Altenew: A Year in Review - My Favorite Handmade Cards, Layouts, Home Decor, etc

Hi Artsy Friends,

Altenew is no doubt a favorite stamping company of mine. In 2021, I made 30+ projects using Altenew products. It’s difficult to choose just one favorite because I love all the projects I made just like a mother loves all her children.

I finally decided to showcase the following four projects because they received praises from Altenew professionals. Thank you, Altenew, for offering A Year in Review Blog Hop and a chance to win gift certificates.     

#1 was chosen as a Winner in Altenew Inspiration Challenge May 2021.

#2 was showcased in Altenew Academy Monthly Newsletter, May 2021.

#3 was included in Altenew 2021 Pigment Inks Contest Highlight Poster

#4 was chosen as the Second Place Winner in Altenew Get Wild with Washi Creativity Inspired: Washi Tape Contest 2021!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Floral Flurries Thermos

Edited on 12/17/2021

I almost fell from the chair when I noticed that my Floral Flurries Thermos Project was chosen as the Second Place Winner by Altenew for its “Get Wild with Washi Creativity Inspired: Washi Tape Contest 2021!”. Woohoo!      

Altenew offered one CRAFT YOUR LIFE PROJECT KIT: GARDEN ROSE (worth $59.99 each), shown below, as a prize.      

I can’t thank Altenew’s inspirations and generosity enough!

Hi Artsy Friends,

My favorite thermos has a terrible (ugly) appearance because I use it every day. 

Inspired by artworks of Altenew’s “Get Wild with Washi Creativity Inspired: Washi Tape Contest 2021!”, I decided to dig out my brand new Altenew Washi Tape to cover the bottle.

I applied two layers of washi tape which created awesome visual depth. I think the new look is great and I love it even though there are some wrinkles. Wrinkles are organic, and handmade doesn’t need to be perfect, right? 

Anyway, flower power! I can’t wait to bring my Floral Flurries Thermos out. Thanks for stopping by and have a cheerful day.

Challenge Entered

• Altenew “Get Wild with Washi Creativity Inspired: Washi Tape Contest 2021!”     

• Love to Craft Challenge #64 - November Anything Goes
• Moving Along with the Times Challenge #136- Anything But a Card     

• Through the Craft Room Door Starting Nov 16 –Anything Goes
• Crafter’s Castle Challenge #47 – Anything Goes
• Love to Create Challenge #11 – Anything Goes
• A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge November/December - Anything Goes
• Mix it Up Challenge #55 - Anything Goes + 3-D Project

It is an Honor to Know You

Hi Artsy Friends,

This card is a homework of Day 3 of All About Layering 6 die Edition online class of Altenew Academy.      

Inspired by Altenew Flower of the Month Social Media Challenge- Daisy (#altenewflowerofthemonth), I dug out my brandnew Craft-a-Flower Daisy die set to make this card. I challenged myself to use watercolor (which is beyond my comfort zone) to color the daisies. I kind of like how the card turns out. Hope it’s eye-pleasing to you as well. Thanks for stopping by.

Card Details

All dies, sentiment stamp and background washi tape are all by Altenew.

Challenges to Enter

• The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge – Mellow Yellow
• 
  
• Use Your Stuff Challenge #420 – Spring

• Make My Monday Challenge #146 – Checks or Plaids

• The Flower Challenge #55 – Pretty Pastels

          

• Allsorts Challenge #620 – Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge – Clean and Simple
• 
  
• Love to Craft Challenge – Anything Goes
• Never-Before-Used-Schtuff NBUS Challenge #25

I have two never-before-used-stuff items in my card- the daisy die set and the background plaid washi tape.

• Mix it Up Challenge #48 – Anything Goes
• A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge #4, 2021 – Anything Goes

Thank You Friend

Edited on 12/18/2020

I'm so glad that this card was chosen as a Winner by STAMPLORATIONS CAS Cards Challenge. Thanks, DTs.  What a lovely surprise!

Hi Artsy Friends,

Following the previous card, I used the positive die cut text to make this CAS card. Hope it’s eye-pleasing to you. Thanks for stopping by and wish you a great day ahead.

Card Details

Washi Tapes (Sweet Dreams), background cover die, mega text die and sentiment stamp are all by Altenew.

Challenges to Enter

• CAS on Friday Challenge #193 - Use a Big Sentiment 
• Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge – Thanks/Thanksgiving
• STAMPlorations November CAS Challenge - Anything Goes
              
• A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge #128 - Anything Goes
• A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge November #11 Challenge – Anything Theme Goes

You Shine Like a Fine Piece of Jewellery

Following yesterday’s washi tape card, I can’t stop making another one. The glimmering embossing paste really stands out against the dark night scene and looks stunning. 

Hope you like this card. Thanks for stopping by and wish you a great day ahead.

Card Details

1. Washi tape is by Altenew (Watercolor Nebula Washi Tape) and so are stencil and text stamp. 

2. Glimmer Embossing Paste is by Nuvo.

Challenges to Enter

• Altenew Creativity Inspired: Get Wild with Washi Contest 2020

• STAMPlorations November Stencil Challenge - Always Anything Goes

                   

• More Mixed Media Challenge - Anything Goes with optional Black
• The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge – Embossing (Wet or Dry)
• Mix It Up Challenge #43 - Anything Goes + Making Your Own Background
• Crafty Sentiments Designs Anything Goes Challenges
• A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge #128 - Anything Goes

Stars Can’t Shine Without Darkness

• 

I’m motivated to make a card using washi tape. Even though there is no white space, this card is actually a CAS card because what I applied are simply washi tape, embossing paste and a text stamp. 

I haven’t made any cards for quite a while. Boy, the pandemic has worsened my workload! I’m quite happy to finish this card which combines washi tape, die cut, stenciling with paste and heat embossing. The glimmering stars are simply gorgeous. Hope it’s eye pleasing to you. Thanks for stopping by.

Card Details

1. Washi tape is by Altenew (Watercolor Nebula Washi Tape). Stencil and text stamp are by Altenew too. 

2. Glimmer Paste is by Nuvo.

Challenges to Enter

• Altenew Creativity Inspired: Get Wild with Washi Contest 2020

   

• STAMPlorations November Stencil Challenge - Always Anything Goes

            

• Crafter’s Castle Challenge #35 – Anything Goes
• Love to Craft Challenge #52 – November Anything Goes
• Through the Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge November 10th 2020
• Love to Scrap Challenge # 139 – Anything Goes
• Creative Moments Challenge #202 - Anything Goes

Best Friend Forever

I incidentally found a washi tape contest hosted by Altenew, then dug out my washi tapes stash in no time. This is my take. 

Hope it’s eye-pleasing to you. Thanks for stopping by.

Card Details

1. Washi Tapes, background and text stamp and sentiment die are all by Altenew. 

2. I stamped a large background stamp on washi tape collage panel, then die cut the mega text. I used the negative part for this card.

Challenges to Enter

• Altenew Creativity Inspired: Get Wild with Washi Contest 2020

   

• Crafter’s Castle Challenge #35 – Anything Goes

• Love to Craft Challenge #52 – Anything Goes
• Through the Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge November 10 2020
• Love to Scrap Challenge # 139 – Anything Goes
• Creative Moments Challenge #202 - Anything Goes
• Mix It Up Challenge #43 - Anything Goes + Making Your Own Background

Art Journal Page – Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often

Edited on 4/4/2019

I am so thrilled that this project won the following awards.

• Top Five by More Mixed Media Challenge January
• Top Three by We Love to Create Challenge #2

This is no doubt double excitements.

Hi Stamping Friends,
It’s time to play along with Happy Little Stampers (HLS) Mixed Media Challenge again. The January Challenge Theme is LAYERS which I think most Mixed Media players are familiar with.

For more details and other DTs’ inspirations, please check out the Challenge Blog. Anything mixed media could be linked up to our challenge as long as it follows our theme.

Starting from 2019, I decided to challenge myself to create art journal pages as my DT artwork for HLS MM Challenge. This is my very first art journal page. Yay, I made it and I like it. I hope I and all my stamping friends will live well, love often and laugh much in 2019.

Hope this art journal page is eye-pleasing and inspirational to you. Please drop me a note if you like it. Thanks for stopping by and wish you a great day.

Art Journal Details
1. Apply a thin layer of white gesso to prime the art journal page. After dry, apply various acrylic paints (by Dina Wakley) randomly on page.

2. Adhere some Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tissue Wrap by Gel Medium on page.

3. Stamp Lonely Girl (Dina Wakley) on white tissue paper, tear it and glue to the page with Gel Medium.

4. Tape various washi tapes on four sides of the page.

5. Stamp texts (Simon Says Stamp) with Archival Ink directly on page.

6. Apply white embossing paste over stencils randomly on page to create extra texture. Voila!

 

Challenges to Enter
1. A Vintage Journey January Challenge - Put Your Stamp On It Challenge
2. Craft Stamper, Take It, Make It January Challenge – Anything Goes Stamping Challenge
3. More Mixed Media Challenge - Anything Goes with optional Blue
4. STAMPlorations Mixed Media January Challenge – Anything Mixed Media Goes

5. Simon Says Stamp Challenge- Use Something New
6. We Love 2 Create Challenge #1 - Anything Creative/Mixed Media Goes

7. Morgan's Artworld Open Challenge #10 – Anything Goes

8. Classic DT Open Challenge January # 1
9. Love to Craft Challenge LTCCB #30 - January Anything Goes

10. Make My Monday Challenge #87 Use Words or a Sentiment

 

High School Graduation Congratulation Card

My nephew is going to the best college of his state. I am so proud of him yet quite embarrassed for myself as I just made this belated congratulation card for him. May he enjoy the college journey and have no fear to explore and embrace life.

I will also enter this card to the following challenges:

1. House of Cards August Challenge – Metallics
2. AAA Card Challenge #47: Spectacular Embossing
3. Tag You're It Challenge #29
  
4. Simon Says Wednesday Challenge – Anything Goes

Card Details

1. The background stamp is by Hero Arts and the rest are retired stamps of Stampin’ Up.
2. The gold star embellishments are die cuts by Memory Box die.
3. The tiny stars are heat embossed in silver.

Hope this card is eye-pleasing to you. Thanks for stopping by.

A Happy Hello - Celebrating World Card Making Day 2

I hope this card looks familiar to you! Yes, it is the sequel of this card! Whenever you do the Die Cut Inlay Technique, you normally can make two cards at once!

Today is World Card Making Day. Have you made any cards to celebrate yet? If yes, please leave a link to me so that I can visit and admire!

     

I will enter this card to the following challenges of Moxie Fab World:

1. The Metal, Wood & Cork Challenge
2. The Stickers & Tape Challenge

Card Details

1. Sentiment stamp and die cut are by Papertrey Ink.

2. Washi tapes are by kamoi and Mark’s.

3. Wood Veneer (木片紙) is by Simon Says Stamp.

4. The technique I used is named Die Cut Inlay by Jennifer McGuire. The same technique is called Inset Die Cuts by Julia Stainton.

Be sure to check out Moxie Fab World and Paper Craft Connection blogs. There are some giveaways!

這張卡片是前一張卡的續集，理論上，只要是玩「刀模鑲嵌」技法，應該是一次就可以做兩張相類似的卡片！所以大家不妨多嘗試！

今天是「世界做卡片日」，大家有無做卡片慶祝呢？若有，歡迎提供網址，大夥兒一起欣賞慶祝吧！

Hello - Celebrating World Card Making Day

World Card Making Day is October 5 this year!

    

Paper Craft Connection Blog is holding an activity called Celebrating the International Aspect of World Card Making. Be sure to check out! Moxie Fab World Blog Host Cath Edvalson invited 12 crafters from 12 different countries to each create a card and answer a question.

I am so thrilled to be invited. The other 11 crafters are from countries in Asia, Europe and North America. I have known their names and admired their talents and artwork for quite a while. It is indeed my honor to be on list with them. Thanks, Cath! Here is the card I made. I would like to say HELLO to card makers worldwide!

Card Details

1. Sentiment stamp and die cut are by Papertrey Ink.
2. Washi tapes are by kamoi and Mark’s.
3. Wood veneer is by Simon Says Stamp.
4. The technique I used is named Die Cut Inlay by Jennifer McGuire. The same technique is called Inset Die Cuts by Julia Stainton. This technique also reminded me of some artwork of mine done several years ago using positive and negative die cuts. Please check out Wish, Joy and Grateful!
5. I am not sure if I am cheating. I will also enter this card to Handmade Cards Week, The Metal, Wood & Cork Challenge and Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Say it with Stamps.

I hope you will join me to celebrate our own festival, World Card Making Day. Tomorrow is the World Card Making Day, always the first Saturday of October! I plan to spoil myself by making cards like crazy! How about you?

你知道有個節日叫做「世界做卡片日」嗎？它是每年的十月第一個星期六，在今年就是10月5日！Paper Craft Connection網站特別以此做專文，邀請了12個國家的12位手製卡片者，每個人做一張卡片，並回答如何因為手工卡片結識國際友人及所受影響！

Helen非常榮幸是受邀的12位手製卡片者之一！Helen用這張簡潔風的招呼卡向全世界手製卡片者問候，希望在屬於自己節日的這一天，大家都能盡情的做卡片，好好寵愛自己一天！

如果你也以做卡片慶祝「世界做卡片日」，歡迎提供網址，讓我們彼此交流、觀摩，一起來慶祝！

Merriest Christmas Wishes

Inspired by Brushstroke Stamped Flowers of Vickie Boutin and a card of mine, I thought to myself, how about making a Brushstroke Stamped Tree? Viola! This is what I made! I am so excited that my random idea worked well!

I am entering this card to the following challenges:

1. Moxie Fab World, The Color Media Challenge
2. Moxie Fab World, The Stickers and Tape Challenge
3. Hero Arts Stamp Your Story Inspiration Challenge

Card Details

1. All stamps are by Hero Arts.
2. Sticker Gems are by Hero Arts and Washi Tape is by kamoi MT Deco.

If you like this card, please do let me know!

今年以來印章界掀起了水彩筆觸圖案的熱潮，一家家公司都推出類似的印章圖案；會畫水彩的人可能匪夷所思，不過像Helen這種不會畫畫的人，倒是很開心能藉著印章一圓自己的水彩夢！做完上一張筆觸花朵後，Helen直覺：能畫花，那是否能畫樹？哈哈！沒想到竟成功了，真開心！也許有空可以再想想，還能畫什麼？大家不妨也來腦力激動一下吧！

Get Well Soon〜魔卡挑戰#87 兩支打洞器

這張卡片是為魔卡挑戰#87- 兩支打洞器所做的示範卡，同時送給了一位因椎間盤脫出而開刀的同事！

從用色上大家應該猜的出，This is a HIS card-是送給男生的卡片！事實上Helen是先挑了紙膠帶，就是卡片左邊的橫紋，然後依紙膠帶上的顏色蓋上字章！簡單、清爽，自己還蠻喜歡的！

而本張卡片的靈感來源為Jennifer McGuire的這張卡片！Helen一看就喜歡的不得了，但又不想抄襲，於是做了些調整，生出了自己的版本！對於這種以字章為主角的卡片，Helen並不常做，也許以後會多嘗試！

卡片說明

1.  所有印章出自Lawn Fawn。

2.  邊條打洞器出自Martha Steward，三愛心打洞器出自Stampin Up。