VanGoghChica Studio

Note: I am writing a separate post on the process of creating these  cards. This post looks at the design of the project as a whole. My teacher in the Altenew Educator Card Making (AECP) Program, Erum Tasneem , issued me a challenge one third of the way through the program. The challenge consists of designing two sets of cards drawing on similar motifs and theme, but making one for men and the other for women.  I need to incorporate and explain three technical components I learned so far. These his and hers sets were to be packaged creatively and I should incorporate the use of at least one recycled item in the packaging. Everything was to be hand made. If you ask most people what a his and hers set means, the majority would come up with similar characteristics: durable vs delicate, plain vs frilly, bold vs soft, flowery vs architectural, you get the idea.  Now, I know exactly what my teacher meant. On a personal level, I lean towards traditional feminine aesthetics. But ...

This was a very fun card to make. I used stamps and dies from different sets to compose this scene. And my cat, Bimini, wanted in on it so she made an appearance in my card. Rarely do I have the luxury to buy complete sets that include rubber stamps, dies and stencils. Those large sets tend to include a couple complete scenarios that you can choose from.  Most of us have smaller sets; either single rubber stamp elements or just die cut sets. It is up to us to put these together to create a nice scene. I used four sets to stage this whimsical scene of my cat getting into mischief. The hanging shelves were one set of rubber stamps. The planters with greenery was another set. My cat came from a die set and the champagne glasses came from yet another set. Aside from visualizing how different elements will fit together, you will need to plan carefully. Work from the bottom up; so that the items further back are inked or glued first. Aside from overlapping elements, light shading adds to...

  In this Clean and Simple (CAS) cardmaking tutorial, I share a fun geometric card design suitable for anyone who is a no-frills type of person. Yes, cardmaking does include many floral designs, but that is not all we can make. If you want to make your card along with me, watch my You Tube video , complete with a blooper right at the end! 👉 The blooper shows up around the 27-minute mark, so you can either craft along with me as I stamp and assemble my card or skip ahead for a laugh. I f you enjoy DIY cardmaking, stamping, or beginner-friendly handmade card tutorials, this video is for you! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to help my channel grow—I’d love to connect with fellow crafters. Supplies Altenew's Doodled Triangles Stamp set Altenew's pigment ink in Permanent Black Fresh dye in in  Aqualicious ,  Warm Sunshine ,  Frayed Leaf , Sweet Leaf , Limestone Altenew white card stock First you are going to cut and fold your white card stock into a fold-ope...

#Ever messed up your handmade card at the very last step? 🙈 You’re not alone! In this Clean and Simple (CAS) cardmaking tutorial , I share a fun geometric card design—and yes, you’ll see my real-life crafting blooper happen right on camera. 👉 The blooper shows up around the 27-minute mark, so you can either craft along with me as I stamp and assemble my card or skip ahead for a laugh. If you enjoy DIY cardmaking, stamping, or beginner-friendly handmade card tutorials, this video is for you! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to help my channel grow—I’d love to connect with fellow crafters. 💬 Are you a cardmaker too? Share what you’re working on in the comments—I’d love to see your creations!

It's that time of year where we bring out all that shimmers and delights. With this simple card, I used iridescent textured foil for a white to pinkish moon glow of snow. (The photo does not do the iridescent shimmer justice.) I then framed it with evergreen branches and a holiday sentiment. Supplies Altenew Festive Tree layering stamp set   Altenew fresh dye inks in Evergreen and Olive Altenew pigment ink in Permanent Black and White Cloud Altenew scissors Altenew Solar White Card Stock Altenew Black Card Stock Glue Textured iridescent foil Create two A2  (4.25"X5.5") fold-over cards from your card stock. Use the Festive Trees layering stamp set to stamp five trees framing the bottom half of the front (see the photo). Cut out and glue the textured foil to front of one of your A2 fold over cards. Cut out the frame of trees from the front of the white card stock-only card. Align and glue the frame of stamped trees to the bottom of the card with the foil front. Cut a 5...

Are you interested in junk journaling? What is the difference between junk journaling and scrapbooking? Click here to watch my video discussing this very question. I also go through some of my journal pages.

This is my third card that I have made to illustrate how I use vellum (tracing paper) in my die cutting machines for an airy effect on my cards. And what better imagery than a hot air balloon for airiness. In my last post, I addressed the mistake of not having a strong focal point with my design. Wouldn't you know it, I made the same mistake with my second card. D'oh! In an effort to correct it,  I colored in my sentiment with marker, as well as as my vellum cut out butterflies. But the look was muddled up close. So, onto card number three. My sailing balloon theme is perfect for incorporating vellum. the sheer paper brings to life the balloon's fabric. Supplies Altenew's Up and Away bundle of stamp, dies and stencils Altenew's fresh dye inks in aqualicious , caramel toffee , mocha ,  crimson  and ultramarine Altenew's  white card stock   Altenew's white embossing powder Embossing ink Heat tool Vellum or tracing paper Die cutting machine Glue  Cut an A2...