Friday, June 3, 2022

Altenew June 2022 Today is the Day Collection Release Blog Hop + Giveaway ($300 in total prizes)


Hello, crafty friends!
I am excited to be joining  Altenew for their Today is the Day Collection Release Blog Hop! This release features so many beautiful new embossing folders and stencils along with other wonderful goodies for your crafty stash!

If you arrived here from, Sande Woodson'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. 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.

This is a really FABULOUS release, with something for everyone! I had tons of ideas and am sharing a few here, but you’ll certainly see these popping up again on future blog posts!



My first card features the NEW Ethereal Rose Stamp & Die Bundle along with the Beveled Squares Stencil and the Creative Edges: Lace Die Set.

To begin, I stamped the layered flowers from the Ethereal Rose Stamp Set onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock using Velvet, Crimson, Rouge, and Blush inks from the Red Sunset suite with the help of my MISTI Stamping Tool. I repeated the process with the stand-alone filler images. Next, I stamped the leaf layers using Olive, Parrot, and Bamboo inks from the Tropical Forest Crisp Dye Inks. Once that was done, I cut all of the images out using the coordinating dies.

Next, I trimmed a piece of White Cardstock to size and debossed the card panel using the Beveled Squares Stencil in my Platinum 6" Die Cutting Machine (I positioned my Platform Standard; Stencil UP with Cardstock Inside; Embossing Mat; XL Embossing Plate and then ran this through my die cut machine as I would an embossing folder. The stencil pressed into the paper leaving a lovely impression). I'm always looking for ways to get the most out of my stash, and this approach is a great way to do just that! Once that was done, I spritzed the card front with Enchanted Gold Paint from the Metallic Watercolor Set and Jet Black Ink Spray to create an artsy look. 

For the greeting, I used the new Floral Henna Stamp Set. I stamped the sentiment onto the card panel using the Charcoal Suit Crisp Dye Ink, then added a strip of Gold Mirror Cardstock below it to “ground” the flowers. Next, I die-cut White Cardstock using the Creative Edges: Lace Die Set and adhered it below the Gold Mirror Cardstock strip for an elegant and feminine touch. 

Lastly, to finish, I adhered the stamped images together with foam squares and Craft Glue, before adhering the panel to a top-folding A2-sized white card base using tape runner.


My next card also features the Ethereal Rose Stamp & Die Bundle along with the Beveled Squares Stencil. Let’s get started with the details on my project.

I started off my card by stamping the Altenew Ethereal Rose Stamp Set onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock. I used the Sweet Dreams Crisp Dye Inks for the layers of the flowers, and for the leaves, I used Altenew Tropical Forest Crisp Dye Inks. Once I had enough pieces for my design, I cut out the stamped images using the coordinating dies.

Next, for my card background, I took a piece of White Cardstock and used Masking Paper to mask off strips in the panel. Next, I blended some Coral Bliss and Pink Pearl ink using a blending brush, concentrating the color around the edges and leaving the center of the stripes lighter to create a beautiful pink ombré effect. Once that was done, I removed the masking paper to yield a soft, springtime card front.

Then, I trimmed another piece of White Cardstock to size and debossed the card panel using the Beveled Squares Stencil in my Platinum 6" Die Cutting Machine. I ran this through my die cut machine as I would an embossing folder. I love the understated but elegant interest that this adds to the card front! Next, I splattered the card front with Enchanted Gold paint from the Metallic Watercolor Set and Jet Black Ink Spray to add some extra metallic shine to the design. 

Once that was done, I stamped a greeting from the Ethereal Rose Stamp Set using Obsidian ink on a thin strip of White Cardstock. I arranged the flowers and foliage in a small swag, then adhered it and the sentiment strip using Instant Dimension Foam Tape. Then, to finish, I adhered the pieces together with Craft Glue, before adhering it to a top-folding A2-sized white card base using tape runner. I added a few Antique Gold - Sequins to help add some sparkle to the card front.


My third card features the beautifully detailed new Floral Henna Stamp & Die Bundle along with the Starburst Embossing Folder and the Watercolor Stripes Cover Die. I absolutely love the subtle, exceptionally elegant look that these embossing folders create. They are great for making quick cards that are incredibly elegant.



I began by heat embossing the beautiful image from Floral Henna Stamp onto some Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock using Antique Gold Embossing Powder, then coloured the images using the Cosmic Garden Alcohol Markers, keeping the color concentrated in the center of the blooms and leaves for interest. Once my images had dried, I dug out my long-neglected Prismacolor Pencils to add some shading and depth to the flowers. I also did a bit of blending around the edges of the leaves using the Altenew Blending Brushes and some Frayed Leaf ink. 

Next, I ran the Starburst 3D Embossing Folder through my die cutting machine using a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock and die-cut a circle from the centre of the panel. Then, I added a die-cut circle frame from the Create-A-Wreath Die Set, cut from Gold Mirror Cardstock to ‘ground’ the flowers. Once that was done, I trimmed another piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock to size and debossed the card panel using the Watercolor Stripes Cover Die in my Platinum 6" Die Cutting Machine. I applied Sea Glass ink to the panel using an ink blending tool to highlight and bring out the embossed areas more.

Once I’d finished creating the different components to the card front, I began to assemble the card. I adhered the circle and flowers using foam adhesive, then added a greeting from the new Bold Sentiments Stamp Set with another layer of foam adhesive, giving it a double layer of foam adhesive in total to help it really stand out. Then, to complete, I adhered the panel to a top-folding white card base using tape runner. To finish it off and add a bit of texture, I flicked some splatters using the Enchanted Gold Paint from the Metallic Watercolor Set and Jet Black Ink Spray. The splatters add a bit of an artistic flair, don’t you think? I also adhered down some Antique Gold - Sequins to add some texture and sparkle to the card front!


Giveaway Prizes:
$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $25 gift certificate to 8 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 05/29/2022 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 10 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 05/31/2022.

Free Gift 

  • Get a FREE brand new Today is the Day Mini Inspiration Guide with every order from 06/03/2022 through 06/05/2022. Shop HERE!

  • Get a FREE brand new Today is the Day Stamp & Die Release Inspiration Guide Ebook  (worth $5.99) with every order of high-value Sweet Moments Bundles. Shop HERE! *Exclusions apply.

  • Get a FREE brand new Online Cardmaking Class with every order from the new Today is the Day Stamp & Die Release Collection from 06/03/2022 through 06/09/2022. Shop HERE!



Blog Hop Order:
Next Stop on this Blog Hop is, Daniel Diaz'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:

Well, that’s all for my projects today! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading. I hope you have a wonderful day!

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.

Monday, May 23, 2022

Altenew May 2022 Lovely in Lace Collection Release Blog Hop + Giveaway ($300 in total prizes)


Hello, crafty friends!
I am excited to be joining  Altenew for their May 2022 Lovely in Lace Collection Release Blog Hop! This release features so many beautiful new embossing folders and stencils along with other wonderful goodies for your crafty stash!

If you arrived here from, Daniel Diaz'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. 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.

Stunning florals, elegant lace, unique sentiments, and more!
This complete crafting bundle featuring the Lovely in Lace stencil and embossing folder release is full of beautiful inspiring designs to add to your craft room so you can create amazing paper crafting projects. Whether you enjoy card making, scrapbooking, or journaling, this bundle has something for you!


My first card features the NEW Starburst Embossing Folder and the Bountiful Bouquet Stamp & Die Bundle. 

I started off my card by stamping the Altenew Bountiful Bouquet Stamp Set onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock. I used the Altenew Martian Terrain and Tea Party Crisp Dye Inks for the layers of the flowers, and for the leaves, I used Altenew Tropical Forest Crisp Dye Inks. I stamped the flower centers using Honey Drizzle and Maple Yellow Crisp Dye Inks and then Die cut the stamped images using the coordinating dies.After die cutting them I fussy cut the indivual flower and leaves to create my floral arrangement.

Next, I ran the Starburst 3D Embossing Folder through my die cutting machine using a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock. Then, I lightly wet the panel and added very diluted wash of color all over the background using the Fresh Lemon Brush Marker from the Tropical Fiesta Set. Once my layer of pale color had dried, I adhered down the blooms and foliage on the panel using foam adhesive. I absolutely love the subtle, exceptionally elegant look that these new embossing folders create. They are great for making quick cards that are incredibly elegant. Next, I die-cut some additional foliage for my floral arrangement from the Create-A-Wreath Die Set and coloured the pieces using Parrot and Coral Bliss Crisp Dye Inks. I also stamped some floral elements from the Bride To Be Stamp Set onto White Cardstock using Coral Bliss, Pink Pearl, and Parrot Crisp Dye Inks and cut them out using the coordinating dies. 

Then, I stamped my greeting from the Bountiful Bouquet Stamp Set onto a strip of White Cardstock using Obsidian ink and adhered it down on my panel using foam adhesive for dimension. Next, I adhered a strip of Citrine Cardstock along the bottom of the strip for a little pizzazz.

Once that was done, I adhered my card panel a top-folding A2 white card base using tape runner. As a finishing touch, I used the Jet Black Ink Spray and the Antique Gold Metallic Spray to add a few paint splatters to my panel for an artsy look. Lastly, I added a few Antique Gold - Sequins to help add some sparkle to the card front.


My next card features the Vintage Lace 3D Embossing Folder and the Vintage Lace Simple Coloring Stencil Set (3 in 1).

I love the effect of coloring on super detailed, textured embossed backgrounds, so I began my project by embossing the new Vintage Lace 3D Embossing Folder on some of Altenew’s Watercolor Paper. This lightly textured paper looks beautiful when embossed alone, almost like super fancy letterpress! 

 Next, I lightly wet the panel and added a wash of color all over the background using the Sweet Leaf Brush Marker from the Tropical Fiesta Set. Once that was done, I pulled out the coordinating Vintage Lace Simple Coloring Stencil Set to add colour to the embossed images and used Tide Blue, Sea Breeze, Burnt Red, and Coral Bliss for the roses and Just Green, and Parrot Crisp Dye inks for the leaves. The stained glass effect that is created with the stencils is so unique and lovely; instead of adding a gradual fade to each petal, it adds shading to entire petals for a different and fun look!

Once my stenciling had been completed, I used the Hello and Hugs Die Set to die cut a greeting out of White Cardstock, Citrine Cardstock, and White Foam. I layered the pieces together using Craft Glue, then ink-blended Coral Bliss ink into a nice ombré to add some visual interest to the sentiment. Next, I stamped a greeting from the Bountiful Bouquet Stamp onto a strip of White Cardstock using Obsidian Ink and affixed it to my panel using foam adhesive. 

Then, to add a bit of texture and shine to my background, I die-cut Citrine Cardstock and White Foam using the Rectangle Shape Extra Large Pattern Die and Rectangle Shape Large Pattern Die from the Nestabilities Essential Rectangles Etched Dies and adhered it to my card panel with Craft Glue.
To complete, I adhered the panel to a top-folding A2-sized white card base using tape runner. Then, I added some metallic gold and blue paint from the Metallic Watercolor Set for a fun, artsy look. I finished off the card with a few black paint splatters using the Jet Black Ink Spray for visual interest.



Giveaway Prizes:
$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $25 gift certificate to 8 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 05/29/2022 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 10 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 05/31/2022.

Blog Hop Order:
Next Stop on this Blog Hop is the wonderful, Nandini Karmarkar'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:

Jennifer McGuire

Jaycee Gaspar

Mindy Eggen

Jenny Colacicco

Angela Brennan

Tenia Nelson

LauraJane

Nathalie DeSousa

Carol Hintermeier

Virginia Lu

Nenette S. Madero

Terri Koszler

Katrina Howe

Reiko Tsuchida

Linda Westfall

Bridget Casey

Ann Taylor

Colleen Balija

SathyaKala Sankaran

Eva Bussom

Natasha Davies

Sande Woodson

Susan Stagno

Nichol Spohr

Daniel Diaz

                        Hussena Calcuttawala (You are HERE)

Nandini Karmarkar

Preeti Chandran


Well, that’s all for my projects today! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading. I hope you have a wonderful day!

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.