Altenew | Watercolor Cacti Card + New Ink Colors
Hello there and thank you for stopping by to help celebrate Altenew January 2017 Release! As always, there are lots of great products to pick from – new stamp sets, coordinating dies and new ink colors (scroll down to the bottom of this post to see all new colors in action)!
Now that I live in Phoenix and am constantly surrounded by cacti I couldn’t resist using the Be Strong set that features a fun southwestern theme – they say Cacti are all the rage right now and I couldn’t agree more!
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CARD DETAILS
I started working on my project by stamping the front cactus using Simon’s Intense Black ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper (it’s rather expensive paper but oh so very very good – you try it once and you never want to use another watercolor paper again). I used my MISTI stamping tool and triple stamped each image for the blackest black and most solid outline possible. Cold press paper always had some texture to it, so it’s hard to get a good impression when stamping using a clear block.
I masked the front cactus and added another, slightly bigger one behind it. I also stamped Be You & Be Happy sentiment using same black ink and added a number of light strings to the top part of my watercolor panel.
For my coloring, I went with Daniel Smith watercolors (I am using their dot sampler chart – there’s a ton of color in every single dot; it’s meant for trying and testing colors but if you watercolor just a little bit this chart will last you a long time). I freehand colored the sky and horizon line as well as the sandy ground.
I added some natural twine from May Arts and also embellished my card using small and medium clear droplets from Pretty Pink Posh – I adore using them for my cards.
Here’s one last photo of this project where you can catch a bit of texture on the paper.
ADDITIONAL INSPIRATION
I also used a Splash of Color stamp set together with one of the Sketchy Cities and added bold splashes of green to do some quick coloring. I love this set and I can see myself using it often to quickly color any image (and it’s going to completely mess free!). I added a simple sentiment – Sometimes all you need is a little splash of color, tied some natural twine and adhered a strip of gold glitter tape and foam mounted my stamped panel onto a card base made out of light gray cardstock.
NEW ALTENEW INK COLORS
I thought it would be super fun to use the Splash of Color stamps to stamp all 12 new ink colors onto a piece of paper. I’m planning on stamping all Altenew inks like this for an easy visual representation.
If you are a fan of Altenew Crisp Dye inks you’ll be happy to know they now have new colors available. A set of lush, tropical greens – Tropical Forest (this is a great addition to the 3 existing green colors); vibrant orange – Warm & Cozy and cool stylish gray colors – Rock Collection. All of these are available in individual pads and in a large oval as well as small cube sets.
GIVEAWAY (NOW CLOSED)
To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to THREE lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew blog by Thursday, February 2nd at 11:59 PM EST for a chance to win. The winners will be announced on the Altenew blog on Saturday, February 4th.
I also have one $30 gift certificate to giveaway! Leave a comment below by the end of the day, Feb 2nd. I’ll pick a random winner on Feb 4th, post winner’s name in this post and will email the winner.
The winner is Hey Jude Cards (Jude U). Congratulations!
Thank you, everyone, for your lovely comments!
NEW STAMPS
 Altenew Tiny Bubble Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Basic Borders Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Basic Headers Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Be A Lighthouse Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Faithful Feathers Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Let The Wind Carry You Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Painted Jellyfish Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Wishing You Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew A Splash Of Color Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Amazing You Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Be Strong Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Farmers Market Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Garden Hydrangea Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Halftone Circles Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Hibiscus Bouquet Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Life is Beautiful Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Recollections Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Smile More Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
BLOG HOP
The next stop on this hop is my good and crazy talented friend May Sukyong Park!
You can also start over at Altenew blog.
SUPPLIES
Altenew Be Strong Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
Altenew A Splash Of Color Stamps Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Sketchy Cities America Stamps Shop at: SSS | AN |
 Altenew Pale Gray Cardstock Shop at: AN |
 Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink Pad Shop at: SSS |
 Arches Cold Press Watercolor Pad 9×12″ Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Neenah 80 Solar White Paper Pack 250 Sheets Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Mini Misti Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Sequins Mix Shop at: SSS | PPP |
 Sakura Quickie Glue Pen Shop at: SSS | AZ |
 Pretty Pink Posh 4MM Clear Droplets (small) Shop at: SSS |
 Pretty Pink Posh 6MM Clear Droplets (medium) Shop at: SSS |
 Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolor 238-Dot Color Chart Shop at: AZ |
 Altenew Gold & Silver Glitter Tape Shop at: AN |
 Martha Stewart Mini Scoring Board Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
 Medium Water Brush Shop at: SSS |
 May Arts IVORY Twine String Burlap Shop at: SSS |
 Altenew Mini Cube Set Rock Collection Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Mini Cube Set Tropical Forest Shop at: AN | SSS |
 Altenew Mini Cube Set Warm and Cozy Shop at: AN | SSS |
Lindy Lou
January 28, 2017Wow the city scape just comes to life with those vibrant splashes!
Gaylynn
January 28, 2017Hello Yana. Wow, I adore your work with color and ink. Such FUN designs and so creative. Lovely showcase.
Suzanne Spivey
January 28, 2017Loving the new altenew ink colours, so seeing the way you have used them the new ink splash stamps on the city scene scape is amazing. Never would have thought to do anything like that, truly inspirational.
Julie Kingsley
January 28, 2017Always love what you do. Color splash is interestingly cool.
Carrie
January 28, 2017I absolutely love your Splash of Color card! It’s so simple yet so great! Thanks for sharing.
Linda
January 28, 2017Love the splash card! Great concept.
Susan Carpenter
January 28, 2017Yana I love your work ~ very fresh! the city scape is wonderful! I can’t wait to the Splash of Color stamps and play with them.
Marty Harris
January 28, 2017I love how you’v strung the lights all over the top half of the card. And thanks for using the splashes of color in such original ways–I’m always glad for new ideas.
janet
January 28, 2017Gorgeous cards Yana – love your “sky” background behind the cacti, it’s gorgeous> Amazing release, and the new colors are stunning 🙂
Gabi MeWi
January 28, 2017Love the colorful splashes.
Trina P.
January 28, 2017Fun and festive cards.
Barb Macaskill
January 28, 2017LOVING the new inks and stamp sets!!! Altenew never fails to amaze me! Your car is so cute with the lights and cacti!! TFS!
amyscardobsession
January 28, 2017Love those color splashes! On the city sketch – genius!
Angie
January 28, 2017Love all your creations! Thanks for the inspiration!
Susan Powell
January 28, 2017I love that city skyline card – those splashes of color are awesome!
lainey
January 28, 2017Each one of your cards is lovely!
Susan R.
January 28, 2017Ya a – Love the cactus stamped card. Your style is so inspiring. Chibitonic lights would be great on it.
Debbie
January 28, 2017A very unique release. All of your cards are lovely!
Audrey
January 28, 2017Like all your color combos!
Sandy D
January 28, 2017Very nice cards – the new ink colors are really pretty.
Nazneen
January 28, 2017Wow.. Stunning cards. super loved all of them.. Thank you so much for the inspiration and for the opportunity to win
Lady Joyful (Charlotte E)
January 28, 2017Lovely cards. I especially like the watercoloured cacti!
Christy Q
January 28, 2017Love these cards, Yana!! They are all gorgeous and your watercoloring is magnificent! I’m drawn especially to your sketchy cities card – the greens you used are so lovely and I love how the card has a purposefully messy but polished look at the same time with this blotches and the city skyline.
Troy Louise Seegmiller
January 28, 2017As always, these are all amazing. Love how you showed the new colors. Thanks so much!
Jan O
January 28, 2017Great cards! Love the cityscape card layout with splash of colour!
Helen
January 28, 2017Thanks for sharing your designs. They give a great sense of the versatility of these new releases. Great creativity in the diversity of layouts.
Julieb
January 28, 2017I think I like the Splas of Color. Your cards are always beautiful.
Debbie B
January 28, 2017Great cards Yana!~ I especially like the gold tape accent, it really catches your eye. This is such a great release by Altenew! I just love to start my weekend off with a great blog hop like this one! Thanks for sharing your talents and inspiration!
Kim Faucher
January 28, 2017Great card designs. I love how you used color and these amazing Inks and markers!!
Linda Fornshell
January 28, 2017Great cards… love the new products… your cactus is so cute!!!
Maxine
January 28, 2017Love the cityscapes and paint splots
Maureen Reiss
January 28, 2017Really Fabulous cards Yana!!
LauraJane
January 28, 2017I’ve always thought the splotches for new inks would make GREAT stamps!! Super to see them highlighted:))
Karen Russell
January 28, 2017Yana, love the city scapes with the splashes of color, and the cacti with the lights makes me think of sinco de mayo, so cute.
Angie Hall
January 28, 2017Cute cards, Yana. I like the string of light you used.
Maja
January 28, 2017Your splash of colour cards are realy amazing. Love this stamp and new colors that are in this release.
Joyfuljan
January 28, 2017Very nice cards! I love the new colors and the way you showcased them.
Cynthia Cole
January 28, 2017Love your cards!
Tami
January 28, 2017Gorgeous! Love your watercoloring!!
Kerwin Katie
January 28, 2017Such beautiful cards, Yana! I especially love the Splash of Color & Sketchy skyline stamps.
Hey Jude Cards (Jude U)
January 28, 2017Love your cards as always. You are amazing.
craftysmell2015
January 28, 2017Love the new colours and your use of the splats is amazing!
DeeO
January 28, 2017Beautiful, as usual!
Anna C
January 28, 2017Love the splash of color card!
Heather Lynn
January 28, 2017Great idea for a quick, contemporary watercolor. Love the city scape. Thanks for sharing!
Julie McM
January 28, 2017Love your fresh and modern card. Thanks for your inspiration.
Janet
January 28, 2017Your cards are always amazing! I love the simplicity of the city sketch with green ink spots!
Rebecca Ednie
January 28, 2017I love the splashes of green! That cityscape is gorgeous!
Denise Bryant
January 28, 2017Such pretty color combos on all of your beautiful cards!
Sheila H
January 28, 2017Great designs and cool color combos!