Altenew | Jnauary 2026 Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Altenew today for a fun, inspirational blog hop celebrating the January 2026 release. I already shared one card using the release, which you can see here, and today, I have a few more to share. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

STITCHED WITH LOVE

For my first card using the new Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit: Stitched with Love, I started off by die cutting the sewing dies in the kit. I die cut them from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Dew Drops, Aqualicious and Teal Cave Cardstock. I also used Altenew Brushed Gold and Silver Metallic Cardstock for the label parts of the thread and also the scissors and needle. 

I took a US A2 sized white card base and stamped the cross stitch pattern from the kit stamp set on top using Altenew Permanent Mist Gray Pigment Ink. I assembled and adhered the die cuts together and then adhered them to the card using either liquid glue or Instant Dimension Foam Tape (for the scissors). 

I stamped the sentiment from the kit stamp set onto white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink. I die cut it out and adhered it to the card. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Ivory Pearl Dots. 

For my second card, I wanted to use the flower dies from Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit: Stitched with Love. I decided to keep mine plain but there is an embossing folder in the kit which adds texture to them. I die cut the flowers from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Dew Drops and Aqualicious Cardstock. 

The leaves were die cut from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock. They were simply adhered to a US A2 sized white card base using liquid glue. I stamped a sentiment from the kit stamp set onto white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink. 

It was die cut out using the coordinating die. I cut the die again from white cardstock and adhered it behind the stamped one for added dimension. It was then adhered to the card using Altenew Instant Dimension Foam Tape. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Ivory Pearl Dots. 

BLOOMING HYDRANGEA

My next card uses the Altenew Pop It Up: Blooming Hydrangea Stamp & Die Set. This is such a cool set as you stamp the leaves and stem (I stamped it onto a panel of white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink which was then adhered to a US A2 sized card base) and it also stamps letters for the corresponding die cuts to go on top. Kind of like the keyhole system Altenew is famous for but with letters instead! It is so clever! 

I die cut the petals from white cardstock and added ink blending on top using Altenew Crystal Violet and Hydrangea Fresh Dye Inks. I shaped them using the Altenew Petal Shaper Tool Set and then adhered them to the card on top of the corresponding stamped letter. I added an Altenew Ivory Pearl Dot to the centre of each flower. 

I stamped a sentiment from the Altenew Pop It Up: Blooming Hydrangea Stamp & Die Set onto Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock using Altenew Embossing Ink. I applied Altenew Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder and heat set. It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card using foam tape. 

MAJESTIC ROSES

My next card uses the beautiful Altenew Stencil Art: Majestic Roses. I placed the stencils onto a panel of white cardstock, one by one, and added ink blending to them. I used Altenew Sweet Dreams Fresh Dye Inks for the petals, and Altenew Green Valley Fresh Dye Inks for the leaves and stem. 

The panel was adhered to a US A2 sized white card base using Altenew Glue Tape. I stamped the sentiment from Altenew Pocket Sentiments Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink. It was die cut out and adhered to the card using thin foam tape. To finish, I embellished with new Altenew Stellar Sequins: Mystic Black. 

HAPPY BLOSSOMS

My last card for today uses Altenew Build-A-Garden: Happy Blossoms. I stamped the floral image from the stamp set onto white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink. I then used the stencils in the kit to add colour to the image with ink blending. I used Altenew Alpine Aster, Hydrangea and Ultraviolet Fresh Dye Inks for the petals, and Altenew Aqualicious, Firefly and Grass Field for the leaves. 

The image was die cut out and adhered to a white US A2 sized card base with Altenew Instant Dimension Foam Tape. I stamped a sentiment from the set onto white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink and die cut it out using the coordinating die. It was then adhered to the card. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Ivory Pearl Dots. 

CRAFTY NECESSITIES CARDSTOCK

Before I go, I just wanted to mention there were new shades of Altenew Crafty Necessities Cardstock released this month too. I love that there are some more muted tones in this release! 

BLOG HOP:

As mentioned, this post is part of a fun, inspirational blog hop. Please click on the other participants in the hop below to visit their blogs. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

GIVEAWAY:

$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 January 15th 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 January 17th, 2026. The winner of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day. Take care! 

Pinkfresh Studio | Hope Your Day is Lovely

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Pinkfresh Studio today to celebrate the Artful Foundations January 2026 release with a fun Instagram Hop. If you haven't seen the card I made yesterday using the release, you can see that here. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by placing the Pinkfresh Studio Petal Pop Stencils, one by one, onto a panel of white cardstock. I held them in place with low tack tape and then added ink blending with inks and blending brushes. I used Pinkfresh Studio Waterfall, Turquoise, Paradise and Atlantis Inks for the flowers. 

For the background, I used Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Hybrid Ink. The panel was then die cut out using the Pinkfresh Studio Essentials: Nested Hexagons Double Stitch Dies. To make the card base, I placed the die on top of a side fold white card base but made sure that the edge of the die was overlapping the fold, so that it did not cut it and kept the fold intact. 

It was run through my die cutting machine and then the stencilled panel was adhered on top. I usually make shaped using the hinge method but for this card, thought this method may be easier. I stamped a sentiment from Pinkfresh Studio Heartfelt Chapters Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Hybrid Ink. 

It was die cut out using the Pinkfresh Studio Heartfelt Chapters Die Set and adhered to the card using thin foam tape. To finish, I embellished with Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Dew Drops. 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

In terms of the hop, all the fun is happening over on Instagram. You can see my page here and Pinkfresh Studio's here. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I will be back later with another post, but in the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Pinkfresh Studio | Artful Foundations January 2026 Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Pinkfresh Studio today to celebrate the Artful Foundations January 2026 release with a fun blog hop. I have one card to share today and will be sharing another tomorrow for the Instagram Hop. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

For my card today, I am using the new Pinkfresh Studio Wild Meadow Wreath Stencil & Die. I started off by placing the Pinkfresh Studio Wild Meadow Wreath Stencils, one by one, onto a panel of white cardstock to add ink blending. I used Pinkfresh Studio Fresh Pear, Grassy Knoll and Key Lime Inks for the leaves and stems, and Pinkfresh Studio Sheer Freesia, Wisteria and Hydrangea for the flowers. 

I then die cut them out using the Pinkfresh Studio Wild Meadow Wreath Die. I took a circle die and placed it onto a US A2 sized card base. I drew a faint pencil line around it as a guide where to place the flowers, leaves and stems to create a wreath. I adhered them using a combination of Pinkfresh Studio Precision Clear Craft Glue and thin foam tape. I then erased any pencil marks still showing. 

I stamped a sentiment from the Pinkfresh Studio Heartfelt Chapters Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Pinkfresh Studio Detail Black Premium Hybrid Ink. It was die cut out using the Pinkfresh Studio Heartfelt Chapters Die and then I die cut the die another four times from white cardstock. 

I adhered them behind the stamped one, one on top of another, for dimension before adhering to the card. To finish, I embellished with Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Dew Drops. 

BLOG HOP:

As mentioned, this post is part of a fun, inspirational blog hop. Please click on the participants links below to visit their blogs. If the widget is not working, please click "Visit Link Party" to get to the links. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

GIVEAWAY:

Pinkfresh Studio will give away ten $50 gift cards along the hop, selected from the comments left along the hop at random. They will also give away the full release over on the Pinkfresh Studio blog and YouTube Channel. Winners will be announced on the Pinkfresh Studio Giveaway Page on 15th January 2026. Please make sure to check if you are a winner and claim your prize within two weeks. 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

I hope you will check out the release, it is a really beautiful one! Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you have a great rest of the day! Take care!

Simon Says Stamp | Thanks For Being You

Hello there, today I have a card to share using new products from the Simon Says Stamp Heart to Heart January 2026 release that they kindly sent me to use. The products that they sent me definitely have a love/Valentine's Day feel to them, but for this card, I went with a more generic sentiment. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by stamping the bouquet image from the Simon Says Stamp Loving You Bouquet Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I then coloured it using Copic Markers (the colours that I used will be listed below the supplies list for reference) and fussy cut it out using scissors. 

I took a panel of white cardstock and took the book page like stamp from the Simon Says Stamp Heart Suite Stamp Set and stamped it on top, multiple times, using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink. The panel was then adhered to a white US A2 sized card base. The image was adhered on top using thin foam tape, cutting the excess off the sides with scissors. 

I stamped a sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Heart Suite Stamp Set onto black cardstock using Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. It was cut into a strip using the Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Labels Dies and adhered to the card with more foam tape. To finish, I embellished with Concord & 9th Dew Drops. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

COPIC MARKERS: Light red flowers: R89, R39, R35, R32. Dark red flower: Base of YR82, YR00 followed by R39, R35, R32. Berries: R20, R00, R000. Leaves: G29 & G24/G29, YG17, YG23, YG01. 

Whilst adding the stamping behind the image isn't my usual clean and simple style, I do like how it looks! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I will be back later with a blog hop but in the meantime, I hope you have a great day! 

VIDEO | Easy Emboss Resist with Altenew

Hello there, today I have a tag and video to share using one of my favourite techniques - emboss resist. I think it is a technique that often gets forgotten about but it is one of my favourites as it is easy to do, requires minimal supplies, and gives wow results! 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my tag by stamping the floral image from Altenew Build-A-Garden: Hellebore Haven onto white cardstock using Altenew Embossing Ink. I applied Altenew Antique Gold Crisp Embossing Powder and heat set. The panel was then die cut into a tag using the Altenew Terrific Tags Dies. 

I added ink blending to the tag using Altenew Bubblegum Dreams Fresh Dye Inks and an Altenew Small Blending Brush. I started off by adding a layer of Baby Pink over the entire tag, followed by Fuchsia and Magenta, focussing these inks around the edges of the tag. I then went in with Altenew Jet Black Fresh Dye Ink and an Altenew Mini Blending Brush to darken the edges even more. 

As the inks go on, they do resist the embossing powder but some do lay on top of it, so I wiped over the tag with a dry cloth to bring back the shine of the embossing powder. I wanted to add even more shine, so I grabbed the Altenew Iridescent Ink Shimmer Spray and splattered it on top of the tag before setting it aside to dry. 

Once dry, I adhered another tag cut from white cardstock to the back and then die cut the hole reinforcers from Altenew Labels & Tags 1 from white cardstock and adhered them on top. I also die cut the 'thanks' sentiment from the Altenew Simple Greetings Die Set from white cardstock (with Double-sided Adhesive Sheet on the back) three times and adhered them one on top of each other, before adhering to the tag. 

I stamped and heat embossed a sentiment from Altenew Build-A-Garden: Hellebore Haven onto white cardstock, cut it into a strip and adhered it below the 'thanks'. To finish, I added twine through the top of the tag and tied in a bow. 

VIDEO:

Here is the video showing how I made the tag:

If you are viewing this blog post via email subscription, you can watch the video HERE on YouTube. 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

Although simple in design, I really love how the tag turned out! I made a tag but of course this technique works well for cards too. I just like the small size of tags sometimes! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Altenew | Majestic Roses

Hello there, today I have a card to share using some products from the new Altenew January 2026 release. The new release is packed full of stamps, dies, embossing folders, stencils, ink pads, embellishments and more! I am using the new Stencil Art set for my card today, along with new inks and sequins. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by placing the Altenew Stencil Art: Majestic Roses stencils on top of a panel of white cardstock, one by one, to add ink blending on top. I used Altenew Chasing Shadows Fresh Dye Inks for the rose petals, and Altenew Costal Mist Fresh Dye Inks for the leaves and stem. There isn't a huge amount of contrast between them both but I really like the muted tones! 

I adhered the panel onto a white US A2 sized card base with Altenew Glue Tape. I stamped a sentiment from the new Altenew Build-A-Garden: Happy Blossoms stamp set onto Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock using Altenew Embossing Ink. I applied Altenew Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder and heat set. 

It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card using Altenew Instant Dimension Foam Tape. To finish, I embellished with new Altenew Stellar Sequins: Crystal Moonlight. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

I will have more cards to share during the blog hop on Friday, but for now, thank you so much for visiting me today, I really do appreciate it. It's rather cold here in London today, so I hope that you are keeping warm wherever you are and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day too! 

Hero Arts | My Monthly Super Hero Kit January 2026

Hello there and happy New Year to you! Today I have a card to share using the Hero Arts January 2026 My Monthly Super Hero Kit. Did you hear the news? My Monthly Hero Kits are back! They are replacing Hero Studio moving forward. There are two kits - the My Monthly Hero and the My Monthly Super Hero. The Super Hero kit contains everything in the MMH plus extras. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by die cutting the postage frame in the Hero Arts January 2026 My Monthly Hero Super Kit twice from white cardstock. I added a score line towards the top of one to create a hinge and added adhesive to it. I then adhered it to the other frame, to create a postage frame card base. 

I took the dog from the set and die cut him from Spellbinders Truffle ColorWheel Cardstock for the bottom layer, and for the top, I used Spellbinders Fawn ColorWheel Cardstock. The eye and nose were cut from Spellbinders Raven ColorWheel Cardstock. I then cut the bag and hat from Spellbinders Lavender and Lilac ColorWheel Cardstock. The envelope was cut from Spellbinders Fairy Tale ColorWheel Cardstock for the envelope itself, and the heart from Lilac. 

The pieces were adhered together using Bearly Art Glue and then the bag, hat and envelope adhered to the dog. I stamped a sentiment onto the card base from the Hero Arts Message Strips Stamp & Cut XL Set using black ink. The dog was then adhered above using thin foam tape. To finish, I added Crystal Glaze to the heart on the envelope. 

Here is a look at the Hero Arts January 2026 My Monthly Super Hero Kit:

MY MONTHLY HERO SUBSCRIPTIONS:

As mentioned, there are two My Monthly Hero Kits now available as part of a subscription. You can subscribe to either the My Monthly Hero Kit or the My Monthly Super Hero Kit. You can subscribe between the 1st and the 27th of the month to make sure you receive that month's kit. After the initial subscription, you will be charged on the 3rd of each month for that month's kit. You can switch subscription or cancel at any time. Once the kits sell out they are gone! If the kits do not sell out during the month, they will be available to purchase without subscription the following month, but at a higher price. As a bonus, MMH subscribers receive 10% off purchases at the Hero Arts store, MSH subscribers receive 15% off purchases at the Hero Arts store. 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

How cute is that postal service dog? Love him! You could not add the bag and hat and he can be just a normal dog too! Thank you so much for stopping by today. I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day and year ahead! 

Spellbinders | Secret Ingredient

Hello there, I hope you are well. Today I have a card to share using the House Mouse Secret Ingredient Stamp from Spellbinders. I don't do a huge amount of stamping and colouring these days, so it was nice to do a bit on this card. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off by stamping the image and one of the sentiments from the Spellbinders House Mouse Secret Ingredient Cling Rubber Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I then coloured the image using Copic Markers (the colours that I used will be listed below the supplies section for reference). The panel was then simply adhered to a US A2 sized card base (4.25" x 5.5") made from Spellbinders Lilac ColorWheel Cardstock using foam tape. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

COPIC MARKERS: Mice - E59, E57, E55, E53, E51, E50. Bowl - V17, V15, V12. Vanilla - E27, E25, E23, E42, E43/YR27, YR24. Spoons - E37, E34. Recipe - E42, E40. Ground/shadow - C4, C2, C1, C00. 

This is my last card of the year. I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone! It really does just seem like it was summer a few weeks ago! I wanted to say a huge thank you for visiting me here on my little place on the internet, whether you have been here for years or just found me recently, I really do appreciate it. I want to wish you a wonderful 2026 filled with lots of love, happiness and crafty adventures! Have a safe NYE! 

Spellbinders | Stitched Classic Pooh

Hello there, if you have been a follower of my blog for a while, you will know that I have been doing some felt stitching projects from time to time. Today I have my last one of the year to share and he is a cutie! As soon as I saw the Spellbinders Stitched Classic Pooh Collection I knew I wanted to make a plushie for my very dear friend Sarah. It took a little longer than I hoped to get him to her, but I got there in the end! 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

As with all Spellbinders felt plushie stitching dies, they are made to be cut from felt, but you can cut them from cardstock too. These ones especially would work well for that purpose as they do not have stitching holes made into them. This is so that you can use any stitch you want to make these. There is a tutorial on the Spellbinders YouTube channel, showing how to stitch them with the blanket stitch but I only learnt that the other week when making Fergus, so opted for running stitch instead! 

I used Spellbinders Merino Wool Felt Sheets - Classic Pooh Collection to cut the Spellbinders Stitched Classic Pooh Etched Dies. I used Beeswax for Pooh's body, arms and legs, and Coal for his eyes, inside ear and nose. I stitched him together using DMC 726 Floss. I did add quilt batting and polyester filling to his body but just used the batting for the arms and legs. 

The honey pot was cut from Cornflower felt for the main honey pot, Cream for behind the label, and Honey for the honey. The label itself was cut from Demin felt from the Spellbinders Merino Wool Felt Sheets - Cool Collection. I used DMC 813 Floss. The label was adhered to the pot using hot glue but you can stitch it as well. The bee was cut from Coal, Sunflower and Cream felt , adding a Spellbinders Crystal Mix Color Essential Gem to the the centre of the wings. The bee was adhered to the pot and then Pooh's arms adhered to the honey pot. I did stitch in thread at the top of Pooh's head, so that it can be hung up too. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

Since there are no stitching holes in this one, I did find it a little difficult to keep my stitching consistent in term of size and in a straight line, however, I am hoping that Sarah will just see the love that went into it, rather than my not so perfect stitching! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day!