Wednesday, June 10, 2020

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.

Nandini Karmarkar - That's me!

Love,
Nandini

65 comments:

  1. Awesome projects!! I so adore how you colored the Sweet Pea blossoms, thanks for the inspirations.

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  2. OMG! SO CREATIVE! The pillow is awesome and I love the vivid colors of your tag and those florals!

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  3. Combining both comments above - LOVE the coloring on the sweet peas and stamping on pillows with paints is so creative (I liked the blue/green pillow best!).

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  4. You are a freaking genius! What absolutely gorgeous cards and pillows! I also sew and this never occurred to me to do. So so lovely, Nandini!

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  5. Oh me, oh my, these are amazing. I love the pillows, and all of the many colors you used on your cards!!

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  6. Holy cow! Your projects are stunning. I love your coloring!!

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  7. Love your non- card projects, loved seeing your cushion covers and also reading how you made the. They are inspiring.

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  8. Wow! Your projects are so amazing. Love the colors you used. Thank you for sharing :)

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  9. WOW WOW WOW!!! There is so much variety of work here! You always do such incredible work Nandini!! Thank you for being part of this hop!

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  10. Your sweet peas are indeed artsy and so vibrant!!! Gorgeous! And your pillows are totally inspiring! I have been thinking and thinking how one could do something like this. Just terrific!

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  11. Oh my your pictures and pillows are just beautiful. Who wouldn't be thrilled to have one of those pillows. 5 Stars!

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  12. I love love love your cushion covers, and the tags. Oh that tag! Beautiful.

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  13. Wow...beautiful creations...love the cushion covers...

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  14. Love each and every project. Specially the cushion covers

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  15. Great ideas and I love the bright colors

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  16. Love your bright flowers!! Pillow covers and your other designs are wonderful!

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  17. your art work is amazing, Nandini - love the pillow covers!

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  18. Wow!!! I love the pillows, the freesias card and the sweet pea card. The sweet peas are stunning. Really incredible! I love the colors!

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  19. Beautiful projects. I love those sweet peas.

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  20. Beautiful projects. You have really shown how versatile Altenew's images can be. Your coloring and painting look fantastic and I love that you did some different things besides cards and layouts.

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  21. Well, you have sold me on checking out the classes! Your framed sweetest pea stamp art is incredible. The colors are so vivid and delightful! You are so inspiring. And thank you for sharing the tags and the pillows! Branching out is such a great idea!

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  22. Wowza. I am in awe of the framed piece. A true masterpiece.

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  23. Gorgeous projects! I love the colors you used on the sweet peas, and your fabric stamping looks fabulous!

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  24. Love the creative ideas and vibrant colors

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  25. I like these ideas a lot. The bright colors are so great. Also like the finished little pillows.

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  26. Nandini, Your cards, tag, framed pea set and pillows were all gorgeous. I wish I could sew because I really liked those pillows!

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  27. Absolutely stunning and creatively inspirational cards/projects!

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  28. What a joy to see all the different ways you express your style. I really like your home-decor projects. It's all lovely as can be!

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  29. I love how you did so much home decor. I can't believe you can stamp on throw pillows! What stunning results! But that frame is my favourite! And you have a tag to go with it for a gift too! Amazing!

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  30. These are ALL so lovely!! the frame and bookmark couldn't be out done. . . .except for maybe the freesia card! All those classes are looking very exciting to me now and a bit less intimidating.

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  31. Ok! These are all beautiful, but I am most excited about the pillows you made with my favorite leaf stamp set!

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  32. Your cushion covers! So beautiful!

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  33. Beautiful projects! Love the peachy pillow cover idea!

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  34. Wow, your flowers are stunning. I have never been able to get that intense a color from my Zigs...would love to see a video!

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  35. Love how the Sweetest Peas card appears 3D ... really jumps off the surface

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  36. Oh my, I think it will take me days to get through a blog hop when I read info packed ones such as yours!!! You have shown such a variety of ways to make beautiful products. I love the intense colors on your sweet peas, and need to do more research on markers.....and classes. Thank you for sharing info and your creations.

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  37. Love the 3D effects and the floral pillows. Very unique.

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  38. All of your creations are FABULOUS!! I was amazed as I kept scrolling down the page over all your creations! I love that idea of using stamps on the cushions! I am determined to try them on some cloth napkins I have!

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  39. Your designs are so original and so very beautiful.

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  40. Wow Nandini! You did an amazing job on your cards and home decor. I really like what you did with the flowers in the picture frame and tag, the colors are stunning...and what a great idea for the pillows.

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  41. thank you for sharing the alternative way to use stamps for home decor

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  42. Beautiful projects. The colors are amazing.

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  43. All of these look amazing. I especially like the vibrant colors on the first one.

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  44. I am besotted with your vibrant sweet peas! The acetate card is really fun, too.

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  45. Wow! Thanks for sharing all these beautiful projects!

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  46. LOVE your bright and happy colors. Your cards and tags are amazing and the home decor pieces are totally fab!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  47. Such fun projects! The first is my favorite.

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  48. Gorgeous pieces! I love those colourful sweetpeas and that tag is just brilliant and I love how you used the stamps to make that gorgeous pillowcase!

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  49. I am in love with your cards!!! Love the brush pen petals you fussy cut!!! So beautiful

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  50. I love all of your mediums, from paper to fabric to acrylic! Great work.

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  51. All your creations are amazing Nandini but I especially love the pillow cases, so pretty and very personal for your home decor.

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  52. Love the coloring of the Sweet Pea and very creative pillows!

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  53. Fantastic projects! I love how you coloured the sweet peas too.

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  54. Wow! You have outdone yourself! I love the pillowcases, never thought to try that.

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  55. Very pretty framed project, fabric project, and thank you card. Each thing is beautiful in its own way. The first rainbow flowers in the frame are my favorite. I have to go back and see if I missed where you mentioned the type of paper you used your with watercolor markers. The painted cushions turned out so pretty with the color you used. The card looks like a bunch of beautiful flowers growing in front of a fence. All very pretty projects!

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  56. wow your projects are very inspiring..love the frame and pillow.

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  57. Beautiful creations! Thank you for the inspiration!

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  58. Wow--so many lovely and creative projects.

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  59. Beautiful creations. Wow. So creative and amazing!

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  60. Love your work! You're very inspiring.

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  61. Wow! Your projects are amazing.

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