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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 cards Yana!
I never see cactus in the frozen US North, so your card made me feel warm. The new ink colors are beautiful, too.
I love your cards – especially the cityscape! 🙂
Wow! Stunning cards!! Love the new ink colors!!
As always, beautiful cards.
I am really loving your cards! Especially your take on the city skyline. It’s great Yana!
WOW! what can I say about this wonderful release. It is awesome and I love your Splash of Color.
I, too, really LOVE what you did on your city skyline card – fabulous! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us!
I love all of it and am having a very hard time deciding what I have to have (vs. what I just want).
Love your cards with this beautiful new release ! What a gorgeous showcase! My favorite is the splash of colour city card ! Fabulous ! Thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous cards and colouring!!
Beautiful cards, as always! Thanks for showing the new colors.
Fantastic cards, love the skyline card.
All your cards are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful cards – they really showcase the new release! I love the whimsical nature of your first card and the clean, modern look of the second. Thanks also for posting the unique colour “swatch” photo – so helpful to see the colours stamped out together!
lovely job as usual!
Love your cards with the new colors. Beautiful
Beautiful cards Yana, as always. Thank you for sharing! I love cacti and succulents, this one looks like a really fun set.
Such a gorgeous release and such stunning series of cards you have created. Aww.. loved them all..Thank you for inspiring and for the opportunity to win
Beautiful inspiration,.
Beautiful! And the inks are so pretty!
Stunning cards…
Beautiful watercoloring! I am so excited for these new ink colors – Altenew inks are some of my very favorites!!!
Stunning cards, love the skyline card.
The cactus set is pretty cute nice card
A fun and whimsical card!
Love your cards and these are no exception! Always so inspiring.
Such fun! Love your cards!
this company is new to my but I certainly love your results!
When you are part of a blog hop, Yana, I know in advance that the cards will be lovely -thanks for all you share!
You sure used a lot of green. A lot of people used the cactus stamp. I’ve been to AZ so I’ve actually seen some big ones. Great use of all the stamps and all those colors.
Love all the new Altenew inks. Great cards,
I love sketchy cities and that green is amazing. Great cards, great colors, great designs.
Beautiful, just beautiful.
Love the use of such various techniques.
I’m always excited when I get to your name on a blog hop list, and I always enjoy your creativity. Your cards are great! Thanks so much, Yana, for sharing with us and for participating in this great hop and giveaway.
Nice cactus card
I get much inspiration from your cards. I enjoy viewing your creative process. Thank you.
Great cacti with hanging lights. Love, love the splatter card. To me it resembles fun. Splash the paint and see where it goes…no worries, just fun =)
Such beautiful, happy cards! Love your work!!
Fabulous cards-love the ink blots and the colors on the last card. Thanks for showcasing the new ink pads, they are going to be hard to resist!
Love how you used the splash of color stamp set to create a background to your skyline card, beautiful cards!
Am not a fan of green, but I love those new ink colours. Also love the way you used the splash set on your citiscape card. Thanks for showing all of the new ink colours in such a fun way!
Love the Splash of Color set the way you used it. I am in love with the new colors, especially the greens.
I loved your watercoloring on the first card!
Your creativity is endless! Love your cards!
I love these!
Is that new ink packaging?
Beautiful cards as always 🙂 Love the new ink colors and the stamps – *swoon*
Love the splash of color card you’ve made, cities need more green 😉
Thank you! xx
Love these new stamps and your fun cards, Yana! Always a ton of inspiration here! 🙂
The sky line card is my fave