When Cardmaking Meets Cosmetics: Inspired by AECP Level 2 Color Your Day

Hello Crafty Friends!

Let me start with a confession: I’m not a make-up person. Over the years, I’ve received well-intentioned gifts—blushes, and eye shadow palettes—from friends who perhaps thought I’d look a little more polished with a swipe of color. While I never reached for them as intended, I held onto those gifts, wondering if they might be useful in mixed media or cardmaking.

So when the Color Your Day class encouraged us to experiment with coloring media beyond our usual favorites, I knew I had to give those unused makeup items a try.

Card One: Subtle Sparkle in Violet

For my first card, I chose the large flower from Altenew’s Floral Art Stamp Set (sadly retired, but still a favorite in my stash). I stamped the outline in Obsidian Ink on Neenah Solar White 80 lbs paper, placing the bloom in the bottom right corner. For the layered petals, I applied embossing ink and brushed over the second layer with a muted violet eye shadow—and to my delight, it shimmered beautifully!

Wanting more contrast, I used a vivid violet pigment powder for the top layer. The difference in intensity between the layers was striking, but I felt the second layer needed a little boost. With just the tiniest amount of pigment powder still on my brush, I gently blended it over the shadowed petals. What a transformation!

To complete the composition, I stamped leaf clusters beside the flower with embossing ink and brushed over them with a soft beige eye shadow. The result: subtle, shimmery foliage that added depth without distraction. I stamped a Happy Birthday sentiment from the Paint-A-Flower: Sweet Pea Stamp Set, added a few black enamel dots, and popped the panel up on a kraft card base that framed it perfectly.

Card Two: Bold in Orange and Earth Tones

I loved the results so much, I couldn’t stop at just one card. Inspired by the Altenew June 2025 Inspiration Challenge (you can check it out here: https://blog.altenew.com/june-2025-inspiration-challenge/), I created a second version using a warm palette of oranges and earthy neutrals.

This time, I stamped the flower in the top left corner and used three shades of orange pigment powder for the layered petals. I repeated the embossing ink + eye shadow technique for the foliage using the same beige shimmer.

To enhance the background, I de-bossed the open space using Altenew’s Garden Harmony 3D Embossing Folder—a simple step that created a soft faux letterpress look and echoed the natural theme beautifully.

TIP: Make your embossing folders do double duty by using both the debossed and the embossed sides.

I finished the design with a die-cut sentiment—smile—from the XOXO & More Die Set, cut from fun foam and layered with pale orange glitter cardstock. As before, the whole panel was popped up on a kraft card base, giving it a polished, dimensional finish.

Two Palettes, One Technique

Isn’t it fitting to make two similar cards in contrasting palettes for the Color Your Day class? Playing with unexpected color mediums was fun, and putting unused makeup to use felt good.

I’d love to know what you think! Do you ever repurpose non-craft supplies in your projects? And if you're feeling inspired, why not join the Altenew Challenge too? It's a great way to spark creativity—and you just might win a prize!

Thanks for spending a little crafty time with me today. I hope you’re leaving with a dash of inspiration. Until next time — happy crafting! 🌸