Crafting the Altenew Way: The Birth of My Blog

I'm uncertain whether blogs are still relevant today or if it's too late to start one. I tried to start a blog when I joined Karen Burniston's design team in July 2024, but I couldn't get the hang of it, even with Wix's AI tools. I thought it wasn't worth the hassle, and since I have my Facebook and Instagram accounts, I figured I should be okay. When I post on those platforms, I use them as my blog and often ramble endlessly.

However, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was an unfinished task. Not being able to successfully create a blog site troubled me. I was informed that having a blog is a useful way to keep track of my thoughts and projects. I imagined it would be wonderful to have such an organized space to store images of my cards, along with the thoughts and inspirations behind them.

My journey into crafting began on December 1st, 2024, which I consider the start of this hobby, marked by the purchase of a die machine. I was fascinated by embossing folders and, through research, learned that I needed a die-cutting machine. Thus, I acquired a Sizzix Big Shot. I think it came with a small die as a sample. At the time, I didn't know what a die was and wasn't particularly interested. I enjoyed pressing paper through the embossing folders I bought... for about two days, after which I lost interest in this new toy.

In Taiwan, crafting and card-making aren't particularly popular hobbies. Most people prefer bullet journaling, as trends from Japan are often followed. I discovered just one physical store that imports dies, stamps, and other crafting supplies from abroad. There were fewer than a dozen online sellers as well. When I first visited the store, I was overwhelmed by the variety of stamps with matching dies, stencils, and inks. It was more complex than simply purchasing a few items. My brief research on YouTube led me to watch several of Tim Holtz's videos. Consequently, I began buying distressed inks and Tim Holtz's embossing folders, still unsure of how to use them.

The store inquired about my preferences. Although I was unsure, I mentioned that interactive and popup cards sounded intriguing. I was then introduced to Lawn Fawn and Karen Burniston products. Despite lacking fundamental skills in areas like inking or stamping, I dove into creating pop-ups. I became captivated and found it enthralling. Within three months, I joined Karen’s design team, and I am thoroughly enjoying my crafting journey.

However, a part of me has always been eager to return to the fundamentals, mastering the use of a MISTI tool or understanding how to work with an alcohol marker. Over time, my interests have expanded significantly... and it seems that each time I watch a Jennifer McGuire video, I become captivated by collecting products from a new brand.

Altenew caught my eye because my mom is a big fan of floral cards. While I was finishing my collection of Susan Tierney-Cockburn’s incredible designs for Spellbinders, I occasionally wanted something less dimensional. Altenew’s embossing folders impressed me, leading me to consider it a brand worth exploring. I then discovered that Altenew offered everything I wanted to learn in their inventory. It was another serendipitous opportunity that came my way at the perfect moment.

While browsing their website, I found a program that caught my interest and seemed like it could enhance my basic skills. The more I explored the classes, the more certain I became that this was the right program for me. I reached out and received a reply from the fantastic program coordinator, Erum. At that moment, I had no idea she was such a crafting powerhouse and coloring expert.

So here we are. I’m ready (meaning I’ve purchased enough Altenew products to last me a lifetime) and this time I wanted to get a blog up and running as I navigate through this program. To document it for myself and for those who might become interested in it.