Paper Crafting Inspiration and Ideas!

February 2026 Release Blog Hop + Giveaway ($300 in Total Prizes!)
Welcome to the Altenew February 2026 Release Blog Hop! There’s a quiet poetry in ink-stained pages, pressed flowers, and candlelit studies—the beauty of contemplation and creation intertwined. Inspired by the moody elegance of Dark Academia, this collection invites you to...
The Eclipse Technique: Adding Interest to Clean & Simple Cards
Hello there, Michelle here with another edition of Terrific Tags with Michelle. Today I have a fun technique to share - the eclipse technique. This is one of my favorite techniques to add interest to clean and simple cards.  I...
A 15-Minute Clean and Simple Card Using Build-A-Garden: Scripted in Bloom
Hi everyone, Aga here! Today I’m excited to share a very clean and simple card created in under 15 minutes using the Build-A-Garden: Scripted in Bloom. This all-in-one set includes a beautiful floral stamp set, five coordinating stencils that perfectly layer...
The Altenew February 2026 Release is Here!
There’s a quiet poetry in ink-stained pages, pressed flowers, and candlelit studies—the beauty of contemplation and creation intertwined. Altenew’s February 2026 release is inspired by Dark Academia: a world of moody elegance, intellectual romance, and timeless artistry. This month, we...
Color inspiration from Packaging - Let's Find Out!
Hello, hello Altenew and color fans! It's your color loving gal Erica back on the blog and today let's talk color inspiration!  Where do you get most of your color combo inspiration from? Fashion? Art? Nature? Book covers? There are so...
Layered Shine: Mixing Shimmer Relief Paste for a Dramatic Stenciled Card
Hi everyone, it’s Mindy Eggen! Today I’m sharing a card that’s all about dimension, shine, and a little creative play using shimmer relief paste. Instead of sticking to just one color, I mixed a few different shades on a single...
Layered Florals with Soft Texture and Dimension
This blog post shares how to add soft dimension to a layered floral card using die-cuts, ink blending, embossing, splatters, and foam tape for depth and visual interest.
February 2026 Inspiration Challenge
Each month, a member of the Altenew Design Team (or guest designer) selects a photo that they have taken and then uses that as inspiration for a project. We want to share the fun, of course, and so we invite...
Easy Ways To Add Texture To Your Cards - A Touch Of Sparkle With Carissa Wiley
Texture is the "secret sauce" of professional-looking paper crafts. It transforms a flat piece of cardstock into a tactile experience that begs to be touched. Whether you are a seasoned crafter or just starting your journey, adding dimension doesn't have...
Discover the Endless Creativity of Die Cutting with the Morning Grace Layering Die Set
Hello Altenew friends! It’s Reiko here today to share a memory keeping layout and a mini book spread that capture the quiet charm of mornings using Altenew’s beautiful Morning Grace Layering Die Set. Mornings have a quiet charm — that...
Turn Simple Supplies into Heartfelt Valentine’s Day Cards
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to slow down, get creative, and send a little love through a handmade card. While store-bought cards are convenient, nothing compares to the charm of a thoughtfully crafted Valentine, one made with intention, pretty...
Inking It Up with Mindy: Gradient Play on Die Cuts
There’s something so comforting about stitching-inspired designs, and the Craft Your Life Project Kit: Stitched with Love is full of beautiful details that celebrate that cozy, handmade feel. Since I also love cross stitch, I was immediately drawn to the...
Creating a Denim-Inspired Sewing Card With Realistic Texture
Hello friends! Svitlana is here.  Today I'm sharing a card made using the Craft Your Life Project Kit: Stitch With Love, and it’s pretty much the only product I used to bring this design together.  The driving idea behind this...
Mixed Media Floral Card with Stencil Art: Majestic Roses Layering Stencil Set
Hi everyone, Aga here! Today I’m excited to share a card that’s a bit of an experiment, as I finally got to try an idea I’ve had for a long time. For this project, I decided to play with a...
Dimensional Window Card: A Step-by-Step Tutorial | Perfect Pairings with Jaycee
Hi everyone, and welcome back to another Perfect Pairing! Sometimes, the best views are the ones that are beautifully framed. Today, we’re adding dimension with a clever window cut-out card and turning a simple hydrangea bloom into a show-stopping focal...
One small Die Set, So Many Ways To Use It!
Earthenware Die Set - It's Small, But Mighty! Hi Altenew friends and fans!  I hope there are a fair few die cut fans here today, as we are going to have some fun with a super duper cute little plant...
What’s Your Color Personality? Find Your Signature Shade with Altenew Cardstock
Color is more than just a design choice—it’s a feeling, a mood, and often a reflection of you. Have you ever reached for the same shades again and again without even realizing why? That’s no coincidence. Whether you’re drawn to bold,...
Rainbow Floral Card Ideas with an Embossing Folder Hack | Take 2 with Therese
Looking for new ways to use your layered stencils and coordinating supplies? Today I’m sharing two rainbow floral card ideas using the same products, but with two very different design approaches. Each card shows how a simple rainbow color palette...
Altenew Tools and Adhesives
Well hello! Tenia here with a super fun Clean and Simple (CAS) card featuring some of my favorite Altenew tools and adhesives. To bring this design to life, I relied on the revolutionary Stampwheel for precision and the Instant Dimension...
Easy Jewel-Toned Florals with Watercolor Brush Markers
A dramatic jewel-toned floral card featuring loose watercoloring, silver heat embossing, and textured circle accents on a charcoal background.
Try This Idea for a Romantic Monochromatic Project feat. Build-A-Garden: Happy Blooms (+With Video Tutorial!)
Hello crafty friends! It's Nathalie with you to try a new idea for a romantic monochromatic project featuring the new Build-A-Garden: Happy Blossoms subscription from Altenew.  This new set includes a gorgeous, detailed stamp set, a layering coloring stencil that will let...
Combining Stamping with Die Cutting in a Fun New Way! (With Video Tutorial)
Hello there, Michelle here with another edition of Terrific Tags with Michelle. Today I have a fun card to share using the fabulous new Pop-It-Up: Blooming Hydrangea Stamp & Die Set.  I had a lot of fun making this card!...
January 2026 Guest Designer of the Month
Get to Know Our Guest Designer - Lisa Hello everyone! My name is Lisa Tilson, and I am excited to be a guest here on the Altenew blog. A bit of background on me… I live in the beautiful county...