Faithful Cards by Ruth

When I started on this card, I had a vague idea ruminating in my head, but I wasn't sure how to accomplish what I was thinking. It came to me during an Altenew AECP class entitled, Celebration Stencil Techniques, where I watched the instructor, Laurel Beard demonstrate several cool methods for using stencils in creative ways. I wanted to do likewise, so I decided to use the Altenew Magnolia Ballerina three-layer stencil without stamping the image first. I know, its not revolutionary or anything, lol, but I had seen a few cards that looked like they were colored that way because the look of the coloring was diffuse and I thought that would work well with ink blending. That was the plan...and it turned out exactly how I envisioned it. I was pleased with the results of using the stencil set in a non-traditional way. I blended Distress Oxide inks in Squeezed Lemonade, Carved Pumpkin and Candied Apple randomly on each of the three layers. Without the guidance of the stamp outline, I fel...

In my Altenew class, Easy Die Cutting Techniques, I picked up several interesting ways to work with die cuts that go beyond the typical approaches. One that really piqued my attention was the lesson on inlaid die cutting. I have been wanting to try designing a card with inlaid die cutting, but had not actually tried it. The instructor demonstrated several ways to use inlaid, but I thought I would start with the traditional way of doing it. So, I tried it in a very low-key way using Altenew's Fine Bouquet Die, which has a relatively small number of inlaid pieces.  NOTE:  In an effort to reduce lengthy instructions, I'm going to switch to a numbering format, and hopefully its easier on the eyes. Die cut the rose twice from white 80 lb. cardstock, and glue the two pieces together. Die cut the rose once using a coordinating piece of cardstock, I used cardstock that had a nice color gradient that reminded me of ink-blending. Glue that die cut to the rose die cut...