What could be Better? I am throughly enjoying playing with the Betterpress images and was
so excited to see that Altenew have 3 new ones to add to their collection. But first, I wanted to let you know that this post is part of a Hop celebrating a new release from Altenew and you can find all of the hop details in the link list below!
Today I went to town with the new release from Altenew and I actually have 3 cards to share with you. Starting with a little ‘BetterPress’ inspiration. But don’t worry, you could certainly try these ideas with any stamped or heat embossed image that you have.
Idea #1 – Watercolour Background!
Oh yes, it’s time for a new Billowing Flower and this one is divine. So beautiful in fact that I pressed it 4 times on my panel. I used the BetterPress black ink as I knew that would work well with watercolours. And I wanted to create a ‘washy’ background and I love how the Watercolor Tubes blended to create these colours.
And after much deliberation I added a simple sentiment from the Classic Greetings stamp set.
PRO TIP: To add that little extra punch to the flowers I came in with the Jet Black pencil to add some quick and easy shading. Don’t be afraid to go bold, the best thing about pencil is that you can erase it away if you add too much!
Idea #2 – Clean & Simple
You know me, when in doubt make it clean and simple 😉. The Wild Daisies Press Plates is ‘big’ so it was easy to make it the focus of my card. I added a couple of light layers of mixed watercolours and after they dried I came in with the pencils again… I love how easy it was to add shading and extra colour with the pencils.
And did you see the Classical Sentiment set? It has all the options, here I used the Press Plates but there is also coordinating stamp and die sets available (for the non pressplateians).
Idea #3 – 3D Ink Blending
Hands up if you love a coordinating 3D Embossing Folder and Stencil Set, can you see I have both my hands up, check out this Charming Heliconia, we have these in our garden so they remind me of home! I changed up the colours a little and it’s hard to see in the photos but I did add some Gold Gel Pen to the orange blended portion of the flowers.
This time I brought out the big guns. These Timeless Greetings with the shadow die cut layer are making my heart happy. Big, bold and beautiful!
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 Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 11/12/2023 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 Winners Page on 11/14/2023.
*The winners of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.
Let’s Hop
I hope you are inspired to try a little ‘dark’ background yourself! Crafty Hugs,
Other Supplies: SHOP the New RELEASE HERE
Altenew Woodless Coloring Pencils – Orange Cream / Limeade / Moss / Peach Perfect / Coral Bliss / Paper Bag / Jet Black.
 Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS | AUZ |  Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS | AUZ |  Jet Black ALT | AUZ |  Porcelain Cotton Card Panels 118lb SSS | SB |
 Wildflower Waltz Press Plate Bundle ALT |  Billowing Flower Press Plates ALT |  Wild Daisies Press Plate ALT |  Hummingbird Nectare Press Plate ALT |
 Classical Sentiments Press Plates ALT |  Classic Greetings Bundle ALT | Classic Greetings ALT |  Classic Greetings Die ALT |
 Timeless Sentiments Die Set ALT |  Charming Heliconia 3D Embossing Folder ALT |  Charming Heliconia Bundle ALT |  Charming Heliconia Stencils ALT |
 Obsidian ALT | SSS | AUZ |  BetterPress Black SSS | SB |  Detailed Blending Brush ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Palette Perfection Bundle ALT |  Prussian Blue ALT | SSS |  Phthalo Green ALT | SSS |  Permanent Yellow Deep ALT | SSS |
 Toluidine Red ALT | SSS |  Titanium White ALT | SSS |  Watercolor Brushes Round ALT | SSS |  Medium Palette ALT | SSS |
 Large Palette ALT | SSS |  Faber Castell – Water Cup SSS | OTH |  Gel Pen ALT | SSS |  Woodless Coloring Pencils ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Dew Drops SSS |  Tweezers ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Scissors SSS | AUZ |  Media Grip Mat SSS | AUZ |
 Bone Folder Altenew ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Stampwheel ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Score Board ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Sticky Grid Mat Ultra ALT |
 Cutting Mat ALT | SSS |  Paper Trimmer AMZ | SSS |  Bigshot SSS |  BetterPress SB AMZ | SSS | AUZ | OTH | SB |
 Gemini Junior SSS |  Gemini Double Cutting Plates AMZ | SSS | AUZ |  Turntable AMZ |  Best Ever Craft Tape SSS | AUZ | OTH |
 Satin Masking Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Bearly Art Glue SSS | AUZ |  Glue Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |  1/2″ Ultra Sticky Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Foam Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |
Therese, I thought perhaps I could resist the new plates, but that billowing beauty has my attention now! I adore your washy wonderful background!
Three gorgeous makes, my friend! Fingers crossed!
=]
I’m sure by the time I’m done hopping I’ll ‘want them all!’ But Therese has made me want that gorgeous Billowing beauty NOW!
=]
These are GORGEOUS Therese! Love them all!
I haven’t tried the better press yet but looking at your card makes we want to try. I also love the embossing with matching stencils.
I love clean and simple but that watercolor background on the first card is amazing, Therese.
So beautiful! I do love an embossing folder with stencil. Teeny bit obsessed with them at the moment ðŸ˜
All those big blooms are amazing!!! What a beautiful release.
You had me at Billowing flowers in purple. Oh my what amazing watercolorIng!!
Love your watercolor letterpress card. So pretty!
Gorgeous cards! I love the vibrant colors on the heliconia!
I LOVE you Billowing Flowers – and just purchased it along with the Classic Greetings Stamp/die set. I can’t wait to get them and try to watercolor these! Therese you are a constant source of inspiration!! THANK YOU!!!!
I may have lost the response…The Heliconia is incredible. Love your other example as well.
Your watercoloring is amazing! I LOVE the flowers!
Beautiful beautiful water coloring â¤ï¸!
You are such a talented artist and I love the beautiful cards you created!
Oooh Therese — these are all lovely, but that first card really sends me. I love the background.
Love the watercolor on #2. Beautiful!
Absolutely stunning cards
Beautiful cards!
I love these cards! The first card is so stunning. I just love how the colors of the background blend & accentuate the flowers. I also like the simple flower card & the final card is beautiful too.
All cards are beautiful but oh my goodness! the 3d really stands out! Love the beautiful better press too!
This post has an abundance of beauty! Oh my goodness, bravo, Therese!
Absolutely gorgeous, Therese! You’re awesome!
Wow! Therese- these are stunning! And yes, I am a non pressplatian but I will bring out my colored pencils to add to my water coloring …I too have bird- of- paradise nearby and they are so wonderfully flamboyant! I look forward to using the Charming Heliconia set!
Lovely bright cards
Your cards are all amazing! I think my favorite is the gorgeous Watercolor Background — stunning!
I just love the new Charming Heliconia! Reminds me of a lovely visit to Maui!
Absolutely gorgeous cards! Love your watercoloring.
Wow! The watercolor background is beautiful!
Lovely cards.
Love these gorgeous floral designs! Wonderful cards with awesome color combos!
Love the 1st card! Beautiful and unique colors. 3rd is my least favorite.
Gorgeous florals
These flowers are so perfect for watercoloring and you did them up beautifully, Therese! And the Heliconia is beautiful with it’s brilliant colors!
So beautiful and such a talented artist!
I was totally impressed with the first project, then kept scrolling and was just so inspired by all of the beautiful work you have done on each project.
When you use the watercolor tubes, do you find that they are comparable in that they blend and adhere as well as watercolor pots? I hope that makes sense. The watercolor wash you created is amazing!
I have only just started using the watercolour tubes. I like that the pan colours are ‘premade’ colours so I don’t have to mix them, but I would have to say that the tubes do seem to mix ‘better’. Hope this makes sense too lol.
Love your third card – such pretty colors. And the sentiments are wonderful!
Oh wow the first watercolor background is absolutely stunning!
So pretty, Thank you Theresa
Love them all, it’s hard to choose a favourite.
Love the right and bold card! Happiness comes alive.
Love the bright and bold card – happiness.
Very beautiful cards! The second one is my favorite!
Great project shares for the different styles!
Hi Therese, you are using all your skills today. I love the water-colored flowers, they are just stunning. You use colored pencils beautifully and your ink blending on the layer stencil is gorgeous. At first I thought the Charming Heliconia was a layering die it look so perfect. I can’t wait to see what you create next.
These are such gorgeous, artsy cards! Love them all!