Papercrafter Unite Against Racism Blog Hop...

Hi! Thank you for participating in the Papercrafters Unite Against Racism Blog Hop! You must have arrived here from Jo Herbert's blog.

I am so excited that you are joining in for this great cause! The goal of this hop is to come together to stand behind our crafty sisters and brothers of colour not just in the art industry, but also to show our support in the never-ending fight for equality all over the world.

This hop is the brainchild of Justine Hovey. You can visit her blog for more details of this worthwhile cause.

I made a couple of bookmark cards for this hop. The original idea of the bookmark card is by Jennifer McGuire. You can find her post here.

I love the concept as I love reading and often make bookmarks as gifts. Here is my card.

I used the New Begining stamp set by STAMPlorations and my Zigs for the bookmark. The sentiment is also from the same set.

Once my panel was ready, I adhered it to a piece of kraft cardstock folded in half. 

To complete the card, I made a couple of slits in the red card base. One was at the top fold and another halfway down the card. The slits were fractionally larger than the bookmark so that I could tuck it in.

The bookmark can be easily slipped off the card base and used in a book.

For the second card, I used a slightly different technique. 

I used the New Beginning stamp set by STAMPlorations again along with my Zigs. To create the bookmark, I scored an ivory panel ¼ inch from the top and adhered the colored panel to it. Once the glue was dry, I trimmed both to get a bookmark.

I took a panel of kraft cardstock ½ inch larger than the bookmark and cut a slit towards the top. I glued the panel to the red card base taking care to apply glue only to the top and the edges, leaving a large pocket in the center. Once the glue was dry, I slipped the bookmark in through the slit at the top.

Here is another look at the card.

I hoped you liked my cards and will give this technique a try. I would love to see your twist on this type of card.

The next stop on the hop is Ishani. In case you are lost or want to start from the beginning, here is the entire list.

Neha Parab
Fairuz Fabiha (aka Craftivation)
Joy Dsouza
Jo Herbert
Nandini Karmarkar - That's me!
Ishani
Stacy Zant
Tricia Y
Mary Ellen Driggs
Margaret Schuering
Justine Hovey
Alison Heikkila
Ardyth Percy-Robb
Natasha
Marcia Dehn-Nix
Sandy Allnock
Erin Reed
Martha Lucia Gomez / Joy Clair Designs
Juliana Michaels
Amy Hill
Betz Golden
Erica A-B
Angie Cimbalo
Rebecca
Karen Hasheck 
Char Kochensparger (chark)
Jess
Jill Lipscomb of Jill Cameron Creations
Dana Warren
Mansi Bhatia
Ingrid
Charlotte E (Lady Joyful)
Carrie Rhoades
Anna Mahtani
Jessica McAfee
Amber Rain Davis
Kari VanNoy
Kathya Kalinine
Annette Witherspoon
Mona Toth
Natasha Davies
Anja Glauner
Robin Flenner
Nancy Salkeld
Eva Costigan
Michelle Woerner
Haley Pettit
Verity Biddlecombe
Love,
Nandini

DIY Background Stamp & CAS Card with Video...

Hi! I here today with my very first video tutorial! I will teach you how to make a background stamp with fun foam and sun board. And a quick, CAS card using the stamp. You can watch the video below or head here to watch it on YouTube.

This is a fun technique to stretch your supplies. And very easy to do with whatever you have at hand!

I used the dies from the Bold Blooms set by Ellen Hutson.

The sentiment is from the Hip Hip set by Kaisercraft. I used the Sky Blue Mai ink by Mudra Craft Stamps for the stamping.

This is another look at the card.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes:

Yes, Virginia... June Show & Share:

Love,
Nandini

Altenew Educators "Giving Thanks" Blog Hop and Linky Party + Giveaway

Hi! I hope all of you are enjoying the latest blog hop by the Altenew Educators. You should have arrived here from the super talented Amy Hill. I am a huge fan of her beautiful work!

I completed my Altenew Educator certification in March 2018. It was an amazing experience! Each class I took taught me so much and helped me better myself. The final step was conducting a workshop. The Altenew team, especially Virginia Lu was a great help in planning and conducting the workshop. Two years down the line, I have started conducting workshops at home. It is a great way of sharing my love for card making with others.

Altenew blog hops have given me an opportunity to experiment with my supplies for projects other than cards or scrapbooks. This time I decided to create a home décor project. I have always been fascinated with paper tole and 3D decoupage. I used the Sweetest Peas stamp set to create a frame.

I started by stamping the flowers from the set on white cardstock with black ink. After drying the ink, I colored the flowers with my Zigs. I used the brush pens directly as I wanted the colors to be intense. I used three shades for each flower, adding the darkest, then the medium, and finally blending with the lightest color. Once the coloring was done, I fussy cut the images.

To create the background, I took a piece of handmade paper measuring around 8” x 6”. I lightly inked it with distress oxide inks in blue and green and added some splatters of black ink. Once the panel was dry, I stamped the images with black ink. I used my Jet Black Artist marker to darken the lines and also edge the flowers with black.

I cut the flowers apart and popped them up with foam tape to achieve a 3D effect. Here is the completed panel.

I got the panel professionally framed. Here is an angled look at the panel.

I also created a tag with the Sweetest Peas stamp set, using similar techniques. The idea was to create a gift set.

I am in love with the artsy look of these flowers!

The sentiment is from the Leaf Canopy stamp set. I heat embossed it with pale blue embossing powder.

Here is another look at my frame and gift tag.

Whenever we think of stamps and dies, we tend to think in terms of paper. But I have always enjoyed challenging myself to use my supplies with other mediums. And one of my favorites is fabric. I grew up sewing and also trained as a textile designer in college. So I created another home décor project using my Altenew supplies.

I used the solid images from the Leaf Canopy stamp set and acrylic paints to stamp on some cushion covers.

I have a good sewing machine and created these covers from scratch. You can also use readymade cotton cushion covers. I cut a square measuring 16” x 16” out of cream cotton fabric and marked the stitching lines. Used a mix of different acrylic paints in shades green, blue, pink, and orange. I also used gold for some shine. I mounted the stamps on acrylic blocks and applied the paints with finger daubers. Once my stamping was done, I allowed the panels to dry overnight. After ironing the panels on the back to set the colors, I stitched them up into cushion covers.

I used shades of green and blue, with touches of gold and orange.

For this cover, I used shades of orange, coral, and pink and added some gold. I used a little bit of green only on the outer edge.

Here are the cushions gracing the sofa in my drawing-room. The sofa is very old and came along with the house. I am happy that my stamped cushion covers are adding some style to the room!

I also created a simple tag to go with the cushion covers.

I die-cut circles out of cream and black cardstock. I inked the background with distress oxide inks and added some water droplets. After drying the panel, I stamped the sentiment from the same set with black ink. I die cut the large branch with the coordinating die for the Leaf Canopy set and adhered it to the inked panel.

I was required to complete 20 classes by Altenew Academy for my certification. These classes are so amazing that I continued taking them even today. The latest one I took was the All About Layering 5 by Lydia Evans. It is a fantastic series if you want to learn the tricks and tips for layering stamps. And it is free! I made lots of cards using the techniques from this class. And this one, using acetate is my favorite!

I used the Fresh Freesia stamp set to stamp several flowers on ivory cardstock. I colored the flowers with my Altenew Artist Markers and die-cut them with the coordinating die. Here is a close-up of the flowers.

I followed the wonderful video by Lydia Evans to create the card. The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Here is another look at the card.

I hope you enjoyed my projects and have some new ideas for using your Altenew products with different mediums. I also hope you check out the classes offered by Altenew Academy as well as the new virtual classes. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

No blog hop is complete without some cool prizes! 

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.

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!

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.

You can continue the hop by visiting Nancy McClelland. She is an amazing crafter and always has inspiring projects to share. I am also sharing the blog hop list in case you want to start at the beginning.

Altenew Card Blog

Nenette S. Madero

Christine Pennington

Vicki Finger

Amy Hill

Nandini Karmarkar - That's me!

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

Love,
Nandini

Addicted To Stamps And More Challenge #392...

Hi! The new challenge is up at the Addicted To Stamps And More Challenge blog. The theme this week is fun.

Your entry MUST contain the use of anything that can make a mark - Copics, Promarkers, Paints, Chalks, Watercolours, Sponges, Stencils, Masks, etc. So break out your coloring supplies and get creating!

I created a clean and simple card as inspiration.

I stamped the flower from the Stitched Peonies stamp set by Waffle Flower on a piece of white cardstock. This is one of my favorite cross-stitch style stamps. It is very easy to line up. And always give fabulous results! 

I die-cut the panel with a circle die.

I popped up the panel with foam tape on a green card base. The white stitching detail around the stamped panel was added with a white gel pen.

The sentiment is from the Birthday stamp set by Mudra Craft Stamps. Here is the completed card.

I hope you liked my card and feel inspired to create something beautiful. Please do visit the Addicted To Stamps And More Challenge blog to link your creations. You can also get some more fabulous inspiration from the rest of the talented design team!

Love,
Nandini

Rainbow Card Challenge - Pastel Rainbow...

Hi! Welcome back to the Rainbow Card Challenge. I am here with my inspiration for the June challenge –Pastel Rainbow.

Who doesn't love rainbows? And in these difficult times, a bit of rainbow cheer is very, very welcome! Here is the card I made.

To keep with the pastel theme, I decided to use pencil colors. I took a panel of ivory cardstock and drew some lines towards the top. I simply colored them in with pencil colors in the rainbow order.

I stamped the large image from the Leaf Canopy stamp set by Altenew over the colored lines with Versafine Onyx Black ink. Once the ink was dry, I used two circle dies to cut the paper and colored in parts of the image with Jet Black Artist Marker. I also added some details with the marker to cover up a smudge of ink. I used craft foam circles to pop up the circles. 

The sentiment is also from the Leaf Canopy stamp set, stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink. To finish, rounded the corners of the stamped panel and adhered it to a black card base. Here is another look at the completed card.

I hope you are inspired by my card and create something beautiful. You can visit the Rainbow Card Challenge blog for more inspiration from the DT and link your creations. I look forward to seeing you in our gallery!

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes:

Simon Says Monday Challenge - We're Going Around Circles:

Addicted to CAS Challenge #185:

Love,

Nandini