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Paper & Ink Artistry

ALTENEW A YEAR IN REVIEW BLOG HOP

Altenew, Cardmaking, Clean & Simple, Color Pencils, Copic & Alcohol Markers, Design with Black, Die Cutting, Ink Techniques, Layer Stamping, Watercolor, YouTube Tutorial, Zentangle®

It’s so fun to look back on a year of creativity and see the evolution of Altenew products and the designers’ style and technique. What creative achievement are you most proud of from 2019? Tell me down below.

Altenew A Year in Review

Support Fellow Artists

If you’ve made your way here from my good friend and fellow Altenew Educator, Teri Wilson’s, blog then you’re right on track. She has a new YouTube channel and is trying to get to 100 subscribers so she can claim her channel name.

This is the first big YouTube milestone and she’s so close! Visit her channel and subscribe if you’d like to see more.

To start at the beginning head on over to the Altenew Card Blog. Ok, let’s reminisce!

Altenew A Year In Review | My favorite cards

This has been my favorite blog hop the last couple of years and I’m so honored to be participating!! The designers chose their favorite projects of the year. This gives us a glimpse into what makes their artistic minds tick. I’ve been card making for 3 years now and 2019 was transformative for sure!

I’ll share a bit of insight into why each of the 5 cards below are my faves. The link to the original blog post and video will be below each image as well as featured products. Affiliate message below.

Alcohol Markers

A 2019 year in review would not be complete without my favorite card of the year. It turns out this was your favorite too on my Instagram feed.

Favorite Alcohol Marker Card
Altenew 5th Anniversary Blog Hop | Video | April 2019
Beautiful Peony | Gradient Stripes | Signature Words Die | Artist Markers

I challenged myself with this card and it took me 3 weeks to complete it. I colored 1 peony per week because the amount of detail was exhausting at the time.

This card made me realize I wasn’t a newbie colorist anymore. Nearly 8 months later, I feel like I could knock this coloring out pretty quickly. I’m still in love with that graphic background which was a cover-up for dropping a marker on the card front.

Watercolor

Prior to this card, I had no idea what a Cattleya looked like. This is the card where I started regularly using photo inspiration to guide my color choices and coloring technique. This definitely pushed my skills to the next level.

Favorite Watercolor Card
Altenew Instagram Hop | Video | May 2019
Build-A-Flower: Cattleya | Spring Bouquet Crisp Dye Inks | Jet Black Ink Spray

I used Saunders Waterford High White Rough watercolor paper for the first time with this project. Since then it’s become my paper of choice due to the bright white color and excellent performance (see video). I realized, yeah, quality paper makes a difference.

Layer Stamps

Altenew released Obsidian Pigment Ink this year and it was a game-changer for me! This post was all about designing with black, which I LOVE! I also enjoyed sharing more about my design process.

Favorite High Contrast Card
June 2019 Release Hop | Video
Sunflower Daisy | Pattern Power | Hooray Die | Sentiment Strips

The high contrast black and white sunflowers and a mix of organic and geometric elements really speak to me. The black petals are unexpected and have such a wow factor.

3D Layer Dies

This was one of those “don’t quit until you’re proud” moments. My watercolor pieces turned out too flat. So, I kept adding more and more color and splatter until I loved them.

Favorite 3D Die Card
June 2019 Stand Alone Die Release Hop | Video
Virginia Rose 3D Die Set | Sentiment Strips | Tropical Fiesta Watercolor Brush Markers

I rarely plan my sentiment ahead of time. In this instance, I was forced to arrange my sentiment strips vertically. It was a happy occurrence and I’ve done it many times since.

Zentangle® for Cardmakers

Lastly, I had to include a Zentangle® for Cardmakers project. If you’ve not seen this card before, it’s because it’s part of my Altenew Academy class Zentangle® for Cardmakers.

Favorite Zentangle for Cardmakers Card
Zentangle® for Cardmakers | January 2019
Wonderland Stamp Set | Spring Garden Watercolor Brush Markers

I had a blast creating content for this class. Six projects and 17 videos are included in the class. It was a heck of a lot of work and I’m so proud of it.

That’s a wrap, guys. 2019 is almost over and I feel quite blessed that you’ve joined me on my creative journey! Thanks for all your love and support!!

Huge thanks to Altenew for the many guest designer invitations, Facebook Live spots, and for having me teach Expo workshops and create a year of Product Intro Videos.

Cheers to all that’s on the horizon in 2020!! Supplies and next stop on the hop are below.

Celebration Giveaway

Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by 01/03/2020 for a chance to win. Random winners will also be chosen to win a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each stop on the hop. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 01/06/2020.

Supplies

If you need supplies and fancy supporting my blog and YouTube channel, please use the links below at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Thank you for your purchase which helps me bring you new content!

Next Stop

The next stop is one of my all-time favorite crafty people, Therese Calvird. I listen to her voice for-evah and her cards are amazing!

Altenew Card Blog
Keeway Tsao
Laurie Willison
Michelle Murray
Kristina Pokazanieva
Norine Borys
Gayatri Murali
Jen Schow
Mindy Eggen
Vicky Papaioannou
Ashlea Cornell
Nenette S. Madero
Janette Kausen
Altenew Scrapbook Blog
Nathalie DeSousa
Terri Koszler
Seeka
Jaycee Gaspar
Teri Wilson
Amber Rain Davis
Therese Calvird
Isha Gupta
Anna Komenda
Erum Tasneem
TaeEun Yoo
Lilith Eeckels
Alex Syberia
Caly Person
Virginia Lu
Amanda Baldwin
Maryám Pérez
LauraJane
Kathleen Graumüller
Zinia Redo
Nancy McClelland
Kymona Tracey

Comments

  1. Heather Mills says

    These are all so beautiful! But that first one is absolutely stunning with those gorgeous teal/green flowers and the bold stripes!

    Reply

  2. Inkin' Chickie says

    I like the boldness of the peony and stripes. I didn’t recognize the cattleya stamp from your second card. I was thinking it was a flytrap. Watched the video for it and it’s surprising to see the inspiration picture. I think you captured it well. The lime green and deckle edge finishing tie in nicely. The wonderland zentangle is mesmerizing.

    Reply

  3. Mendy Crumpton says

    Love the black stripe background with those eye catching peonies. Love the story about fixing a mess up. I have been stamping the last part and have dropped the stamp pad on my card. Ugh!!

    Reply

  4. Kathy Dippner says

    You created beautiful cards in 2019! I love the first two with the copic and watercolors. I look forward to seeing what you create in 2020.

    Reply

  8. Carol H says

    Wonderful, dynamic cards! Oh, and I had a good laugh when I read that the background for the first card came about because you dropped a marker. Been there — done that! I have a motto I tell all my students during their first class: “Mistakes are nothing but opportunities for embellishments.” You just added a”big” one and look at the gorgeous card your created!

    Reply

  15. Donna C says

    Amber, you are in my best of 2019! Your cards are unique and so striking. The daring color combos and use of image and layout, make each card a bold knock-out. I’m thrilled each time I see that you have created a new video. So glad that you share your art with us; you are on the top of my favorite cardmakers list.

    Reply

  19. KathleenA says

    The first think I thought when I saw your collage was you had an awesome use of black on your cards. I am marking this post to go back and look at your original posts to learn more about your techniques!

    Reply

  21. TracyM #6773 says

    GORGEOUS cards!
    My FAVOURITE from your favourites is your STUNNING black & teal “thanks” card – WOW!
    THANK YOU for ALL the INSPIRATION you share 🙂

    Reply

  24. Margaret B says

    Your watercolor card is my favorite and I love watching you on the Facebook lives. Thanks for being so inspirational.

    Reply

  25. Michelle P says

    I found Altenew this year and am so excited I did. The inspiration from the fabulous design team is amazing. I live the look of color with B&W, so you alcohol marker print cars is one of my favorites! Thank you for all you do, and I look forward to another great year.

    Reply

  27. Wanda Radler says

    Wonderful cards. I love the deep flowers against the black and white background. Will definitely try that in the new year. Also love the 3D flowers.

    Reply

  28. Kimberly Ligocki says

    I subscribed!!! Number 93! Oh what beautiful cards. I pinned a couple of these during the year and now I’ve pinned the rest. And you’re right — quality paper really makes a difference. See you in 2020.

    Reply

  30. Carol Mc says

    I always look forward to seeing what you have created on your blog.
    Your cards are always sensational. My favorite here is the 3D Layer card.
    The colors and texture are gorgeous.

    Reply

  31. Christine A says

    These are great cards! The time you spent on the peonies really shows – they are gorgeous. I love how you used the black and yellow in the layered cards. Your use of colour and your experimenting is always inspiring.

    Reply

  34. barbara lassiter says

    These are indeed gorgeous! I really love watercolor and have improved this year! As they say, it takes lots of practice and I continue to do so!

    Reply

  35. Melissa Friedrich says

    Gorgeous cards, I love all these samples of your year’s creative art work, and I want to thank you for your inspiration and awesome video tutorials.

    Reply

  39. DawnT says

    I’m so glad I found your log tis year Amber. I’ve learnt a lot from following your videos too. I took the Zentangle class and loved it. Your work is always amazing. Keep inspiring us. ❤️

    Reply

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