Altenew year in review blog hop and giveaway

Welcome to the Altenew A Year in Review Blog Hop. I feel lucky to be a part of this review of amazing inspiration from the Altenew designers and guest designers during this year. If you are following along the hop you have just come from the amazingly talented Alex Syberia and your next stop is my fellow Altenew Educator, Annemarie Caister. If you want to check out the whole hop list or want more information, check out the Altenew Card Blog. Read on to check out my top Altenew projects of 2021!

As every year winds down, I find myself to be more contemplative and then excited to look towards the next year. This past year I’ve been lucky to guest design for Altenew, teach virtual workshops and host livestreams on the Altenew YouTube and Facebook channels.

The projects I chose for my top Altenew projects of 2021 focus on different ways to create backgrounds. From stamping focal images, watercoloring or blending with stencils, I love creating backgrounds and Altenew products make it easy.

Stamped focal images

One of my favorite ways to build a focal point on a card is by stamping. Having either a block stamp, full background stamp or making your own background by repeat stamping. Check out some examples...which one do you like best?

This card uses the All is Bright background stamp. Click on the image for more details.

This card uses a repeating stamped background from All things A stamp and die set.

Watercoloring

I really love coloring using any media. I find using watercolors so easy to get a subtle wash or bold look. Either washing a background and adding die cuts on top or washing over a embossed image.

A quick wash using Altenew watercolor brush markers sets the scene for these lovely flowers. Click on the picture for more details.

A lovely watercolor wash sets off the embossed image of this PAF African Daisy. Click the image for more information.

Stenciling a background

Stenciling is such an easy way to add interest and color to a project. Coloring stencils are a great way to add depth to an image or stencil a background and add a die cut on top. 

This is the Gilded Rose coloring stencil in blues.

Here the stenciled background sets off an image from the Rose Tea stamp set. Click on the image for more details.

Prizes:
Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 5 lucky winners and a $15 gift certificate to 4 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog HERE or share Altenew projects with #AltenewBest2021 on social media by 01/06/2022 for a chance to win. 9 winners will be announced on the Altenew Winners Page on 01/08/2022.

Thanks for hopping along. I'd love to see how Altenew has inspired your creativity this year. Post your projects on social media using the #Altenewbest2021 and me: #sevenscrafts so we can see what you made using your Altenew products. I hope that myself and Altenew continue to inspire you in 2022!