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 |
Love the colors of your cards. The splices on the cityscape card are very cool!
Menat “splashes”
Great cards. i really like the ink splotches. The colors are fantastic. I have several sets of the inks and I love them all!
beautiful cards. love the new colors as well as the stamp releases
Cute cactus card and I love the ink splats on the skyline card!
Loving this release and hop. The cactus is one of my favorites, but, now you have me wanting the Sketchy Cities too. So much to think about! Thanks for sharing.
I love the colors and the splotches on the skyline card! I guess I need to buy some of the new ink colors! The gold tape compliments the card well. Thank you for sharing!
Love the water colored scene!
These are wonderful Yana. Love how you coloured the skyline with the Splash of color set.
Wonderful cards! I especially love the second one–so creative!
Fabulous and most beautiful card!
Loved your city scape! Than you.
Your card with the cacti is so happy! I love seeing the ink colors using the splashes stamps. It really showcases the beautiful colors.
I just love that Be Strong stamp set. It is so fun. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome cards Yana! The cactus card is fun and happy. Love the splatter skyline! Fabulous idea to use the splash of color stamps for color samples.
Delightful the new ink colours are awesome
I love your cityscape card!! Altenew has yet another great release for us! Thanks for inspiring us with your artwork Yana!
Ink splotches = ❤️
The intense black ink really is just that! So nice because it can be hard to find a great black ink. Plus, I love the cacti!!
I do love that splash of color set!
love your colours
Those cacti are adorable. I really like that splash of ink set – the way you layered the new colours looks awesome.
I love your watercoloring on the cacti. And that splash of color set is just amazing. Beautiful cards!
Love your colors. The cactus card reminds me of a Mexican fiesta. Wonderful
Such cute cards
Thanks for showing the new ink colors like that.. great way to see how they layer! I love your fab use of the splashes against the cityscape!!
I found you “splotch” layout most interesting. The colors play off of each other so well.
Gorgeous splashes of colour. Love all 3 of your cards.
Gorgeous cards, thanks for sharing!
That second card is just so fun! Love how you used the splatters in the background, this would make such a great set and you could vary the color families too.
In am loving the new colors. The greens especially appeal to me. Your cards are always wonderful; you are immensely talented.
Loved your cards! Love the splash of color on the cityscape card. Fun way to use the color stamp and sentiment. Also a great way to make a color chart for the inks with that stamp set. Definitely food for thought! Thanks.
Wonderful cards, love how you added the splash of color with the city scape. Great release too.
Your cards are wonderful!!!! Love them and this new release!!
I have recently started following more of your work. And everything I have seen is gorgeous! I am always inspired to try the techniques you use. This is a beautiful card! I can’t wait to get my hands on some of these amazing products!
The cactus card with the garlands of lights is adorable! I like how you used the paint splashes to color the city. I guess I will have to budget to buy some Altenew stamps! Thanks for sharing.
I think I like that splash of color stamp set!
Beautiful cards, love your watercoloring and the sketchy cities with splats. Great splats to show the new sets of inks too, thank you!
Another fabulous design Yana!
Love, love, love!
Awesome cards!! I love love love the paint splatter card. Very cool!!
Love your cards! I especially like the one you did with the Be Strong set. I really like how the lights are “strung.”
WOW WOW… how awesome are your cards!!!!! I definately love sketchy cities with that green… thank you thank you thank you
Cute cards! I love the watercolors on the first card and those beautiful green splashes look great on the skyline!
Amazing cards Yana, I love how you used the splash of colour stamps with the sketchy cities stamps on your second card, you really created such a cool design!
Both of your cards are so fun! I love the cacti on your first card. The splashes of color showing off the new green inkpads and the new stamp set on the 2nd card is great!
I am just loving the new ink sets being released. Thank you for the inspiration too!
FABULOUS cards Yana!
LOVE your colours, designs and STYLE! No, I don’t live in the desert, but I’ve always had a soft spot for cacti, can’t imagine living with the grand ones of Arizona, hope to one day, for the meantime the potted pricklies at our house keep me happy, especially when they flower like one is at the moment, a bright splash of colour 🙂
THANK YOU for sharing and INSPIRING!
I love how you used the inks – it really shows how beautiful and vibrant the colors will be on your finished products!
beautiful cards! I love the one with the splash of color!