Product Reveal: Altenew Garden Silhouette and Altenew Rustic Linen

Altenew keeps on knocking it out of the park - their layered stamp sets, innovative sentiments and gorgeous background stamps have cardmakers and scrapbookers squealing in delight.

I'd like to share my first project showcasing Altenew's Rustic Linen. This background set is very versatile. With the Distress Oxide Inks, the creaminess of the inks combined with the stamp has created a dimensional background. The background is a perfect backdrop for stamped Altenew images. And let's not forget their fabulous sentiments - they seem to fit any card.

For my next project, I again used Distress Oxide inks AND Distress Inks. Stamping these silhouette images in a variety of colours allowed me to make a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers...again backdropped with the linen background.

I am looking forward to making several sets of cards to give to family and friends with these stamps and hope to see your ideas too!

Product Reveal: Alcohol Inks

What's old is new again and that's what alcohol inks are for me! For the following pictures, I have used the Ranger alcohol inks and Tim Holtz blending solution. Let me share a few fun experiments with you!

Below, I was learning how the inks moved on the Yupo paper - can you tell I loved it? Every background is unique and filled with texture. I will be experimenting with texture even more this week (stay tuned!) Layered on top of the alcohol ink background is a Penny Black Christmas die.

Next I wanted to challenge myself to use colours I would not normally use: green, orange and yellow. Well, can I just say how much I love this color combo :-) I could not resist using the inlaid and stacked die cut technique with the Altenew half tone Hello die.

Lastly, I wanted to try adding texture to the alcohol ink background. For this background, I added some of the Ranger metallic mixatives and gently splashed some blending solution on the background. When it dried, I added some Pretty Pink Posh gems.

When I looked at the background, it reminded me of the ocean. Hence, the super cute mermaid by Honeybee! The mermaid is heavily coated in clear Wink of Stella. In real life, this mermaid has layers and layers of glitter!

A close up of the alcohol ink background...

I hope I have inspired you to try your alcohol inks. Watch next week for some more fun techniques to try.

Concord and 9th: Many Thanks Turnabout Stamp

Wow wow wow....Concord and 9th continues to hit it out of the park with their innovative stamps and dies! In particular, I am smitten with their turnabout stamp series. (Selfish plug on my part :-) you can see samples of their turnabout stamps on my instagram feed @virginiawong12)

Today is all about showcasing the Many Thanks turnabout stamp. If you have not used a turnabout stamp, you are in for a treat. In addition, this fabulous stamp has fabulous fonts which always makes me gushy inside and the individual stamps are super versatile as well.

For my first card, I chose traditional Christmas colors of red, green and gold. This was paired with an extra green embossed Wreath image also from Concord and 9th Magnolia wreath stamp and die set. Golden berries were added to the wreath with Nuvo drops.

So then I decided to have some fun with the backgrounds. It's nice to add a smile to the card recipient so I added the adorable panda bears from My Favorite Things to the turnabout background. The front panel was created using the individual stamps also included. 

To mix up the colors, I created an autumnal feel for the thank you card by stamping in orange, green, purple and black. It was the perfect backdrop for the Altenew Smile More and Hug Me stamp and die set.

And my last card is a contemporary Christmas card (I have plans to make a few for the Caring Hearts Drive 2017). For the background, I used the traditional colours but turned the turnabout 3 times, leaving some white space to balance the stamped and heat embossed Magnolia wreath. That yeti is a favorite of mine. While it does not photograph well, he is covered in sparkles. The Honeybee stamp and die has been embossed with antique gold twice. The inside sentiment reads, "it's Christmas!"

Thanks for dropping by and I hope I've given you inspiration to craft!

-Virginia

Lawn Fawn: Perfectly Plaid Rainbow

Hello Everyone!

This month I am experimenting with some fabulous products, namely the Lawn Fawn: Perfectly Plaid Rainbow paper pack, a set of New Day Thickers, Darice Thanks embossing folder, crystal drops from Nuvo in Bottle Green and the Pink Flamingo floral package from 49 Market.

When I received my product, I gave a girly squeal of delight and yeah, a fist pump in the air too! My first project is a pop-up box card. I have been admiring these cards all over Instagram and decided to give it a go!

To make this card, cut a piece of cardstock to 8.5" x 12". Then score at 2.75", 5.5", 8.25" and 11" along the long side.

Next cut a 2"x12" strip off. From the short scored end, cut a 4.75" x 2" strip. Rotate the strip and cut into 1" strips. These 2-1" strips are the inserts within the box card.

With the 6.5"x12" piece of cardstock, score at 2.75"

Fold along the score lines. Now cut along the score lines to make the box flaps.

I decided to decorate my box and cut 8 - 2.75" x 2.75" of various pieces of pattern paper and another 8 - 2.75" x 3.75" of coordination pieces of pattern paper. Adhere the pattern pieces to the front and inside of the box card.

Now adhere the inserts.

As I am participating in The Daily Marker 30 Color Challenge, I have several left over copic colored images on my desk. I mixed and matched those images to create a fun and vibrant birthday card!

Of course I could not stop at one card so here is my second card!

Thank you for dropping by!

-Virginia