and run down for a faux marble look. I die cut and attached a favorite sentiment from Tonic Studios. Here is a close up of the heart and sparkly background:

Thanks for helping me #spread the joy of creativity!

Glimmer Paste Ideas from Day 5 of Online Card Class

I have learned something everyday of my Sparkle and Shine Online Card Class, but my favorite day was Day 5 where they featured Paste and Mousse. I love Tonic Studio's line of Embellishment Mousse and especially their Glimmer Pastes so it was fun to learn new ideas of ways to use these products. I loved the idea of making my own glitter paper in ombre shades using inks and glimmer paste so much I made four backgrounds and then 4 cards! I will show you two today and two tomorrow to sneak them into the galleries before they close. 

It never occurred to me to mix dye inks with Nuvo's clear Moonstone Glimmer Paste, but that was one brilliant idea shared on Day 5. The instructor suggested creating "wings" of scrap cardstock on each side of the thicker cardstock and taping those down with blue painter's tape. That way you can spread the glimmer paste over the entire card front, and then use the "wings" to move to the card to a drying spot. I adhered the card front piece to the side wings with a temporary glue dot runner. On the craft mat, mix 3 shades of a color family one at a time with the Moonstone glimmer paste, and use a palette knife to apply to the cardstock. I used Altenew's Shades of Purple (and pink) for the background of this card. Here is a close up showing a bit more of the lovely sparkle:

IRL it is super sparkly, but more subtle than the colored Glimmer Pastes applied without mixing it with inks (come back tomorrow for a card I used with three shades of Glimmer Paste without the dye ink.) I die cut a beautiful Kindness saying from Hero Arts and added a couple punched butterflies out of some Brutus Monroe paper. 

I made another ombre glittery background mixing three shades of Altenew's Green Fields and Nuvo's Moonstone Glimmer Paste. I had been wanting to try Jennifer McGuire's idea of using tulle to make a shaker card, so I combined that idea with the ombre handmade glitter paper for this card. I die cut an opening in the green glitter piece and in the front of a top folding green A2 card with a scalloped circle die from Tonic Studios. I applied the tulle to each following Jennifer's instructions (linked above.) I dumped some floral and other pastel sequins and attached the pieces together. Here is another look with the sequins spread out:

I stamped the roses from Tonic Studio's new Bunched Bouquet Traditional Spray Stamp Set Two and the leaf from the Stamp Set One of the same name using several shades of Altenew inks. I die cut "sweet" from Tonic's Awesome, Sweet and Cool set and attached with my favorite Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive. Then I finished the card by punching a butterfly out of the center scalloped circle piece and attached with a pink gem. I used a strong glue dot in the center of the butterfly and some small strips of mounting tape on the wings so they will stay up even when mailed.

I am entering the second card in the Bit of Sparkle challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. I am also entering this card in the Anything Goes challenge at Live Love Cards. 

Thanks for helping me #spread the joy of creativity!