Altenew Celebrating Parents Card Drive Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello, crafty friends!

I'm happy to be joining Altenew for their Celebrating Parents Card Drive Blog Hop today. Our goal is to send cards for the elderly that live in nursing homes or shelters to let them know they’re not forgotten. Please check out the Celebrating Parents Card Drive information HERE and join this great cause by sending in cards.

If you arrived here from, Helen Kalb's Blog, then you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, then you will want to start at the beginning, the Altenew Card Blog.

I have made a Mother's Day Card using the Smile and Hugs Stamp Set. I did simple and light watercoloring on the white heat embossed floral image and matched it with a stenciled background.

To begin, I white heat embossed the florals and leaves from the Smile and Hugs Stamp Set on Canson Montval Watercolor Paper. I watercoloured the flowers and leaves using the Purple Wine and Lime brush markers from the Tropical Fiesta Brush Markers Set. I then fussy cut the images and kept them aside to work on my card background. 

Then, to create the stenciled background, I die cut the Doodled Dots Cover Die from Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock to create my handmade stencil. I taped it in place using Washi Tape, so that it wouldn't shift when working. I used Altenew's Embossing Paste mixed with a few drops of Lava Rock Brush Marker to create colored embossing paste. Isn't that so cool!? I often use this technique when I don't have a particular stencil in my stash and it's a great way to get more out of your dies too. Altenew is currently offering 20% off ALL Dies in stock, so if you have been waiting to get your hands any of their dies, this is a good time to shop for them.

Once my panel dried, I die cut it using a Diagonal Stitched Rectangles Die Set and adhered it on a panel of Watercolor paper using White Fun Foam for dimension. I then die cut the oval frame, flower clusters, and foliage from the Create-A-Wreath Die Set out of White Cardstock. The flowers were coloured using Coral Berry and Frosty Pink dye inks, while the leaves were colored using Lime and Sweet Leaf Brush Markers from the Tropical Fiesta Brush Markers Set. I popped up the oval frame on my panel using foam squares and arranged the flowers and leaves around it. I used a combination of foam tape and Craft Glue to adhere the elements for dimension and interest. To assemble the card together, I adhered the panel to a piece of Watercolor Paper, which was then adhered to a top-folding white card base with Craft Glue. 

The sentiment is from the Extra Special Set. I stamped it on a stitched banner using Altenew Obsidian Ink. I popped it on my panel using foam tape and added a couple of Sparkling Clear Sequins to finish off my card. 

Giving Back Information:

Altenew will donate $1 with every order of the above stamp sets from 3/6/2021 until 5/31/2021 to the Food Bank of Central New York to support seniors in need.

Simply the Best Stamp Set

World's Best Dad Stamp Set

Thanks, Dad Stamp Set

Thanks Around the World Stamp Set

Courageous You Stamp Set

Arabesque Medallion Stamp Set

Extra Special Stamp Set

Precious Moments Stamp Set

Giveaway Prizes:

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $20 gift certificate to 5 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 03/31/2021 for a chance to win. 

Altenew will draw 7 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 04/2/2021.

Blog Hop Order:

Next Stop on this Blog Hop is, Jenny Colacicco's blog. Just in case you lose your place along the way, here is the complete list of participants so that you can find your way back:

          

Altenew Card Blog

Nathalie DeSousa

Tenia Nelson

Virginia Lu

Alex Syberia

Carol Hintermeier

Cheryl Espie

Dana Joy

Eva Bussom

Helen Kalb

                           Hussena Calcuttawala (You are HERE)

Jenny Colacicco

Joylita Dsouza

Kelly Griglione

Linda Westfall

Nandini Karmarkar

Natasha Davies

Preeti Chandran

Sandhya Iyer

Seeka

TaeEun Yoo

Terri Koszler

Bridget Casey

LauraJane

Thank you so much for your stopping by and reading this blog post. I hope you liked my project! 

If you like what you've seen from me, please give me a follow over on my Instagram (@hussena_cal) and/or subscribe to my blog if you haven't already.

Wishing you a great day ahead!

Pinkfresh Studio October 2020 Slimline Stamp, Die, and Stencil Release Blog Hop

Hello, crafty friends!

It's release day at Pinkfresh Studio and we have a FANTASTIC Blog Hop to celebrate Pinkfresh Studio's October 2020 Stamp and Die Release! 

This release is AMAZING, and there really is something for everyone! We've got slimline stencils, coordinating stamps, dies, and so much more. Pinkfresh' releases just seem to get better every time, and I really hope that you love all the new products too! 

You should’ve arrived here from the talented, Heather Hoffman's blog, if you’re following the blog hop order. In case you’re lost on the way or want to start over, please hop over to Pinkfresh Studio blog!

We've got TONS of inspiration and giveaways for you on the hop today, so keep reading till the end of this post for more information.

I have got TWO Cards to share today and have focused on the Floral Notes Stamp Set, Floral Notes Die Set, Floral Notes Stencil, and the Diamond Motif Stencil. Let's just get right into it all!

My first card features the Floral Notes Stamp Set, Floral Notes Die Set, Floral Notes Stencil, Diamond Motif Stencil,

Merry and Bright Stamp Set, and the Merry and Bright Die Set.

To begin, I took a piece of White Cardstock and trimmed it down to 9" X 4" to create my panel. Next, I used the Diamond Motif Stencil and Mint dye ink to stencil on the panel. Pinkfresh's inks are very high-quality and they blend like butter. I love using them as they always give such good results!

I stamped the oval frame from the Merry and Bright Stamp Set using Versamark Watermark ink on a piece of White Cardstock, heat-embossed it using Super Fine Gold Embossing Powder, and then die cut the frame using the coordinating Merry and Bright Die Set. Then, I stamped my sentiment in the centre of the oval using one of the sentiment stamps from the Floral Notes Stamp Set using Detail Black ink. 

Next, I used my Memory MISTI Stamping Platform to stamp the floral image from the Floral Notes Stamp Set using Detail Black ink. I used the coordinating Floral Notes Stencil to colour the petals and leaves using Pinkfresh inks in Sparkling Rose and Grassy Knoll respectively. Once I finished stenciling the entire piece, I went in and added some pencil highlights using Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils to give the image more definition. I die cut it using the coordinating Floral Notes Die Set and then snipped parts of the design, so that I could arrange it around the oval frame. I used foam squares to adhere the pieces on my panel for dimension. 

I took another piece of White Cardstock and coloured the paper using Mint dye ink. I adhered my main card layer over this panel and then added it to my card base. To accentuate my card, I used some white and pink Iridescent Jewels. 

My next project is a Mixed Media style Card and features the Floral Notes Stamp Set, Floral Notes Die Set, and Diamond Motif Stencil.

For this card, I started off by watercolouring a piece of Canson Montval Watercolor Paper using Sky Blue Liquid Watercolour. Next, I stenciled on this panel using the Diamond Motif Stencil and Texture Paste. I wanted to add a pop of colour in the background, so I added a few drops of the Licorice Liquid Watercolour to my White Texture Paste and then mixed them together to get this stone-grey colour paste. I often use this technique to customize colours of Texture Paste for my projects and it gives beautiful results every time!

Next, I stamped the floral cluster from the Floral Notes Stamp Set using Versamark Embossing Ink on a piece of Watercolour Paper. I heat embossed it using Super Fine Gold Embossing Powder and then die cut the piece using the coordinating Floral Notes Die Set. I coloured the flowers predominantly using two colours - Bubble Gum and Sapphire. I also used a little bit of Sky Blue to add some depth to the blue flowers. I used my Prismacolor Premier Pencils to add pencil highlights to the pink flowers. The smaller flowers and leaves were coloured using Bubble Gum and Key Lime. I also used Sunshine to add colour the centres of the flowers.

Once I was done, I adhered the floral piece to my stenciled background using foam squares for dimension. The sentiment is from the Floral Notes Stamp Set. I stamped it on a piece of White Cardstock using Detail Black ink. I layered this piece over some Gold Glitter Cardstock for interest. I popped the sentiment to my card panel using foam squares.

 I adhered the card panel to a piece of Sky Blue Cardstock, which was then adhered down to my card base. To finish, I used some White Iridescent Jewels to accentuate my card. I also went ahead and added some fine paint splatters using Black Acrylic Paint to add a pop of colour to the overall design. 

PRIZES

Pinkfresh Studio is giving away the ENTIRE release on their Pinkfresh blog, Instagram Feed, & YouTube Channel.

You also have the chance to win a $25 gift card sponsored by Pinkfresh Studio from my blog. All you have to do is leave a comment letting me know which card is your favourite. :)

All winners will be chosen and posted on the Pinkfresh Blog on Friday, October 23, 2020 - so make sure and check back to see if you were a winner! Winners must check the Giveaway Page on the Pinkfresh Blog and claim their prize within 2 weeks.

SHIPPING PROMO

Pinkfresh Studio is offering FREE US shipping or discounted international shipping on orders over $50+. Offer valid from 10/16/2020 at 12:01 am EDT through 10/23/2020 at 11:59 pm CST. Be sure to stock up on your favorites from this release to lock in this special promo!

While supplies last, receive a FREE Thank You Die (pictured below) with all qualifying orders over $25. Subtotal amount must be met before any shipping fees/tax/customs. Not valid on prior purchases.

Special Promo from My Sweet Petunia 

Use code PINK to avail 20% off the Memory MISTI (perfect for larger size platform needed for You are Amazing and Be Courageous stamp sets). Offer valid while supplies last.

SHOP for the Memory MISTI on The Sweet Petunia website.

You can find all of the links to the full list of hop members below:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Be sure to leave a comment before you leave and enjoy all of the inspiration on the rest of the hop!

Pinkfresh Studio September 2020 Holiday Stamp and Die Release Blog Hop

Hello, crafty friends!

It's release day at Pinkfresh Studio and we have a wonderful Blog Hop to celebrate Pinkfresh Studio's September 2020 Stamp and Die Release! You aren't going to want to miss a stop along the way. This blog hop is full of amazing projects showcased by all the guest designers and the design team.

You should’ve arrived here from the talented, Heather Hoffman's blog, if you’re following the blog hop order. In case you’re lost on the way or want to start over, please hop over to Pinkfresh Studio blog!

We've got TONS of inspiration and giveaways for you on the hop today, so keep reading till the end of this post for more information.

I have got THREE Cards to share today and have focused on the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp and coordinating Die Set throughout all of my cards, mixing them with other items from this release.  Let's just get right into it all!

The Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp is a 4"x6" photopolymer clear stamp set with 16 images designed by Lizzy M. It is made to coordinate with the Sleigh Bells Ring Die Set, which available for purchase separately. Perfect for a special Christmas card, or for sending out winter wishes all season long, the sentiments are versatile enough to be used for more than just the holidays.

My first Card features the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp, and the Our Home To Yours Stamp set. All the stamps in this month's release are simply fabulous and I had a ball mixing and matching different sets to create my projects! 

I stamped the critters from the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp on a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110LBS Cardstock using Detail Black Ink. I let them dry for a bit and then coloured the images using Zig Clean Colour Brush Markers. Once my colouring was complete, I die cut the images using the coordinating Sleigh Bells Ring Die Set.

Next, I stamped the sleigh from the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp using Candy Apple ink and then die cut the image using the coordinating die set. Once that was done, I stamped a couple of houses from the Our Home To Yours Stamp using Ballet Slipper, Sky Blue, and Mint dye inks. These are some of my most favourite ink colors from Pinkfresh and I love using them time and again for my projects! Once my images were stamped, I die cut them using the coordinating die set and kept them aside.

I wanted to create a soft, winter sky for my card background, so I took a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock and ink blended the background using Ocean Breeze ink. Next, I stamped some simple snowflakes on the top half of the panel using the Ocean Breeze ink for a monochromatic look. I also stamped, coloured, and die cut a little birdie from the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp set and popped it to my panel using foam dots. 

I adhered the sleigh, stamped houses, and critters to my card panel using foam squares. Then, I stamped my sentiment from the Our Home To Yours Stamp on it using Detail Black Ink. To finish, I added some white Jewels and Diamond Stickles over the stamped snowflakes for some shimmer and shine! 

My second card for today also features the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp and Our Home To Yours Stamp sets.

For this card, I first stamped the different houses from the Our Home To Yours Stamp using Metropolis ink on a piece of Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 110 LBS Cardstock. I stamped them a bit afar from each other, as I wanted to partially die cut the entire border using the coordinating Our Home to Yours die set. This was a bit time-consuming to do, as the alignment needed to be perfect, but I think it was well worth it in the end. 

Next, I stamped the critters from the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp set on some Neenah White Cardstock using Detail Black Ink. I coloured them using Zig Clean Color Brush Markers and then die cut the images using the coordinating die set. I also stamped the sleigh from the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp set using Berrylicious ink and die cut it as well using the coordinating Sleigh Bells Ring die set. 

Once that was done, I decided to add some bells and gift boxes to my panel to create a more lively scene. The bells were stamped using Detail Black Ink and then coloured using Zig Markers. The gifts were stamped in an assortment of colours - Candy Violet, Berrylicious, and Sunshine . I die all of them using the coordinating Sleigh Bells Ring die set, and popped them to my panel using foam squares. Next, I took a piece of Navy Blue Cardstock and stamped some snowflakes on it using the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp and then heat embossed it using Ultra Fine White Embossing Powder. I then die cut the panel using the Stitched Rectangles die set and kept it aside.

I took another piece of Neenah Solar White Cardstock and used the Floral Diamond Cling Stamp to stamp on it using Metropolis ink. Next, I die cut a hill slope from White Cardstock and adhered it to the front of my card panel using foam dots. I coloured the edge of the slope using Ocean Breeze ink to give it more definition. Then, I stamped my sentiment on it from the Tree Trimming Friends stamp set using Detail Black Ink. Once that was done, I adhered my panels to a white card base. I also added a teeny bit of Diamond Stickles to the embossed snowflakes and hill slope for a touch of shimmer. 

My third and final card for today features the Tree Trimming Friends Stamp, and the Our Home To Yours Stamp Set.

I stamped the lush Christmas tree images from the Tree Trimming Friends Stamp set using Evergreen and Emerald City dye inks for the first tree, and Meadow and Emerald City inks for the second tree on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110 LBS Cardstock. I let them dry for a bit and then die cut them using the coordinating Tree Trimming Friends die set. Next, I stamped the Christmas ornaments for the tree using Detail Black Ink and then coloured them using Zig Brush Markers. I die cut these too using the coordinating die set and kept them aside. 

Next, I stamped the sweet bunnies from the Tree Trimming Friends stamp set on Neenah Cardstock using Detail Black Ink and coloured them using Zig Brush Markers. I have done very simple colouring, but you can make it as detailed as you would like - That's the beauty of these stamp sets! Later, I die cut them using the coordinating die set.

 To add some visual interest to the scene, I decided to add stamped houses and gift boxes. I stamped the houses from the Our Home To Yours Stamp Set using Ballet Slipper and Sky Blue inks and then die cut them using the coordinating dies.  The gift boxes are from the Sleigh Bells Ring Stamp set and were stamped using Berrylicious and Sunshine inks. I popped all of these images to my card panel using foam squares for dimension.

To bring the scene to life, I decided to create an ink blended galaxy sky. I took a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110 LBS Cardstock and blended the panel using Stargazer, Sapphire, and Summer Shower inks. I then flicked some water on the panel to create a bleached look. Once that was done, I die cut the panel using the Diagonal Stitched Rectangles die set. I went ahead and die cut two others panel from Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock using the Diagonal Stitched Rectangles die set. I layered these panels one on top of the other for a crisp look.

The sentiment is from the Our Home To Yours Stamp Set and was stamped using Berrylicious ink on a piece of White Cardstock. I die cut it using the coordinating die set.  To finish, I scattered some white Jewels all over my panel. Lastly, I adhered the various card panels together to the white card base.

PRIZES

Pinkfresh Studio will be giving away the ENTIRE release on their Pinkfresh blog, Instagram Feed, & YouTube Channel.

You also have the chance to win a $25 gift card sponsored by Pinkfresh Studio from my blog. All you have to do is leave a comment letting me know which card is your favourite. :)

All winners will be chosen and posted on the Pinkfresh Blog on Wednesday, September 24, 2020 - so make sure and check back to see if you were a winner! Winners must check the Giveaway Page on the Pinkfresh Blog and claim their prize within 2 weeks.

SHIPPING PROMO

Pinkfresh Studio is offering FREE US shipping or discounted international shipping on orders over $50+. Offer valid from 9/17/2020 at 12:01 am EDT through 9/24/2020 at 11:59 pm CST. Be sure to stock up on your favorites from this release to lock in this special promo!

You can find all of the links to the full list of hop members below.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Be sure to leave a comment before you leave and enjoy all of the inspiration on the rest of the hop!

Spellbinders August 2020 Clubs Inspiration Blog Hop + Giveaway!

Hello, crafty friends!

I'm ecstatic to be joining Spellbinders for the August 2020 Clubs Inspiration Blog Hop today. Spellbinders is celebrating all their Club Kits in shop for August 2020. 

If you arrived here from the talented, Jean Manis' Blog, then you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, then you will want to start at the beginning, the Spellbinders Blog. We've got tons of inspiration and giveaways for you on the hop today, so keep reading till the end of this post for more information.

I have made a Pop Up 3D Vignette Telephone Card for the hop today using the Amazing Paper Grace – August Die of the Month. In case you missed, it I shared a Card on my blog few days ago using this month's "Pop Up 3D Vignette Telephone" Set, which you can check out HERE.

The dies for Spellbinders Monthly Clubs are exclusive to Spellbinders and you won't find them anywhere else. If you want to find out more about the Club – prices, how you sign up and what’s included, please look ——–> HERE. These dies are only available through the Club and are limited to the month of August, so hurry before they are sold out.

There are SIX dies included in the Telephone Set to help you create a wide variety of projects like: a Pop Up 3D Card, a Shaker Card, a Shaped Card, a Mini Scrapbook Album (upto 4 pages), a Gift Card Holder and more.

I have used this die set to create a 3D Vignette Card. 

To start off, I die cut all the different shapes and panels needed to make my 3D card using Buttercream Cardstock. I also cut some of the coordinating elements from Gold Mirror Cardstock. Once I had everything die-cut, I assembled my Card following THIS video by Becca Feeken. It's really simple and easy to follow!

I die cut all my receiver panels from Buttercream Cardstock, while the handset caps, I die cut them from Gold Mirror Cardstock. 

To embellish my first receiver panel, I die cut the sentiment 'Tis the Season' from Gold Mirror Cardstock using the sentiment die from the Holiday Word Blocks Etched Dies. I added a mini floral embellishment at the top to add more interest. The flowers are created using the poinsettia die from the Holiday Word Blocks Etched Dies, while the leaves are from a previous Card Kit die.

I embellished my second receiver panel using the 'Joy' die-cut sentiment from the Holiday Word Blocks Etched Dies, which was cut from Gold Mirror Cardstock. I also adhered a mini snowflake embellishment at the top to accentuate it. The flower is die cut from the poinsettia die from the same die set, while the snowflake is from the Snowflake Splendor Etched Dies. I inked the flower using dye ink and added a pink jewel to the centre to give it a more finished look.

For my third panel, I kept things more simple. I added a hot foiled border strip from the Christmas Sweater Borders Glimmer Hot Foil Plate. Next, I die cut the sentiment from the Holiday Word Blocks Etched Dies from Cranberry Bliss Cardstock and Gold Mirror Cardstock and then adhered one over the other for dimension. 

My last and final receiver panel has some quick and simple embellishments. I die cut the snowflake from the Snowflake Splendor Etched Dies using Gold Mirror Cardstock, while the flowers are die cut from the poinsettia die from the Holiday Word Blocks Etched Dies. I added some die cut leaves to complete the look.

For the dial, I again used Buttercream Cardstock and Gold Mirror Cardstock to die cut the pieces. Once I was done adhering down all the numbers in the rotary dial, I added a stamped sentiment piece to the centre, for which I used Rich Coral Ink. I also added a few die cut flowers and leaves around the dial to accentuate it. 

The flowers are die cut using the same poinsettia die that I used on my receiver panels, which is from the Holiday Word Blocks Etched Dies. I inked all of them and embossed the petals using an Embossing Ball Tool. Then, I added flat back jewels in the centres for more interest. Lastly, I added a die-cut bow from the Holly Frame Gala Etched Dies to complete my card. 

Affiliate Disclosure

All products in today's post are linked throughout the post. These are my personal affiliate links which you can shop from at no cost to you! Thank you for your support!

Giveaway:

To celebrate this release, Spellbinder is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 3 lucky blog readers – selected from the comments on our blog. Hop along for additional chances to win. Giveaway closes on Sunday, August 30th, 11:59 pm EDT. The winner will be announced in the blog hop post the following Tuesday. The winner is responsible for shipping cost, duties and taxes.

Additional Giveaway:

The generous folks at Spellbinders have allowed me to giveaway a $25 gift certificate to ONE lucky winner! For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post by 30th August, 2020. Winner is responsible for shipping cost, duties and taxes.

Please note, store credit (gift certificate) cannot be applied to Club Subscriptions. Store credit can be applied to shop past Club products, Club extras and regular releases.

Blog Hop Order:

Next Stop on this Blog Hop is, Jill Hilliard's blog.

Just in case you lose your place along the way, here is the complete list of participants so that you can find your way back:

Spellbinders Blog
Nichol Spohr
Tina Smith
Carrie Rhoades
Bibi Cameron
Jenny Colacicco
Laurie Willison
Joy Baldwin
Michelle Short
Jean Manis
                         Hussena Calcuttawala (You are HERE)
Jill Hilliard
Virginia Lu
Ilina Crouse
Varada Sharma
Henriëtte van Mierlo


Thank you so much for your stopping by and reading this blog post. I hope you liked my project! If you would like to see more of my work using Spellbinders, do follow my Instagram Page - @hussena_cal

Wishing you a great day ahead!