Living an Inspired Life: August 2020

Aug 22, 2020

Altenew Paint-A-Flower: Calla Lily Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there!

Welcome to the Altenew Paint-A-Flower: Calla Lily Release Blog Hop + Giveaway. You are arriving from Dana Joy's blog - a list of all the participants is available at the bottom of this post for your convenience-

Today, we are celebrating the release of a new member of the Paint-a-Flower family, welcome CALLA LILY. This new flower set is beautiful and probably a sentimental favorite ( Calla Lilies were my late grandmother's favorite flower). So, i set to create something soft and sweet with it!

The new PAF:Calla Lily is perfect for all types of paper crafting projects, and for me that means memory keeping!

I wanted to keep the flowers soft and natural for this page. That meant taking my time to detail a few of the images with a no-line watercolor technique. I used my Altenew Artist Watercolor pan set to paint all flowers.

I kept two of the images at the bottom of my journal page and added some of the stamped sentiments between the flowers.

But also decided to fussy cut one of the PAF:CALLA LILY images and use it as the embellishment for the photo page of my layout. A simple title -Courageous You Stamp set- complete my spread.

Like I mentioned, a new sentimental favorite stamp set! Plus the coloring results just make this page so especial.

Remember you can always subscribe to the Paint-A-Flower Monthly program, and have the stamp in your hands each month!

Paint-A-Flower Monthly Subscription Plan link (optional) https://altenew.com/products/paint-a-flower-monthly-subscription

This is a monthly subscription plan for our Paint-A-Flower. When signed up, you are guaranteed a spot in our monthly Paint-A-Flower releases and will receive a set each month - at a specially discounted price! ($15.99 →$12.99)

GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 5 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog by 8/27/2020 for a chance to win. We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew Winners Page on 08/30/2020.

Good Luck Everyone!

Now it is time to continue the inspiration hop, and you are off to visit Tenia's Inspiring blog. Remember you can always start the hop in the Altenew Card Blog. Here is a list of all the participants:

Nathalie DeSousa <<< YOU ARE HERE

Thanks for visiting!!

Aug 20, 2020

TOTALLY AWESOME BOYS - Simple Stories

Hi there!
Nathalie with you today to share a new page that is all about boys and their magical bond. It is always a treat when a masculine line is perfect to document those especial people in your life. The new BRO & CO collection from Simple Stories is just perfection in a kit, which made this page come together easily...

I wanted to play with paper for this page, so i started by cutting the strips from the So Rad! paper and then cut strips of paper that matched the colors of the paper ( Total Legit!, Killin' It!, You Rock!, 2x2 Elements).

I used the Birch/Grid Sn@P basics paper as the background for the page, and created the chevron pattern with the paper strips, making sure they formed that weaved pattern as they met in the center of the chevron. Here is where i handstitched the strips in place.

The picture was backed and layered with the Level Up! and So Rad! papers, and then placed in between the chevron lines. There are so many cute and fun embellishments, it was easy to create clusters around the page.

The foam stickers in the collection are a must have!!! I combined them with the Color Vibe Navy Foam Alphas to complete the title work. A few more stars, brads and stamped images complete this layout.

This layout was so fun and easy to put together, and i love how the design and colors bring the focus to the picture of my son and nephew. Remember to check the BRO& CO collection, you are going to love it!

Aug 19, 2020

Altenew Texture Adventure Stand-alone Dies Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there!

Welcome to the Altenew Texture Adventure Stand-Alone Dies Release Blog Hop + Giveaway. You are arriving from Nicole's blog - a list of all the participants is available at the bottom of this post-

Today, Altenew is releasing a new Stand-Alone Dies collection that is going to inspire you to create all sorts of projects... I had a lot of fun with these, so let's get started...

I am a fan of dimensional pieces and beautiful packaging! So, i was so happy to get the new Mini 3D Stars Die set as it creates the cutest 3D stars! I cut a few of them from Metallic Kraft paper and cluster them to create the embellishment in this packaging.

All the small stars are plenty for this CAS packaging idea, all i added was the sentiment ( Handwritten Hello Die set)and it is ready for delivery!

It was so hard to chose favorites from this release, as all the dies are amazing. I love linear dies, and the new Stacked Diamonds Cover Die is just perfect to create all sorts of projects, like this CAS card.

I created 3 die cuts and staked them together to bring dimension to the card. I used the die to also cut some ombre cardstock, then used the negative pieces to add the details inside the Die cut spaces. I added a simple sentiment created from Metallic kraft paper and the Welcome Home Die set.

If you are a cardmaker, then you are going to love the new Layered Geo Cover Dies. These new set works beautifully together or separately. I have chosen to combine them in this card.

I used the Layered Geo Cover Die B to cut a pannel from gold metallic cardstock, and then Layered Geo Cover Die A to cut a panel from white cardstock. I added a bit of foam adhesive to layer these atop a piece of black cardstock. For the sentiment, i used the negative piece of the die cut and stamped an image from the BAF: Columbine, then added a few satin gold sequin also from Altenew.

If you have seen my work before, then you know i love using Altenew products for my memory keeping. This time, i paired the new Tangle Loops Cover Die with a bit of ink blending and a fun title work.

I used the die to create a longer panel ( 4*8) that will sit atop an ombre backgrounnd ( Ink blendin). The die cut fits right in, all that was left to do was create a title ( Mega Brush Alpha stamp set and Mega Label love stamp set)

For my last project, i chose to combine three of new released dies into one layout. I started with the BURLAP TEXTURE die. I cut a few piece of canvas with the die to help me add texture to the layout.

Next, i used the LEAF MIX DIE SET and SIMPLE NESTING DIE SET to create the embellishments for the page. Here, i used the Altenew Artist Marker set E to add a bit of detail to the flowers.

I added the pictures to my page, and then used the leafs and flowers to create clusters around them!

As you can see i had lots of fun with all these new dies. I am sure you are all having a hard time deciding on a new favorite! Remember that Altenew is offering a free gift for a limited time to celebrate this release:

Receive a FREE brand new mini inspiration guide with every order from 8/19/2020 at 12:01 am EDT until 8/21/2020 at 11:59 pm EDT or while supplies last. Shop here -->https://altenew.com/collections/all-altenew-products The free gift will be added to cart automatically. *Not valid on Altenew Academy classes and workshops.

OF course all celebration needs a GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog by 8/25/2020 for a chance to win.

We’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew Winners Page on 08/27/2020.

Good Luck everyone!

Well, now it is time to continue the hop, and you are off to visit Amber's blog. Remember you can always go to the Altenew Card blog to start the hop. Here is a list of all the participants for your convenience:

Nathalie DeSousa <<< YOU ARE HERE

Thanks for Visiting and have fun hopping!

Aug 13, 2020

Altenew Mixed Media Ink Lovers Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there!

Welcome to the ALTENEW MIXED MEDIA INK LOVERS BLOG HOP + GIVEAWAY. You are arriving from Justine's blog - a list of all the participants is available at the bottom of this page for your convenience-

Today, Altenew is hosting a new and fun blog hop that focuses on the new and amazing Mixed Media Inks. These inks are so versatile, as they create crisp impression on most porous surfaces. They react beautifully with water, are perfect for embossing, and the bet feature they become permanent once you heat them up. I have created a few projects with them on canvas and cardstock, so today i wanted to show you how these inks can transform your mixed media and memory keeping world.

This new layout started with white cardstock and the idea of showcasing the inks in a series of techniques that will help you transform your projects.

My first choice was to add a bit of Frayed Leaf mixed media ink to the background as a watercolor wash. I simply diluted the ink with water and applied it with a brayer. I let it dry and then softly heat the ink in place. I used the Dare to Dream Stamp Set to stamp the designs on the top of the watercolor application with the same color ink.

Next, i used Forest Glades Mixed Media ink to create a second layer of stamping on the background. Here, i added a bit of Crystal Clear Embossing powder to the impression, and used my heat gun to create the embossed texture on the page.

While the background set in place. I used the new Beauty Within stamp set/die/coloring stencil and the two sets of Mixed Media inks to create the flowers and leaves for the page. The new stencil makes creating the florals a breeze, all i needed was an ink blending tool. The inks are so crisp and rich that produce these awesome results.

Just love how easy this came together, and how much fun it was to put together using the new Mixed Media inks and other Altenew goodies!

To celebrate the Mixed Media Ink Lovers Blog Hop, Altenew is offering a free class with every order of the Mixed Media Ink Bundle.

Receive a FREE Demystifying Mixed Media class(Value $8.95) with every order of the Summer Fun Mixed Media Ink Bundle from 8/13/2020 at 12:01 am EDT until 8/14/2020 at 11:59 pm EDT or while supplies last. Shop here --> https://altenew.com/products/summer-fun-mixed-media-ink-bundle The free gift will be added to cart automatically. Not valid on previous purchases.

Of course no celebration is complete without a GIVEAWAY:

Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 5 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog by 8/18/2020 for a chance to win.

Now, it is time to continue checking all this awesome projects, your next stop is Laura Jane. Remember you can always hop onto the Altenew Card Blog to start this hop. Here is a list of all the participants for your convenience:

Nathalie DeSousa <<< YOU ARE HERE