Pinkfresh Studio “Forests & Fables” Release Blog Hop

Hello and Welcome to the Pinkfresh Studio "Forests & Fables" release blog hop. I’m so excited you’re here today. This release has completely stolen my heart – it’s all about storytelling, books, and magic. Whether you’re a bookworm, a dreamer, or someone who just loves sending joy through handmade cards, there’s something here for you.

Today, I’m sharing four cards that showcase the versatility of these new products. Let’s dive in! I am featuring the Nature's Narrative Stencil and dies combo, Lacy Lattice coverplate die, Rooted in Wonder stamp and dies, Twilight Tales Press plate, stamp, dies and stencils, Petal Trellis coverplate.

Card 1:

For the first card, I reached for the Nature’s Narrative product suite, Rooted in Wonder stamp and Die along with the Guiding Light stencils (for the clouds). Rainbows always feel magical, and this die creates a gorgeous layered arch. I blended inks in bright rainbow shades, then tucked in florals and butterflies for a garden-like feel. The sentiment “May your day be rooted in wonder” feels perfect for birthdays or just-because cards.

Adding the clouds gives the rainbow scene a soft, dreamy background.

Card 2

This one was so much fun to make! I turned the open book image into a snowy holiday globe. I then filled it with sparkling glitter for a winter wonderland look. The Cozy Christmas vibes are strong here, and it’s such a unique twist on a holiday card.

Card 3:

For this card, I used the Twilight Tales Press Plate, stamp, die along-with the coordinating die. This arrangements of the images looks almost like a storybook wreath. The Petal Trellis Cover Plate added a soft stitched texture in the background.

I did the foiling onto the new Heat resistant Acetate using the Moondust foil by Spellbinders.

The sentiment “Wishing you a birthday full of magical chapters” makes this card perfect for any book lover :)

Card 4:

For the last card, I leaned into a bolder color palette, I used the negative foiling technique from the leftover foil from the previous card.

The sentiment “The world is your book – go fill it with adventures” makes this an encouraging card for graduations, new jobs, or anyone starting a new journey. This year I needed few such cards for my family :)

Metallic foiling adds a “magical spark” that pairs beautifully with book themes.

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 September 30, 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

Tell me in the comments – which one speaks to you most: the book wreath, the foiled adventure card, the holiday shaker, or the rainbow wonder?

Happy hopping, and happy crafting!

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!