Fresh Layered Florals | Altenew Ambassador Project + Discount Code

Hi friends!

I’m excited to share my final Altenew Ambassador card for this month, featuring the Flowers & Petals Layering Stencil Set.

This layering stencil makes it so easy and fun to build full, vibrant backgrounds. I worked through each layer, adding color with Altenew Fresh Dye Inks — for the foliage, I used the Green Fields Set (Forest Green, Evergreen), and for the flowers, the Red Cosmos Set (Frosty Pink, Coral Berry). The result is soft, fresh, and perfectly balanced!

Layering stencil sets are truly one of my favorite products to create with. They allow you to achieve a detailed, professional-looking background without all the fuss, making them perfect for both quick cards and more polished projects.

Once the stenciling was complete, I trimmed the panel to 4" × 5.25" and adhered it to a coordinating green card base, which really helps frame the floral design. After finishing the background, I pulled out the Timeless Sentiments Die Set and die cut the sentiment twice from white cardstock and once from green cardstock for the shadow. I adhered the layers together with liquid glue for a sturdy, dimensional look.

Before attaching the sentiment, I added a ¾" strip of pink cardstock, trimming one edge on a slant for a little extra visual interest, and popped it up with foam tape. I then adhered the layered sentiment on top using foam tape as well. To finish the card, I added a few Satin Gold Sequins for just the right touch of shine.

This project was such a fun way to wrap up my Altenew Ambassador projects for the month, and I hope it inspires you to pull out your layering stencils and create something beautiful!

💖 Exclusive Discount Just for You!

As a thank you for stopping by, I’m excited to share an exclusive Altenew discount code you can use on your next order:

Code: CARRI8OFF
Offer: $8 off orders over $79

How to use:
Add at least $79 worth of products to your cart and enter CARRI8OFF at checkout to receive $8 off.

Link to use: https://altenew.com/discount/CARRI8OFF?sca_ref=8220313.qLUMLsORyQ 

Valid:December 30, 2025 at 12:00 am EDT through January 6, 2025 at 11:59 pm EDT

One-time use only. Cannot be combined with other order codes.

Thank you so much for all the support and kind comments throughout the year. As 2025 comes to a close, I’m so grateful for this creative community and for the opportunity to share my love of cardmaking with you. I can’t wait to see what the new year brings!

Several affiliate links are used in my posts. This means that, if you click on one of my links and make a purchase from that company, I will receive a small percentage of the sale without any additional charge. I appreciate your support greatly.

CHALLENGES:

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Add a Sentiment

Altenew A Year in Review Inspiration Challenge December 2025 - Inspired by the November Challenge

Word Art Wednesday - #730-733

Triple B - December *Blooms

Fueled by Coffee & Quokka Cuteness

I was definitely feeling a bit of a caffeine rush when I sat down to create this card, so it felt only right to reach for the Kat Scrappiness Coffee Quokka Stamp Set and the coordinating Coffee Quokka Paper Pad. This little coffee-loving quokka is just too cute, and he completely set the tone for a cozy, playful card design.

I started by stamping the quokka image and coloring it up with Copic markers, keeping the colors soft and warm to match the coffee theme. Once the coloring was finished, I fussy cut the image (even though there are coordinating dies available — sometimes I just enjoy doing it the old-fashioned way!).

Next, I pulled out the Coffee Quokka Paper Pad and selected three fun coordinating patterns. To give each one its own moment, I die cut them using a stitched circle die set, choosing three different sizes for visual interest. I arranged the circles on a white panel trimmed to 4 x 5.25 inches, overlapping them slightly for a playful layered look.

On the smallest stitched circle, I stamped the sentiment so it felt naturally integrated into the design. Then I popped the quokka up with foam tape and adhered him right in the center, touching all three patterned circles to really anchor the focal point.

To add a little extra detail, I stamped the coffee bean image where the circles meet — it’s a small touch, but it adds so much charm and reinforces the coffee theme. I also softly inked around the edges of the panel with a light brown ink to warm everything up.

To finish the card, I adhered the panel to a pink mat and then mounted it onto a brown card base, which felt like the perfect cozy color combination for a coffee-inspired card.

This card was such a fun one to make, and it definitely makes me smile — and crave a cup of coffee! Thanks so much for stopping by today. 

CHALLENGES:

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Add a sentiment

Word Art Wednesday - #730-733

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Parque del Cafe

Sparkly Snowman Tag for the Holidays

I’m playing along with the Jaded Blossom December Challenge (all about tags!) and having so much fun with some new crafty goodies!

I die-cut the snowman from white cardstock using the Gnome Friends: Snowman Dies, then dressed him up with patterned paper from Kat Scrappiness Bright Christmas 2 Paper Pack for his scarf, mittens, and earmuffs. Those little details give him a cozy, festive personality!

I started by cutting the panel using the La-La Land Crafts Large Stitched Tag Dies. Once the tag was cut, I created a snowy backdrop by spreading embossing paste through the Snowstorm Stencil from Jaded Blossom, then sprinkled Lindy’s Gang Under the Sea #1 Shimmer Shaker in Sea Turtle Teal and Starfish Foot Fuchsia. A quick spritz of water adds sparkle, and just like that, the background comes alive!

To finish the panel, I added a snow drift along the bottom for a cozy, wintry touch. 

The sentiment is from Sunbird Spark – Most Wonderful Time which was heat embossed in white and trimmed before adhering. I finished the tag with pink twine and a snowflake embellishment on the ribbon for a little extra holiday sparkle.

I love how this little snowman tag turned out! Handmade tags like this make gifts extra special, and it’s so much fun to mix textures, shimmer, and cozy details. Happy crafting!

CHALLENGES:

SSS Monday Challenge - Sparkle & Shine

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Add a Sentiment

Word Art Wednesday - #730-733

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Blizzard Beach

Double D - Dec *Snowman

Allsorts - #839

Creative Knockouts - #561

Double Trouble - #206 Something, Anything, Everything from my stash - 3 dies from my stash / 2 magical shaker colors from my stash / 1 snowflake embellishment from my stash

La-La Land Crafts December Kit of the Month

The La-La Land Crafts December Kit of the Month is here, and it’s filled with the cutest cozy winter elements—perfect for creating magical seasonal projects. This month’s kit is all about adorable owls, moonlit scenes, and forest vibes that come together beautifully for winter cards and more.

What’s included in the December Kit of the Month:

Owl Hoodie Marci Rubber Stamp – an absolute show-stopper with the sweetest winter outfit

Real Hoot Clear Stamp Set – packed with coordinating owl images and sentiments

Moon Frame Die – ideal for creating dreamy nighttime scenes

Tree Hollow Die – perfect for adding depth and woodland details

Copic details: 

Marci Skin: E000-E00-E02, R20

Hair: E50-E51-E53-E55-E57 

Hoodie: C2-C3-C4-C5-C7 

Shorts: B32-B34-B37 

Boots: E30-E31-E33-E35 

Additional Products:

Winter Forest Paper Pack

Layered Pinecone Die

Copic details:
Owls: E42-E43-E44-E47
Red: R21-R05-R08 
Green: YG61-YG63-YG67
Yellow: YR30-YR31-YR21

Additional Products: 
Stitched Sun & Clouds Die

Christmas Traditions Paper Pack

Snowbanks Die

Copic details:
Owl 1: C0-C1-C3-C4-C5
Outfit: B000-B00-B01-B02
Owl 2: E51-E53-E55-E57
Outfit: RV21-RV23-RV25-RV29 

Additional products: 
Snow Time Stencil Set

Icicles Border Die

Snowbanks Die

Color-Me Enamel Dots

What I love most about this kit is how effortlessly everything coordinates. The stamps and dies mix and match so well, making it easy to create multiple looks—from playful to serene—all from one kit.

If you’re looking to add some owl-some charm to your winter crafting, the La-La Land Crafts December Kit of the Month is a must-have. I can’t wait to see all the creative projects this kit inspires!

Cozy Winter Sled Card – Altenew Ambassador Project for December + Giveaway

Today I’m sharing my first Altenew Ambassador project for December, and this one brings all the cozy winter charm I love — classic holiday colors, elegant details, and a nostalgic sled scene that feels straight out of a storybook.

I began with a deep blue background created with the Dotted Swirls Debossing Cover Die, which gives the card a swirling, winter-breeze effect. I added a light metallic gold splatter across the panel for a soft, shimmering accent.

For the focal point, I used the Timeless Sled Layering Die Set from Altenew. The sled is made up of several layered pieces, and once assembled, it has such a beautiful dimensional look. I kept the seat clean and bright with the little throw pillow tucked at the top — one of my favorite details in this set.

To decorate the sled, I created a little winter vignette around it instead of placing everything directly on the seat. On the bottom right, I arranged two poinsettias, staggering the petals slightly to give them that natural, layered fullness. 

Behind the sled, I layered a mix of green branches and a few soft brown sprigs from the Branches and Berries Die Set to build depth and contrast. The blend of greenery, muted tones, and floral touches gives the sled a cozy woodland feel, almost as if it’s nestled into a quiet winter forest. On the bottom left, I added a pair of holiday gifts topped with gold bows, tucking a small holly-and-berry branch between them for a festive pop. 

I framed the panel with a Brushed Gold Metallic Cardstock mat and layered it onto a crisp white card base, letting the gold accents catch the light and add a subtle holiday glow. To complete the design, I added a small festive sentiment from the Sleigh Ride Greetings set, carefully heat-embossed in gold for a delicate touch of sparkle. The result is a card that feels warm, elegant, and perfectly captures the timeless charm of the holiday season.

💛 Giveaway Alert! 💛

Want to get your hands on some of these gorgeous supplies? Head over to my Instagram here to enter the giveaway!

I'm so thankful for this opportunity with Altenew and for all of you who support my creative journey. Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this cozy sled scene inspires your own winter crafting! All main products used in this project are listed below.

Products featured:
Altenew Timeless Sled Layering Die Set
Altenew Sleigh Ride Greetings

Altenew Branches and Berries Die Set 

Dotted Swirls Debossing Cover Die

Brushed Gold Metallic Cardstock

CHALLENGES:

SSS Monday Challenge - AG Christmas

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Wrap it Up!

Word Art Wednesday - ##730-733

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Holiday World

Creative Knockouts - #561

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2550

Classic Design - #12-2025

As you Like it Challenge - My new favorite die set - so festive and fun

Argyle Diamonds for the Win!

Hey friends!

This month’s Just One Color Instagram Hop had such a fun challenge—create a card using yellow-green, with a twist: Diamonds! I immediately thought of the Papertrey Ink Argyle Stencil Collection because, hello, argyle = diamonds! Perfect match.

I started by inking the stencil with Distress Ink in Twisted Citron—bright, cheerful, totally festive. Then I added some black ink along the dotted line on the third stencil to make that pattern really pop. Once it was done, I popped the panel onto a yellow-green card base, keeping everything cohesive and fun.

For the sentiment, I went with “Merry Christmas” from Gina K.’s Handlettered Holiday. Even though it’s discontinued, I still adore that handlettered font. I stamped it in black, cut it out with an oval die, then layered it onto a slightly bigger oval for a little extra dimension. Voila!

I love how this card turned out—playful, cheerful, and full of holiday vibes. The argyle pattern makes it easy to switch up colors for a whole set of fun cards.

If you’re feeling crafty, grab your stencils, play with some color, and see what you can create. Happy stamping! 

When Life Sends a Blizzard, Make a Snowman

Hello, friends! I’m excited to be joining the My Favorite Things Hop and the theme is Favorite Things to Do in the Snow. Winter is such a magical season, and this hop was the perfect opportunity to create a card inspired by snowy childhood memories.

Growing up, snow days were something I eagerly looked forward to. As soon as the first flakes began to fall, my siblings and I would bundle up and rush outside to play. We built snowmen, made snow angels, and stayed out until our cheeks were rosy from the cold. These days, I’ll admit I tend to hibernate when snow arrives—but those joyful memories still inspire my winter cardmaking.

For this card, I featured the Marci with Snowman Rubber Stamp from La-La Land Crafts, a sweet image that perfectly captures the playful spirit of winter. I colored Marci and her snowman with Copic markers, using a soft, wintry palette. Once finished, I fussy cut the image with my Tim Holtz Tonic 6.75″ Mini Coil Snips, which made cutting around the details quick and effortless, allowing the image to stand out beautifully against the background.

The winter scene comes from a new paper pack Winter Forest from La-La Land Crafts. I love how this paper instantly creates a serene snowy landscape. To add depth and dimension, I die cut some snow drifts using La-la Land Crafts Snowbanks Die and adhered them along the bottom of the scene, then popped Marci up with foam adhesive so she appears to stand right in the snow.

For a finishing touch, I added a few snowflakes die cut from white glitter cardstock and white cardstock for subtle sparkle and texture. The completed panel was then adhered to a blue card base, tying everything together with a crisp winter feel.

I used the Scalloped Sentiment Labels Die to frame the sentiment, adding a subtle, elegant detail to complete the card.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope this card brings back happy winter memories and inspires you to find a little magic in the season. 

CHALLENGES:
SSS Wednesday Challenge - Sparkle & Shine

Word Art Wednesday - #728-729

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Blizzard Beach

Allsorts - #838

Die Cut Diva's - December *Winter

Crafty Calendar - December *Winter

Passion for Markers - #818 Mega Christmas *Add a Sentiment

All is calm, All is bright

I was inspired by the beautiful song, O Holy Night and wanted to create a card that captures the celestial wonder of a holy night with singing angels. I envisioned a design where angels encircle a glowing night sky, with a sentiment reflecting the peaceful, sacred atmosphere of Christmas. 

To bring this idea to life, I chose an oval panel as the centerpiece, floating against a serene blue card base, framed by angels. The goal was to create a card that feels heavenly, elegant, and magical, yet balanced and easy to read.

To create a glowing night sky effect, I blended Distress Oxide inks in an ombré, starting with Blueprint Sketch at the top to represent the night sky and fading into Scattered Straw with a touch of Lemon Squeeze toward the bottom, creating a soft, radiant horizon.

To create a sparkling, starry effect, I used the Spellbinders All the Stars Stencil (discontinued) with Altenew Shimmer Relief Paste Mayan Gold, adding shimmering stars across the ombré background to give the panel a magical twinkle reminiscent of a holy night.

The angels surrounding the oval frame come from the Picket Fence Studios Angels Sing to Newborn King Stamp and Die, and they serve as a joyful focal point, reinforcing the singing, celebratory theme of the carillon and hymn. To ensure the panel and angels remained the focus, I kept the blue card base clean, avoiding additional embellishments that might distract from the heavenly scene.

For the sentiment, I chose “All is calm, All is bright” from the Simon Hurley Christmas Silhouette stamp set, another oldie but goodie. I placed the sentiment on a rectangle strip slightly longer than the oval, centered at the bottom. The bottom of the oval peeks out slightly, allowing the glowing ombré effect to remain visible, while gold heat embossing echoes the shimmer of the stars, adding a touch of elegance. 

CHALLENGES:
SSS Wednesday Challenge - Sparkle & Shine

Word Art Wednesday - #728-729

Park Hopping My Happy Place - The Holy Land Experience

Allsorts - #838 AG

Die Cut Diva's - December *Christmas

Crafty Calendar Challenge - December *Christmas

Pammie's inky Pinkies - #2549

Passion for Markers - Mega Christmas *Add a Sentiment

Lighting the Way to Christmas Cheer

Every year when the holidays roll in, I love making cards that feel cozy and fun—almost like little winter scenes you could walk right into. This one definitely gave me those “tree lot on a chilly evening” vibes, with a cute gnome lighting his way through the evergreens.

For this card, I used the Christmas Tree Lot stencil from Picket Fence Studios along with my new adorable Gnome with Lantern from Stamping Bella. 

I blended Evergreen Distress Oxide over a 3.75" × 5.5" white panel and added a bit of Pine Needles for extra shading, which gave the trees a nice textured look. Then I used my Copic Markers and colored up the gnome in classic holiday colors—bright red hat and jacket, a brown bag with a green patch, light brown gloves, and just a touch of light blue for snowy accents. The lantern is black with a warm yellow glow, and it really pops against that forest of green trees.

To anchor the design, I cut a black cardstock strip approximately 1" × 4.25" for the sentiment, stamping or die-cutting the greeting in white to stand out. The stenciled panel was optionally matted on a 4" × 5.5" red cardstock layer before adhering it to a green A2 card base. The gnome was popped up with foam tape slightly overlapping the sentiment strip, adding dimension and focus. 

For a final festive touch, I added a few gold sequins around the top corners and near the gnome to mimic twinkling holiday lights without overwhelming the design.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this project inspires you to create your own cozy holiday cards this season. Wishing you a joyful and crafty holiday!

CHALLENGES:
Word Art Wednesday - #728-727

Park Hopping My Happy Place - The Fairytale Forest of Efteling Park 

Crafts Galore - #143

Allsorts - #838 AG

Crafty Calendar Challenge - December *Christmas

Pammie's inky Pinkies - #2549

Passion for Markers - #818 Mega Christmas *Add a Sentiment

We Love Stamping - December *Red & Green

Stamping Sensations - December

Altenew December Release - Guest Designer Whispers in the Canopy

Today I’m sharing a card featuring the gorgeous Whispers in the Canopy from Altenew’s December Release, part of their beautifully curated nature-inspired collection. This silhouette instantly caught my eye, and I knew it would be perfect for a peaceful, moonlit night scene.

To create the soft night sky background, I worked on a watercolor panel to give the sky a natural, dreamy gradient. I began by masking a circle in the center to reserve the moon. With the mask in place, I layered several shades of deep blues and soft grays outward from the center, building a rich, darkening sky. 

Once the mask was removed, I brushed a light gray ink over the moon to give it a soft, glowing effect. The result is a luminous moon set against the night sky, perfect for showcasing the silhouetted scene.

Next, I stamped the large silhouette from Whispers in the Canopy. Its bold black shape stands out beautifully against the layered night sky, instantly grounding the scene and giving the composition a strong, dramatic focal point. The contrast highlights the glowing moon behind it, enhancing the serene, nighttime ambiance.

For the sentiment, I chose “Let your dreams take flight" and stamped it in black on a narrow white strip. Since the silhouette anchors the right side of the panel, I balanced the design by placing the sentiment in the bottom-left corner, lifting it slightly with foam tape so it stands out from the branches without competing with the scene.

To keep the card clean and uninterrupted, I adhered the completed watercolor panel directly onto a white A2 card base—no mat layers needed. The simple construction really allows the sky, moon, and silhouette to shine.

This December release from Altenew is full of beautifully artistic designs, and this set in particular makes it easy to create dramatic yet serene cards with just a few thoughtful elements. 

CHALLENGES:
SSS Wednesday Challenge - Sparkle & Shine

Word Art Wednesday - #728-729

Park Hopping My Happy Place - The Enchanted Tiki Room

Crafts Galore - #143

Allsorts - #838

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2549

Triple B - December *Birds & Blooms

A Batch of Friend-Chip Fun with Pixi Dust Designs!

I’m so excited to share a fun card I created while playing with some new “goodies” I picked up during the Black Friday sale! I used the Friend-Chip Forever Die set from Pixi Dust Designs along with beautiful paper from Cardstock Warehouse to create a cozy, playful design. 

I built a repeat-pattern background of cookies using the dies, cutting each cookie from neutral cardstock tones and in-laying them into place. This gives the panel a clean, polished look while still feeling warm and homey. The cookie background is the main focus, filling the panel with texture and charm.

The little milk container sits playfully among the cookies, popped up with foam tape for dimension. Its soft blue accents mimic a classic milk label, adding a subtle pop of color without taking attention away from the cookie pattern. To create a balanced and whimsical cluster, I added a small red heart near the milk container, which draws the eye naturally and adds a touch of warmth.

For the sentiment, I used the die included in the set. I die-cut it and cleverly used the negative as a stencil, inking over it to create a crisp and bold message that blends perfectly with the cookie background. This technique gives the sentiment a polished, professional look while keeping it integrated with the overall design.

To add a playful finishing touch, I scattered a few tiny brown “crumb” dots across the panel. They’re subtle enough to not distract from the main elements but help tie the cookies, milk container, and sentiment together, making the background feel lively and complete.

Shopping at Pixi Dust Designs? You can use my affiliate link here. Thank you for supporting my crafting! 💕

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed this little cookie-inspired creation and maybe even got some ideas for your own crafty projects. Happy creating, and don’t forget to treat yourself to a few sweet goodies along the way!

CHALLENGES:

SSS Monday Challenge - Use Dies

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Use Dies

Word Art Wednesday - #728-729

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Cookie Drop Ride

Allsorts - #828 New Die Set

Penny's Paper - #611

Sweet Christmas Mug Card — Cozy Winter Vibes

Every year, I make a gingerbread-themed card for my daughter-in-law — she LOVES anything gingerbread, and it’s become a fun holiday tradition between us. This year’s card felt especially sweet with the warm window glow, soft colors, and the cutest little gingerbread mug. It’s one of those projects that makes you smile the whole time you're creating it.

Today I’m sharing a card that’s full of warm, sugary holiday charm — featuring the Gingerbread Mug Dies from Pixi Dust Designs paired with the beautiful colors of Cardstock Warehouse paper. This set is now discontinued, but there are plenty of other adorable mug die sets available that would work just as beautifully for a cozy holiday scene! 

I created a cozy window vignette using the La-La Land Crafts Window Die, layering the crisp white frame over soft blue polka-dot paper from the Pixi Dust Designs Puppy Love Paper Pad. To give the scene a frosty, winter-window effect, I added a layer of vellum on top of the patterned paper. Behind it all, I used a dry-embossed brick panel from Stampin’ Up! to evoke the warm, inviting feel of being inside a festive kitchen — the perfect backdrop for a sweet holiday mug scene.

The gingerbread mug is the star of the show with her cute bow, rosy cheeks, and swirl of whipped topping. I tucked a candy cane beside her and arranged a few softly colored cookies around the mug for balance. Keeping the palette sweet and soft made the whole card feel extra cozy.

To bring everything together, I added a simple sentiment beneath the window so it anchors the design without taking attention from the mug. The final result is soft, festive, and full of holiday charm.

Shopping at Pixi Dust Designs? You can use my affiliate link here. Thank you for supporting my crafting! 💕

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this inspires you to create something warm and sweet this season.

CHALLENGES:

SSS Monday Challenge - Use dies

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Use Dies

Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge - #48

Word Art Wednesday - #728-729

Park Hopping My Happy Place - Disneyworld's Gingerbread Display

Can You Handle the Pressure - AG

Penny's Paper Challenge - #611

Die Cut Diva's - Christmas

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2548

Classic Design - #11-2025