Create texture on your cards with embossing/Crea textura en tus tarjetas con embossing

English below • Español más abajo

This card is quiet in it's design. The subtlety appealed to me. I like the visual surprise of a shadowbox frame that continues the lines seamlessly. And the monochromatic color palette creates an understated feeling.

Card maker Svetlana Marchenko passed on a great embossing tip in her Altenew course Impressive Heat Embossing.  If you use clear embossing powder on colored cardstock, the result is a natural deepening of the paper's color. No hunting for the right embossing powder. Keeping the same color but deepening its intensity is what created the subtle color palette. 

Supplies

• Altenew's Nostalgic Florals stamp set
• Altenew's embossing ink
• Altenew's clear embossing powder
• Altenew's Antique gold pigment ink
• Altenew's foam tape
• Altenew's needle tip glue
• Green cardstock
• Heat tool
• Rectangle frame die cut
• Clear sequins 
  

1. Cut green cardstock into an A2 (4.25"X5.5") foldover card and also a separate 4.25"X5.5" piece of green cardstock.
2. Use your embossing ink to stamp floral elements around the border of the card front and the solo piece of green cardstock. I recommend using the Stampwheel 2.0 to keep your stamped design in the exact place on the two different cardstock pieces. This is key to getting the seamless look of continued lines once you layer the pieces of cardstock over one another with dimensional tape. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Sprinkle clear embossing powder over the embossed ink and heat it with your heat tool until shiny. I advise you use some type of antistatic powder over the cards before inking. This helps the embossing powder adhere just to the inked designs. I use plain ole cornstarch.
4. Use your frame die to cut out a border on your solo piece of green cardstock.
5. With dimensional foam tape adhere the cut out frame to your card front. Make sure the lines connect for a seamless overall design. 
6. Optional: add a few clear sequins to your card front for a little bling. I recommend keeping your sequin clear to go along with the subtle look. 
   
   
   
   
   
7. Stamp your sentiment with antique gold pigment ink for a rich look to your lettering.

Here is a similar card with different color cardstock. Which do you prefer? 

Esta tarjeta es discreta en su diseño. Esa sutileza fue precisamente lo que me atrajo. Me gusta la sorpresa visual que crea un marco tipo shadowbox cuyas líneas continúan de manera fluida. Además, la paleta monocromática aporta una sensación elegante y contenida.

La creadora de tarjetas, Svetlana Marchenko compartió un excelente consejo sobre embossing en su curso de Altenew Impressive Heat Embossing. Si utilizas polvo de embossing transparente sobre cartulina de color, el resultado es un oscurecimiento natural del tono del papel. No hace falta buscar el color perfecto de polvo para embossing. Mantener el mismo color mientras se intensifica su profundidad fue lo que permitió crear esta paleta de color tan sutil. 

Materiales

• Set de sellos Nostalgic Florals de Altenew
• Tinta para embossing de Altenew
• Polvo de embossing transparente de Altenew
• Tinta pigmentada Antique Gold de Altenew
• Cinta adhesiva de espuma (foam tape) de Altenew
• Pegamento de punta fina (needle tip glue) de Altenew
• Cartulina verde
• Pistola o herramienta de calor
• Troquel de marco rectangular
• Lentejuelas transparentes

Instrucciones

1. Corta una cartulina verde para crear una tarjeta plegable tamaño A2 (4.25" x 5.5"). Corta también una segunda pieza de cartulina verde de 4.25" x 5.5".
2. Utiliza la tinta para embossing para estampar los elementos florales alrededor del borde del frente de la tarjeta y también sobre la pieza adicional de cartulina verde. Recomiendo utilizar la Stampwheel 2.0 para mantener el diseño estampado exactamente en la misma posición en ambas piezas. Este paso es fundamental para lograr el efecto de líneas continuas cuando las dos capas se superponen utilizando cinta dimensional. 
   
   
   
   
   
3. Espolvorea el polvo de embossing transparente sobre la tinta para embossing y aplica calor hasta que el acabado se vuelva brillante. Te recomiendo aplicar algún tipo de polvo antiestático antes de estampar. Esto ayuda a que el polvo de embossing se adhiera únicamente a las áreas entintadas. Yo utilizo maicena común y corriente.
4. Utiliza el troquel de marco para recortar el centro de la pieza adicional de cartulina verde.
5. Con cinta adhesiva dimensional, pega el marco recortado sobre el frente de la tarjeta. Asegúrate de que las líneas coincidan para crear un diseño continuo y uniforme.
6. Opcional: añade algunas lentejuelas transparentes para un toque de brillo. Recomiendo que sean transparentes para mantener la apariencia sutil del diseño. 
   
   
   
7. Estampa tu mensaje con tinta pigmentada Antique Gold para darle un acabado elegante y sofisticado al texto. 
   
   
   

Aquí tienen una tarjeta similar realizada con un color diferente de cartulina. ¿Cuál les gusta más?

Creating Victorian Inspired Floral Cards with "The Drawing Room"

These two Victorian-inspired cards were created with Altenew's The Drawing Room bundled kit.

I really love this set. So many period tidbits to mix and create different tableaus. I am dying to make a card with the drawing room furniture. The card fronts were so complete in my mind,  I chose to keep one card blank and include an embossed sentiment on the inside of the other card. 

The colorful, layered florals appear vibrant against the neutral backgrounds. I chose four different colors to stencil the flowers and four for the leaves. While this had potential to look like a paint store exploded, it all works because I kept the colors in the same color family and increased the saturation in fairly even levels. Big tip: you can let others do the work for you by purchasing color sets already assembled with these considerations in mind. If you do not have a pre-packaged color set, then you can will likely need to whip out your (two level) color wheel. Here's my supplies and the steps I used to create them. 

Supplies

• Altenew's The Drawing Room Craft Your Life kit
• Altenew's solar white cardstock
• Altenew's black cardstock
• Altenew's pigment ink Permanent Black 
  
• Altenew's crisp ink in Parrot
• Altenew's fresh dye ink in Bamboo, Olive, Just Green, Evergreen
• Altenew's mini cube ink sets in Chasing Shadows and Enchanted Garden
• Altenew's Instant Dimension Foam Tape 
  
  
  
• Altenew's blending brushes
• Double sided tape
• Die cutting machine
• Embossing powder
• Heat tool 

Optional: 

• Anti-static powder (I use corn starch)
• Washi tape

1. Cut and fold an A2 card (4.25"X5.5"), cut a piece of 4"x5.25" black cardstock and a piece of 3.75"X5" white cardstock. Set side.
2. On a separate piece of white cardstock, use the kit's layering guide to stencil the flowers and leaves. I find it helpful to use a blending brush for each color. If you plan on continuing making cards, it is a good idea to invest in several. It's not a good idea to use a damp brush (recently cleaned) to stamp a new color. It will majorly slow you down if you need to wash and dry brushes between colors. 
   
3. Using your die cutting machine, cut out the flowers with their leaves. I use low tack tape (washi tape) to keep my die in place while cutting.
4. Using the desired stencil on your 3.75"X5" piece of white cardstock, create your neutral background with your gray tones. I originally made the stenciled background gradient in color by using an ombre effect with my inking. This is seen in my supplies photo above. It looked unfinished, so I later changed it to the solid color background seen in final card. This kit provides many options to use for backgrounds; ranging from stamps, stencils and an embossing folder.
5. Assemble the pieces of the card. I used flat double sided tape to center glue the black cardstock over the card front. And I tried two different layering approaches with my two smaller pieces of white cardstock. On one, I centered the white panel over the black. And on the other I nestled the smaller white cardstock to the lower left, leaving more black edge around the top and right sides. This is evident in the supplies photo. However, again, I changed my mind and centered it. I like asymmetry and planned on adhering my flower at an edge with her leaves partially extending beyond the card. I felt that was enough asymmetry. 
   
   
   
6. Using the foam tape, adhere the flower onto the card. I placed it lower right, with a tiny bit of overhang.
7. I chose to include an embossed sentiment inside one of the cards. True to form, Altenew kept the fonts and the wording in keeping with the Victorian feel. I love their attention to details.

I hope you can see that even though one might have a step by step process in mind when creating, you are always tweaking and changing course. Even re-doing entire cards to get the desired one. Some of your best creations will be the result of happy accidents. Have fun with your artistry!

Drawing on vellum

I took a class with Marika Rahtu, in Altenew's Academy,  called Beautiful Details. Oh, how I loved her drawings on vellum and her pencil and marker shading. From the six lessons in her class, I made over 12 flowers until I felt I had one to two to use for these two cards. Part of the problem was that I was substituting some of her supplies and that made a difference. But part of the issue was my inexperience with working with vellum. That comes with time. And as I like to say, I have more time than money, so no worries. 

I was most happy with this wild western rose against a green frame. I ended up with several other roses drawn on vellum awaiting other projects. TIP: When I am setting out to make a card, I am now making several of the main design motifs so that after I finish one card, I have several design elements to use in other creative projects. It saves time to make several at the same time than only one design and card at a time. I save the extra design elements with the corresponding card making set which I keep in a flat storage bag. I guess this is only an aha! tip if you are really into card making, lol.

I have been missing in action for almost 2 months because I underwent a serious spinal crisis and had two cervical surgeries in March. I am recuperating with two neck braces and a walker but alas, I am only able to do my art or typing, etc., for half hour at a time. This is so frustrating as creating is healing for my soul and brings me so much happiness. But I am nothing if not tenacious.

So I aim to do one to two 1/2 hour sessions at my art table or computer a day however, since I have to do computer work just to manage my life, that leaves me working in tiny bits of time at my art table. It will get easier as I heal more. So, after two months, I am proudly, displaying my card, lol.

Supplies

• Altenew's Nostalgic Floral stamp and die set
• Altenew's stamps of sentiments from their Fruits and Flowers set (This is a wonderful bundled set to have but any sentiment you already have will suffice. Later, I will show a card with this complete set ;)
• Altenew's white cardstock
• Altenew's fresh dye ink in Evergreen
• Altenew's foam tape
• Altenew's glue (with needle nozzle)
• Green cardstock
• Vellum (you can substitute tracing paper in a pinch.)
• Cornstarch
• Embossing ink and clear embossing powder
• Heat tool
• Prismacolor pencils in chartreuse, lime green and olive green
• Alcohol markers in three shades of warm grey, light to dark. 
• Foam dots
• Clear drop embellishments 
  
  
  

1. Measure, cut and fold your cardstock for your A2 card (4.25"x5.5"). Cut the green panel to measure 4"x5", cut another white cardstock to 3.75"x5"and finally a white piece of cardstock to 2.5"x2.75". 
   
2. Center and adhere the green and larger white panel to your card front. Line your smaller piece of cardstock flush against the top left side of the white panel. I find that working asymmetry into a card creates visual interest.
3. Use cornstarch to brush a fine layer over vellum. Stamp your western rose onto your vellum with embossing ink.
   
   Sprinkle clear embossing power over the embossed ink. Then use your heat tool until the powder turns shiny. It may be difficult to see the clear embossed outline; good lighting helps tremendously.
4. Use lightest of your warm grey markers and begin shading in your rose. Do not outline shadows but rather lay swaths of color where you see shadows. Progressively shade in darker ares. You can use darker shades to delineate edges of the flower.

Use the rose die to cut out the flower

6. Adhere the flower to your card with small foam dots. I chose to cut off the leaves and use foam dots for the rose but flat glue dots to adhere the leaves. I felt showing the flower in two layers made the rose appear to flutter a little. 

7. My finishing touch was to add a tiny bit of embellishment. I chose iridescent drops that are flat on one side and convex on the other. They bring to mind raindrops.

This class was rich in lessons that taught me novel ways of drawing. I found it challenging and know that I will return to watch and work this class again in the future. I am far from Marika's skill with pen and marker drawing on vellum.  Also, I did not have some of the crucial supplies for several of her techniques, so that will also be remedied in the future. I have a feeling, this will be one of my toughest but one of my most favorite classes in the AECP (Altenew Educator Certification Program). 

Here is another card I made inspired by Marika's lessons. It features drawing over a stamped image with colored pencils. As an artist who has a strong hand in all my work, this suited my style more than the delicacy of drawing on vellum. 

Creating with a twist: using incongruous elements together

Have you ever liked fashion or art that was made up of elements you would not think "go together"? Have you ever heard someone describe something as "beautifully ugly"? I can not tell you why or how but sometimes you can go afoul of basic design principles and come out with something appealing. Well, I set out to create a visually pleasing card with elements that normally clash.

I think I succeeded in designing a fun card that illustrates this point.

I used non-analogous and non-complimentary dominant colors of purple and green and mixed vintage style florals with a modern graphic of thick stripes.  The sentiment set I used was perfect as it paired a lilting cursive "You" with a modern computer-ish block type. And the end result... I like it! it's quirky and fanciful.

Supplies

Altenew's Scalloped Ornaments layering stamp set. This set is not  available anymore but there are several other Altenew layering stamp sets to choose from.

Altenew's You Matter die set

Altenew solar white card stock

Altenew's fresh dye ink in Wisteria,  Ultraviolet and Sweet leaf

• Altenew's crisp ink in Parrot
• Altenew's Permanent Black pigment ink
• Altenew's scissors
• Altenew's double sided tape
• Altenew's glue and foam tape
• Altenew's large blending brush
• Tweezer
• Acrylic paint in light coral
• Flat paint brush
• Washi tape
• Die cutting machine

Optional: 

• Altenew's Stampwheel 2.0
• Glitter pens and markers

1. Cut and fold an A2 (4.25"X5.5") card and set aside. Cut two 4"X5.25" pieces of white card stock.
2. Lay washi tape stripes across one of your 4"X5.25" card stock pieces. Peel off every other stripe of washi tape.
   
   
   
3. Paint the exposed card stock stripes with your acrylic paint and set aside to dry.
4. Stamp your floral designs.
5. Use the stencils to layer colors with ink. You can leave it here or you can add highlights with glitter pens and/or markers. 
6. Fussy-cut (hand cut) your stamped images and set aside.
7. On a separate piece of card stock use your blending brushes to create swaths of color big enough for your chosen sentiment. I created an ombre effect on the bigger segment (the "You"). 
   
   
   
8. With washi tape, secure your dies to the colored swathes of color. Die cut the sentiments out.
9. Assemble your card.
   
   
   Use double sided tape to center the now dry striped piece of card stock onto the front of your folded blank card. Use foam tape for the floral design and main word: "You". Use double sided tape for the smaller text.

Relax, and enjoy your creation. Who will you send this card to?

Watercolor Flowers Made Easy: Painting with Ink Pads

I love working color onto surfaces in interesting ways. So playing with watercolor in unconventional ways was fun. I made a couple cards using watercolors in loose and surprising ways. These techniques require you leave your perfectionism at the door. I will go over one of those methods here.

Supplies

• Altenew's Nostalgic Florals stamp and die  set
• Altenew's Garden Gala stamps. At the time of this writing, the Garden Gala set is only sold to subscribers of Craft Your Life membership plan. Subscribers got early access to this March 2026 set. It will not be available to non-subscribers until next month.
• Altenew's metallic watercolor set
• Altenew's solar white card stock
• Altenew's fresh dye inks in azurite, ultraviolet, volcano lake and fresh lemon
• Altenew's crisp ink in parrot
• Altenew's permanent black pigment ink
• Watercolor paper, preferably hot press
• Watercolor brushes - I used a number 9 round tip for depositing color and a larger round tip brush for brushing water onto surface before painting.

• Embossing ink and powder
• Cornstarch 
• Heat tool
• Water spritzer
• Sequins
• Optional: Stampwheel 2.0

1. Cut and score an A2 card out of your white card stock and set aside.
2. Brush a fine layer of cornstarch over a piece of watercolor paper. This will help your embossing powder stick to only the inked image.
3. Apply your stamp onto this prepared watercolor paper, using permanent black pigment ink.  Then stamp over the same image with embossing ink. I like to use a base coat of black ink to create a crisp outline in case my black embossing powder does not adhere perfectly. 
4. 
   Sprinkle your embossing powder over your inked image and tap off excess. If you have stray embossing powder, use a clean, dry paintbrush to brush the powder away. 
5. Use your heat tool to emboss the image.
6. The embossed lines serve as a waterproof ridge that keeps the water inside the enclosed area. Use your brush to lay a film of clean water over the image you are going to paint. Change your water often so as not to contaminate your color.
7. Select the colors you want to use from your available water-based ink pads. Uncap your ink pads and lay them face down onto a water resistant surface. You can use a craft mat, a palette or a glass mat as shown here. And rub the ink onto the surface. Deposit about three good smooshes of ink. (Smooshes is my very technical art term.)
8. 
   
   Spritz the ink with water until it beads up and you have a puddle of color. Be careful to leave the paint highly pigmented. Do not lighten the color with more water until you want a soft glaze of color. 
9. Moisten the tip of your brush and then use it to pick up color.
10. Dab color onto the already wet surface in an area you want to see paint flow. (I.E. the inner petals, close to the center.) The paint will flow outward from the initial deposit of color. 
11. Allow each layer of color to dry before applying more watercolor. You can use your heating tool, but be careful to not burn the paper by holding it too long over one area.
12. After you are satisfied with the initial painting, use metallic watercolor to accent select areas. It gives a lovely sheen and catches light beautifully.
    
    
    
13. Once dry, use the coordinating die to cut your flower out. Also, with the colored card stock, cut out the 4"X5.25" piece you will glue to front of the A2 card.   
    
    
    
14.  Glue the colored card stock onto the surface of your card. Leave a small, uniform white border showing. 
15. Stamp a piece of white card stock with the sentiment and use the coordinating die to cut it out. 
16. Assemble the front of your card. Your vibrant blossom is the star, but your sentiment can balance the composition. 
17. Give your card an extra touch by glueing a few sequins to your 
    
    
    
    
    
    Here is another card in which I used same watercolor technique.

What I love about this type of watercolor painting is that the brush work is loose and surprises are welcome. As card makers, we measure with care, cut exact, imprint precisely... we are meticulous. So these dabs of color that disperse in wonderful patterns are so fun. Happy accidents. 

 

Using color to elicit a mood

As a card designer, one of the most powerful ways to create mood is with color. With this card, I demonstrate how atmosphere transforms a design by recreating an artist’s work table filled with inspiration, quiet focus, and creative energy. A dramatic overhead light source and minimal surrounding light helped me achieve the emotional tone I wanted. 

Using the Altenew Craft Your Life Kit: Illuminated Scenes, I show how to work with multi-layered stencils and coordinating dies to build a bold composition. Techniques for stencil layering, inking, die cutting, and thoughtful color choices elevate the card's design.

Supplies

• Altenew's Craft Your Life Illuminated Scenes kit with coordinating stamps, dies, embossing folder and layering stencils
• Altenew's fresh dye ink in warm sunshine, caramel toffee, olive, rocky shore, mocha, lavender fields and azurite
• Altenew's crisp ink in parrot
• Altenew's pigment ink in permanent black
• Die cutting machine
• Altenew's double sided tape and foam tape
• Altenew's blending brushes. 
• Optional: Altenew's Stampwheel 2.0

If you are like me, you benefit from both a visual demonstration as well as written instructions when attempting a new project. I made a video tutorial for this card on my You Tube channel. You can find that 20 minute instructional here. 

1. As usual, you will need to trim and fold a white cardstock A2 (4.25"X5.5") card. Also, cut a 4"X5.25" white cardstock piece of paper and another that measures 3.75"X5".
2. Blend azurite ink around the border of  the 4"X5.25" piece of white card stock. Set aside.
3. Secure your 3.75"X5" piece of card stock to a surface so that it will not move while stenciling. I use my Stampwheel for this; its clingy, sticky mat holds it in place. If you do not have such a tool, I recommend using washi tape to secure the edges of the cardstock and stencil to a surface while inking. 
   
   
   
4. Since this kit contains two separate scenes, familiarize yourself with the stencils that pertain to your chosen scene. Also, note the order in which to use the stencils. 
5. Use your blending brushes to ink the sequential stencils. You will need a new blending brush for each color. Do not reuse the brush right after you wash the old color out. It needs to be a dry brush for blending. So, I know what you are thinking... yes, you will want to have many blending brushes on hand. Those are staple investments, like card stock, inks and glue.
6. Once you have inked your entire scene, plus your chosen sentiment in permanent black, die cut the sentiment out. 
7. This may go without saying... after all your inking, make sure your hands and work area are clean, clean, clean. (Is it just me that tends to get ink transfer on my projects?!)
8. With double sided tape, adhere the piece of card stock bordered with azurite ink to the front-center of your folded card. Then use foam tape to adhere the stamped and inked scene front and center to that, so that the card is left with a white and blue border. 
9. Use your gold metallic card stock when cutting the frame die that comes with the kit.  I used the smallest rectangle to serve as the base for my sentiment. I also chose one of the thin gold frames to enclose the scene even more.  I then have a total of four framing rectangles around my scene. I like this as it contributes to the feeling of being drawn into an intense focus.  That is how I am when I am creating; I tune out miscellaneous distractions and concentrate. The stark over head light shining down on my work is a metaphor for the inspiration that occurs.

I was tickled by this card as I spend many a late night working at my art table. Actually, it is my favorite time to work. It is calm, quiet and I have no distractions. The rooms in my home are dark, except for my working lights. 

This kit comes with sentiments that reference one creative to another. It also comes with more general uplifting sentiments. And don't forget - there is a whole separate coordinating set for a different scene. That scene also revolves around a strong light source. Here is that scene as I created it.

Create a Dynamic Background using ombre inking techniques

 

When I first started making cards, it was all I could think of to find pretty paper and an interesting stamp to ink a pretty  card. Hey, we all start somewhere. Nowadays, I like more interesting designs and I love creating eye catching backgrounds. This tutorial shows you how to create a background of falling ombre colored flowers. 

Supplies

• Altenew white cardstock
• Altenew Nostalgic Florals outline stamp set
• Altenew Shades of Purple fresh dye ink set
• Altenew pure white embossing powder

• Altenew blending brushes (You will need four)
• Altenew glue tape
• Altenew foam tape
• Altenew clear sequins
• Die cutting machine
• Heating tool
• Washi tape
• Vellum (or tracing paper)
• Cornstarch

1. Cute an A2 (4.25"X5.5") folding card out of white card stock. Also cut a slightly bigger  (approximately 1/8"  bigger on each side) piece of card stock (any color).
2. Select the single blossom stamp and die from your Nostalgic Floral set and begin making your stencil. To do this, you will cut (the slightly bigger card stock) repeating die cuts of the blossom falling down the sheet. Make sure to have some of die cuts falling off the page and facing different directions. My photo of the supplies show my stencil after use. If you are careful, you may be able to reuse it. Leave space at the bottom, as if the falling flowers have not all fallen down.
3. Situate the stencil over your folded blank A2 card. Use a low stick tape to keep your card and stencil from slipping out of place.
4. Using your four pack mini set of fresh dye ink (does not have to be purples) and four separate blending brushes, begin softly blending ink over the stencil from the top down, using darkest to lightest in colors. Use one blending brush for each color and be careful to not mix them up.
5. Now you are ready to take the design up a level. Lightly brush an anti static powder (i.e. cornstarch) on the cards surface.  Use your outline stamp of the same flower and stamp all the falling flowers with embossing ink. Be careful to line up the outline stamp with the inked blossoms.
6. After inking the flowers with embossing ink, sprinkle your white embossing powder all over the stamped flowers. Shake off the excess embossing powder. And slowly rotate your heating tool over your embossed design (about 4-5 inches away from surface) until the powder melts. You will see it turn to a shiny patina. Be careful to not linger too long over an area so that the paper and ink do not burn.
7. In a similar step, take a separate piece of white card stock, prep the surface by brushing an antistatic medium like cornstarch all over. Then stamp the sentiment of your choice with embossing ink. Sprinkle white embossing powder over the embossing ink and shake off the excess. Use your heating tool to emboss the sentiment. 
8. Cut the card stock approximately 1/8" around the embossed sentiment.
9. Using your four mini inks, softly blend an ombre effect on your sentiment strip from top to bottom with darkest at the top again and lightest at the bottom.
10. Cut a slightly bigger piece from the vellum. You will then use your foam tape to mount the ombre sentiment to the vellum. Then use regular adhesive to glue vellum framed sentiment to your card.
11. For a last touch, I glue a few different size sequins floating among the falling blossoms. Beautiful.

The ombre inking is the star of this background. Sentiment, vellum and sequins can all be adapted to your taste. You may want a colored border around the sentiment or matte enamel dots for embellishment. Make it yours. I would love to see what you come up with!