Hello Friends! How are you today? Did you have a good weekend? Today is Altenew’s Build a Flower Blog Hop and I am super excited to be included because I love Altenew and I love flowers! To start at the beginning of the hop go to the Altenew Blog here. If you are coming from Lilith Eeckels blog you are in the right place.
When I saw the stamp Build A Flower Peony Blossom I have to say it was love at first sight!! The Brush Stoke Alphabet dies were a love thing too. Today I also have a bonus card, a video and Altnew has some pretty sweet giveaways. Yay!
Years ago I stamped a background with the detailed part of the layering stamp for a background pattern … this time I decided to watercolor after stamping the detailed part of the stamp on my card panel to give the background a little bit more color variation rather than just stamping.
This was the first time that I tried this 140 lb paper (thanks to Lydia for the recommendation) and this ink. I was super happy to try the Altenew black ink for watercolor and I love how it stayed black and was easy to work with.
Under the die cut letters is some very simple watercoloring to accent the flowers. Speaking of letters … the The Brush Stoke Alphabet dies are great. I love how they are narrow so you can fit more on your card panel but, tall enough for impact. I am itching to thread some twine in that highlight line that is cut out of each letter.
This is my bonus card for today. At the end of my video I show you how I painted the background. Super easy! This Peony Spray is so elegant & I love the graceful petals and it was very enjoyable to watercolor.
I love lengthening the stem and wrapping twine around flowers … makes me happy.
GIVEAWAY! Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to six lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by Friday, March 2nd for a chance to win. Six winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 3/4/2018.
Altenew Giveaway 2 …. ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN! Yes please!
Place an order from the Build-A-Flower Collection from 2/26/2018 until 3/2/2018, and you will automatically be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a big prize! One lucky winner will be chosen to win a prize pack valued at over $120 including one Original MISTI stamping tool, Artist Markers Set C, and Soft Pastel 6 Mini Cube Set. No minimum purchase needed! A winner will be announced on March 4th on the Altenew Blogs.
Thank you for your visit today I always love it when you stop by. Next on the hop is a friend and oh so talented Jessica Frost-Ballas blog. The full blog hop list will be at the bottom of my post if you encounter a broken link.
Card Supplies and links. Affiliate links are used if possible & goes toward my road trips. Thank you!
Kathy Racoosin *You are here*
Jessica Frost-Ballas *next on the hop*
Day 1. Shading w/ Distress Ink
DAY 19. Bold Backgrounds
Donna Downey
Love the way you cut the card and made it pop. Great Idea.
Beautiful effects, Kathy!
So pretty, Kathy! I love how striking the Peony Blossom on your card is…
These cards are lovely, Kathy! 🙂 I love the dimension, and the peekaboo sentiments! ♥♥
Beautiful cards! I love how you did the striped background on the peony and used the stamps to make an interesting background on the first card. Love to watch you watercolor.
I love all of your ideas!
Beautifully colored flowers.
Your cards are just so lovely, Kathy! Love watching you color the flowers and all of the extra details just add so much to the flowers. thanks for the inspiration.
I love both these gorgeous creations! Thanks for the ink & paper recommendations. Always nice to know what works! As always, Kathy, your coloring is superb!
I like the striped background with the flower that is popped up from the background space.
Love the build a flower stamp/die sets
Wow! The peony blossom card is so striking and the backgrounds on both cards are lovely. Thanks!
Love your cards!
Great idea and beautiful coloring!!
I LOVE your cards, Especially the the flowers on the first card!
Beautful cards. The video is very helpful. Especially the painting of the background.
Your flowers are stunning. I love the bold vibrant colors. Thank you for inspiring me today
Great cards Kathy. I love to watch you color.
I love your backgrounds, the first one is genius! Actually they both are, but I especially like that you used just one layer as a repeat element to fill in the white space and add a little interest while allowing the ‘finished’ flowers to star. The other one is so interesting and really pops the focus to the floral image.
Such pretty cards! They really look 3-D, lucky you hanging out with Lydia!
Your cards and blog make me happy. Love these build-a-flower stamp sets and all the inspiration from everyone.
So pretty. Awesome dimensions.
So pretty !! Love the idea & so inspirational ❤
Such pretty cards. The striped background is beautiful and a perfect accent to the peony.
My, oh my! Your cards are stunning. They have so much dimension! Your coloring skills are phenomenal. Thank you for sharing your talent & inspiring us.
I love the cards you made with the BAF set and then I saw your bonus card and had to pick my jaw up off the floor!! STUNNING, Kathy, just stunning!!!
I love water color on cards and yours are beautiful! The dimension is wonderful.
Love the way your flowers “pop”…..beautiful!
Beautiful cards.
Gorgeous inventive sets
Just love the 3D effect you created on those flowers and with that background, just stunning!
Gorgeous cards. I love the backgrounds you created.
Beautiful cards! Love your coloring!
WOW! Those flowers look 3D! Gorgeous. And I love the idea of the die cut letters. I’m definitely going to be playing around with some of those techniques!
All your creations show how much you love to color. Exquisite!
Your cards are stunning. I love all the added details. TFS
Wow, the details on your cards are stunning. Just beautiful. Blessings!
You really made the flowers come alive with the extra water coloring. Thanks.
Great backgrounds and ideas for the build a flower stamps.
Gorgeous cards! I love the Peony Spray stamp and the Build-A-Flower: Peony Blossom set! Love the background you created for your first card!
WOW! That’s all I can say Kathy, just WOW! Those flowers are just gorgeous! You gave them such a realistic look, they are so pretty! I always love watching you color, it shows that you have such a passion for it! Thank you for sharing your talent with us and inspiring me to give it a try!
your cards looks stunning!! I love them!
Kathy u did a fantaboulously fantastic (yes thats my word) job!
I have those dies so i will try something similar to this. And i have the BAR set. Thx for ur gorgeous cards.
Gorgeous, as always! Love the vibrant colors.
The peony is my favourite, too! Love how you made your cards, and the letters sorta hidden behind the flowers is such a neat idea!
Your flowers look real!!! Simply stunning and thank you so much for such a
detailed video I absolutely loved it!!
I love the peony spray card with that pretty background. I can hardly wait for spring for the peonies in my garden to bloom! Thanks for sharing your talent with us.
love how you created the backgrounds! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Your cards are stunning !! quite a lot of work !
Gorgeous coloring and cards Kathy! I love the Altenew floral stamps, they are awesome! I will have to try that water color paper, looks like you got great results!
I liked how you did the background for the Peony stamp and also when you doubled up the petals. I will definitely try that idea. Thank you.
fantastic cards, Kathy – love how you did the backgrounds – so effective!
Oh my you have such a talent for coloring these florals
These are my favorite on the Hop! Love the idea of using part of the flower stamp as the background. Really pulls the theme and the look together in a very sophisticated way. And I agree – the peony is just too gorgeous.
Absolutely stunning!! The flowers look amazing!! I love the colors!!
No surprise…these are STUNNING!!! I’m always awed when I come here. Thank you for your never ending inspiration. LOVE these ♥
Love that water coloring. Beautiful cards.
Beautiful stamping and
coloring. I love the flowers
popped up.
Carla from Utah
So colorful! I love it! I’m very excited about these stamps!
Just gorgeous cards. Your coloring is amazing. Thanks for sharing…
Absolutely gorgeous, Kathy!! Love all the detail you added on the flowers.
I can totally see the peony blossoms being your favorite, since they play into your favorite line techniques! It’s a match made in heaven! I love seeing you work; it encourages me to play and continue going even if it looks weird, because it’ll look okay at the end. Thanks for sharing and participating in this bloghop!
those first three cards put me right into the tropics. They look like beautiful hibiscus. Well done And the peony spray is super too.
Those flowers look sooooo freaking REAL!!! Thank you so much for doing a video to show us how to re-create that look. I now HAVE to get that stamp set so that I can try this technique. I’m so happy that you used the Altenew watercolors. I’ve been wanting a set. I am now going to place my order on Friday for that and this stamp set!
While, the 3d images aren’t my thing, you sure make them look amazing! They pop right off the page! Beautiful
Lovely cards!
Your cards are waaaaaaay too beautiful!!!!
Love these. I think the Peony is my favorite set.
Wow, the flowers are so dimensional they look folded! So beautiful! Love the painted striped background too! Totally beautiful cards!
The peony blossoms are beautiful, my favorite being the orange one! Love the cards you made! Your watercoloring is lovely!
Stunning peony cards!
Beautiful flowers! Love the background!
I watched your video and I must be the last person to learn about using the negative to hold the die cut. Don’t know where I have been. Thanks for the tip. 😀 Also, thanks for the painting tips. I might now be willing to give it a try.
Thanks for sharing your unique design and the special ‘magic’ ink, too.
Really beautiful cards! Love your innovative coloring techniques. Thanks for sharing!
Your cards have such great dimension. Love your watercoloring and how you pop up the flowers.
Beautiful watercolor flowers and backgrounds. Your finished cards are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
gorgeous …. love what you did with the backgrounds
Oh so very pretty!! Love your backgrounds on the peony cards!!!
Both your cards are just so gorgeous.I love the way you have have colored the detailed layer of the peony stamp to create such depth. Your work and ideas are always so amazing <3
Fabulous card 🙂
beautiful cards with lovely blooms…
Absolutely breathtaking, Kathy, you’re just amazing!
LOVE your cards. Your technique really make the pop.
I get such a tropical feel from these cards – as if I were looking at palms and hibiscus! Lovely.
All so stunning! Love the techniques!
Gorgeous csrd. Your coloring is amazing. I can watch you all day.
Great use of the flowers.
Beautiful Cards !
Absolutely gorgeous cards. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
stunning cards – thanks for the ideas:)
Love the peony set. Pretty cards
Wow! So pretty – thank you for such a great video – really learned a lot.
These look like you could pick them right off the cards. So beautiful. Love your video. You are so generous with your tips.
Beautiful flowers.
The build-a-flower sets are a
fantastic new technique.
See you in a month in St. Louis.
thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
These are so beautiful Kathy. The die cut words with the colour behind them is a great addition to the beautiful floral’s and I love how the words show up but don’t take away from the flowers. Only you could pull that one off! LOL
Hi Kathy, So Beautiful, such a fan of your coloring, you are the best, such pretty colors. I would of loved to seen the twine, would of been so you, unique and awesome I’m sure.
Fun text ideas!
Thank you Kathy for the wonderful video. I love this set. Such pretty work.
Your cards are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your process video for the coloring of the flowers.
Thanks for a great video Kathy–love all of these floral stamps and marvelous watercoloring!
Your coloring is always spectacular. Love the backgrounds. Beautiful cards.
Here’s what I know…YOU may not be able to ever have enough flowers; I will NEVER tire of seeing you color flowers!!!
Both cards are really pretty, but the one that jumps off the page is your Peony Spray card. It is just spectacular!
Lovely composition!
Wow!! Such pretty cards!! I love the background! Your coloring pretty as always.
Your flowers are gorgeous!
Super pretty! I love the peony.
Such pretty cards – I love the peonies and the die cut sentiments.
isoscia at aol dot com
Love how you used the watercolor! Do you know when that watercolor set will be available?
Hi Sarah, When it happens I will let you know on my blog. Hope that’s ok. Thanks
Wow! These flowers look very realistic! Great job!
Stunning Kathy. Those little added touches finish it off beautifully
LOVE the softly stamped background for each colored Blossom!
Beautiful colors and I like the stamped background.
Absolutely love the dimension you got with these flowers!
The only thing that comes to my mind is… WOW!
These cards are amazing. Thanks for sharing.
I have always been into flowers in a big way on all my cards. I love making 3D flowers for my cards and trying to get them as realistic as possible. These Build-a-Flower stamp and die sets are amazing for detail and make it easy to create stunning flowers. I already own two sets and look forward to adding to my collection. Your cards are beautiful! Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration!
Wow Kathy what you did with the Peony Blossom set is breathtaking. Your flowers are so stunning, I played the video 4 times to see how you made each layer on a petal, it’s so great. I had so much fun watching and I learned a lot, again, from you, thank you so much!
Absolutely gorgeous cards! I learn a lot just watching you color. TFS
Beautiful colors and so striking with the added lines. Love the idea on longer stems. I have a stamp set that they are way too short. Your cards always make me smile.
Hope your dad is better and back home.
I love the purple peony! These flower sets are amazing! Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow – you always blow me away with your watercoloring.
So beautiful!
so pretty!
Love your colouring on these florals. Thanks for sharing your creativity.
Beautiful cards—that peony stamp is so pretty.
Love your backgrounds.
Altenew has THE best flowers. Such pretty cards. Thank you for the inspiration.
I am never surprised at your amazing cards. These flowers are breath-taking. You rock, Kathy! By the way, how was your trip to the greatest state in the union—Texas?? ha-ha I’m from San Antonio, by the way. ha-ha I hope you had a great trip. Did you get to visit San Antonio??
I wish that I could have your talent, even if just for one day. Your coloring/watercoloring paired with the awesome Altenew stamps is just amazing. Thanks for all of your videos and inspiration.
I am so watercolor challenged. I learned so much watching this video. I can’t wait to play with my flower building stamps. Your cards are lovely as always! TFS!!
those flowers are so gorgeous love your antiques and that you use them! However shows how much I know I was thinking the glass was some kind of soap dish sorta puzzled by the salt and pepper.
You have remarkable creativity! These cards are gorgeous!
Holy moley! Your cards are stunning! LOVE these Build a Flower sets. Thanks for the inspiration. 😀
These flowers are incredible…watching your detailed coloring was so inspiring–I learned so much. Truly like your backgrounds, so creatively showcasing your finished flowers. tfs
Very pretty!
Oh that Peony is perfect!
I love, love, love, love how you did the flowers and how you built them up. However, I am thinking you need a die cutter to do this and I don’t have one. I wonder if I cut them out, fussy cutting it’s now called, could I do this? I’d love to try. I have pop dots so they would really look layered. Can you do that with any flower stamps that are kind of like this? I’m thinking of my Altenew stamps. I might try this with some scrap paper that I have tons of and see if I can do it. I love your background and the cut out letters.
I love your last card and the striped background. You’re coloring is so pretty!
Thank you for showing us your pretty cards and for giving us the chance to win something. I am so loving this hop!
Wow, beautiful cards, love how textural these flowers look!
Gorgeous! I like the idea of using the final layer to watercolor by. It may be cheating, but its my kind of cheating 😀 Btw, loved the sneak peek of the new watercolors 😉
Lovely card and the flowers you made are so lively…..
Just love your two cards. So very different but equally stunning.
Your colouring is marvellous.
Kathy, your cards are amazing, as always. I want to put your peonies in water, they look so real. Thanks for the inspiration.
Gorgeous cards. I so love these watercolor techniques. I’m sure I’ll be referring to this video often. Thanks Kathy, love your work.
All fabulous cards!!
Wow , the detail you added to the peony blossom is so beautiful!
Wow these flowers are gorgeous! I love all the details you added to these flowers. So stunning and now I definitely need this set! Thanks for sharing your amazing process.
So pretty. Love both the cards.
These turned out so gorgeous and gave me an idea that maybe I can water color after all and make something look nice.
What paint set are you using. Thanks for sharing.
I like how you created a muted background with the flower stamp. Then the simplicity of a single flower colored boldly brings my eye to the sentiment. Like the cut out word over the same color of the flower.
Beautiful cards, thanks for sharing!
This is a beautiful flower. I love the technique you useed. Beautiful card.
I was so excited to see that you are doing this hop! All four of your cards are breathtaking! You have really made the flowers come to life! TFS!
Your flowers are stunning, Kathy! I really like how you made the BG with just repeating that one stamp.
The cards are all so pretty! Makes me want to water color more!
Very pretty card
I love your flowers! They are so beautiful!
Super pretty creations! Love the 3D effect! 🙂
Gorgeous cards Kathy!! wrapping the twine around the flower gives it a little extra and it makes me happy too, will have to try that sometime soon as well 🙂
wow… the flowers are so lively… just loved all of them…
Loving these cards, the colours are so bright and images stunning, I love it when you create watercolours like this, thank you.
WOW! Stunning cards! Your water coloring is amazing! I’d love to learn to watercolor that well!
Oh I love these, especially that first set! The dimension is gorgeous and I love the negative cut letters too!
I especially love the texture and dimension of your first cards!
I love all the watercolor effects and your idea of wrapping thread in the impressions around the letters. I just might have to try that sometime!
Beautiful cards!
What a great idea. I love how you used the details of the stamp to provide a coloring guide. You don’t need such a guide as your work is always so gorgeous, But it is a genius idea for those of use who struggle with that, Thank you so much,
Everything you touch turns to color! You could my black and white world ❤️❤️❤️
I love these sets fav. is the rose so detailed.