Altenew September Release Blog Hop + Giveaway + 4 Cards to Brighten Your Day

Hello, crafty friends! I’m excited to join Altenew September Release blog hop today! There are lots of wonderful products for a variety of style. Each one has its own vibe — from bold and graphic, to soft and painterly. Let’s dive in! I used a few of them here.

You can check out the entire release HERE

Card 1: Sending Love and Sunshine

For the first card, I started with the Checkerboard Tiles stencil to create a cheerful pink-to-yellow ink-blended background. Doesn’t it just scream sunshine? I paired it with bold black foliage from the Autumn Whispers stamp and die set. The contrast makes the leaves pop right off the card! A little gold thread adds a finishing touch.

1. Mask the white panel on a flat surface. 

2. Ink blend lightly starting with a yellow and fading to pink at the bottom to create a smooth ombré

3. Position the checkerboard stencil. Start with the lightest ink (yellow) at the top and finish with the pink at the bottom.

4. Remove stencil, set panel aside. 

5. Stamp foliage in black onto white cardstock; die-cut. For crisp blacks use a pigment or crisp dye ink.

6. Arrange leaves on the lower right of the blended panel. Adhere some pieces flat and lift others with foam tape for dimension.

7. Tie a small gold thread bow and attach near the stems. Add the sentiment top-left with foam tape.

Question for you: Do you love bright backgrounds with bold accents, or do you usually go tone-on-tone?

Card 2: Wishing You a Day Full of Smiles

This card is all about the gorgeous Fanciful Pansies stamp, dies and the coordinating stencil.

1. Die-cut all the images.

2. Adhere the flower on foam tape slightly over the panel edge for a modern look. Add the sentiment die/strip at the lower right. Cut the vellum panel and add behind the main floral image.

Card 3: Woodland Magic

I played with the Woodland Path set. Look at those mushrooms! I love how the teal and orange combo creates a whimsical, storybook feel. A soft ink-blended background and gold splatters ties it all together.

1. Emboss the mushroom cluster using the 3D embossing folder onto white cardstock. Use a detail ink for clean edges.

2. Add base colors with ink blending: teal for accent leaves, warm orange for mushroom caps, golden browns for stems. Use layered blending: light color → darker in shadow areas.

3. Add depth with a small detail brush or marker — deepen shadows where elements overlap.

4. Trim or die-cut the cluster as needed. Lightly blend a soft horizon or background color on your panel (pale aqua) so the scene doesn’t float on stark white.

5. Adhere the scene to the panel with a mix of flat glue and foam tape for dimension. Add sentiment above center. Finish with gold splatters or a touch of clear shimmer on mushrooms.

Tell me: Do you enjoy using unexpected colors for nature scenes, or do you prefer staying realistic?

Finally for my fourth and last card

I used the Autumn Whispers stamps and dies, Checkerboard Tiles stencil and the Nesting Circles die set

1. Dry emboss a white panel using the stencil. 

2. Sponge a touch of pink and turquoise ink to the cardbase.

3. Stamp the leaf image using various ink colors. Die.cut them.

4. Die-cut a circle from the embossed panel. Die-cut a gold frame using two of the smaller dies. Adhere the panel to the card using 3d foam. Adhere the circle using liquid adhesive and the frame using 3d foam. 

5. Assemble the leaves on a semi wreath format.

💛 That’s all four for today! Each card shows a different side of Altenew’s versatility — playful, elegant, and magical.

Which of these four is YOUR favorite style? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Giveaway info:

$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Blog and each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by September 24th for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew's Blog Hop Post on September 26th, 2025.

The winner of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.

You can check out the entire release HEREYou are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Spellbinders - From Bold to Delicate: September Club Kits Inspiration

Hello friends!

I’m excited to share two cards I created using the Spellbinders September Club Kits

This month’s sets are so beautiful and versatile—it’s perfect for both bold, colorful projects and softer, clean-and-simple designs.

✨ Card 1 using DOML and the BPOM

For my first card, I went with a bold look! I blended rich reds and pinks for the background, added a touch of texture, and then framed the card with sparkly gold. The layered die-cut leaves bring in all the autumn vibes with bright pops of color. I love how cheerful and festive this one feels!

Steps:

1. Letterpress a white panel with the Better press of the month plate.
2. Start by ink blending a piece of white cardstock with shades of pink and red inks. Layer the colors until you achieve a rich background.
3. Die-cut the rectangular frame from Rose gold glitter cardstock. Adhere it over the blended panel using 3D foam.
4. Die-cut multiple leaves from white cardstock for the Large Die of the month . Ink blend each in fall colors like yellow, green, orange, and pink and turquoise.
5. Arrange and adhere the leaves to the corners of the frame for a clustered effect.
6. Die-cut the “Hallo” sentiment from the German Everyday Sentiments Etched Dies from the International Sentiments Collection
7. Add color to create an ombre look. Back it with a vellum shadow for softness, then adhere it to the center.
8. Mount the panel to a card base and finish with splatters or gems if desired.

✨ Card 2 using DOM and BPOM

For the second card, I took a softer approach. I added loose watercolor splatters in shades of pink and then layered the delicate die-cut foliage in pastel hues. The result is airy, fresh, and full of dimension while keeping the design clean and modern.

Steps:

1. Letterpress a white panel with the Better press of the month plate. Sponge pink ink.
2. Take a piece of watercolor cardstock to size. Create pink watercolor splatters across the background. Let dry.
3. Die-cut a stitched rectangle panel and adhere it over a dry embossed card base for subtle texture.
4. Die-cut foliage from white cardstock. Lightly watercolor in pastels—greens, pinks, and Turquoise.
5. Cluster the foliage in the center. Adhere some flat and others popped up with foam tape.
6. Die-cut the “Hallo” sentiment from white cardstock and layer it with a black shadow for contrast.
7. Place the sentiment over the foliage to complete the design.

Hope you enjoyed todays cards. Thank you for dropping by and have a nice day!

Pinkfresh Studio “Twinkle & Tradition” Release Blog Hop

Hello and Welcome to the Pinkfresh Studio "Twinkle and Tradition" release blog hop. This release is festive and amazing, with a lot of products for a variety of styles. It's never too early too start with the Holiday cards 

Today I’m sharing two fun and easy-to-make Christmas cards featuring the The Shelf Edit: Magic of the Season product suite.  stamp set. These little elves instantly bring a smile and are perfect for cheerful holiday greetings! 

My third card features the Timeless Tidings Stencil and Die combo. Love it.

For this card I also used the Interlaced Quatrefoil press plate with matte Gold foil and the Tied with Cheer Stencil and die combo. 

For the next card I used the new Christmas Lights coverplate with some glacier glitter cardstock peeking from behind.

My final card for today features the Timeless Tidings Stencil and Die combo. I went for some fun n bright colors for this card. I also used glitter paste using the Border stencil. 

GIVEAWAYS:

Pinkfresh Studio will be giving away the full release on the Pinkfresh blog & YouTube channel.

As well as a total of TEN $50 gift cards along the hop. As usual the winners will be selected from the comments.

Pinkfresh Studio will pull the winners & post them on August 26, 2025, on their GIVEAWAY PAGE.

Don't forget to check that page & claim your prize within 2 weeks.

Here is the link to complete HOP list

CLICK TO ENTER HERE

You can find all the products HERE at Pinkfresh Studio Shop

Let me know which one is your favourite — the wreath or the reindeer? or the bright baubles 😊

Have a wonderful day hopping and happy crafting!!!

Spellbinders: Handmade Winter Cards Using July Clubs

Hello crafty friends!! Today I’m sharing four cheerful winter card ideas that are easy to recreate using Spellbinders July Club Kits. 

Each card features die cuts, ink blending, and clean sentiments that make them perfect for seasonal greetings. Let’s look at how to make them!

Card 1 – Gingerbread Winter Hugs  using July BPOM and CLD club kits

How to Make It:

Die-cut the gingerbread shape.

Ink blend using Peony dye ink to create soft shading.

Use small dies to add details 

Emboss a piece of white cardstock using the Betterpress plate to create a textured background.

Assemble: Cut triangle shapes from the embossed panel. Adhere the embossed panels to your card base. Add the gingerbread man on foam tape.

Attach the sentiment strip across the bottom.

Tip: Ink blending around the edges adds dimension without needing extra layers.

Card 2 – Cozy Mitten Hugs using Large Die of the Month and GOM

       

How to Make It:

Die-cut the mitten pieces.

Lightly ink blend the mittens and cuffs for shading.

Create the background by foiling the glimmer plate using Speckled Prism Foil 

Blend soft pink ink over the background to highlight the pattern.

Adhere the background panel to the card base. Die-cut a circle and adhere the embossed panel from the betterpress plate. Add the mittens with foam tape.

Finish with your sentiment strip.

Tip: Use metallic foil to make the snowflakes stand out.

 Card 3 – Snowman Let It Snow using Glimmer of the Month

How to Make It:

Die-cut the snowman pieces and assemble them.

Create the background using a snowflake glimmer plate using silver Foil. Here I used the reverse foiling technique here. 

Lightly blend blue inks over the snowflakes to add color.

Attach the background panel to your card base.

Mount the snowman on a small circle die-cut from vellum.

Add your sentiment strip underneath.

Tip: Ink blending over foil creates a unique iridescent effect.

Card 4 - Penguin Season’s Greetings Card using Die of the Month

This card is sure to bring a smile with its cute penguin mug and festive colors. It’s perfect for sending warm wishes all winter long.

    

Die-cut the penguin mug parts from black, white, and orange cardstock. I also used glitter CS.

Assemble the penguin by gluing the pieces together. Add the scarf and tiny heart.

Die-cut candy canes and whipped cream and attach them to the top of the mug.

Emboss a white panel with a subtle pattern to create background texture.

Mask and lightly blend aqua ink in the center of the panel to create a soft diamond of color.

Layer everything on a red card base.

Glue the embossed panel.

Adhere the penguin with foam tape for dimension.

Add the sentiment at the bottom.

Tip

Try switching the scarf color to match your favorite holiday palette!

These cards show that you can combine basic die cuts, ink blending, and clean sentiments to create winter cards with lots of personality. No complicated techniques—just simple steps and a bit of color.

Which one is your favorite? Let me know, and happy crafting!

Pinkfresh Studio “Whispering Views” Release Blog Hop

Hello and Welcome to the Pinkfresh Studio "Whispering Views" release blog hop. This release is amazing and versatile, with a lot of products for a variety of styles. I am super excited as I have a new product suite "Sippable Scenes" designed by me :)

I want to thank Kinnari for giving me the opportunity to design :)

In this post, I am focusing on the "Sippable Scenes" product suite today. This set is all about cozy moments, dainty florals and scenic charm. From layered cards to journaling and memory keeping, the elements in Sippable Scenes were designed to be flexible yet full of character.

The full supply list is at the bottom of the post, if you would like to check out.

Card 1

I went with a retro look with bold florals and used the Sippable Scenes stamps, dies and stencils. I also used the leaves from another new stamp set "Blushing Blooms" along with the Dashing Daisies press plate and the tiny hearts are from the Sweet Scoops stencils :).

"Wishing You Every Happiness” – A bold, bright bottle layered over subtle florals and a softly embossed background.

Using one of the designs from the stencils, add ink blending in vibrant warm tones (pinks, yellows and oranges).

Die-cut the bottle and color in the bottle cap.

Stamp the florals. I also stamped the leaves from the other set. Add floral accents for contrast and tuck them behind the bottle.

Add a vellum oval from the Double Stitched Elongated Oval die. Use foam tape for depth, and finish with a sentiment stamp from the set.

Card 2

A dreamy dual-bottle design featuring a glowing sun, gold foil accents, and soft florals.

Blend inks using the stencils for two bottles.

Foil the Interlaced Diamond pattern using the press plate and die-cut it using the coordinating dies.

Tuck in the florals, which I embossed using the WOW! gold embossing powder onto vellum.

Adhere the sentiment.

💡 Creative Tip:

Mix and match the bottle or can from Sippable Scenes with florals or motifs from previous Pinkfresh releases. It blends seamlessly and adds a fresh twist.

GIVEAWAYS:

Pinkfresh Studio will be giving away the full release on the Pinkfresh blog & YouTube channel.

As well as a total of TEN $50 gift cards along the hop. As usual the winners will be selected from the comments.

Pinkfresh Studio will pull the winners & post them on July 22, 2025, on their GIVEAWAY PAGE.

Don't forget to check that page & claim your prize within 2 weeks.

Here is the link to complete HOP list

CLICK TO ENTER HERE

Spellbinders - June Club Kit Cards

Hello everyone! Today, I am sharing a few cards using the "June Club Kits 2025" from Spellbinders.
I really love the designs and variety of these clubs and that how everything is so well thought of.

Club subscription info:
The new subscription sign up window is from the 6th to the 27th. After existing club members subscriptions have been processed, any inventory remaining will be available for new subscriptions. Continuing Subscriptions will charge on the 5th of each month, which means existing Club Members will be able to cancel subscriptions or make edits to payment or shipping info up until the 4th of each month.

For my first card I used the DOML ( Large Die Of The Month) Sailor's Light and features a lighthouse, houses, clouds, waves and much more!! Super cute and versatile.






For my next card I used the Betterpress of the Month and also used the Large Die of the Month. I love the details of the rope texture here. And the Lighthouse is amazing!




 

For this next card I used the Glimmer of the Month. I used the negative foiling here and used the opal foil. I then added some blues to turn it like water.




 

This card features the Die of the Month. This set is adorable with so many cute possibilities!





I hope you like the June clubs. Check them all HERE or at the Spellbinders website.
Have a wonderful day! Happy crafting!