Hello there and thank you for stopping by to help celebrate Altenew January 2017 Release! As always, there are lots of great products to pick from – new stamp sets, coordinating dies and new ink colors (scroll down to the bottom of this post to see all new colors in action)!
Now that I live in Phoenix and am constantly surrounded by cacti I couldn’t resist using the Be Strong set that features a fun southwestern theme – they say Cacti are all the rage right now and I couldn’t agree more!
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CARD DETAILS
I started working on my project by stamping the front cactus using Simon’s Intense Black ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper (it’s rather expensive paper but oh so very very good – you try it once and you never want to use another watercolor paper again). I used my MISTI stamping tool and triple stamped each image for the blackest black and most solid outline possible. Cold press paper always had some texture to it, so it’s hard to get a good impression when stamping using a clear block.
I masked the front cactus and added another, slightly bigger one behind it. I also stamped Be You & Be Happy sentiment using same black ink and added a number of light strings to the top part of my watercolor panel.
For my coloring, I went with Daniel Smith watercolors (I am using their dot sampler chart – there’s a ton of color in every single dot; it’s meant for trying and testing colors but if you watercolor just a little bit this chart will last you a long time). I freehand colored the sky and horizon line as well as the sandy ground.
I added some natural twine from May Arts and also embellished my card using small and medium clear droplets from Pretty Pink Posh – I adore using them for my cards.
Here’s one last photo of this project where you can catch a bit of texture on the paper.
ADDITIONAL INSPIRATION
I also used a Splash of Color stamp set together with one of the Sketchy Cities and added bold splashes of green to do some quick coloring. I love this set and I can see myself using it often to quickly color any image (and it’s going to completely mess free!). I added a simple sentiment – Sometimes all you need is a little splash of color, tied some natural twine and adhered a strip of gold glitter tape and foam mounted my stamped panel onto a card base made out of light gray cardstock.
NEW ALTENEW INK COLORS
I thought it would be super fun to use the Splash of Color stamps to stamp all 12 new ink colors onto a piece of paper. I’m planning on stamping all Altenew inks like this for an easy visual representation.
If you are a fan of Altenew Crisp Dye inks you’ll be happy to know they now have new colors available. A set of lush, tropical greens – Tropical Forest (this is a great addition to the 3 existing green colors); vibrant orange – Warm & Cozy and cool stylish gray colors – Rock Collection. All of these are available in individual pads and in a large oval as well as small cube sets.
GIVEAWAY (NOW CLOSED)
To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to THREE lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew blog by Thursday, February 2nd at 11:59 PM EST for a chance to win. The winners will be announced on the Altenew blog on Saturday, February 4th.
I also have one $30 gift certificate to giveaway! Leave a comment below by the end of the day, Feb 2nd. I’ll pick a random winner on Feb 4th, post winner’s name in this post and will email the winner.
The winner is Hey Jude Cards (Jude U). Congratulations!
Thank you, everyone, for your lovely comments!
NEW STAMPS
 Altenew Tiny Bubble Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Basic Borders Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Basic Headers Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Be A Lighthouse Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Faithful Feathers Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Let The Wind Carry You Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Painted Jellyfish Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Wishing You Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew A Splash Of Color Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Amazing You Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Be Strong Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Farmers Market Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Garden Hydrangea Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Halftone Circles Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Hibiscus Bouquet Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Life is Beautiful Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Recollections Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Smile More Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
BLOG HOP
The next stop on this hop is my good and crazy talented friend May Sukyong Park!
You can also start over at Altenew blog.
SUPPLIES
Altenew Be Strong Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
Altenew A Splash Of Color Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Sketchy Cities America Stamps Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Pale Gray Cardstock Shop at: AN |
 Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink Pad Shop at: SSS |
 Arches Cold Press Watercolor Pad 9×12″ Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Neenah 80 Solar White Paper Pack 250 Sheets Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Mini Misti Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Sequins Mix Shop at: SSS | PPP |
 Sakura Quickie Glue Pen Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Pretty Pink Posh 4MM Clear Droplets (small) Shop at: SSS |
 Pretty Pink Posh 6MM Clear Droplets (medium) Shop at: SSS |
 Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor 238-Dot Color Chart Shop at: AZ |
 Altenew Gold & Silver Glitter Tape Shop at: AN |
 Martha Stewart Mini Scoring Board Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Medium Water Brush Shop at: SSS |
 May Arts IVORY Twine String Burlap Shop at: SSS |
 Altenew Mini Cube Set Rock Collection Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Mini Cube Set Tropical Forest Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Mini Cube Set Warm and Cozy Shop at: AN | SSS |
Beautiful…everything, even the color swatches….beautiful! TFS!
Wow the splats of bold colors are fabulous! Love your cards!
Love your work of art.
I love the string of lights on the cacti card! So cute!
I love those splashes! So many fun things could be done with them. Love your cards today
Love all of your Cards Yana, you inspire me 🙂
Fabulous cards Yana, that splash of colour card is stunning!!
Everyone has a different take with these amazing stamps! Your cards are gorgeous!!
LOVE your card and this new release!!!
Beautiful cards! I love the new ink colors and the splash of color stamp set.
You really lit up the cacti and the city- great ingenuity!
Awesome cards, Yana!
I love what you have created!Thank you for the inspiration! This new release is REALLY good! 🙂
Love your cards – especially the cacti!
Really loving your fun and playful watercolor looks! You have such creative ways of using stamps! I love these! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
As usual, I love your creations!! Who knew splotches could look so awesome and wonderful. Love what you did with them!!
Thanks for the inspiration, and especially for showing off those new ink colors (which I have already ordered)!
I always love your cards and your creativity. Thanks for all the inspiration.
Super cute and sweet cards Yana. Love the coloring on the first one and those cactus images. The ink plashes look great with the sketches city image… so cool. Lovely shades.
Love that splash of color card. Somehow it is just perfect.
Inspiring cards!
Love the splashes of color card! Thanks for a chance to win!
The ink spots are just the right touch, I wasn’t sure about that set but you really brought out the potential for me.
Amazing! Love both cards!
These colors are simply gorgeous!
Great samples from this beautiful release.
Love the cacti. Like a party outside in the summer.
Love your cards!
loving your cards, stamp sets & new colors…YEAH!
Great cards – love those splashes!
Beautiful cards–that splash of color set looks so versatile.
Love your cards, great watercolor
Beautiful water colored cacti! Love your colorful splotches too! FUN!
Love the splash of color on the cityscape. Really makes that image pop!
Awesome cards, Yaana! Love the splats of color & how u painted the cityscape!
Awesome cards!! I really love the ink blot card…so colorful & fun!!
Love your cards, that splash of color stamp set is awesome!
Love all your cards – thanks for the chance to win.
These colors are so yummy, your cards are beautiful!
Lovely cards and I
love those ink splat
stamps! Your cards
with them are so
neat looking.
Carla from Utah
Gorgeous cards, beautiful dye inks
Thanks for sharing your cards. They are always so unique and original
Love you cards, I also love your photography.
awesome cards and colors!
I love the way you used that splats behind the city stamp! Just perfect!
I like the Splash of Color card with the cityscape.
Great job Yana-I love your cards, you are so talented!
Thanks for showing us the new colors on one card!
Great cards! I love your watercolouring on the cactus card!
Wonderful cards from a great release. Thanks for showcasing the new ink colors so beautifully. I really love the orange set.