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! 😄
Other Supplies: SHOP THE ALTENEW RELEASE HERE!
Simon Says Stamp: SHOP ALTENEW HERE
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.
Altenew Artist Markers: Y803 | C027.
*Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon, this content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 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 |