Making Spirits Bright

Hello. Thank you for stopping by Treasures in Letters.

Today I am sharing with you a Christmas card that I made using Spellbinders Hot Glimmer Plates. Christmas comes and goes so quickly that I usually have no time to really enjoy some of the new stamps, dies, or foil plates that I had ordered for the Christmas season. That was certainly the case this year, so I decided ahead of time that I would continue to make Christmas cards until I am tired of it.

I have owned a hot foil press for about 5 years now; I have both a Go Press and Foil (Couture Creations) and a Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil system. Every year I seem to use them only around Christmas time but I am enjoying all the new hot glimmer plates that Spellbinders has been releasing for all seasons and occasions. I am having so much fun playing with them that it doesn’t even matter to me if I end up with a card at the end of the day.

This card is so beautiful in person. I have it standing up on one of my craft tables and whenever I turn on the light it just sparkles and lights up.

To make this card I started out by using Spellbinders Twinkle Lights Hot Foil Glimmer Plate with Spellbinders Prism Glimmer Hot Foil to make my background. I then used Tim Holtz Distress Ink colors: Salty Ocean, Broken China, Stormy Sky, and Chipped Sapphire to ink blend over the foil, using blender brushes. I then cut my background frame using Hero Arts Infinity Dies, Rounded Rectangle.

The sentiment is from Spellbinders Elegant Holiday Glimmer Sentiments and I used Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil GLF-020 (royal blue). I cut the sentiment out with We R Memory Keepers Nesting Circle Dies (3″ circle) and cut a second one out of craft foam. I trimmed the craft foam circle to fit behind the sentiment circle and glued it in place.

Using Spellbinders Christmas Organic Foliage Hot Glimmer Plates, I foiled and cut out flowers and leaves using Spellbinders Hot Glimmer Foil: GLF-015 (Skybright), GLF-009 (Shiny Teal), and Go Press and Foil Sea Breeze (Iridescent Digital Pattern).

This photo captures the shine of the beautiful foils used on the card.

Thank you for stopping bye. I hope you liked the card.

Today I have affiliate links to the Spellbinders products I have used. There is no cost to you if you use the links. They are there for your convenience.

Affiliate links are used
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System
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SPLBDRS
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil Plate - Twinkle Lights
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil Plate – Twinkle Lights
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SPLBDRS
Spellbinders Christmas Organic Foliage Hot Glimmer Plates
Spellbinders Christmas Organic Foliage Hot Glimmer Plates
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SPLBDRS
Spellbinders Elegant Holiday Glimmer Sentiments
Spellbinders Elegant Holiday Glimmer Sentiments
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SPLBDRS
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil
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SPLBDRS
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil GLF-015
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil GLF-015
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SPLBDRS
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil GLF--009
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil GLF–009
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SPLBDRS
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil GLF-032
Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil GLF-032
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SPLBDRS
Spellbinders Quick Trimmer
Spellbinders Quick Trimmer
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SPLBDRS

Altenew Educators “Floral with Geometric Elements” Blog Hop and Linky Party + Giveaway

Altenew Blog Post

Welcome to Treasures in Letters! Thank you for stopping bye and being a part of the Altenew Educator’s “Floral with Geometric Elements” Blog Hop and Linky Party + Giveaway.

You have almost made it to the finish line!! Well done, my friend. 😉

If you have been working thru the blog list then you will have come from Rosie Neustaedter and will finish off with Virginia Lu. I hope you have enjoyed the blog hop.

My inspiration for this card was one of the trellises I use in my garden every summer for my Clematis. One of my daughters commented that it reminded her of the rose in the glass in Disney’s Beauty and The Beast movie. My card features a three layer hand-cut arch and Altenew’s Pinstripe Stamp, Cherished Memories Stamp & Die Set, Altenew Fine Frames Diamonds Die, and Altenew Alcohol Ink Refills: Green Fields. See the full list of Altenew products that I used below the second photo.

Supplies: Altenew Fine Frames Diamonds Die Set, Altenew Cherished Memories Stamp & Die Set, Altenew Pinstripe Stamp, Altenew Obsidian Ink, Altenew Alcohol Markers Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Evergreen, Grapevine, Ruby Red, Coral Berry, and Frosty Pink; Altenew Alcohol Ink Refills: Forest Glades, Frayed Leaf, Altenew Clear Embossing Powder, Altenew Embossing Ink, Altenew Thank You Builder Stamp, Altenew Cardstock: Apple Red, Green Meadows Gradient Card Stock, White, Altenew Black Card stock, Clear Acetate.

Highlights: I measured out the size of the trellis that I wanted. I used a cutting knife to cut the inside of the arch and a cutting board to do all the straight edges. The beauty of having the pinstripe stamped background is that you cannot tell where the curved top of the arch is a little bumpy. It is completely invisible to the naked eye. 😉 I cut my piece of clear acetate just a hair smaller than the trellis and used spray adhesive on the back of the cut diamonds to stick them to the acetate. The acetate was then adhered to the pinstripe background (stamped and turned and stamped again) using black foam tape. The flower was adhered to the acetate/diamond center using foam tape and liquid glue. The back of the acetate was painted using Altenew’s alcohol ink refills before adding the diamonds (to the front).

This background was made in August 2019 and I really liked it but I didn’t know what I wanted to do with it. When they announced the blog hop would have geometric elements, I was excited to find a way to incorporate this background.

Highlights and Supplies: This background was made using Altenew Ink Sprays: Jet Black, Dusk and Pure White, sprayed in a diagonal fashion over the Altenew On The Plus Side stencil. The Cherished Memories Stamp and Die was colored using a “negative space” mask and ink blending from the bottom up using a blending sponge. Other Altenew products used: Altenew Obsidian Ink, Altenew Black Card Stock, Altenew White Card Stock, Altenew Ink Blending Tool, Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Desert Night, Dusk, Turquoise, Cloudy Sky; Altenew Fine Frames Cover Die, Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder, Altenew Embossing Ink.

This card features Altenew Fine Frames Circle Die, Fine Frames Cover Die, and Fine Frames Diamond Die with a hand written message.

Supplies: Altenew Fine Frames Circle Die, Altenew Fine Frames Cover Die, Altenew Fine Frames Diamond Die, Altenew Green Meadows Card Stock, Altenew Black Card Stock, Altenew White Card Stock, Altenew Cool Summer Night Ink Set, Altenew Obsidian Ink, Altenew Dusk Ink Spray, Altenew blending tool, Altenew Cherished Memories Stamp & Die.

Highlight: Dry embossing with Altenew Bubble Wrap Stencil and blending Altenew Misty Morning Ink create the soft background to this vibrant flower.

Supplies: Altenew Leaf Clusters Stamp (sentiment); Obsidian Ink, Altenew Crisp Dye inks: Frayed Leaf, Evergreen, Forest Glades, Desert Night, Dusk, Ocean Waves, Misty Morning Ink; Cherished Memories Stamp & Die, Altenew Bubble Wrap Stencil, Altenew Ink Blending Tool, Altenew Fine Frames Cover Die, Altenew White Card Stock, Altenew Black Card Stock.

I pictured this card with and without a sentiment. I am not sure which way to go.

Supplies: Altenew Cherished Memories Stamp & Die Set, Altenew Obsidian Ink, Altenew Clear Embossing Powder (card with sentiment), Altenew Bubble Wrap Stencil, Altenew Shattered Triangle Die Set, Altenew Ink Blending Tool, Altenew White Card Stock, Altenew Black Card stock, Altenew Blender Tool, Altenew Embossing Ink.

This sentiment was temporarily added because I am still undecided on what I want to do with the sentiment. 🙂

Prizes:

Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner! Please leave a comment here on the Altenew Card Blog by 12/21/2020 for a chance to win. 

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 Altenew gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew Winners Page on 12/23/2020.

There’s MORE! What’s a hop without YOU?! We have included an Inlinkz on the Altenew blog for you to enter your gorgeous Altenew “Floral with Geometric Elements” creations. We will pick 2 of our favorite handmade creations from those who joined the linky party and they will each receive a $15 Altenew gift certificate!

Hop list:

Altenew Card Blog
Nenette S. Madero
Kari VanNoy
Helen Kalb
Teresa Litchfield
Colleen Balija
Rachael Shedeed
Pam Boedeker
Nandini Karmarkar
Amber Rain Davis
Neha Aggarwal
Amy Hill
Teri Wilson
Terri Marie Koszler
Eva Bussom
Sandra Woodson
Irina Fonina
Jaycee Gaspar
Roteja Galvan
Teri Stokes
Michelle Ochoa Murray
Rosie Neustaedter
Patty Mello
Virginia Lu

Altenew: “Giving Thanks” Blog Hop and Linky Party + Giveaway

Welcome to Treasures in Letters! If you’ve been following the blog hop then you’ve just come from Amber Rain Davis and you’re last stop will be Virginia Lu.

This is no ordinary hop! We want you to join in on the fun as well. There is a Linky Party going on at the Altenew Card Blog. All you have to do is link up your creations based on the theme of the hop, which is, “Giving Thanks” and mention that you are taking part in the Altenew Educators Blog Hop and Linky Party. So what are you waiting for?! Link up! 

This card features a wreath that is stamped flat on the left side and fussy cut and mounted with foam tape on the right side. It is rich in color and sparkly with sequins.

I really enjoy trying some new techniques for blog hops. Today I am using a few new ideas in my cards. I hope you enjoy them!

We are also celebrating “Giving Thanks” in our blog hop today. Years ago I started a “Thank You” journal. Every January 1st I begin a new journal and every morning, I start my day writing out at least 3 things I am thankful for from the day before. This helps me start the day with a positive attitude and a thankful heart. My initial goal was to have 1,000 entries by the end of the year. By keeping this journal every year, for many years now, it has made me a much more positive person …and I far exceed 1,000 entries each year. I don’t know about you, but this Corona Virus pandemic has been quite a challenge to get used to. Despite it all, I have found myself grateful for so many things…including a new job that I got just as the quarantines were starting, and the job was in the “essential” category! So thankful to God! I never thought I would be so thankful for Skype and Zoom and the different ways we can “face time” with out families and friends. Then there are all the MDs, nurses, paramedics, police, fire/rescue squads, teens and college students who’ve worked in supermarkets and retailers. The moms and dads who’ve committed to teaching their children at home and have spent quality time with their kids despite having to “work at home” at their jobs. What about all the outreaches? People handing out food to the elderly and less fortunate. People have become so creative in the ways that they can help and serve others. It all makes me thankful. What are you thankful for today?

This bold YOU die cut from the backgroud has been highlighted around its edges with the Altenew Cosmic Berry alcohol ink pen….which was also used to color the background of the sentiment and to color the little embellishment balls. Altenew Fine Frames were stacked and heat embossed to give the frame some definition and texture.

Supplies for both of these cards: Altenew Dotted Diamond Stamp; Altenew Caps Bold Alphabet Die; Altenew Thank You Builder Stamp; Altenew Bountiful Branch Stamp; Altenew Fine Frames Cover Die; Altenew Crisp Dye inks: Dark Night, Grape Agate, Pumpkin Pie, Yellow Ochre, Sicilian Amber, Misty Morning, Cloudy Sky, Nimbus, Plum; Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder, Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder; Altenew Antique Gold embossing powder; Altenew Embossing ink; Altenew Cosmic Berry Alcohol ink pen and foam tape.

This card background was made with Altenew’s Thank You Builder stamp set organized in such a way that I made my own “turnabout” stamp. The first stamping , purple wine, has 3 layers of clear embossing powder on top of it, the 2nd turn, has 2 layers of clear embossing on top, the 3rd turn has one layer of clear embossing, and the 4th turn has no clear embossing. This really adds some fun and texture. This card also has a “floating” vellum circle. There is foam tape between the flower cluster and the vellum and the vellum and the card background.
This card also features my home-made turnabout stamp using Altenew’s Thank You Builder Stamp. I also did the multi-level clear heat embossing that I did on the previous card.

Supplies used on both cards: Altenew Thank You Builder Stamp; Altenew Tulip Stamp; Altenew Moroccan Mosaic; Altenew Mod Vases Stamp and Die Bundle; Altenew Perfectly Perfect Stamp, Altenew Milky Way Stencil, Altenew Spring Daisy Stamp & Die; Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Permanent Black, Limestone, Silver Lake, Gray Denim, Cloudy Night, Charcoal Suit, Purple Wine; Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder; Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder; Altenew Artist Markers Set D; Altenew Embossing Ink; Vellum, Foam Tape, Wink of Stella Glitter Pen; Gelly Roll pen black and white, Black cardstock.

Prizes:

Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 3 lucky winners! Please leave a comment here on the Altenew Card Blog by 6/17/2020 for a chance to win. 

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 Altenew gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Card Blog on 6/21/2020.

There’s MORE! We will pick 2 of our favorite handmade creations from those who joined the linky party and they will each receive a $15 Altenew gift certificate!

Special offer:

FREE U.S. shipping with code HAPPY6T or $5 OFF international shipping with code SHOPPING6T at checkout on orders over $29. Offer valid from 6/10/2020 at 12:01 am EDT through6/11/2020 at 11:59 pm EDT. Shop HERE! Not valid on prior purchases. Cannot be combined with other promo codes. Not valid on Altenew Academy Classes and Virtual Workshops.

Hop list:

Please add a link to the person before and after you in your post. You are encouraged to include the full list as well. 

Altenew Card Blog

Nenette S. Madero

Christine Pennington

Vicki Finger

Amy Hill

Nandini Karmarkar

Nancy McClelland

Neha Aggarwal

Terri Marie Koszler

Rosie Neustaedter

Helen Kalb

Laurel Beard

Maryam Sharara 

Teri Stokes

Nicole Watt 

Erin Thompson

Irina Fonina

Amber Rain Davis

Patty Mello

Virginia Lu

Altenew Educator “For the Love of Flowers” Blog Hop and Linky Party + Giveaway

Featuring Altenew’s Rose Flurries 3D Dies

ALTENEW CARD BLOG

Hello, and welcome to Treasures In Letters. My name is Patty and if you are following along with the blog hop, then you would have arrived from Rosie Neustaedter’s page. I hope you have been enjoying the blog hop so far.

I was part of the very first set of students in Altenew’s Educator Certificate Program and I really enjoyed the challenge to increase my card making skills as well as to think “out of the box” using my stamps and dies. My entry into today’s hop is an example of that. I decided to make some home decor wall hangings for my entry, using Altenew’s Rose Flurries 3D Dies and Calligraphy Alpha Dies. I’ve got them hanging in our sunroom beckoning for springtime.

All the lettering is from Altenew’s Calligraphy Alpha Dies, cut 5 times and layered for depth.

Before I share about my blog hop entry, I just want to share that the AECP has been instrumental in building a strong foundation of resources that I can come back to over and over again for inspiration, direction, and instruction, as well as a wonderful support system and Facebook community to share ideas and ask questions. I really appreciate how Altenew is continually finding new ways to help the Educators use their skills and talents to reach out to their communities and to feel that they are a part of the Altenew family.

Altenew’s Wavy Grid Stencil and Limestone ink was used in the background of this wall plaque.

In preparing for this blog hop, I made close to 100 3D flowers in different colors and sizes and over 70 leaf sprays, so that I would have lots to choose from once I started making my projects. Rather than using colored card stock, each flower layer was first stamped out using a foam stamp that I made by die cutting the different shapes using the 3D dies. Each flower layer was then die cut and highlighted with a bit of white pigment ink and/or a deeper Altenew color than its original color, to add depth to the flowers. As you can imagine, it was a lot of work but I have lots of leftovers that I can use to make cards with now. 🙂

Altenew’s Leaves and Berries Stencil and Limestone ink was used to make a background for this wall plaque.
Each plaque has 3 layers to add depth and texture. The first layer is the leaves, the second layer consists of some of the flowers with foam tape on the back of them and the third layer is made up of some of the flowers with double layers of foam tape.
Hanging in my sunroom making me look forward to springtime.

What’s a blog hop without a card? I had fun making this one! 😉

Altenew’s Rustic Linen Stamp and Limestone Ink were used for the background on this card and their new Mod Vases Stamp & Dies.

I hope you enjoyed my projects. Below are the supplies I used and prize information.

SUPPLIES: Altenew Rose Flurries 3D Die Set, Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Green Fields, Sweet Dreams, Tea Party, Rose Petal, Pocketful of Sunshine, Warm and Cozy, Enchanted Garden, Green Valley, Cherry Blossom, Tropical Forest, Golden Sunset, Caribbean Sky, Persian Blue, Limestone, Obsidian Pigment Ink, Embossing Ink, Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder, Calligraphy Alpha Dies, Wavy Grid Stencil, Leaves & Berries Stencil, Parlor Palm Die Set, Mod Vases Stamp and Die Set, Peony Spray Stamp Set, Rustic Linen Stamp Set, Craft Foam, Blending Brushes.

PRIZE INFO.: Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 3 lucky winners! Please leave a comment here on the Altenew Card Blog by 3/11/2020 for a chance to win. We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew Card Blog on 3/14/2020.

There’s MORE! We will pick 2 of our favorite handmade creations from those who joined the linky party and they will each receive a $15 gift certificate to our store!

SPECIAL OFFER: Save 15% off on ALL Stamp & Die Bundles from 3/5/2020 at 12:01 AM EST until 3/6/2020 at 11:59 PM EST. No code needed to enjoy this sale! Not valid on previous purchases. Excludes February 2020 release products.

SHOP HERE: https://altenew.com/collections/stamp-die-bundles

Your next stop is: Helen Kalb

Blog Hop Order:

Altenew Card Blog

Michelle Ochoa Murray

Nandini Karmarkar

Terri Marie Koszler 

Irina Fonina

Amy Hill

Vicki Finger

Laurel Beard

Teri Stokes

Neha Aggarwal

Nenette S. Madero

Nancy McClelland

Eva Bussom 

Amber Rain Davis

Rosie Neustaedter

Patty Mello

Helen Kalb

Teri Wilson

Christine Pennington

Maryam Sharara 

Nicole Watt 

Virginia Lu

Congratulations: You Are The Best

Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil

Hello everyone and welcome back to Treasures In Letters. It has been a long while since I’ve blogged because I enjoy making the cards so much that I just don’t stop to post them. 🙂

Last Fall, Altenew released some new stencils and this Wonderful Wreath Stencil is one of them. I hope you like it. Have a wonderful day!! Happy Leap Day!

Supplies: Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil, Altenew Enchanted Gold Pigment Ink, Altenew Evergreen dye ink, Altenew Morning Frost dye ink, Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder, Altenew Embossing Ink, Simon Says Stamp You Matter background stamp, Altenew Wild Ferns Stamp Set (sentiment), Altenew Leaf Canopy Stamp Set (sentiment).

How to make it: Begin by stamping the Simon Says Stamp, You Matter background onto a piece of Neenah Solar White Classic Crest #80 card stock. I started with a 5.5 x 5.5″ piece and then cut it down. Using a pencil draw a light line down the center of the card on both sides so that you can see the center of your card stock easily. (You do not have to do this step). Place your stencil on the stamped background so that the outside edge of the wreath is going through the center of your card stock piece (pencil lines come in handy here). Using the Altenew Evergreen Ink and a blender brush, stencil the wreath over the stamped background. While the ink sets and dries, rinse off your stencil and dry it well. Turning the stencil in the opposite direction (so that the leaves are going opposite the way you just stenciled them) overlap the green leaves, and stencil with Altenew Enchanted Gold using a blender brush. Pigment ink takes a little longer to dry so set it aside while you work on the sentiments. On a scrap piece of white Neenah card stock, smear evergreen ink to make matching card stock to stamp with your sentiment. Once it is dry, stamp the evergreen card stock with your sentiment using Altenew embossing ink. Sprinkle Altenew Pure White embossing powder over the sentiments. Heat set and trim. To make the matching borders use 2 pieces of white Neenah #80 card stock and smear the outer edges of each card stock; one with evergreen ink and one with enchanted gold ink. Mount the sentiments with foam tape.

Below you will find links to the supplies used to create this project. Click the icon for the store underneath the thumbnails to start shopping. Where available I use compensated affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me to keep bringing you new projects. Thank you so much.

Affiliate links are used
Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil
Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW
Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Morning Frost
Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Morning Frost
Shop at:
ALTNW
Altenew Enchanted Gold Pigment Ink
Altenew Enchanted Gold Pigment Ink
Shop at:
ALTNW
Affiliate links are used
Altenew Evergreen Ink
Altenew Evergreen Ink
Shop at:
ALTNW
Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder
Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder
Shop at:
ALTNW
Altenew Embossing Ink
Altenew Embossing Ink
Shop at:
ALTNW
Affiliate links are used
Foam Tape
Foam Tape
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | SPLBDRS
Altenew Wild Ferns Stamp Set
Altenew Wild Ferns Stamp Set
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW
Altenew Leaf Canopy Stamp Set
Altenew Leaf Canopy Stamp Set
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW

“Caring Thoughts” Cards

Altenew Inks and Leaf Clusters Stamp Set

Hello All! Today I have a collection of ten cards that I made for my church. Every card starts out the same way, with a background stamped using the Altenew Leaf Clusters Stamp Set and Altenew Inks, but then the fun begins…because every card is finished in a different way. Some are simple and some have more details but each one is beautiful and will be a welcome sight to someone who needs an encouraging word.

Base Supplies in all the cards: Altenew Leaf Clusters Stamp Set, Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Morning Frost, Firefly, Shadow Creek, Grass Field, and Jet Black.

All other supplies: Altenew Thinking of You Stamp Set, Altenew Fine Frames Cover Die, Altenew Pinstripe Stamp, Altenew Halftone Squares Die, Altenew Wishing You Stamp, Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder, Altenew Layered Medallion Cover Die A, Rubbernecker Stamps With Deepest Sympathy, Simon Says Stamp Wonky Rectangle Die, Craft Foam, Foam Tape, Black Card Stock, Versamark Ink, Lawn Fawn Stitched Windy Backdrop Die, Sizzix Stitched Rectangle Die, clear flat sequins, and clear sequins.

Below is a list of the products I used in my card today. I am still new at all of this so bare with me. 🙂 Click on the links to go directly to the product. Where available, I use compensated affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Affiliate links are used
Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Morning Frost
Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Morning Frost
Shop at:
ALTNW
Altenew Leaf Clusters Stamp & Die
Altenew Leaf Clusters Stamp & Die
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW
Altenew Green Valley Mini Cube Set
Altenew Green Valley Mini Cube Set
Shop at:
ALTNW

Altenew Thinking Of You Stamp

Altenew Thinking Of You Stamp
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW

Altenew Wishing You Stamp

Altenew Wishing You Stamp
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW

Altenew Jet Black Ink

Altenew Jet Black Ink
Shop at:
ALTNW

Altenew Half Tone Squares Die

Altenew Half Tone Squares Die
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW

Lawn Fawn Stitched Windy Backdrop

Lawn Fawn Stitched Windy Backdrop
Shop at:
SCRPBKPL

Sizzix Stitched Rectangle Die

Sizzix Stitched Rectangle Die
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com

Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder

Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder
Shop at:
ALTNW

Altenew Fine Frames Cover Die

Altenew Fine Frames Cover Die
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW

Versamark Ink

Versamark Ink
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com

Altenew Layered Medallions Cover Die A

Altenew Layered Medallions Cover Die A
Shop at:
ALTNW

Altenew Pinstripe Stamp

Altenew Pinstripe Stamp
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW

Hello My Sweet Friend

Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil

Hello there! It’s been a long time since I’ve posted a card but not a long time since I’ve made one. 🙂 I have enjoyed the summer and have been making cards on a regular basis since August. My favorite thing to do, besides bike riding on a hot day, is to make a card. However, taking pictures of my cards and blogging are not my favorite. 😦

Today, I am showing off a card that I made in anticipation of the Stretching Your Stencils Class that I am offering later this month….with my friend Amy Hill from Sevenscrafts. This card will not be one that we will make in class but it is so pretty. I hope you like it.

This card features Altenew’s Wonderful Wreath Stencil and Geo Frames Stamp & Die Set

Supplies: Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil, Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Morning Frost, Evergreen, Forest Glades, and Obsidian Pigment Ink. Altenew Geo Frames Stamp and Die Set, Altenew Canopy Leaf Stamp & Die Set, Altenew Sweetest Peas Stamp Set, Altenew Mini Hello Stamp, Altenew Clear Embossing Powder, Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder, Blending Brushes, Vellum, Altenew Embossing Ink, Black Cardstock, Neenah Solar White Classic Crest #80, #110 card stock, Foam Tape, Masking Paper or Scrap Paper.

To Create: Begin by finding and marking (with a pencil) the center of your card front. Using these marks as your guide and the Wonderful Wreath Stencil, a Blender Brush, and the Morning Frost Dye Ink, blend ink into stencil around the center. You will only use about 1/4 of the stencil at this point. Move stencil and continue blending to make a small circle at the center. Move the stencil around the circle in small increments. You will ink blend only using about 1/4 of the stencil at a time. Use masking paper or scrap paper to cover areas that have already been stenciled so that you can continue moving in a circle. On a piece of vellum, stamp a couple of branches using Forest Glades and Evergreen Ink. Die cut the branches once they are dry. Stamp the octagon shape with Evergreen Ink and the mini Hello with Obsidian ink. Heat emboss the mini Hello with clear embossing powder. Heat emboss small sentiment on black card stock and using white embossing powder. Use foam tape to mount the sentiment. When you place the leaf branches under the sentiment, place them with ink side down and use just a tiny bit of liquid glue on the underside to hold in place. Mount onto black card stock then onto card base.

Here are links to some of the products I used in this card. These links are affiliate links, they do not cost you anything. Please be patient with my links looking so spread out. I am new at this an it’s a work in progress for me. 🙂

Affiliate links are used
Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder
Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder
Shop at:
ALTNW
Altenew Embossing Ink
Altenew Embossing Ink
Shop at:
ALTNW
Altenew Leaf Canopy Stamp Set
Altenew Leaf Canopy Stamp Set
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW
Affiliate links are used
Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil
Altenew Wonderful Wreath Stencil
Shop at:
Scrapbook.com | ALTNW
Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink
Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink
Shop at:
ALTNW
Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Morning Frost
Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Morning Frost
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ALTNW
Foam Tape

Foam Tape
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Scrapbook.com | SPLBDRS

Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder

Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder
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ALTNW

Altenew Evergreen Ink

Altenew Evergreen Ink
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ALTNW

1/8
1/8″ wide Double sided tape
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Scrapbook.com
Altenew Geo Frames Stamp & Die Set

Altenew Geo Frames Stamp & Die Set
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Scrapbook.com | ALTNW

Altenew Forest Glades Ink

Altenew Forest Glades Ink
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ALTNW

Altenew Sweetest Peas Stamp & Die Set

Altenew Sweetest Peas Stamp & Die Set
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Scrapbook.com | ALTNW

Altenew Mini Hello Stamp
Altenew Mini Hello Stamp
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Scrapbook.com | ALTNW Picket Fence Studios Life Changing Blender Brushes
Picket Fence Studios Life Changing Blender Brushes
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Scrapbook.com | SCRPBKPL

Card Making Class: Stretching Your Stencils

Registration Blog

Welcome to Treasures In Letters!! Thank you for stopping by. Are you interested in having some crafty fun making some all occasion cards without having to make an investment in tools and materials? If so, Amy Hill of Sevenscrafts.com, and I are teaming up to present a “Make and Take” Stretching Your Stencils Card Making Class.

You don’t need any prior experience and you don’t need any tools. We will provide everything you need. You will make 5 all occasion cards and you will be able to choose your own color scheme where applicable.

See more details below:

Please note: this presentation is an on-location class.

STRETCHING YOUR STENCILS: featuring Altenew stencils

Amy Hill of Sevenscafts.com and I are offering a:

Stretch Your Stencils Card Making Class

WHEN: Saturday, October 19th FROM: 9AM-11:30AM

WHERE: Patty’s House, Norton, MA (address will be provided in confirmation email).

Cost: $30 (You will make 5 completed cards)

Why: To have fun!
All tools and supplies will be provided for you.
No experience necessary.
Space is limited. You must register ahead of time.
Refunds will be issued if more registrations come in than we have seats.

Purchase Your Registration Here

SORRY, REGISTRATION CLOSED.

Once you purchase your seat in the class, we will send you an email with Patty’s address. If you do not receive an email, please contact Amy at sevenscrafts@gmail.com or Patty at treasuresinletters@gmail.com and we will be sure to get you any information you need.

Amy and I are both Altenew Educators who enjoy paper crafting (card making, especially) and sharing our skills and tools with others in a comfortable setting where people can try something new, or build their skills, in an enjoyable, safe environment.

SAVE THE DATE: Sat. Nov. 16th
Holiday Card Making Class
More details coming soon 🙂

Hello: You’re the Best

New Altenew Academy Class: Runway Inspired Card Making – Line

Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve last blogged! I hope you have all enjoyed your summer as much as I have. Even though I haven’t been blogging, I was still actively making some cards in between bike rides, BBQ’s, and beach time. 🙂

But now, as the temperatures start to cool off a bit and become more comfortable (for those of us who do not have air conditioning), it’s time to get back to the fun of sharing some card making pleasure.

Today I am sharing a card I made for an Altenew Academy class called Runway Inspired Card Making. The first lesson was on “line” and my inspiration came from one of Giambattista Valli’s Fall 2019 fashion line (featured in Vogue.com).

Giambattista Valli’s Fall 2019 Fashion Line

Supplies: Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink, Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Marigold and Morning Frost, Altenew Pinstripe Stamp Set, Altenew Layered Medallions Cover Die A, Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder, Simon Says Stamps Basic Stripes Stamp, Craft Foam, The Stamp Market Hello Serif Die, Birch Press Kindness Tile Stamp, Foam Tape, Black Card stock, Neenah Solar White Classic Crest #80, #110, Masking Paper, Temporary tape adhesive, Misti Stamping Tool.

How I made it: Start by taking a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ piece of white card stock and masking the lower 2/3 of the card. Using Obsidian pigment ink and Altenew Pinstripe stamp, stamp the pinstripe onto the top 1/3 of your white card stock. Set aside to dry.

Using your craft foam (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″) , die cut the Altenew Layered Medallions Cover Die A out. The craft foam may flatten a bit but that will not affect what you will be using it for. Put some temporary tape adhesive on a couple of spots on the back of the craft foam background. Have ready your dry pinstriped card stock and 1 more piece of Neenah Solar white classic crest #80, cut to 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″. Put temporary adhesive on a couple of spots on the back of these 2 card stock pieces. Place the pinstripe card stock piece into the Misti and press down so that the temporary adhesive holds it in place. Now place the craft foam die cut background, right sides together, on top of the pinstriped card stock. Close the Misti cover so that the temporary adhesive (on the back of your foam) sticks to the Misti and you now have the craft foam acting as your stamp.

Cover the craft foam with Morning Frost ink and stamp onto the card stock. If you missed a spot or two just close the Misti door again and press down in that area to get more coverage. If necessary, ink the foam again but lightly, as you do not want this to get too dark. Repeat this process for the second piece of card stock (which will not have the pinstripe stamping on it).

As the ink dries, die cut your Hello letters from the newly stamped background you just made (the piece without the pinstripe). Out of black card stock die cut the shadow Hello.

Using Simon Says Stamps, Basic Stripes Stamp and your pinstriped card stock, place your thick stripes wherever you would like them and stamp with Marigold ink. You will have to do these one at a time. With the black stripes, do the same. Have fun deciding on spacing and thickness, there does not have to be a pattern to the layout.

Once all the ink is dry, used a scrap piece of black card stock (cut to about 1/8″ wide) to place a line between the pinstripe and the non-pinstripe section. Using the Morning Frost ink make some matching card stock by smudging the ink onto some white card stock a little larger than the area you will need to stamp and cut out your sentiment. Let the ink dry before stamping your sentiment on top of it. Stamp the sentiment on with Obsidian ink and heat emboss with Altenew Crystal Clear embossing powder. Mount the sentiment with foam tape. Mount the Hello sentiment with liquid glue.

The Marigold background was made by rubbing the stamp ink pad on the edges of a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Neenah Solar white #80 card stock. Cut down the card base so that you can layer the black card stock, Marigold card stock and still have the white of your card base showing. My card face was cut down to 3 3/4″ x 5 1/8″. The black card stock was cut 1/8″ around the face card, the marigold base was 1/8″ larger (all around) than the black card stock, then there was about an 1/8″ of the white card base showing.

Below is a list of some of the products I used in my card today.I am still new at all of this so bare with me. 🙂 Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available, I use compensated affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Affiliate links are used
Misti
Misti
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Scrapbook.com
Altenew Layered Medallions Cover Die A
Altenew Layered Medallions Cover Die A
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ALTNW
Altenew Pinstripe Stamp
Altenew Pinstripe Stamp
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Scrapbook.com | ALTNW
Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink
Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink
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ALTNW Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Morning Frost
Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Morning Frost
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ALTNW Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Marigold
Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Marigold
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ALTNW Craft Foam
Craft Foam
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Scrapbook.com Foam Tape
Foam Tape
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Scrapbook.com | SPLBDRS Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder
Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder
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ALTNW

Altenew Educator “Love & Friendship” Blog Hop + Giveaway

Altenew Card Blog

Welcome to Treasures In Letters! My name is Patty and I am so glad you stopped by for the Altenew Educator “Love & Friendship” Blog Hop + Giveaway. I hope you are having a great summer filled with fun, family and friends. If you have been following along, you have just arrived from Francine Dodwell. (If you find a broken link, you’ll find a master list of the hop links at the Altenew Card Blog …see link above).

The theme for this blog hop is Love & Friendship and I am excited to share that it has been the Altenew Educator Certificate Program that has created a new friendship between Amy Hill and myself. Amy reached out to me after completing the AECP program in March 2019. It turns out that we live only 2 miles away from each other. She has become a true crafting friend. We have traveled to a craft show, spent a few Saturday mornings stamping and encouraging each other, and she’s even come over to my house to help me take photos of my cards for this blog. We look forward to teaching some classes this fall and traveling to the Stamp & Scrapbook Expo in September. 🙂

Amy is on the left and I am on the right. We took this picture in her craft room after a full morning of card making.

Before I show you my cards I want to encourage those of you who are thinking about applying for the Altenew Educator Certificate Program to give it a try. It is an opportunity to focus on your card making skills, learn new techniques and practice them at your own pace and in your own home. There is no pressure at all to finish each level in a certain amount of time. You get out of it what you put into it. What I liked about it was that it made me accountable to myself. Let’s face it, the more you work at something, the better you get at it. Before I entered the AECP I did not make as many cards as I do now, so improvement was slow. The classes you take are yours forever so you can go back to them for inspiration and skill building whenever you want. I encourage any of you who are thinking about applying for the program, but maybe don’t see yourself teaching afterward, to do it because you want to grow in your skills … and make some new friends. I guarantee you will do both. And who knows, you just may find yourself teaching someone else how to make cards. 🙂

And here’s a perfect opportunity for you to give it a try: to celebrate the AECP blog hop and encourage people to join in the AECP program, Altenew will discount the following bundles by 20% from 7/19/2019 to 7/21/2019.

As many of you know, Altenew’s name was created by juxta-positioning the German word for old, which is Alt, and the English word new, to make up the name, Altenew. I kept this in mind while working on my cards and chose to use a few of my older supplies to make 4 new cards. I had a lot of fun playing around with different techniques and found that the more cards I made, the more ideas I had. And I loved the fact that I was taking supplies that I already owned and trying out new ways of using them. For any of you who follow my blog, you know that this has been my personal theme for this year….use your stash!!

So here is a group shot of the cards I have for you today. I hope you like them and that they inspire you to use some of the stamps and supplies you already own; and maybe inspire you to send a special friend a handmade card.

All of my cards feature the Ditsy Print Stamp Set, the Plaid Cover Die A, and Geo Frames Stamp & Die Set.

All the cards will have the Ditsy Print Stamp Set, the Layered Plaid Cover Die-A, the Geo Frames Stamp & Die Set, Altenew Permanent Black Ink, and Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing powder. I have active links to each of these supplies below.

How I made them: Every card started out by stamping a Geo Frame rectangle onto Neenah Solar White Classic Crest #80 card stock (or craft colored card stock) then stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed with Altenew Crystal Clear embossing powder. I then used the matching die to cut them out. The next step was to use a paint brush to paint on a liquid mask over the stamped frame images. Once the mask was dry I stamped the Ditsy Print image onto the rectangle allowing it to go outside the edges, when necessary, then turning the image top to bottom and stamping the image again (so that the whole rectangle had flowers on it)… but not allowing the images to overlap. Then I layered the stamped images with the ink combinations that I liked. Once all the ink had dried, I rubbed off the mask using my finger or an adhesive eraser. In all the cards I used a Sakura Gelly Roll pen to add dots to the Geo frame stamped images.

This card was one that Amy Hill and I took pictures of in my back yard.

Please note: All of my Altenew links are not affiliate links, however, they will take you directly to the products at the Altenew website.

Other supplies used in this card: Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Pink Diamond, Pinkalicious, Rubellite; Altenew Antique Gold Pigment Ink, Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder, Versamark Ink, Matte Gold Card Stock, Altenew Spring Shower Cover Die, Altenew Artist Markers: Forest Glades, Evergreen, Frayed Leaf, Altenew Leaf Canopy Stamp Set, Brutus Monroe Raven Embossing Powder, Fuschia Card Stock, Clear Sequins, Sakura Gold Gelly Roll pen. How I Made It: To heat emboss the Plaid Cover die, I stamped Altenew Antique Gold pigment ink over the plaid cover die then sprinkled with crystal clear embossing powder and heat set. For a second coat I used Versamark ink to stamp the die cut and then added more clear embossing powder. The leaf pieces from the Spring Shower Cover Die were colored using Altenew Artist Markers. The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and heat set with Brutus Monroe Raven embossing powder. The fuschia card stock rectangle frame was made using nesting rectangle dies (vendor of choice) and stacking 3-4 together.

This card was inspired by Jennifer McGuire‘s YouTube post on Interlocking Gatefold cards (June 13, 2019)

For instructions on how to make the gatefold card, please see Jennifer McGuire’s June 13, 2019 YouTube post. I have an active link to her post under the picture above.

Other supplies used in this card: Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Iceberg, Eastern Sky, Ultramarine; Altenew Dearest Friend Stamp Set, foam tape, Blue Card Stock, small Clear Sequins, Black Sakura Gelly Roll pen. How I Made It: In this card I die cut the Layered Plaid Cover Die A out of craft foam, inked it up (the craft foam) and stamped it onto the front of my gate-fold card. I then used the black copic multi-liner to follow the plaid pattern. To keep me from drawing lines that went past the plaid stripes, I used masking paper all around the edges of card front so that my multi-liner lines would not have blobs at the beginning and ends. (I hope that makes sense.) The blue card stock rectangle frame was made using nesting rectangle dies (vendor of choice) and stacking 3-4 together.

This card features a clear acetate panel under the plaid cover die. It has a window effect as seen in the photo below. This card could have also been made into a shaker card.
The clear acetate behind the plaid panel creates a window effect and adds depth to the card.

Other supplies used in this card: Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Chamomile, Snapdragon, Marigold; Altenew Leaf Canopy Stamp Set, Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder, Clear Acetate, Orange Card Stock, foam tape, Clear, Flat sequins, Sakura Black Gelly Roll pen.

This card is actually the first one I made in the set. I enjoyed making it so much that I couldn’t wait to try more ideas using the stamp set and the plaid die.

Other supplies used in this card: Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Chamomile, Snapdragon, Marigold; Craft Card Stock, Foam Tape, Altenew Leaf Canopy Stamp Set, Black Card Stock, White Sakura Gelly Roll pen. How I made it: This card features a dry embossed Layered Plaid Cover Die (follow the directions on your die cutting machine to dry emboss.) After the card face had been dry embossed and multi-lined, I then splattered the card with the inks I used to layer the Ditsy Print. (Do this BEFORE adding the Geo stamped frame to the card.)

Supplies I used in ALL of the cards: Altenew Ditsy Print Stamp Set, Altenew Geo Frames Stamp & Die Set, Altenew Layered Plaid Cover Die A, Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Evergreen, Permanent Black (except on the gold card); Winsor & Newton Art Masking Fluid, Copic Multi-liner .3 (not used in the gold card), Neenah Solar White Classic Crest card stock #80, #110, Altenew Crystal Clear Embossing Powder, Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder (not used in the gold card), Black card stock (not used in the gold card), Clear Sequins, Sakura Gelly Roll Pens: black, white, or gold, Craft Foam (not used on gate-fold card)

I ended up taking a real lot of photos of these cards before choosing the ones that I put in the blog, with that in mind, here are a few more photos, just because….

This card was taken by Amy holding the charger plate in front of the flowers while I took the picture. It would not have worked otherwise because a table would have been too short to catch the flowers in the background.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. Please leave me a message to let me know what you thought of the cards. Which one was your favorite?

Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 3 lucky winners! Please leave a comment here on the Altenew Blog by 7/26/19 for a chance to win.

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 7/30/19.

Continue following the blog hop by clicking on Nenette Madero‘s link below.

Hop Order: 

Altenew Card Blog

Terri Marie Koszler

Michelle Ochoa Murray

Maryam Sharara

Amber Rain Davis

Irina Fonina

Teri Wilson

Francine Dodwell

Patty Mello

Nenette S. Madero

Vicki Finger

Nandini Karmarkar

Amy Hill

Christine Pennington

Erum Tasneem