Hi crafty friends! Altenew Educators are Giving Thanks to Heroes who have worked tirelessly to keep us safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic and the most recent devastating events. We’re thankful for each and every one of you and my heart goes out to all those who have been affected by virus and violence.
If you made your way here from, Irina’s blog you are right on track. If you’d like to hop to the beginning, visit the Altenew Card Blog.
I finally got my hands on some Altenew Gradient Cardstock! So, today, I’m sharing three ways to get your gradient cardstock on…your cards! All the details for these cards are in this short card making video tutorial.
Watch here or in HD on YouTube. While you’re there I’d love it if you like, subscribe, and share with friends.
Paint Chip Card
The first thing I thought of when I fanned out the gradient cardstock was a paint chip from your local Sherwin-Williams or the like. This card is quick and easy and makes a statement.
I cut a 1 1/16-inch strip of each shade of Sea Shore gradient cardstock. I lined them up in a Mini MISTI and stamped Floral Vine in Obsidian Pigment Ink. Then to add a bit of interest, I tore the outer edges of the cardstock strips.
Flower Vine Stamp Set includes some of my favorite sentiments. They’re all tiny like the one you see above. Leave the in one strip, stack them as I’ve done here, or use them as sub-sentiments with larger stamps or dies.
3D Layer Dies
Surely one of the first uses of gradient cardstock that comes to mind is 3D layer dies. If you feel they look a little naked on their own, add extra dimension with Artist Markers and ink smooshing.
I used Fantasy Floral 3D Die Set, one of my all-time faves, for these three vibrant blooms. As you can see, the top flower and leaves are naked (no added color), the bottom left is colored with Artist Markers, and the bottom right has subtle ink smooshing.
GRADIENT CARDSTOCK
Summer Afternoon & Green Meadows
ARTIST MARKERS & CRISP DYE INKS
Summer Afternoon & Just Green (ink only)
In addition to the gradient cardstock, I also picked up the Black & White Essentials 6×6 Paper Pack. People, I can’t believe I didn’t have this already given how much I love designing with black. Insert forehead slap!
Use Your Leftovers
If you follow me you know, I don’t like to leave leftovers hanging around my craft room. I’ve got to eat those up right away. So whenever I use pattern paper, I typically make a twofer.
You know I wasn’t going to waste these awesome black and white stripes! I cut a couple of colored strips from Sweet Leaf and Emerald cardstock from Green Meadows and Sea Shore Gradient Cardstocks respectively.
The Halftone Circle sentiment is stamped on Sweet Leaf Gradient Cardstock and cut with the coordinating die set. The lovely flower and leaf cluster you see is a sneak peek that will be released soon. Hang tight for a video on that one. That precious leftover was sitting on my desk and was perfect to finish off this card.
MORE 3D LAYER DIES
Did you miss my 3D Layer Die Hacks post and video? There are lots of great tips for adding extra dimension to your die-cuts.
Watch it here and share it with friends.
That’s a wrap on the projects, but there is a lot more crafty info to share so make your way down the page for prizes, special offers, linky party info, and supplies.
Let me know your favorite way to use Gradient Cardstock in the comments below. It’s not required to enter the giveaway, I’m just interested in how you’re using it. Thanks for stopping by everyone and hugs to all our heroesx and those who have suffered and need our support during this challenging time.
Pin Me
If you love it, pin it, and share it with your crafty friends! Visit me on Pinterest for more design inspiration and color combinations.
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.
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!
Linky Party
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!
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.
Next Stop
The next stop on the hop is the lovely Patty Mello. The full list is below so you don’t miss any crafty inspiration from our talented Educators.
Altenew Card Blog
Nenette S. Madero
Christine Pennington
Vicki Finger
Amy Hill
Nandini Karmarkar
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. <<< You Are Here
Patty Mello
Virginia Lu
Supplies
If you fancy supporting my blog and YouTube channel, please use the compensated affiliate links below at no cost to you. Thank you for your purchase which helps me bring you new content!
Oohhh…I love ink smooshing! I love how that turned out with the layered flower dies 🙂
Beautiful job!!
Beautiful. Love the yellow one so much. Just beautiful!
Beautiful and colorful card designs.
Wow I saw your paint chip card on the Altenew site and just loved it. Love your style.
Fabulous cards! Thanks for the inspiration!
I really love the colors in the first card. It looks like a beautiful set of paint chips, the flowers look so pretty on them. The different colors for the flower on the second card work so well together. I love the stripes on the last card. Very striking and it looks great together with that mystery flower.
Amber, thank you for the video. The gradient layers with all the different colors are great. I can’t pick a favorite.
wow, amazing designs and so many ideas!
great cards Amber, love the paint chip card especially.
You always do such nice work! I love your cards. Very bright and beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
You always do such a nice job, Amber. Great work.
Beautiful cards! I love the look of the blue torn papers with the dainty flowers- so pretty!
Paint chip cards are so fun to make and so easy with the gradient card stock – I need to get my hands on some for sure! As usual, all your cards are lovely Amber!
Love your cards!!! The paint chip one is so neat and you rocked those 3D dies!
Wow – those 3D flowers are fabulous – gorgeous cards! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Amber. You make the most amazing cards! I enjoy your color choices and the wonderful ideas that you come up with and put together!!
Love blue gradient background! Such pretty cards!
<3 J
jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com
Thanks, Janis!
Beautiful cards! My favorite is the paint chip card. Love the simplicity and elegance of it. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Amber, I jumped right to you to start the hop, because you’re one of my faves. And, sure enough, there was the one card that had immediately caught my eye in the thumbnails: the orange flowers on b&w stripe! Adding extra color is a great touch.
Oh, thanks so much, Sandy! That’s lovely to hear!
So many great tips in one video. Thanks, Amber!
Beautiful cards. I’m going to have to try that first technique.
Thanks, Annette!
These look amazing!
Love your designs — you are always so creative and inspiring! Thank you.
Gorgeous cards. I must get some of the wonderful gradient cardstock.
Thanks, Cyndi! I’ve really enjoyed it!
you are so refreshing – love that you keep your oops in. it gives us all hope
Thanks so much, Gail! Just keeping it real in the craft room, LOL!
All are so well designed and beautiful. I love to use up the leftovers too.
Thanks, Verna! Gotta use those leftovers!
It doesn’t matter how long or short you are at card making one can learn something new and this video did this for me. I can’t wait to try adding ink to my layer flower die cuts. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks so much, Marcia! I love a to hear that people learned something new!
It doesn’t matter how long or short you are at card making and this video shows great techniques. I can’t wait to try adding ink to my layer flower die cuts. Thanks for the tips.
Wow, where do I start? Your cards are lovely! I so appreciate your videos! I will have to grab a beverage and carve out a block of time and go through all of the links and prior posts. Favorite way to use gradient paper? ….I did not know gradient paper existed!!!! As a new crafter, your creations have me confused as to what wonderful Altenew products to buy first ! Thank you for sharing!
Aw, thanks so much, Patricia! I feel ya. The struggle is real with prioritizing the wish list!
Beautiful cards! I love the Flower Vine on the paint chip background, and also the Fantasy Floral 3D dies! A couple of my favorites!
Thanks, Denise! Hugs!
Some very neat ideas. Thanks for sharing.
You have some very neat ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Amber, your designs & creativity are wonderful & inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for the video. It was very helpful, especially the tip about using a darker marker on the Cardstock because when it dries the ink matches the Cardstock too well. I try to learn from my “learning opportunities”, and it’s especially nice of you to share yours so we can all learn.
Thanks so much, Leslie! I love to share those little nuggets of what I learned along the way and thrilled to hear they’re helpful!
Another fabulous set of cards Amber…Love them!!
Love your cards and talent in design.
What creative and unique ideas. Very nice.
I have the 3D rose die, but have a hard time using it. Thank you for showing a way for me to get more out of what I have and be more creative. As always, I think your creations are gorgeous!
Oh, thanks so much, Laura. I hope this video helps with the layering die. Altenew also has layering videos and intro videos for each of their products on the product page. Be sure to check those out too for extra tips.
I really like the Thanks card you made with scraps. Interesting that the black and white stripes are one way and the two color stripes are opposite. It’s a very nice, simple card design.
Thanks so much, Pam. I like to get those leftovers out of the way right away rather than storing them and I’m especially loving those stripes!
Stunning cards, as usual. Love that you use your scraps, mine are in a box, a very big box!
Thanks, Vickie! Right, when my scraps overflowed, I knew I needed a new system. Just using that extra piece right away was a huge help!
I am saving all your ideas! Thank you.
Absolutely stunning and creatively inspirational card(s)!
Lovely Cards!
Loved the simplicity of the paint chip card
Great video showing the steps. I need to remember to use some of the tips to add more color. Always like the use of the leftover cuts right away for another project.
Thanks so much, Indira! Hugs!
Such lovely cards with fabulous Altenew stamps and dies. Always inspirational to see your creations. Thank you!
So very nice. Thanks for sharing
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
Love your cards! i love the bright colors you used against the black and white stripes. Beautiful!
Awesome cards- I really love your paint chip card! Love all these bold colors!
wonderful cards, Amber, but the yellow one has my heart!!
Great and amazing cards. Your ideas are so clever. Thank you.
Great cards and ideas as always!
Gorgeous cards, Amber. I really love the paint chip card. It looks so beautiful and elegant!
Thanks for all the awesome inspiration! I love the torn edge gradient strips! A great idea for scraps & such a pretty card!!
Thanks so much, Patt!
Oh I love your paint chip card. So simple but so striking!
Your cards always make me happy, and inspire me. you are so talented, and these cards are gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Janis!! Big hugs!!
Love the way you used the gradient card stock. It is such a unique way to use it and such a nice result. The torn edges really add a nice touch.
Thanks, Linda!
that gradient cardstock is really cool! thanks for inspiring!
I’m such a fan of your work, Amber!!! Great idea using the gradient cardstocks❤️
Thanks, Nenette!
All of these are great but that paint chip card is my favorite. Great idea!
Absolutely brilliant cards Amber! You are such a treasure!!
Aw, you’re so sweet! Than ask, Erum!! Hugs!
The die cut flowers look amazing!!
Super cool projects!!
I love the yellow layering flower die card! And what a beautiful blue background with the stripes!
Thanks, Meghan!
Beautiful cards. Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.