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!