Radiant Blooms - 7 Different ways

 As many card makers, I am also a collector. Every new and old stamp, die, stencil is screaming at me that I need it. I must have it to create the best card. I decided to start using my stash by creating as many cards as I could with one main product. My first try at this is Altenew's Radiant Blooms. 

1.    Fresh Dye Inks

On this card, I stamped on to card stock the image of the flowers and basket. And followed the stencil coloring that comes with the set. I grabbed a cover die for the background yellow cardstock. Trimmed down the front cover to create a small white border frame. Die cut the flowers and basket and adhered it to the card with foam tape.

2. Alcohol Markers

I used Pinkfresh Detail Black ink to stamp the flowers and basket. Then proceed to use Altenew's Alcohol Markers to color in the images. On this one I was able to use the same colors that I had in the fresh dye inks as well. 

I then stamped a cling stamp on the background. I didn't want it perfect; I liked that it had some areas fading. I framed out the card with black and white borders. 

3. Watercolor Brushes

I had at this time the Tropical Fiesta brushes from Altenew. This was my first time trying out these brushes. I managed to add shading on the leaves, and little on the flowers. But will need more practice. I stamped the images on watercolor cold pressed 140 lbs. paper. 

Took my time to apply small amounts of watercolor with the brushes and spread it around with a slightly damp watercolor brush. A little goes along way. I then die cut the images, and the sentiment. 

I stamped the flowers to the background card front. Cut down the card to have a brown border. I added the die cuts to the card with foam tape.

4. Embossing and Ink Blending

This one might be one of my favorites. I used white embossing powder on the flowers and leaves. And bronze embossing powder on the basket. Once I added embossing powder and used the heating tool to active, it was time to ink blend.

When you use embossing powder, the ink might blending on top of it but you can rub off that part. I wanted to use colors that would be dark enough to work with the white and bronze. I did a light stamping on the background of the card and added a strip of card stock. The strip balances out the basket to have it not floating on the card.

5. No Line Ink Blending

On this version, I lightly stamped the images. And used the stencils to color the items. I didn't go back and re-stamp. Since I didn't use a dark ink, it appears to be no lines. 

I added some more drama by putting it onto a black card panel. 

6. Alcohol Ink

I have taken one class with Tiffany Solorio on alcohol inks. So, I have very little knowledge on how it moves. I figured this would be a great opportunity to tryout my new inks from Altenew and create. 

I used specialty paper, rubbing alcohol and the “air” blower to move the ink. Once I got to a point that I liked the background. I dried it with a heating tool. I cut out the sentiment in white with a vellum shadow.

I took the radiant blooms stamp and used pigment white. I didn’t use a stamp positioning tool but took the stamp and freehanded it onto the page. I wanted it to look random on the page.        

7. Acrylic Markers w/ shimmer splatter 

Here I started with a brown card panel and stamped the flowers in different directions on the panel. I used Altenew's acrylic markers to color the images. I wanted to bring a muted coloring that the reds and pinks would pop but at the same time leave the overall feel of the card to be soft. I did add some shimmer splatter to add the sheen and followed up with white paint splatter. 

Summary: 

I wanted to create 10 different cards but got waylaid at 7 cards. I think there is so much more I can do with this set. I have learned a lot more since I started this in the summer of 2025. I might make a second blog on more that I make, if I can get motivated. 

My end conclusion is to remind myself that one set is not a one off. I need to use them and create and create, and create. For 2026, my goal is to shop less and use more stash! 

Pinkfresh "Cards For Him" Create & Connect

 In May of 2025, I attended my first Pinkfresh create and connect virtual event. I also consider this my first big online event live on YouTube. This event was live on \Saturday, May 17 through Sunday, May 18th. The list included 6 different instructors using full sets of products. The event started at 9AM eastern time with a kickoff introduction of all the instructors. 

They set up a Facebook group about two / three weeks before the event. You don't have to be on Facebook however it does offer advice from the instructors and previous attendees. And the uploads of the cards are inspirational.

During the event on YouTube, chatting is in full force. The instructors are very good at paying attention and helping best they can. Pinkfresh has a moderator as well to help with any instructions or questions. Sometimes it is good to watch first and participate in the chat. And then to come back to create the cards at a later date. 

The box of goodies:

Pinkfresh knows how to make you feel like you have got a great deal for the cost of these events. I was super impressed when I got the box. They did do an unboxing before the event closed out on signing out but to have the product in your hands is totally different. In case you don't know, Pinkfresh creates coordinating product. For most product there is a stencil (multiple layering), die and stamp. 

The majority of the product is only for available for the event and will not be sold in the shop later. Some of the essential's products can be put on their site at later dates. The product is divided up into plastic zip bags by each class. On the front of the bags list the contents, so you can check quickly on the contents. 

One thing about Pinkfresh is that they do not send cardstock. Well let me rephrase this, they do not send white cardstock. In later events I take, they did send some A2 pieces of their glitter card stock and acetate. All the coloring on the cards made are from using the inks in class. 

In the box, is a printed letter size instruction booklet. This includes the instructions for all 6 classes with 2 cards each. And also includes 12 make and takes that the instructors have created from using different parts of the kits. This means you can walk away from the event with 24 cards. 

Prepping / Homework

Pinkfresh sends a pdf of what homework to do before class. It isn't necessary but it does help not feel rush if you are going to craft with the instructors. Each instructor did record YouTube videos on their homework. It is very helpful, sometimes the written instructions aren't as clear as you would think.

I did the homework and put them all in the bags with the product. I only made one set for each car
d. Now, looking back I should have made two sets on most of these. A couple of the cards I wouldn't necessarily want to do again but the majority of them were very fun and gorgeous cards. 

I try to do any of the embossing for sentiments beforehand. I am still trying to figure out the skill of getting it to look good.

Creating the Cards

I am going to put in pictures of the cards I created. I did use Pinkfresh ink for all the cards. 

Summary

I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. I did finish more of the cards later. Each class was two hours, and the pace was pretty quick. Since I had just started doing cardmaking in March, it was a lot to handle. But I wouldn't have wanted to miss this event. I learned a lot and have inspiration to do more things. 

I did miss two of the Sunday class because I had to do some adulting. This means that I had errands and tasks to do. It took me a little bit to complete those classes. The great thing about these events is they are recorded on YouTube so you can go back and watch them at any time.

What I have found is that I save them in a private playlist so that I can find them again. Usually, you can find the links on Facebook but you never know if Facebook changes their rules. 

Discounts:

Pinkfresh does offer a discount pre-class. And then another one after the class.