Did you know a window frame could become a seat?
That’s exactly what happened on one of today’s cards… and it’s a fun reminder that dies don’t always have to be used the way they were intended!
Would you like to see today’s cards?
Psst… before we start: This post is part of a fun Altenew Release & blog hop (with a giveaway – yay!), so be sure to check out the full hop list below and leave a comment for your chance to win.
Also, this post contains affiliate links. If you choose to click and shop, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a lovely way to support both me and the crafty shops we all love.
Thanks a bunch 🥰!
Altering dies for cardmaking!
One of my favourite ways to stretch my supplies is to look at my dies a little differently. Can I use fewer layers? Turn a shape into something else? Skip the matching leaves and create my own background instead?
Today I have two very different card ideas to share, including one very handy little window-to-seat makeover
Card #1 – Altering Layering Dies to Create Different-Sized Flowers
For my first card, I started with those big, bold gerberas! They are layering dies, but instead of using every piece exactly as intended, I changed things up a little to create flowers in different sizes.
For the two smaller blooms, I only used the top two layers of the flower, but cut them twice to add extra fullness. I also left out some of the centre layers on one flower, which gave the design a little more variety while still keeping everything coordinated.
This is such a simple way to alter layering dies without making things complicated… which is always a bonus in my crafty world!
Instead of using the coordinating leaves, I stamped a leafy background tone-on-tone. This gave the card a soft, subtle texture and helped the bright gerberas stay the main focus.
Card #2 – Turning a Window Frame Die Into a Seat
For my second card, I created a trifold window scene with a clear acetate panel and a bright red window frame. Through the window, you can see a little seat with cushions… but the fun part is that the seat was created by adapting the window frame and ledge dies!
To build the scene, I added a climbing vine with small white flowers and created a soft pink tone-on-tone floral background to look like wallpaper.
For the floor, I masked off the lower section and partially embossed the cardstock with an embossing folder to add texture.
And yes, the middle panel still opens to reveal a space for writing a message!
Giveaway Prizes
$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by July 16th for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew’s Blog Hop Post on July 18th 2026.
*The winners of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.
Ready for More Inspiration? Let’s Hop
Over to you
Now it’s your turn to take another look at your dies and ask, “What else could this be?”
Have you ever tried altering dies for cardmaking to create something completely different? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below!
Happy Papercrafting!
Special thanks to my crafty assistant, Chad (aka ChatGPT), for helping me stay on track with my Gemini brain, grammar, and spelling… well, all the things! 😄
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Altenew Cardstock: Misty Sage | Puffy Heart | Vineyard Berry | Dark Chocolate | Olive | Limeade | Dew Drops | Rouge | Frosty Pink | Aqualicious | Grapevine.
Altenew Fresh Dye Inks: Marble Dust | Citrus Burst | Honey Drizzle | Ultramarine | Iron Gate | Razzleberry | Green Opal | Swamp Green | Oak Moss | Dew Drops | Aqualicious | Teal Cave | Frosty Pink | Coral Berry | Grass Field | Shadow Creek.
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 Gerbera Daisy ALT |  Windows to Stillness ALT |  Eclectic Bouquet ALT |  Houseplants Die ALT | SSS |
 Garden Whispers ALT | SSS |  Frozen Moments ALT | SSS |  Regal Flourishes ALT | SSS |  Altenew Cardstock ALT | SSS |
 Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS | Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS |  Chasing Shadows ALT | SSS |  Lapis Lazuli ALT | SSS |
 Forest Trail ALT | SSS |  Jade Dreams ALT | SSS |  Pocketful of Sunshine ALT | SSS |  Red Cosmos ALT | SSS |
 Cherry Blossom ALT | SSS |  Large Blending Brush ALT | SSS |  Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS |  Artist Markers ALT | SSS |
 Petal Shaper Tool Set ALT | SSS |  Bone Folder ALT |  Perfect Picker ALT | SSS |  Tweezers ALT | SSS |
 Fine Blade Scissors ALT | SSS |  Stampwheel ALT | SSS |  Score Board ALT | SSS |  Sticky Grid Mat Ultra ALT | SSS | SB US |
Paper Trimmer SSS |  Platinum 6 ALT | SSS | OTH | SB US |  Platesaver OTH |  Precision Glue Press AMZ | SSS |
Bearly Art Glue AMZ | SSS |  Glue Tape ALT | SSS |  Foam Tape ALT | SSS |  Satin Masking Tape ALT |
 Foam Squares ALT |  Foam Dots ALT |  Foam Strips ALT |
I love your cards! The dimension is incredible and I just love the fun fold on the window card.
Thank you so much Kathy!
I especially like the flowers. Including 3 different colors is just wonderful.
I really like the gerbera daisy card! The background is nice and neutral making the daisies really pop!
Therese, I love them both – but I’d sure love to see how you created the seat and pillows!
=]
Pretty florals!
Your cards are beautiful! I can’t say I’ve ever used my dies in such unexpected ways, but I love how you did. Such wonderful techniques you’ve shared. Can’t wait to receive my kit and try them. Thank you Therese!
These cards are great. Love the way you may changes to it all to suit your card. Great tips
So glad you like them Kathy!
You are so creative! I love the seat- great idea! Your cards are gorgeous!
Beautiful cards! Love the gerbera. The window scene is so beautiful.
Hi Therese, I have to admit that I don’t use my dies in different ways so your ideas are very helpful. The window card I like and flowers are always lovely.
Thanks
Rene
Thank you so much Rene
I’ve always loved your work. Love the way you made the window card. Clever.
Thank ou Candyce
Beautiful cards. I love the build a flower card and the dimension it has.
Thanks so much Lora x
Both are amazing! I LOVE the flowers and perfect window scene!
I had so much fun making that scene, thank you Meghan!
I am always inspired by your posts. These are beautiful cards.
Thank you so very much Roberta x
Hi, Therese 🙋🏻♀️ Your cards are so dreamy good
You are the sweetest, thank you Mari!
Two pretty cards, Therese! I worked with a lot of fresh gerbera daisies in my floral design days and yours look so realistic!
I wanted them in my wedding bouquet but they weren’t in season… maybe I should have changed the date when I was married lol.
Beautiful cards! That window seat is so cute and I love that you’ve done the detail inside the card also
So glad you liked them Rachel!
What lovely cards which the recipient is going to love.
Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed 😊
Loved both cards.
So glad you liked them Juanita!
I love your Window Scene card. Looking in perspective. Love what you did on the inside.
Thank you Jeanne!
How cool is that?!?! What a fabulous idea. I love that it’s a tri-fold and you can see the whole seat inside. Very clever and beautifully done.
So glad you liked the trifold Tracy!
Oh my these two cards are simply stunning! I love the florals and the use of that background! And the window card with those gorgeous shutters and Beautiful floral vine, wow! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so very much Beverly❤️
Here I thought you used a special die for your seat on the inside of your 2nd card and then you said you repurposed the window dies! Genius! I can see what you did now. I would love to make this card. I really like the tone on tone stamping for the leaves with those gorgeous Gerber flowers. Well done!
Thank you Sandy, I love stretching supplies just a little lol.
These cards are so pretty! Thanks.
Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed 😊
Lovely cards Therese. Love how you altered the dies… especially the window die, turning it into a couch! So clever! Thank you for the inspirations!
Thank you so very much Monika!
Love the gerbera daisies and the wonderful window scene you created! Beautiful colors and details for your lovely cards!
Thank you so very much ❤️
That window scene is so cozy! Love your perspective of looking in, very clever! Those Gerbera Daisies are fantastic–I really loooooooove them! TFS!!!
Thanks Donna 🥰🥰🥰
LOVELY cards! I love the window…but those daisies…calling my name! SO pretty!
They are easy to use too!
Wait, so you didn’t just pick those flower from your garden? That’s Paper! **mindblow**
hahaha thanks so much!! ❤️
Wow! I love how you turned the window card into a window seat! Great fun fold idea! And your gerber daisies are gorgeous! Thank you for the fabulous inspiration!
So glad you liked them Carmen!
Both cards are pretty. The window card is my favorite.
Thank you so very much Nandini❤️
Beautiful cards! I love the window scene with an inner layer.
Thank you Laurie!
Love the colors of the Gerbera and how you altered them, Therese. The scene through the window is fun but I also like the vine on the outside.
Yes, I thought it needed some foliage and flowers lol.
Beautiful cards. Love the window seat card – creating the window and when you open the card, the seat is awaiting you.
So glad you liked it Sue!
Gorgeous cards! I love how you turned the window ledge into a seat! Love that design!
Thank you so very much Stacey❤️
luv these specially your hidden window seat -kathyh
Thank you Kathy!
Both cards are beautiful! Love the window with the flowers.
These windows can be used for so many styles of card making!
Really love those pillows!!!
They are fab aren’t they!
These are so inspired!
Thank you Alison!
Both of your cards are so lovely! The layered flowers so happy and bright and that window card-Marvelous! Love the window seat shown on the inside of the card, so cleaver!
You are so sweet, thank you Sheri!
Both so gorgeous!!
Thank you so much Cindy!
Love your cards. Very clean and simple
Thank you Catherine 🥰
These cards are both charming and delightful! I especially love your window frame card, but they are both fantastic!
So glad you like these Amy, they were such fun to make!
Your cards are just stunning!!! Seriously!! I LOVE them so much!! You inspire me to get busy creating with my sets!!🥰
That is so wonderful to hear, I hope you have some time to create this weekend!
Love how you created the scene card, window and cozy sofa corner! so beautiful! love the gerbera daisy!
Yay! Thank you Lynn!
Such fun & unique cards! flowers always make me happy! Great job!
I love flowers too Shannon! Thanks for stopping by x
Wow! You are so ingenious! Beautiful cards!
So glad you like them Valorie!
That gerbera daisy card is gorgeous!
Isn’t it a fabulous die!