I don't know why - but this has been the longest week EVERRRRRRR! But that all ends here, because today I'm part of a super fun blog hop with some friends and Altenew - and they have some super giveaways too, so go grab yourself a beverage and let's talk about FLOWERS. :)
Like you, I'm in awe of Altenew's florals. Their modern/vintage mashup style has produced some of my favorite stamp sets I've ever owned, and their December release is no different!
I live in a climate that is hard on flowers. Our soil temperature doesn't ever drop low enough for the beautiful flowers California grows, and we are relegated to the section of the seed catalog that says "ONLY NEEDS A HOT ROCK TO GROW ON," which is a pretty sad section, I'm not gonna lie.
So my flowers have to live in my stamp room, and they bloom in here in profusion, trust me.
One at Altenew in particular called my name - and that is the lovely new Peony Spray. I knew it was an excellent candidate for my stamp etching technique, and so that's what I did.
But first - I had to try out an idea I'd had for the Gel Press for the background. I wanted to use watercolor powders (Paper Artsy Infusions) and masking on the press - because the powder sticks to the plate, so I came up with a trick to create monoprints with a watercolor medium, similar to my trick for making dye reinkers viscous enough to print with. You can see that video here, and my video for today's trick is below the cards. It's been gloomy here this week, so I went with sunshine colors :).
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Aren't those happy and fun? They were SO much fun to create, even though I totally did one of them backwards first (easy to do when monoprinting) and I left that mistake in the video so you can learn from my selfless sacrifice of a card front!
And I've been SQUEEING all week over my adorable new mini die cutting machine - look at this cutie!! It's only 6 x 4.5"!! It has little suction feet on it. You'll see it in my video - FINALLY a die cutter that will fit in my videos! I like to film with my Arkon Stand (20% off coupon below) pretty close to my desk for details - and so my Big Shot is just too big to fit in the frame. So this adorable Blossom machine is not just beautiful - with gold flowers all over it - it's super practical.
And I'm also excited to shop for this bundle - I have a lot of hearing impaired team members and blog readers - that's why I closed caption all my videos - and I've never seen anything this awesome. I heart it. AND they are donating a portion of the profits from the sale of this bundle to an organization that supports the deaf community. Love.
And these ninjas might have to hop in my cart too - how cute are they?
Now before I move on to the video, I have to tell you about my favorite Christmas present, even though it's only December 8th. My friend Lori and I had both been working with Jane Blundell's ultimate watercolor mixing chart and it's AMAZING. She has hundreds and hundreds of colors she gets from a very limited palette. Now I have full set syndrome, so I own the full Daniel Smith line. But that's hard to travel with, and I never go anywhere without watercolor and a sketchbook. So we both decided we wanted her paper book on the subject so that we could always have this amazing reference book with us. Since we both wanted it, we decided we'd each buy it and call it our Christmas present to each other. How smart are we???
Here are a few samples from the preview of her amazing book - there are zillions of charts like these - and all from just 15 pigments. Amazing. So thanks Lori! :) If you like watercolor - this is an incredible tool.
So speaking of watercolor - here's my video, complete with large flub, and then when you're done - how about a giveaway?
So to celebrate this amazing hop, Altenew will be giving SIX lucky commenters a $50 shopping spree, AND I have a $30 Altenew shopping spree to give away as well, because - why not? So leave a comment on all the blogs in the hop by December 15th to be eligible for the Altenew giveaways, and also for my giveaway - just tell me what your favorite flower is in your comment! Winners will be announced here and on the Altenew blog on December 17th.
Your cards and technique blow me away. That mini die cut machine is adorable. I really want it. I shouldn't buy it though. Really.
ReplyDeleteWow what a great technique! What shaker mix are you using? Is it lindys shakers? Or some other pigment powder? Looks incredible!
ReplyDeleteHi Carly! They're all linked under the photo - I love them - they are not Lindy's and they have little walnut stain crystals in them.
DeleteI love that they made this sign language set.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Peonies are lovely, but tulips are my favorite. Thanks for sharing this great technique. And I LOVE that little die-cutting machine!
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty card. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFantastic creations!! My fav flower is Rose and that reminds me of the gorgeous Build-A-Flower Rose set! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely cards, and yes I have seen a yellow peony. It was at a greenhouse and was priced at 60.00 and so it stayed there. Sometimes I wish I had bought it anyway because I've have never seen one again.
ReplyDelete*gasp* That sign language alphabet?!?!?!?! OMG!!!! I came here to see your video on how you created that awesome card, and I get treated to alphas and ninjas and a new die cutting machine! Fun!!!! Love ya, girlie!
ReplyDeleteGreat process to get two looks, the results were great, my fab flower is the daisy, how common am I. My garden is lucky enough to bloom in the summer with so many colours, I will send you photo's next summer for your indoor garden x
ReplyDeleteLove what you did with this image, Lydia. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love the contrast of the colors you used on your cards. So vibrant and cool.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are so pretty! Love your coloring. My favorite flower is the Gerbera daisy.
ReplyDeleteLove your cards and the video is great! Love this technique.
ReplyDeleteStunning cards and what interesting techniques! I love the wildflowers from this release. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite flower is Japanese Iris. Love your cards - unique and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have several sign language stamp sets, so I will probably get this one too. Our beautiful California flowers are being burned in our wild fires right now. We have our evacuation kit ready incase we have to leave, the Lilac fire is very close to me. I love your cards.
ReplyDeleteAbso-toot-a-lootely gorgeous cards! I am going to watch the video later this evening so I can focus on it! Love the new machine and can’t wait to get my hands on it! TFS!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. .Love the smooching of the watercolor powder between the papers.. Love how it turned out.. Goofs and all..
ReplyDeleteIt is practically impossible to pick a favorite flower but I usually say Coreopsis. Delicate yet hardy, a bunch of colors, all vibrant and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Love those ninjas!!
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL! I LOVE PLAYING WITH THE POWDERS!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. Love the colors. Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite flower is the pink Lily of the Valley (it can change depending on what flower I'm looking at). It is my birth month flower. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards!!
ReplyDeletestunning cartoons - love the yellow and black on the first card
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say my favorite flower is the humble(?) rose. I have several in my container garden, which seem to do pretty well, even here in Texas. LOL Love how your cards turned out, and just so's you know--peonies do come in yellow! :) Thanks so much for sharing your lovely artwork, and for doing a video--yay!!! 🐱 ~ Andrea
ReplyDeleteHi I love your cards! Thanks for sharing your creative ideas! 💖🙋🏼⛄️🎄💖
ReplyDeleteThese are so stunning!! The colors are gorgeous!! My favorite flower is a gladiolus!!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting technique. Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeletewonderful fresh ideas with these new stamps - thanks, Lydia.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are stunning. Thank you for introducing me to a new technique.
ReplyDeleteThoroughly enjoyed your video, and such beautiful creations! You have given me inspiration to take my gel plate out of the package. I used to like irises, not sure why. Now my fave are poppies because they look like paper.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful cards! Love the techniques. My favorite flowers depend on the season - some are lilacs, roses, lavender and poinsettias. Thanks for all your inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors! I might need to try out that gel printing technique! and definitely checking out Jane Blundell's color chart
ReplyDeleteLove the yellow and black!
ReplyDeleteI have lots of favorites, but I really love the flowers on the catalpa tree; it only blooms for a month in early summer though
ReplyDeleteWOW - such BEAUTIFUL and EXCITING cards!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your peonies and colour palette, LOVE your clever inking and AWESOME etching too, LOTS for me to try! THANK YOU for sharing and INSPIRING :)
PS - my favourite flower is the rose, so beautiful to look at, delightful to smell and ever-so-forgiving in the garden, even I can grow them
Lovely coloring techniques for your beautiful cards! Excited about the mini die cut machine too! Great release!
ReplyDeleteLovely cards ! margessw@icloud.com
ReplyDeleteLove Altenew, love your etching technique, cards and blog. As an ASL interpreter I hope you would consider Deaf Missions for donations. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely cards and your backgrounds are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love your second card. So pretty. Love the borders.
ReplyDeleteAmazing techniques and the detail in that etching is incredible!
ReplyDeleteFave flower are carnations followed by roses.
ReplyDeletethese are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to watch this. New to me way to do a great background. Fav flower? What ever is blooming.
ReplyDeleteAltenew has a lot blooming right now. Wow!
Gorgeous creations! I especially love how the powdered pigments turned out, Thanks for the video! Great release!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! I love the gel press background on that first card and the way you left the flower white with the black outlines. It stunning!
ReplyDeleteLydia, love the black and white flower card; it really pops. My favorite flower is the pansy, I think. Can be so dainty, but hardy, too. Thanks for the chance to win a GC.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many flowers to love! After all, they're FLOWERS!!! If I must choose one, it would be Lily of the Valley. So delicate. So sweet. And a light fragrance. Love it...and a bunch of other flowers!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the video and keepin' it real!
Very cool technique!! I actually have not purchased or used any infusion powders nor do I have a gel plate!! The cards look awesome!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite flower is the carnation.
ReplyDeletethey last so much longer than most other
cut flowers. Used to have a couple plants
growing in the garden. Love your black
flower against the colorful background.
Fantastic. thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for the inspiration and lesson. I want to try this. My favorite flower is probably the daisy...wait I love the smell of lilacs...no maybe roses...I just love flowers!
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards! Thank You for the inspiration! My favorite flowers are roses.
ReplyDeleteMwahaha. I love that you think YOUR mistake will stop me from making the same mistake! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat technique! TFS.
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with this image. Beautiful cards - TFS!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your cards especially the first one. I love the way you did the background, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that my favorite flower is a rose.
ReplyDeleteI love the background of your first card. It turned out beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat cards. The peony is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteWow, beautiful peony cards, love this technique too! Thanks for another awesome video, I must try this when I get a gel press from Santa! My favorite flower is the rose especially heirloom varieties.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! Love the colors so pretty and fun!
ReplyDeletePeonies are one of my very favorite flowers and they grow wonderfully in Oregon, for which I am grateful! Never seen a yellow one but who cares? When we create we are able to make our own version of the world ha! Love both of your cards and I appreciate you including your mistake in your video, it's one that is so easy to make so a good reminder to watch for that.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are always an inspiration Lydia, no exception this time! That peony is my favorite from this release along with the bold numerals die set :)
ReplyDeleteLovely cards! I do love peonies, hydrangeas, but my favorite are anemones. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing your great examples, I have to go with peony spray. You have given me ideas for using this stamp without having to watercolour it every time. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI love this technique and love that you keep your OOPS in the video! Makes the rest of realize that our oops is okay and normal... (oops... bad word that "normal" is). ;)
ReplyDeleteOh and actually peonies is my favorite flower... I hope to one day have a commercial peony farm in Alaska where I live!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you reversed the look on these two cards, but still used the plaid background. Very Unique.
ReplyDeleteHibiscus is my favorite flower! Great inspiration here!
ReplyDeleteThat first card is absolutely WOW! LOVE all the details you added to the flower!
ReplyDeleteI just love the effect of the watercolor powders and they look great on your cards! I havent trid them out yet but I'd like to.
ReplyDeleteI have never tried gel printing but I love the results. The variety of flowers in this release is just wonderful, so many great possibilities! TFS
ReplyDeleteInteresting technique!Lovely cards!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Just SO beautiful, and I love seeing your techniques!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love the Peony Spray stamp.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! Fantastic technique. I've been eyeing up the infusions and they might just need to make their way to my craft room.
ReplyDeleteLove this technique. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteOh I love how that takes the work out of coloring and looks absolutely fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say apart from W😍W
ReplyDeleteI just love what you've done. My favourite is 100% the peony it's 1 of those sets that you dont want you NEED NOW lol. YFS xx
Perfect cards from a very talented lady.y. Thankyou for sharing and being in the blog hop 🥂 xx💕 xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card...love the technique...My favourite flower is lotus...
ReplyDeleteSo many great products with this new release. Your cards are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow- very cool! Love the color combo.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! I love the way you showcased that Peony Spray stamp. My favorite flower is the lotus or rose...both are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFabulous. Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteStunning cards and kudos to Altenew for creating the sign language stamp set. Thanks for sharing your techniques.
ReplyDeleteAwesome cards. Love the line work you have done. And I love the watercolor book. Definitely something I want to check out!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite flower is lily of the valley. So delicate and smells amazing!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite flower is lily of the valley. So delicate and smells amazing!
ReplyDeleteFabulous cards! My favourite flowers are the rose and the lily.
ReplyDeleteFun, fun, fun
ReplyDeleteI love your videos. My favourite flower is a watercolored or hand painted one. I love a bit of color but I don't really care what species it is.
ReplyDeleteCute card! Favorite flower: Tulips
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. Amazing how diferrent the two look with simple changes
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards, love the technique!! Thank you so much. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe gel press is one of the items on my wish list...but it’s soooo long that Santa can’t possibly get everything ☹️ I also want Altenews mini die cutter! They are one of my absolute favorites when it comes to stamps! Love that you showed us something so totally different! And I LOVE how you “etch” your flowers! That is one technique I definitely am going to try! I thought they had a stamp I’d not seen! 😊
ReplyDelete