Easy cards with dies only – no stamps needed
Today we are excited to be joining Altenew to celebrate 6 years with easy cards using dies from Altenew! I don’t know about you but I have certainly grown a large collection in that time! I have a couple of fun and easy techniques using just dies; so they are also quick and simple – one of my favorites! Keep on reading as you know there’s going to be prizes and more stops!
These are the cards I created for the hop; I think they look beautiful. My favorite cards are the quick and easy ones that really pack a punch. These ones fit in that exact category.
Quick & Easy Dies – Layered
This is the first card I want to talk through – we don’t have a video for these unfortunately, but if you’d like me to create one once our studio is open just drop a note in your comment – it’s really easy as the Altenew dies does all the hard work for you! Last time I did easy cards with dies it was a fan favorite!
As you can see in the photo, there are two dies in the Layer Plaid Set; you can buy them individually as well. I used a white card base with black velvet cardstock covering the whole front panel (4.25 x 5.5). Then I cut the dies out using Hero Hues cardstock in two shades of pink; I played around with which I liked on the top & bottom, they are intercahnagable and it’s surprising how much the card changes depending on your choice of which way round you adhere them. I used my trick for delicate dies cuts using the precision glue pen; I have added the video below if you haven’t seen it before.
Once I had my background assembled with the dies, I added a strip of vellum across the front, I like silver vellum for an added extra touch, I like using WPlus vellum adhesive as it never show through!. Then I used the Mega Blessed Die to add my sentiment. I cut one from black velvet and one from gold cardstock then I applied my adhesive to the gold and put it over the black before slipping it slightly to create a dropped shadow, which just adds a little pop to my card.
Special Offer
Enjoy FREE U.S. shipping with code HAPPY6TH or $5 OFF international shipping with code ANNIV20 at checkout. Offer valid from 4/2/2020 at 12:01 am EDT through 4/5/2020 at 11:59 pm EDT. Not valid on prior purchases. Cannot be combined with other promo codes. Shop here.
Easy Stained Glass Effect
Now for the second easy cards with dies today; it has a stained glass effect that will wow all your recipients but you won’t believe how simple it is!
I started off with a piece of acetate card front sized; I use the Tim Holtz trimmer as it will cleanly cut through the acetate. Then I used a scor-buddy to score my crease – this is a little harder on acetate so I do it a few times on both sides and then use my teflon bone folder to really firm up the fold.
Next up I grabbed the Antique Engravings Cover Die and I cut it from a dark grey cardstock as black was too harsh and I trimmed off the border to leave the floral design. I adhered it to the acetate using my same detailed trick above and let it dry for a few minutes.
Then I went to the inside and added a small piece of vellum that you can see in the back for you to write your message on. Now for the stained glass!
This was so easy you will love it! I just took Nuvo Jewel Drops and added them on the inside of the cover (not on the front) so it shone through the front of the card and it doesn’t matter if your filling isn’t perfect. And that’s it! Let it dry for quite a while (overnight is perfect) and you are good to go!
Giveaway
Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners and one Altenew Academy class to 10 lucky winners. There are also 14 awesome companies/crafty friends who are celebrating with us, and they are offering the following prizes:
- Altenew: 6 $50 Altenew gift certificates
- Altenew Academy: 10 class spots
- Jennifer McGuire Ink: 1 $100 Altenew gift certificate & 5 Share Handmade Kindness goodie bags($20 each)
- My Sweet Petunia: 1 prize bundle(Original MISTI, a set of Creative Corners, a Cut-Align and a bar magnet)
- CiLi in Papers: $100 gift certificate
- Craft Stash: £75 gift certificate
- Amy Tangerine: Your Brightest Year Yet online workshop(valued at $89)
- Online Card Classes: 3 class spots
- Simon Says Stamp: $50 gift certificate
- Scrapbook.com: $50 gift certificate
- Michelle’s Cards & Stamp: $50 gift certificate
- Ellen Hutson LLC: $30 gift certificate
- Butterfly Reflections Ink: $25 gift certificate
- Scrapbook & Cards Today: 1 copy of Scrapbook & Cards Today Spring 2020 issue
- Bumbleberry Papercrafts: £25 gift certificate
- Seven Hills Crafts: £25 gift certificate
Be sure to leave comments by 4/12/2020 for a chance to win one of 37 prizes! To make the hop more exciting, start your comment with “Hi from (city or country where you’re from)!”. 37 winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on any of the blogs listed below and will be announced on the Altenew Card Blog on 4/18/2020.
Keep Hopping
If this is your first time at the Hollow I hop you have enjoyed being here and will stick around a while and sign up for our newsletter. You might also enjoy last weeks Altenew Paint a Flower Release too! Right now we are sending a daily cabin fever reliever with lots of crafty ideas for you and the family. Normally we just send one a week.
You probably arrived here from Arjita Sepaha Singh; if you are lost you can restart or find your place from the Altenew Blog. But you NEXT STOP is the lovely Jenny Colacicco; she’s amazing and one of our design team members too!
Thanks so much fo stopping by & we hope to see you very soon!
Happy Crafting
Alexandra & The Prickle
-x-
Hi from germany ! I always love quick and easy cards with dies. Always good when you need a card last minute. And I hate giving away store bought cards.But what blew me away way that stained glass card .
Helloooo from sunny Brighton in the UK. Love this plaid die set, I think it’s a must for me as I just love the plaid effect and normally do it with stamps. (Not very successful I may add ) love how you’ve done the drop shadow too. A very good easy concept. Thank you for sharing X X
Hi from Aberdeenshire Scotland! Wow, I love plaid and that stained glass window is amazing too!
Thank you. Our family started stamping together only a few months ago. We’re hoping to expand our crafting supplies with a MISTI and a die cutting machine someday. We love the way creativity in our home through paper crafting can be enjoyed as a family activity with all ages.
Hi from Texas! Thank you for the tip- these intricate die cuts are definitely tricky to glue down.
Very pretty cards. Really like the plaid dies.
Hi from Visalia,Ca. So many great ideas.
Hi from Illinois. These are such creative design ideas. I often reach for Altenew dies as the main components of my cards because they do make such quick, easy but stunning cards. Thanks for the acetate idea.
HI! It’s Meghan From Chicago! I LOVE the background and how the gold BLESSED just pops!
Hi from North Carolina. I have several of these dies and love the cards made just with dies. Thank you for sharing.
Love the card and thanks for the adhesive tip!
Hi from Illinois. Thanks for the creative ideas! Love the stained glass card!
Hi! Helen from Brisbane, Australia. Love your stunning stained glass card – so special! But your dies only cards are super! Love the idea of a quick card!!!Thanks so much for the great inspiration! Stay safe!
Hello from Minnesota! Love your cards and inspiration!
Hi from Iowa! Absolutely beautiful! I love dies! Thank you!
Hello from Texas! The stained glass technique is really pretty!
Hello from Texas! Lovely cards! I am loving the Layer Plaid Set die as it looks so fun to use.
hi from texas – you are so cheerful – love the acetate card – unique
Hi from Pittsburgh PA. As always your creations are just the best! Look forward to your videos.
How pretty. I really like the flower!!
Hello from Seattle, Washington. Lots of great ideas and useful tips. Thank you for sharing them.
Hi from Calgary Canada. Thanks for the Zig tip and the card with the stained glass effect. Definitely going to try this.
Hi from Shoreline, WA! Fabulous cards! Thank you for sharing such interesting techniques!
Hi from New Jersey love your cards!
Hello from Western Kentucky. Thank you for the great tips on gluing with acetate. Beautiful cards.
Hi from Ohio. Thanks for the adhesive tip! Lovely cards. The stained glass look is great.
Hi from Idaho. Your cards are great! I especially like the stained glass card.
Hi Alexa from Edmonton, Canada! I always love watching your videos…a highlight in our isolation! Thanks!
Hello from Southern California! I love the lattice-back card for sheer drama, but I have just got to try that stained glass technique!
love this simple no stamping card. It is very impressive
“Hi from New Baltimore, Mi” Happy 6th Anniversary! Stained glass is fun and the adhesive tip was a great reminder. We get so many tips, this one had fallen through the cracks. Got it again thanks. Great inspiration and please stay safe and healthy!
Hi from Illinois. Love that stained glass technique, beautifully done!
Love the stained glass card, so beautiful. Thanks for the tip about gluing, I will definitely use it!
Hi from North Carolina…
Your cards are gorgeous…I especially the “blessed card”. I love it. Thanks for sharing.
Hello from India
Love both the cards, I am interested in tutorial for the second card.
Hi from NH. I love your cards! They are very pretty!
Hi from Sacramento, CA. I just love your stained glass card using Nuvo drops. So, so pretty and delicate.
Hi from San Fernando! These no stamping cards are lovely designs, love the stained glass effect on the acetate.
Hi from Bellville, TX USA
The plaid card and the vellum card are equally gorgeous. And thank you for showing me an easier way to glue thin pieces together. Much easier than my old method.
I love the quick and easy cards; no stamping
Hi from Vermont! Alexandra, I’ve been a fan for a long time! Your talent is boundless! These cards are gorgeous!
Hi from Panjim, Goa! I love these cards. They are so beautiful and unusual.
Hi from Dover, DE. Love the layered background and the acetate card. Thanks for sharing.
Hello from South Florida, USA! Your cards
are lovely. Love the acetate card and have to
try that technique out!
Hello from sunny Southern California! Thank you for sharing how you made that gorgeous stained glass card.
Love the quick and easy. Will definitely be trying the stained glass effect. Thank you, and stay safe wherever everyone may be..xoxo
Hi from Port Orange, Florida… Very nice Cards, Beautiful colors, clever design! I love all that you do for the Crafter’s out there… Thanks for the Inspiration…
Hi from Black River Falls, WI. Lovely cards and will watch the video shortly!
Hi from Granite Bay, CA. Thanks for the adhesive tip. Love to learn new things.
Hello from the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California! I follow your YouTube channel, so it is fun seeing you in this blog hop. I love the idea of using the jewel drops on the backside of the acetate.
Hello from Colorado!! Wow I absolutely love the stained glass card!
Hi from Frisco, TX! Love the cards! You always have such great ideas and techniques! TY
Hello from Sterling Heights, Michigan. Just love your cards especially these Altenew cards. Thank you for sharing.
Hello from Ohio. I love that you made cards with no stamps. How fun, and such a good way to showcase more products. I particularly love that clear card with the fill-in Jewel Drops!
Hi from WA! What great ideas for dies. Now I have to get mine out and see what I can do. Thanks for the ideas!
Hi From Wisconsin – WOW lve the creativity of your cards – love them both and will be trying to case them too lol!!
Hello from Florida. Great, colorful cards. I love the plaid die. It is one of my favorites. thank you
Hello from Yakima, WA USA–You are always so cheerful to listen too, I really enjoy it. Your tip was awesome and your card wonderful. It does look like stained glass, and did seem to be quite easy. Thank you for helping to celebrate Altenews 6th anniversary with such a cute card.
Hi from Edgewater, Maryland!! Absolutely stunning!!
Hi from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. I think both of your cards are brilliant! So different & I thank you for all the hints & new ideas I gleaned from reading your descriptions. Happy 6th Anniversary Altenew!
Hello from Delaware! Both cards are lovely, but my favorite has to be the one with the stained glass look. Stay well!
Hi from TX! Gorgeous cards Alexandra, love both projects but the ” stained glass” card is my favorite, well done! Thank you for the inspiration and the glue tip! Happiest of birthdays to Altenew!
Hi from Texarkana, Texas. I love my plaid die set and that gold blessed is so pretty.
Hi from Idaho! Love your cards!
Hi from Minnesota! Congratulations to Altenew on their 6 year anniversary. And thank you for sharing your cards, Alexandra! Your stained glass card caught my eye immediately. What a clever way to use Nuvo jewel drops!
I love the idea using acetate for the front of the card. I want to try this, thanks for sharing,
Hi from Oregon! Love the 2nd card – very unique!
Hi from Ca. Love your cards.
Hi from Uniontown, Ohio! Okay…these are FABULOUS!!! Gorgeous cards ♥
Hello from Vancouver, Canada. Beautiful design!
Hi. I’m from Brisbane. Beautiful!
Hi from Minnesota. Stunning cards! Fabulous and creative techniques in such lovely designs.
thanks for the idea of the “stained glass”.
Love the first card with the gold sentiment.
thanks for sharing.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Saying Hi, from Millstadt, IL
Hi from Ohio. Thanks for the tips and techniques. Like the cards!
Hello from Oregon. Very CLEVER!!!! Love it. Thank you for sharing
Hi from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I like your acetate card!
Hello from Sammamish, Washington. Fun cards, and I enjoyed your Youtube video on gluing intricate dies. That glue is new to me, and you really made the gluing so quick! Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you for sharing your card design. Love the no stamping design.
Greetings from Arlington, VA in the US. Quick and easy is up my alley!
Hi from Buckinghamshire in the UK. These are stunning cards and you make them look so realistic and the flowers are so vibrant and colourful.
Hi and Congrats to Altenew from their hometown, Syracuse, NY. Your ‘blessed’ card says it all!
Hi from Illinois. Your cards are beautiful.
Hello from Florida. Such gorgeous cards! Thanks for the gluing tip.
Love the acetate card! Thank you for doing the blog hop.
Hi from Charlotte, NC!
Love your dies only cards! The techniques for the acetate one were noteworthy! I also like how you shadow layered the “Blessed” card with black velvet!
Creative and beautiful cards!
Hello from Dublin, Ireland! How fantastic are these?! Thanks for sharing a fun new to me technique with the Nuvo Drops – I’d really like to try that!
Good Morning from Rochester, NY, USA…what fast and easy card ideas! I have the plaid die set…I’m going to give it a try!! Love the WOW factor!!
Hello from south central Virginia. Loved both cards. The stained glass card definitely intrigued me and would like to see a video of your process!
Hi from Alberta, Canada!!!! Both cards are so great!
Hello from O-H-I-O! Such Lovely cards! Thank you for sharing your talent!
Hi from Carrollton, TX! Gorgeous cards. I love the Layer Plaid background dies.
Hi from the Netherlands. I love your videos. They inspire me to create! Thank you. Kind regards Marielle Bouwes
Hi from Fremont California! Loved your cards, totally different using items I have! Thank you for the inspiration! Heading to the craft room now to find my acetate!
Hi from Yorkville, IL, Amazing cards. Both are so cool and I love how you used different bases!!
Hi from Denver, Colorado! Thank you for sharing your beautiful cards!
Hi from Toronto, Canada – Wow – that stained glass card blows me away!
Howdy from Houston Tx…and congrats to Altenew!!! I really love the stained glass acetate cards…beautiful!!
Howdy from Texas! Your stained glass card is amazing, I have a whole book of acetate – I must try this soon!
Hi from Myrtle Beach SC!
beautiful job with colors and love the sentiment !
Hello from Rumford, Maine. Very pretty card. I love the stained glass and thank you so much for all the tips. I want to try it… 🙂
Hi from Ottawa, Canada! The stained glass card is so pretty!
Hi, nice examples for the use of the dies.
Hi from Carol Stream, IL. As much as I love heavily detailed cards, I’m usually looking for simple and easy for the cards I make. These are lovely.
Hi from Arlington, VA! That stained glass card is so cool! LOVE!
Hi from Australia. Thanks for the video & glue tips. Love the Nuvo drops on the acetate. Lovely effect.
Hello from Chicago
I actually just purchased those plaid dies so I can’t wait to use them! THank you for always inspiring us!
Hello from Malta, New York. Happy Anniversary Altenew. I still have to make a card using just dies. Your card is amazing.
Hi from Penn Valley, CA! Love your pretty cards! Awesome layering and colors on the first card, and pretty stained glass look on your second card!
Hi From arizona. Such gorgeous cards!
Hi from snowy Wyoming, USA! What stunning cards! I absolutely love plaid, an obsession really! The colors and products used are incredible! It’s so great to make cards that come together quickly and easily! Wonderful wonderful cards!
Hi from Brampton Ontario. Gorgeous cards!
This is the only type of card I made at one time, then I got away from it. Need to get back to this.
Hi from Seattle.. i love watching your videos.. they are super fun and always a new technique., This time i am awstruck with the acetate card.. totally adorable…
WOW!!! Love the stained glass card!!
Hi from Eugene, Oregon! Not only did I get ideas from your “no stamp” card making, I liked your two-minute tip on how to adhere delicate die cuts.
Hi from Idaho. Thanks for this wonderful celebration. I am enjoying all the inspiration!
Hello and hugs from Wisconsin! Who doesn’t love quick and easy techniques – thanks for sharing these beautiful cards!!
Hi from Pennsylvania! Really love the stained glass esp!
Hi from Northern Cal. I love it when people make things with stamps that are not cards. Those are just lovely!
Hi from Michigan. Your card is so pretty! I love the background and the gold against the pink and black. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi from Canada! Your cards are very lovely!
Hello from Utah in the U.S.! Your cards are beautiful, especially the stained glass effect! You are adorable, and I’m so glad I found your blog! Thanks for the great inspiration! Stay well. 🙂
Hi from Cypress, Texas. Love your cards and thanks for the glue tip, going to try it on my next card. Great job!
Hi from Mumbai, India! Gorgeous cards! Love the them
Hi from Melbourne, Florida!
I love seeing all the fun project ideas, thanks for sharing your talent.
Thanks for a chance to win some fabulous prizes.
Carol B
Hi from Michigan currently in Arizona. Simply stunning! Love the cards and colors and flowers!
Hi from Lake Villa, IL. Follow you on YouTube and love your instruction videos. That gold blessed is awesome. Beautiful cards and fun techniques. TFS and Happy 6th Anniversary Altenew.
Don’t think my comment went through properly, but if it did please delete this message.
I love your gorgeous card so easy with the plaid dies, I must get these as the plaid pattern is really my favourite but I normally do it with stamps. Not very successful at times though! X X
Hi from Janesville, MN! I love your Youtube channel and the fun things you come up with! Stained glass look is phenomenal!
Hi from northern Alberta, Canada! 🙂 This is so pretty. I love the plaid!
Hi from Wisconsin! These are really pretty!
Hi from Orlando! Am in loved with your Blessed card!!
Hello Alexandra, I am stopping by from Ojai, CA I love what you did with just Dies on your cards. Very creative!
Hi from Washington, Illinois! Beautiful creations!
Both cards look great. I really like the stained glass one. It’s a cool technique and looks lovely.
Hi from Central Finland! Lovely cards! I really like the first card because it can be created with dies, including the background.
Hi, from Bend Oregon. Such a great tip. Thanks for the inspiration
Hello from Cleveland Ohio. I love your card using the large plaid die set, and hello die. I make and donate lots of handmade cards and this would be a fun quick card to create and could all look different just by changing the colors. Thank you for sharing your creativity.
Hello from Montreal, Canada. I so enjoy seeing your wonderful creations, especially the stained glass effect one.
Hi I’m from Maryland, USA. Beautiful cards. Thanks for the 2 minute tip and the beautiful stain glass card.
Hello from Minneapolis! Gorgeous cards and so much talent!
Hi Ya’ll from central Oklahoma, USA 🙂 Alexandra, those are some gorgeous cards…so modern and sophisticated!!! I love the color palettes and the fact that they are both done with dies! Thanks for inspiring me 🙂
Hello from Connecticut, USA! These are amazing cards! WOW! Thanks for sharing!
Hi from Aberdeenshire Scotland! Being from Scotland I love plaid as it’s similar to tartan
Howdy from Fort Worth, Texas USA. Wonderful card.
Hi from Tin Can Bay, Australia! Beautiful cards! Great concept just using dies alone. Thanks so much for sharing and for the 2 minute tip!
Love how that bold sentiment pops off the background. Thanks for inspiring me today. I’m stopping by from Northern California.
Hi from Port Huron, Michigan. Beautiful cards! I love the die cutting ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Hi from Oakville, ON Canada. Thank you for aa beautiful day off inspiration when we need it most and congrats to Altenew!
Hi from India…Awesome cards…
Hello from Fairfax, Virginia, USA! I love the tip you included on the fine die adherent to card stock! Superb!!!! I also enjoyed your tutorials on the two cards. That is a great idea to attach the nuvo drops to the back of the clear acetate! It is a super pretty stain glass! Thanks for popping across the pond; so to speak, to give us these great tips and fun cards! Cheers! PS I enjoyed it so much, I subscribed! 🙂
Hi from Slovenia. Wonderful cards.
Hi from Illinois. Beautiful cards! I don’t think I’ve made very many cards with just dies and never tried a stained glass look. Lovely.
Hi from NE Ohio. Wonderful cards! Love the stained glass look.
Hi from Dacula Georgia. Love the cards made with just dies. That plaid die set is so versatile, so I think it might have to go on my wishlist. Thanks for sharing.
I love quick and easy! And these are stunning too!
Something about design colours https://www.cooperhewitt.org/2020/02/12/show-your-stripes/ I like this kind of had-made things. Always try to combine different colours and always watch youtube videos with the instructions