Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Pinkfresh Studio Year in Review Instagram Hop

Welcome to the Pinkfresh Studio Year in Review Instagram Hop. I’m sharing three of my cards from this year that really represent my style and the techniques I enjoyed using most.
They represent different styles: seasonal, soft floral, and clean modern There is also one card which is my own illustration...YAY!!
A mix of techniques: shaker, stenciling, stamping, embossing, die cutting, masking and mixed media
Each card suits a different occasion, showing how flexible the products are
Thanks for hopping along! Be sure to check out the next stop in the hop and see more Year in Review favorites from the Pinkfresh Studio design community.







    
Video on Pinkfresh Studio YouTube Channel HERE




Thank you for dropping by. For giveaway, go to my Instagram: @ishaguptadesigns

To shop for the products visit Pinkfresh Studio and make use of the wonderful discounts.

For a limited time, enjoy 15% off storewide, and for all clearance items an extra 30% off! No codes needed—everything is already marked. Whether you’re picking up favorites, treating yourself to something new, or snagging a great deal from clearance, now is the perfect time to shop.





Monday, December 15, 2025

• Cardmaking with a Glow + Altenew Giveaway

Hello everyone!
I’m excited to share a card today featuring Altenew’s products

There’s something so comforting about cards that include light—lanterns, candles, and soft glows, which always feel warm and meaningful. Today I’m sharing this delicate lantern card,, along with a small giveaway to celebrate!


For this card, I used the Decorative Lantern Layering Die Set as the focal point. I love how the layered pieces add instant dimension, especially when paired with soft ink blending and nature-inspired details. The leafy branch frames the lantern beautifully and helps draw the eye toward the center of the card. The new Petal shaper tool helps shape the petals with ease.



The lantern was die-cut from cardstock and softly ink-blended to give it depth while keeping the look light and airy. I added a subtle glow behind it using pale watercolor wash and a few ink splatters for texture. The layered leaves and tiny flowers bring in a gentle pop of color without overpowering the design.

A simple sentiment finished the card—perfect for sending encouragement, love, or just a thoughtful note.
Full Supply list is listed below

To celebrate today, get a chance to win a $20 gift card to Altenew on my Instagram Account! Just follow these easy steps for a chance to win:

1. FOLLOW @ishaguptadesigns and @altenewllc

2. LIKE the post on Instagram

3. COMMENT on the post on Instagram

Winners will be announced on this post on 22nd December 2025
Thank you for dropping by and have a wonderful day!

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Pinkfresh Studio - Three Cards with Few Watercolor Techniques, One Stamp + Video

Hello friends! Today I’m sharing a set of three cards created using the Pinkfresh Studio liquid watercolors and the gorgeous Petal Poise stamp & die set. If you already own the liquid watercolors, this is a great way to explore what they can really do — from soft pastels to rich jewel tones and embossed watercolor effects.

I’m also using the Pinkfresh watercolor paper, which is beautifully thick and stays almost completely flat even when wet. It’s perfect for today’s techniques.


I have listed the supplies in the description box below. I am using the affiliate link with no extra cos to you but that helps me run everything smoothly :) Thank you.

Card 1 – Birthday Card with Deep Jewel tone Background

 Technique: Watercolor Wash + Color Lifting


I began by heat embossing the floral clusters using white embossing powder. After creating a deep watercolor wash with Candy Apple, Lavender and Cotton Candy, I used clean water to gently lift color from the embossed images.



This creates a soft bleached look that works beautifully with pastel backgrounds. It’s a simple and forgiving technique — great for beginners.

 Card 2 – Winter Wreath with Die-Cut Trees

 Technique: Controlled Watercolor + Layering


For the second panel, I shifted to soft wash of watercolor. I added layers of Candy Apple, Lavender, and Sky/Ocean Blue watercolors, keeping two brushes handy: one for pigment and one for clean water.



This technique allows you to build dimension slowly and create vivid blends with soft transitions.

 Card 3 – Holiday Card with Partial die-cutting

 Technique: Gold Embossing + Intense Color


The third panel features the same Petal Poise image, but heat-embossed in gold and colored with richer tones — including Mulberry and deeper red shades.



Gold embossing pairs beautifully with watercolor blooms and adds an instant festive touch.
Using the partially die-cut piece, I created a holiday-inspired design.
The sentiment (from Once Upon a Holiday) is layered over a red glitter oval.
A touch of Candy Apple ink brightens the edges, and Ombre Glitter Drops finish the card with sparkle.

Final Thoughts

These three cards show how much variety you can get using the same stamp set and the same set of liquid watercolors. Whether you like soft washes, bold jewel tones, or embossed outlines, watercolors offer endless flexibility.

If you’d like me to demonstrate any of these techniques in more detail, please leave a comment — I’d love to hear your ideas!

Check out the VIDEO HERE at the Pinkfresh YouTube Channel

Supplies are listed below. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Happy crafting!

Thursday, November 27, 2025

“One Stamp, Two Stunning Cards | Altenew Vellum Embossing & Watercolor Backgrounds”

 Hello crafty friends! Today I’m sharing a fun creative journey that started with a single idea… and ended up becoming two very different cards. I’m thrilled to inspire/create with you as an Altenew Ambassador for a couple of months :)


Before we start, there are black Friday offers going on and also the free US shipping and a discount for internationals (No code needed). Here is the link, if you want to take up on the offer and get your favourite products. I have added the full supply list below too. I would really appreciate it. Thank you :)




I have a process video for these cards and a 20$ giveaway on my YouTube channel 


For these cards, I used the Charming Clusters stamp and die set (already on sale, if you want) from the November release. The coordinating dies include two floral clusters and six sentiment words, making it a wonderfully flexible set. I also incorporated the Vintage Motifs stencil for added texture.

The first card features a soft watercolor wash paired with delicate rose-gold heat embossing on vellum, distressed gold edges, and layered die-cuts. The look is elegant, airy, and beautifully detailed.




The second card uses the floral cluster embossed in copper, with ink-blended color on the back of the vellum, a soft pink watercolor wash, and stenciled texture in the background. This combination creates a brighter, more contemporary feel.




Both designs use the same stamp set — but the techniques completely change the final look. I love how versatile this set is, and I hope these ideas inspire you to try vellum embossing, watercolor washes, and layered die-cutting in your own projects.

I hope you got inspired. Which card do you like more? Let me know — I’d love to hear!


A process video and giveaway on my YouTube channel

Thanks for stopping by, and happy crafting!

Friday, November 14, 2025

Pinkfresh Studio “Delicate Details” Release Blog Hop

Hello crafty friends!! I am so excited to join Pinkfresh Studio "Delicate Release" bloghop. This release is versatile as always and I love it.


NEWS: Do take advantage of the Cyber Monday sale HERE and you don't wanna miss this for sure :) 


Today I decided to focus on the Bloom & Brew product suite - a beautiful mix of teapots, teacups, and detailed florals that come together easily. What I really love about this set is that, there is a stencil in the set, which covers all the images, and we can add color to the background.

I am sharing two cards, I kept both cards centered around ink blending for smooth gradients and bold contrasts, then finished each panel with different color stories to show how versatile the set can be.


All the products are linked below.

CARD 1 — Soft Garden Teapot Shaker (Bright + Airy Version)


I started by, adding color to the teapot, cup, and florals using the coordinating shades of teal, pink, and yellow.

I kept the images brighter in the center and slightly darker toward the edges for depth.



For the background, I started by ink blending a soft green backdrop using Mint and Meadow inks. Then added depth using Emerald City and Evergreen inks. Sentiment: For a special someone — offset was turquoise glitter card.


I layered and added a stitched frame to give the layout an elegance, and create the shaker element. Finally, I added the sentiment on top of the acetate window.

CARD 2 — Moody + Deep Version


The teapot and cup were colored in bright yellows and soft corals to pop against the dark backdrop.
Florals were kept bold and saturated, leaning toward reds and blues.



For a dramatic contrast background, I blended deeper tones of all the colors. I used Turquoise, Lush Forest, Evergreen and Black inks.


This shifts the mood completely — almost like an evening high-tea scene.

A dark green frame helps anchor the entire design. I used some Ombre glitter drops: Pixie Dust

Final Thoughts
Using one design set in completely different color palettes is a great way to stretch your supplies. The Bloom & Brew set lends itself naturally to both soft, cheerful tones and bold, dramatic scenes. Ink blending remains an easy and controlled way to build backgrounds that look polished without extra layers.
If you try either palette, I’d love to know which direction you choose — bright or moody!

Giveaway
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 November 21, 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

Thank you so much for dropping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Altenew “For You” and “Hello” Cards – Two Looks, Same Products with few Techniques

Hi everyone!
I’m excited to share a pair of floral cards today featuring Altenew’s products — and a fun twist on how one design can look completely different with just a change in technique and color palette.


Both cards use the same floral press plate and tag die, but one celebrates soft and delicate watercolor vibrance, while the other embraces elegant simplicity and clean lines. Let’s dive in!

I have listed the products below :)

 Card 1: Watercolored Tags – Bright & Playful


For this card, I used the letterpress system with the press plate onto watercolor paper. Die-cut two tags out of it. Then, I watercolored the flowers using Altenew’s Artists’ Watercolor, mixing pinks, reds and corals for a natural petal variation.



I added embossing paste through the Vintage Motifs stencil in the background.and the two tags are slightly offset for a dimensional layered look.

I finished with a sentiment from Build-A-Garden: For You, some black twine, and a few sequins for sparkle. 

Card 2: Sleek & Minimalist Tag Design


This card shows how elegant simplicity can be! I used glimmer hot foil machine to foil on the Brushed Copper cardstock.




Then, I die-cut the tag on a black card layer for contrast and added a bold white-embossed sentiment, “hello,” to tie everything together.

A few black enamel dots add just the right touch of texture and sophistication.

Final Thoughts
I love how these two cards showcase the versatility of  the same products — from soft watercolor feel to modern graphic minimalism.
Sometimes, all you need is a shift in technique, color and finish to create a whole new mood.

Which one speaks to your style — soft and colorful or clean and elegant? I’d love to know in the comments!

Discount Code: 

To celebrate today, I have an Exclusive Discount Code for my followers!

Code name: ISHAFREE

Duration: From November 12th - 19th. at 11:59 pm EDT

Offer: FREE Crafter's Essential Micro-Tip Tweezers ($8.99 value) on every order over $79

Instructions: Add the Crafter's Essential Micro-Tip Tweezers to your cart and use the code ISHAFREE at checkout to get it for free.

Link to Use: https://altenew.com/discount/ISHAFREE?sca_ref=6333953.TchYT5DdF6q (Note: This link is integrated with the code)

Thank you for dropping by and have a wonderful day!