Bold Blossom Stamp and Die Set

 

Now this is a sweet little bloom for my Altenew Layering Class.  Also it's pretty easy to line up and stamp.  

Supplies:  

• Altenew Bold Blossom Stamp and Die Set.  
• Altenew Chain Link Fence Embossing Folder
• Tim Holtz Thinlits Die 665929
• Ink:  Altenew colors:  Pure Graphite, Pink Diamond, Pinkalicious, Rubellite, Firefly, Grassfield 
• Delicata' 4 Tsukineko Set
• Embossing Powder:  Classic Silver by Tonic
• Sentiment:  "Feel Better" from the Altenew Classic Greetings Stamp Set

I made the background first by cutting layers to fit an A2 white card base.  The first layer is silver cut 4.25" x 5.5".  Then Black cardstock cut to 4" x 5.25" and last a white layer cut to 3.75" x 5".

Put the white layer in the Chain Link Fence Embossing Folder and run it through your die cut machine following the manufacturers instructions for a 3D folder sandwich.  To make that image stand out even more, I rubbed Silver Shimmer from the Tsukineko set lightly over the top of it.  I then glued all my layers to the card base.

                                   

The sweet little blossom's outline layer and the leaves are stamped in Pure Graphite.  The base color for the flower is Pink Diamond.  The next layer is Pinkalicious and the final detail stamp brings out the Wow when it's stamped using Rubellite.  The leaves get firefly as a base color and detailed with Grassfield.  

The sentiment was stamped on black cardstock and embossed with Tonic's Classic Silver embossing powder.  I cut out the sentiment, "feel better" using the Tim Holtz thinlit die.  I then rubbed more Silver shimmer on the edges to give it a shabby chic look.  Arrange the elements on the card front and Yay!  Your card is done.

 

CandyStripe Cosmos Layering Stamp and Die Set

The Candystripe Flower from Altenew is so pretty.  This set is fairly easy to line up because there are so many unique points on the flower.  The pistil, that bit in the center, was the only area I found challenging.  In the Altenew Layering Class we were encouraged to put our own stamp on the backgrounds as well.  Here's how I made this card:

Supplies:

Altenew Candystripe Cosmos Layering Stamp and Die set

Sending Hugs Sentiment from the Altenew Fancy Greetings Stamp Set

Inks:  Pure Graphite, Rouge, Crimson, Velvet, Firefly, Grassfield, shadow Creek, Sagestone, Buttercream, Peachy Keen 

A2 Card base in White and extra White and Gray Cardstock for layering

To make the background, I cut a piece of white cardstock 3.75" x 5" and using the leafy silhouette stamps from the Candystripe Flower Set, I randomly stamped all over using Sagestone ink... allowing some of the images to stamp off the paper.  I cut a gray layer 4" x 5.25 and glued it to the A2 Card base.  Next layer the stamped Leafy background on top of the gray layer.

Now you're ready for that Gorgeous Flower.  Start by stamping the outline stamp in Pure Graphite.  Then line up the A1 stamp and lay down the Rouge.  The A2 stamp adds detail in Crimson.  Last but not least, The A3 stamp will line up to give definition to the tips in Velvet.  The stem with that daring leaf jutting out of the side gets Firefly, Grassfield and Shadow Creek using stamps C1, C2 and C3 in that order.  I chose not to use the C4 stamp.  The center of the flower gets Buttercream, Peachy Keen and Velvet on stamps B1, B2 and B3, in that order.

I loved this flower so much, I kept making it... but you don't have to.  I Die Cut my favorite one and put it on the front of the card.  

The sentiment was stamped onto the same grey cardstock and cut out using a die from my stash.  If you don't have a similar one, you can use any die that fits... even a simple rectangle will work.  I sometimes fussy cut around the words... that works too.  I placed the sentiment at the bottom of the card on the right.  as a last thought ... I added a die cut bow (also from my stash) to the lovely Cosmos.  Yay!  It's a wrap!

 

Hi there and welcome to my blog.  I have a very good friend who doesn't like the Stargazer Lily because she doesn't like the smell.  I adore this showy flower for its elegance and delightful perfume.  But I never cut too many for a vase because that is tantamount to getting stuck in an elevator with someone who hasn't figured out that while they can't smell their cologne, they're giving the rest of us a perfume overload headache.  

But, I digress.  This is the sixth card for the Altenew Education Course.  The idea was to use a background that cuts into the card.  Here's how I made it.

Supplies:  

Altenew Build A Flower "Queen of the Lilies"                                                                                                                                          Spellbinders Kaleidoscope Die or any die that will cut into the paper but not cut out the image.                                 Sentiment stamp:  Your choice.  I used "Congrats" from my stash.                                                                                                  Ink:  Black, Buttercream, Firefly, Frosty Pink, Coral Berry, Tickled Pink, Tangerine Dream

 First, I cut a piece of white cardstock to 5" x 7" and used the Spellbinders Kaleidoscope Die to cut the image into the cardstock.

                                                     

Next, Color the flowers and leaves starting with the A1 image stamp in black.  A2 stamp gets Frosty Pink.  A3 Stamp gets Coral Berry and A4 is stamped in Tickled Pink.  A5 Makes the speckles on the flower.  Use Tangerine Dream for this stamp.  Take care to carefully line up stamps A6 and A7 in the center of the flower.  You've come too far to mess up now.  On to the leaves I used Butter Cream and Firefly...  In that order.  Stamp each leaf image in black, then Buttercream,  Use firefly with the B3 and C3 stamps and the leaves will spring to life.

Die cut two more all white copies of of the Lily out of heavy cardstock.  ( I stamped the images, but you don't have to because no one will ever see them.). Glue them on top of each other with the painted Lily on top.  This will give a 3D impression when glued on the card.

Glue the die cut layer to a 5" x 7" card base and stick the flower down.  Now you're ready for the Sentiment.

                                

I took a blending brush and spread tickled pink in a one inch line across a white piece of cardstock.  I did this so the color would match the Lily perfectly.  I then die cut the sentiment out of the Tickled Pink area.  I cut two more copies of "Congrats" out of white cardstock and glued them together... the Tickled Pink version on top.  Perfect Pop up Sentiment.  Final step... add tiny pearls everywhere the lines intersect. And... we're done.

                                                         

All About Layering Level 1

Hello again!  Thank you for checking out my blog.  This is another card from my Altenew Education Class.  It's quite possibly my favorite so far.  The lesson was to leave my comfort zone and created a card that basically colored outside the lines.  You'll notice that Not one of these beautiful Altenew flowers shows up completely on the card... and yet it draws your interest.  Yep.  I'll use this technique again.

Let's get started!

Supplies:  A2 White Card base

                 Black ink

                 Altenew Inks:  Arctic, Caribbean Sky, Buttercream, Warm Sunshine, Firefly, Greenfield

                 Altenew "Crown Bloom" Stamp Set

                 Altenew "Flourishing Garden" Embossing Folder

                 Sentiment: "I smile when I think of you"from the Build a Garden "Queen of the Lilies" Set

first, stamp the flower outline in black and add the first layer of color using the base stamp inked up with Arctic.  Add detail with Caribbean sky.  Use Buttercream and Warm Sunshine to color the center.

These adorable leaves take on their own personality stamped in Firefly and the detail in Grassfield. Such a sexy leaf!  I want to use it again and again.

I did not have a die set to cut them out, so I fussy cut them, leaving a tiny bit of white around the edges.  These flowers are pretty easy to fussy cut even if you don't really enjoy the do it yourself way.  

Next, I cut a piece of white card stock to A2 size (4.25" x 5.5") and sandwiched it in my "Flourishing Garden" embossing folder and ran it through my die cut machine.  I used a Blending brush to color the raised layers with Caribbean Sky.  Next I cut a strip of Vellum and stamped the sentiment in the middle.  A word of caution here... ink on vellum can take longer to dry.  So take a break and wait because hitting it with a heat gun is also a risky solution.  I added glue along the otter edges and glued the vellum to the embossed layer.  Once it was dry, I flipped embossed layer over and cut off any overhang with a pair of scissors.

Hang tight... we're almost done.

Next check where you want to stick your flowers by positioning them on the card front without glue.  This way you can move them around until you have them just right.  When you're happy with the placement, glue them down and someone is going to get a very pretty card.

 

 This is my Third card in the Altenew Educator Classes.  In this class I learned to layer smaller flowers around an image and atop each other.

Supplies:  Altenew Painted Flowers Stamp Set

                  Ink:  Black, Soft Lilac, Lavender Fields, Butter Cream, Warm Sunshine, Firefly and          Grassfields.    

                  Rounded Rectangles Die set

                  Sentiment:  "You're the best" From Altenew's Classic Greetings Set.

Let's get Started:  First, Stamp six of the outline images using black ink.  On three of the images I layered Soft Lilac with the stamp that covers the entire image.  Next a stamped the detail image with Lavener Fields.  The last three outline images are stamped with Butter Cream and Warm Sunshine.

Okay... now color the leaves with Firefly on the base stamp and Grassfields on the detail stamp.

 Now, fussy cut out the flowers leaving a little white around the edges.    Okay.  Let's make an A2 card base by cutting an 8.5" x 11" sheet of purple cardstock so that you have 2 pieces that are 8.5" x 5.5".  When you fold one of these in half, you have an A2 card base that is 4.25"x 5.5". 

Now cut a piece of yellow cardstock to 4" x 5.25" for a layer that will go on the front of your card.  Cut a    piece of the purple cardstock to 3.75" x 5" to use as an inner layer.  Using that same yellow cardstock, tape          two dies from the rounded rectangles die set together.  I set the smallest die aside and used the next two sizes to cut out a yellow frame.  Keeping the two dies taped together I cut out a foam sheet and glued it to the frame to pop it up on the card.

                                                

 I then used the small rounded rectangle die to cut a hole in the center of the purple layer.  Make sure to cut it so it follows the length of the card.

Glue the Yellow layer to the card base, centering it so you have a quarter inch edge all around.  Now glue the purple layer with the cut out center to the card.  Here comes the fun part... stamp the sentiment "You'r the best on the exposed yellow center.  

Remember that yellow frame you cut out?  Glue that around the sentiment, centering it so it looks depressed.  Add the flowers on top, stacking one on top of two others and alternate the colors.  Yay.

You're done!

                                            

Hi.  My name is Margaret Radford.  My friends call me Mags.  I have seven sisters and seven brothers.  It was my very creative sisters who got me into card making.  To tell the truth... they were scrapbookers and that's where I got my start.  Once I discovered card making, scrapbooking took a back seat.

Today I'm proud to tell you that I have been accepted into the Altenew Educator Program.  The first step is to learn all about layering stamps.  In subsequent posts you will see my effort to master this technique.  I'm new to blogging so my site isn't very fancy... still, I hope you will join me in this effort by checking out my posts as I make my way through the classes.  Thank you.

Pretty Poppy Card

 Hello and thanks for visiting my blog.  

   Another layering stamp set is the star of this post.  Layering stamps are the perfect solution for crafty people who think they can't color, because these stamps do the coloring for you.  

   This little card doesn't have a lot of elements but if you love Poppies like I do, you'll enjoy making it and consider yourself lucky if you're on the receiving end.  

So... lets get started.

Supply list:  #Altenew Painted Poppy Stamp and Die Set

A2 Size White Card Base (4.25" x 5.5")

Fan Brush

Altenew Inks:  Crimson, Velvet, Grapevine and Graphite for the flower.  Firefly and Shadow Creek

   First, Stamp the Flower with the stem, as well as the Bud Leaf and stem in Graphite.  You must be careful not to stretch the stamp or you will have difficulty aligning the die to cut it out.  I stuck the flower to a glass block and then lifted the stem, leaving the flower attached to the glass and let the stem flop back in place.  You can check alignment by laying the die over the stamp before  you ink it up.

   Next:  Layer on the color with the stamps.  The biggest solid looking stamp goes first.  use the lightest color for that one.  The detail stamp is next in Velvet.  The center is stamped in Grapevine, the darkest color.

   Move on to the bud and Layer on color with the most solid stamp in firefly and the detail stamp in Shadow Creek.  There is a tiny piece that creates the bit of red in the center of the bud.  It looks like a giant coma.

   Now die cut two or three blank copies of the flower and the bud in heavy cardstock.

   Glue these copies together and then glue your finished flower and bud on top.  This will make your finished flowers stand out and give them more depth.

   Your background for the card is created directly on the card base.  I diluted the graphite ink with 91% alcohol on a glass mat and use a fan brush to pick up some of the ink.  Hold the brush over the card base and tap to splatter ink on the card making sure to leave open space for your sentiment.  You can reserve space with a mask of paper the size of your sentiment placed in the area you want to put the sentiment.

I stamped the sentiment, "You make me happy" from the "Painted Poppy" set.  

Glue down your flower and the bud and you are good to go. Have fun with this one.  

Delightful Day Carnation Card

 Hello and thanks ever so much for visiting my blog. Here's my first post.  Enjoy!

Supply List:

Altenew Delightful Day Carnation Stamp and Die set 

White Cardstock

Vellum

Sentiment Stamp or Die:  Your choice.

Decorative Die for background.  I used one from my stash

Altenew Inks:  Wisteria, Andromeda and and Hydrangea for the flower.  Firefly and Grass Field for the leaves.

A card base that is 5"x7"

I love to make the flower first.  It comes out so pretty that it's inspiration for the rest of the card.  This is a layering stamp so I stamped the base and then layered on color with each additional stamp, starting with the lightest color first.  There are four layers to this set.  I liked the look with three layers, so I didn't use the fourth.  Next layer color on the leaves and cut them out.

Once the flower is done, use the die to cut it out.  I wanted to pop it up and my favorite way to do this is to cut blanks out of white cardstock and glue them together.  My paper is heavy weigh, so three cuts glued together gets the job done.

Next I stamped the sentiment:  "Wish you a pleasant day" on Black Cardstock and cut it out using a Sizzix Thinlet die by Tim Holtz.

Now you're ready for the background.  Here's where that decorative die comes into play.  Cut one out of Vellum and a second one out of White Cardstock and glue them together with the vellum on the back.  slip the vellum slightly askew so that they are not aligned and the vellum shows through. and you are ready to assemble your card.

First, glue the background vellum piece to the bard blank.  next place the flower onto the card to check placement.  When you're happy with where you put the flower and the sentiment, glue them in place.

Yay!  You now have a beautiful card to send to someone special.  They're gonna love it.